Shopify Upsell and Cross-sell Apps: Deliberate Checkout vs. Makaira Connect

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. How Does Deliberate Checkout Work?
3. How Does Makaira Connect Work?
4. How Much Does Deliberate Checkout Cost?
5. How Much Does Makaira Connect Cost?
6. Cost Analysis: Deliberate Checkout vs. Makaira Connect
7. User Reviews & Customer Support Insights
8. Integration and Compatibility Comparison
9. Conclusion

Introduction

Upselling and cross-selling aren’t just buzzwords in the eCommerce space; they are essential strategies that can significantly enhance customer engagement and increase revenue. Research indicates that implementing these strategies can boost sales by up to 30%. As Shopify merchants strive to optimize their checkout processes, using specialized apps to facilitate upsell and cross-sell efforts has become a common practice. In this comparison, we will explore two popular options in this category: Deliberate Checkout and Makaira Connect.

Deliberate Checkout, developed by Loftie, Inc., provides merchants with extensive customization options for their checkout pages through a user-friendly interface. In contrast, Makaira Connect offers a comprehensive marketing suite aimed at improving product search functionalities but remains less specialized in the area of upselling. Both apps integrate well with Shopify, but their approaches and features differ significantly, impacting the overall experience for merchants and customers alike.

How Does Deliberate Checkout Work?

Deliberate Checkout aims to enhance the post-purchase experience by allowing Shopify Plus merchants to customize their checkout pages. Here’s how it works:

Setup

With Deliberate Checkout, merchants can utilize a straightforward drag-and-drop interface to integrate upsell offers tailored to the customer's journey.

Features

Deliberate Checkout offers various features that form the backbone of its upselling capabilities:

1. Upsell Product Display: The app allows merchants to select and showcase related products directly on the checkout page, encouraging customers to add these items to their cart before completing their purchase. This is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to increase their average order value (AOV).

2. Information Banners: Merchants can create custom banners to draw customer attention to vital information or promotions. These banners can help build trust and highlight unique selling points, effectively enhancing the shopping experience.

3. Payment Icons: Displaying various payment options through icon banners can increase customer confidence during the checkout process and decrease cart abandonment rates.

These features are tailored for businesses of all sizes:

• Startups can use Deliberate Checkout to establish a professional appearance and build trust with first-time customers.
• Small to medium businesses can leverage upsell options to enhance customer engagement and bolster sales without requiring complex setups.
• Large enterprises can utilize the scalability of the app, adopting advanced features that cater to high traffic and extensive product lines.

Imagine a scenario where a first-time buyer adds a pair of shoes to their cart. With Deliberate Checkout, they might see an upsell for matching accessories right before checkout, leading them to add them to their purchase. This not only enhances the shopping experience but also increases the total sale.

How Does Makaira Connect Work?

Makaira Connect presents itself as a full-fledged eCommerce marketing suite, focusing on improving product search and recommendation functionalities.

Features

1. Search & Filter Capabilities: This allows customers to navigate large inventories efficiently, narrowing down options that suit their needs. While beneficial for product discovery, this feature does not directly facilitate upselling and cross-selling.

2. Product Recommendations: Although it offers some capabilities for personalized recommendations, these options appear less in the critical path of the purchase journey compared to Deliberate Checkout.

Makaira Connect intends to appeal to various businesses as well:

• Startups looking for a free or low-cost entry point can benefit from basic search functionalities.
• Small to medium businesses can leverage enhanced search options to improve user experience but may find upselling features lacking.
• Larger enterprises with extensive product catalogs might appreciate the robust search capabilities but will need additional tools to maximize upsell opportunities.

While Makaira Connect provides valuable features for product visibility, it lacks the explicit focus on upselling that Deliberate Checkout excels at.

How Much Does Deliberate Checkout Cost?

Cost is a critical aspect when selecting an upsell and cross-sell app, particularly for businesses looking for value. Deliberate Checkout offers a single pricing tier:

• Plus Plan: $99/month
  • Features: Access to all features, including upsell displays, information banners, and payment icon banners.
  • Limitations: As a single tier, businesses looking for a more graduated solution may find this restrictive.
  • Target Audience: Best suited for small to medium enterprises looking to enhance their checkout experiences without massive financial outlay.
  • Additional Costs: There are no hidden fees; however, businesses should consider potential costs related to added features or integrations.

“It is important to note that you can always reach out to our team and we can create a custom pricing plan to suit your needs and your budget. Schedule a call via this link and we’ll come up with the best solution for you and your business.”

How Much Does Makaira Connect Cost?

The pricing structure for Makaira Connect offers more variety but less clarity in terms of direct upselling:

1. Search [S] Plan: Free for up to 5,000 products; 14-day trial
2. Search [XL] Plan: $149/month for up to 250,000 products.
3. Search & Reco [S] Plan: $249/month.
4. Search & Reco [XL] Plan: $398/month.

Cost Insights

• The free plan could be a draw for startups; however, its limited capabilities might mean that businesses grow out of it quickly.
• The upper tiers may appear costly, especially for smaller merchants just starting.
• Unlike Deliberate Checkout, which focuses on maximizing AOV through targeted strategies, Makaira Connect trades off direct upselling benefits for a more generalized search and recommendation system.

Cost Analysis: Deliberate Checkout vs. Makaira Connect

When comparing the two, Deliberate Checkout provides a clearer value proposition. At a flat $99/month, users benefit from its extensive functionality designed specifically for upselling. In contrast, while Makaira Connect offers a variety of plans, it is not particularly tailored for maximizing transaction value directly, resulting in potential missed opportunities.

User Reviews & Customer Support Insights

Is Deliberate Checkout Good?

Deliberate Checkout has achieved a perfect rating of 5 stars from 64 reviews. Users praise its intuitive features and effective upselling tools, which significantly enhance their checkout processes.

Is Makaira Connect Good?

Conversely, Makaira Connect has an average rating of 0 stars, as it has yet to receive reviews. This lack of user feedback raises questions about its usability and effectiveness in providing upsell opportunities.

User Preference: Deliberate Checkout or Makaira Connect?

The disparity in ratings suggests that Deliberate Checkout is more favored among users. The dedicated focus on upselling and its user-friendly interface likely contribute to heightened satisfaction. In contrast, Makaira Connect’s generalization may result in underwhelming user experiences regarding upselling capabilities.

Integration and Compatibility Comparison

Deliberate Checkout Integrations

Deliberate Checkout integrates smoothly with Shopify’s checkout system, along with external tools like Google Analytics and other payment processing systems. This connectivity bolsters effective tracking and enhances user experiences.

Makaira Connect Integrations

Makaira Connect lacks detailed integration capabilities compared to Deliberate Checkout. It does not list any specific integrations that can enhance its functionality, limiting its perceived value in a multi-application ecosystem.

Conclusion

In summary, both Deliberate Checkout and Makaira Connect serve essential functions in enhancing eCommerce operations. Still, the user-friendly design and effective features of Deliberate Checkout make it a superior choice for businesses focused on upselling and maximizing revenue. With an outstanding 5-star rating and an intuitive setup, Deliberate Checkout effectively encourages customer engagement and increases average order value. While Makaira Connect has potential in the search and recommendation arenas, it does not stack up favorably against the comprehensive, user-centric offerings of Deliberate Checkout. For merchants looking for a streamlined solution that directly impacts their bottom line, Deliberate Checkout is undoubtedly the better option.