How to Add Product Recommendations to Your Shopify Store (Step-by-Step)

Why Product Recommendations Matter

Every product page is a chance to show customers something they didn't know they needed. When placed correctly, recommendations increase average order value without touching your ad budget. If you've never set this up before, here's exactly how it works.

Step 1: Install SmartSellio from the Shopify App Store

Shopify's built-in recommendations are limited — one static section, no custom rules, no analytics. To get full control over what you recommend and where, you need a dedicated app.

Install SmartSellio from the Shopify App Store. Once installed, it automatically begins syncing your product catalogue in the background. For most stores this takes a few minutes.

Step 2: Add the Widget to Your Theme

After syncing, add the SmartSellio block to your theme:

1. Open Online Store → Themes in your Shopify admin
2. Click Customize on your active theme
3. Navigate to a product page template
4. Click the + button in the sidebar, open the Apps tab, and select SmartSellio
5. Save your changes

Repeat for your cart page template if you want recommendations there too. The widget loads asynchronously, so it won't affect your page speed scores.

Step 3: Create Your First Recommendation Rule

A rule tells SmartSellio what to show and when. In the dashboard, click Create Recommendation and set:

• Trigger type — the condition that activates the recommendation: a specific product, a collection, a tag, or Smart (fully automated by the algorithm)
• Recommended products — the product, collection, or tag you want to surface
• Position — where the widget appears: product page, cart, checkout, or post-purchase
• Sort order — how recommended products are ordered: best selling, newest, price low to high, price high to low, or random

Start with one rule for your best-selling product. Show two or three complementary accessories on its product page. Give it a week and check whether it's getting clicks before you build more.

Step 4: Review Performance and Iterate

SmartSellio tracks views, clicks, and attributed revenue per rule. Check the dashboard after your first week to see what's converting. Swap out underperforming recommendations, experiment with different sort orders, and try moving a rule to a different position if clicks are low.

You can have up to 100 active rules per store, which is more than most stores will ever need. Starting with a handful and expanding based on real data will always beat setting up fifty rules on day one.

Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid

• Too many recommended products at once — start with 2–4 per rule to avoid overwhelming customers
• Building rules for every product before testing one — validate your first rule, then scale
• Ignoring placement — a great product pairing in the wrong position will still underperform

Get Your First Rule Live in Under 10 Minutes

Setting up product recommendations doesn't require technical skills or a developer. Start SmartSellio's 14-day free trial and see the difference well-placed recommendations make to your store's revenue — no credit card required to begin.