Shopify Upsell and Cross-sell Apps: Checkout Engine vs Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks

Table of Contents

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

Introduction

Did you know that upselling can increase a business's revenue by up to 30%? Upsell and cross-sell strategies are essential for e-commerce platforms like Shopify, enabling merchants to enhance their customer's shopping experience while boosting their own profitability. This is where specialized apps come into play, allowing businesses to create tailored offers and customized checkouts that invite customers to make additional purchases.

In this blog, we’ll explore two prominent Shopify apps, Checkout Engine and Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks. Both apps provide various options for upsell and cross-sell features, but they differ significantly in functionality and flexibility. Let’s delve into how each app performs and their respective advantages.

How Does Checkout Engine Work?

Checkout Engine is designed to enhance the checkout experience for Shopify merchants with a range of impressive upsell capabilities. Its primary focus is to maximize Average Order Value (AOV) and improve conversion rates by strategically placing upsell offers directly within the checkout process.

Key Features

• Checkout Upsell Block: Merchants can create personalized products or bundles displayed during the checkout process, enticing customers to add more items before completing their purchase.

• Custom Fields and Blocks: This feature allows businesses to add custom fields such as social links or payment icons to the checkout page, enhancing brand engagement. Startups can utilize these options to improve customer trust, while larger enterprises can gather valuable customer data.

• Analytics Tracking: Businesses can monitor their store’s performance through detailed analytics, enabling them to adjust their strategies based on customer behavior and preferences.

• Payment Customizations: This includes options like hiding, renaming, or reordering payment methods. Such adaptability caters to various business models; for example, startups may prefer simplified payment options while larger entities might benefit from advanced configurations.

Utility for Business Sizes

• Startups: The free Sandbox plan allows new merchants to test various upsell techniques without incurring initial costs, making it easier to find the best strategy.

• Small to Medium Businesses: The Basic Plan, priced at $7.99 monthly, offers core features such as hiding and renaming payment methods, which is ideal for businesses aiming to establish a personalized customer experience.

• Large Enterprises: The Advanced Plan includes powerful tools like Checkout Upsell Block and detailed analytics at $27.99 per month, which can significantly optimize conversion rates over a larger customer base.

Scenario

Imagine a fashion retailer using Checkout Engine to suggest complementary items like belts or shoes during checkout. By creating visually appealing upsell blocks, they enhance the shopping experience and encourage customers to increase their order value.

How Does Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks Work?

Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks aims to enhance the checkout experience by integrating upsells and cross-sells seamlessly. Its user-centric design ensures that merchants can create a customized, engaging shopping journey.

Key Features

• Upsell Blocks: This feature allows businesses to present additional products during checkout, increasing the likelihood of upselling.

• Dynamic Content Blocks: Merchants can display personalized content tailored to different customer segments, which is particularly beneficial for larger businesses targeting diverse demographics.

• Custom Fields: Like Checkout Engine, this feature facilitates the addition of specific fields in the checkout that can enrich customer interaction but primarily targets Shopify Plus users.

Utility for Business Sizes

• Startups: The Free to Install option lets new merchants experiment with upsells, albeit limited to Development Stores and Shopify Plus, which may pose a barrier for startups without this plan.

• Small to Medium Businesses: The $99 Unlimited Plan encompasses expansive features, including unlimited order volume and checkout branding tailored for the unique needs of growing businesses.

• Large Enterprises: With integration for Shopify Plus, Checkout Brew is designed to meet the needs of large-scale operations, providing full control over branding and extensive customization options.

How Much Does Checkout Engine Cost?

Understanding the cost structure of upsell applications is essential for businesses looking to optimize their budgets effectively.

Pricing Tiers

1. Sandbox Plan (Free)

   • Features: Full access to Checkout Branding Editor.
   • Limitations: Limited to testing features with no live transactions.
   • Target Audience: Ideal for startups exploring the app without financial commitment.

2. Basic Plan ($7.99/month)

   • Features: Hide/Rename/Reorder payment and shipping methods, condition-based discounts upcoming, and email support.
   • Limitations: Basic functionality without advanced upselling capabilities.
   • Target Audience: Great for small businesses aiming for simple customer engagement.

3. Advanced Plan ($27.99/month)

   • Features: All Basic Plan features, upsell blocks, custom fields, line item modifications, and detailed analytics.
   • Limitations: Higher cost may be unfeasible for very small businesses.
   • Target Audience: Suited for larger enterprises looking to maximize AOV.

Additional Costs: No hidden fees mentioned, providing clear fiscal planning.

“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 Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks Cost?

Examining the pricing of Checkout Brew reveals a distinctly different structure, impacting its accessibility and perceived value.

Pricing Tiers

1. Free to Install

   • Features: All features available for Development Store only.
   • Limitations: Requires Shopify Plus, limiting access for smaller startups.
   • Target Audience: New businesses on Shopify Plus wanting to test functionalities.

2. Unlimited Plan ($99/month)

   • Features: Includes upsell blocks, dynamic content, custom fields, branding, and unlimited order volume.
   • Limitations: High price point may deter smaller businesses without large sales volumes.
   • Target Audience: Specifically designed for larger enterprises looking for comprehensive solutions.

Additional Costs: No extra charges advertised, but being tied to Shopify Plus can complicate budgeting for smaller setups.

Cost Analysis: Checkout Engine vs. Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks

When comparing the pricing of Checkout Engine and Checkout Brew, it is essential to look beyond mere dollars and cents and understand the value each app offers.

• Checkout Engine stands out with lower starting pricing options, especially for startups who can try out the free plan without any risks. The Basic and Advanced monthly tiers are generally more accessible for businesses of varying sizes.

• Checkout Brew is a premium option, particularly tailored for established businesses on Shopify Plus. While offering strong features, the cost may outweigh the benefits for smaller businesses.

Considering the comprehensive features available at cost-efficient levels, it appears that Checkout Engine can better accommodate various operational scales in the upsell and cross-sell arena.

User Reviews & Customer Support Insights

Is Checkout Engine Good?

Checkout Engine has received glowing reviews, maintaining a full 5-star rating from 64 reviews since its launch in November 2022. Users praise its intuitive design and powerful upselling features. This level of satisfaction is bolstered by accessible customer support options, ensuring businesses can resolve issues promptly.

Is Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks Good?

Although Checkout Brew has a perfect rating of 5 stars from just a couple of reviews, the limited user feedback makes it harder to gauge its overall effectiveness. Hypothetically, users are likely to appreciate its unique features tailored for customization but may express concerns about its accessibility due to its dependency on Shopify Plus.

User Preference: Checkout Engine or Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks?

With a larger user base and reviews, Checkout Engine clearly emerges as the more favored option based on user ratings. Its strong feature set, accessible pricing, and supportive customer service all contribute to its popularity among users.

In contrast, while Checkout Brew provides useful features, its limited accessibility could deter potential users, and the low number of reviews suggests that it might not yet have established robust trust within the community.

Integration and Compatibility Comparison

Checkout Engine Integrations

Checkout Engine integrates seamlessly with Shopify’s ecosystem, supporting tools like Google Analytics, PayPal, and various payment gateways. This combination ensures merchants gain comprehensive insights into customer behaviors while benefiting from simple payment processing options.

Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks Integrations

Similarly, Checkout Brew integrates with essential Shopify applications but primarily focuses on Shopify Plus. This specialized integration can enhance checkout experiences, but potential users should be aware of the limitations it presents for businesses not on the Plus plan.

Conclusion

Both Checkout Engine and Checkout Brew Upsells & Blocks provide valuable upsell solutions for Shopify merchants. However, Checkout Engine stands out with its comprehensive features, flexible pricing, and robust user support. Its 5-star rating and established experience since November 2022 reflect a strong commitment to helping businesses enhance their average order value and customer engagement. While Checkout Brew has its strengths, Checkout Engine's superior cost-effectiveness and accessibility make it a more attractive option for a wider range of businesses seeking to leverage upselling and cross-selling tactics.