When running an online store, offering variety is key to attracting and retaining customers. That’s why I looked into WooCommerce mix and match products—a feature that lets customers create personalized WooCommerce product boxes with their preferred items. It’s an interesting way to boost sales while improving the customer experience.
But does it actually work for all stores? After testing it, I found that while it’s a great addition, it requires the right approach to get the best results. Here’s what I learned.
What Makes WooCommerce Mix and Match Products Worth Considering?
Customers today expect more control over their purchases. They don’t always want to buy pre-made bundles—instead, they prefer the freedom to mix and match products according to their needs. This is where WooCommerce mix and match products come in.
Some of the best use cases include:
- Gourmet food & snacks – Customers create custom variety packs.
- Skincare & cosmetics – Shoppers select products suited to their preferences.
- Gift sets – Personalized gifts become more appealing.
- Subscription boxes – Recurring purchases based on user selections.
The ability to offer WooCommerce product boxes tailored to individual needs makes shopping more engaging. This feature encourages customers to spend more, as they feel they are getting exactly what they want.
How Does It Impact Sales?
From my experience, adding WooCommerce mix and match products had a noticeable effect on revenue. Here’s what stood out:
1. Higher Average Order Value
One of the biggest advantages was an increase in the average order value. When customers are given the option to build their own product bundles, they tend to add more items to their carts.
- Offering small discounts on full boxes encouraged customers to add extra products.
- Highlighting “best value” bundles increased larger orders.
- Customers felt in control of their spending, leading to higher satisfaction.
2. Better Customer Retention
Another thing I noticed was a boost in repeat purchases. Since shoppers could create their own WooCommerce product boxes, they were more likely to return and reorder the same selections.
- Customers could save their box selections for future purchases.
- Personalized shopping experiences led to better engagement.
- Subscription-based models worked well with the mix-and-match feature.
By giving customers the flexibility to build their own bundles, I saw an increase in loyalty and retention.
Challenges of Using Custom Product Boxes
While the benefits were clear, I did face a few challenges when first implementing this feature. Here’s what needed to be fixed:
1. Inventory Management Became More Complex
Because each order was unique, tracking inventory accurately was a challenge. Some items ran out faster than expected, while others remained in stock longer than planned.
What helped:
- Enabling real-time stock updates for mix-and-match selections.
- Setting limits on high-demand products within bundles.
- Using automated alerts for low-stock notifications.
These small adjustments ensured that orders could be fulfilled smoothly.
2. Cart Abandonment Issues
At first, some customers abandoned their carts after building their custom boxes. After analyzing feedback, I realized that confusion about pricing and checkout was the issue.
What fixed the problem:
- Adding a progress indicator to show when the box was complete.
- Clearly displaying pricing updates as items were added.
- Reducing unnecessary steps in the checkout process.
With these changes, the number of completed orders increased significantly.
3. Mobile User Experience Needed Optimization
Since a large percentage of customers shop on mobile devices, it was essential to make sure that WooCommerce mix and match products worked seamlessly on smaller screens.
Changes that improved mobile conversions:
- Enlarging buttons and selection fields for easier navigation.
- Compressing images for faster page loading speeds.
- Adjusting layouts to prevent excessive scrolling.
These optimizations led to a smoother experience for mobile users, increasing engagement and sales.
Seasonal Campaigns Work Well with WooCommerce Product Boxes
Another major takeaway was that seasonal promotions drive more conversions when paired with WooCommerce product boxes. Running limited-time campaigns made a big difference in performance.
Examples of successful campaigns:
- Holiday gift boxes – Customers built their own Christmas and Valentine’s Day sets.
- Back-to-school packs – Parents selected items for their children.
- Limited-edition product mixes – Creating urgency boosted sales.
By promoting mix-and-match options for special occasions, I was able to increase revenue during peak shopping periods.
Does It Improve Customer Experience?
Beyond sales, another key benefit I noticed was improved customer satisfaction. When shoppers have control over their product selections, they are more likely to be happy with their purchases.
What made the experience better:
- Allowing customers to save previous orders for easy reordering.
- Providing recommendations based on past purchases.
- Offering subscription-based mix-and-match options.
By making the shopping process more interactive, customers felt more valued, which helped build long-term relationships.
Final Thoughts – Is WooCommerce Mix and Match Products a Good Fit?
After using WooCommerce mix and match products for a while, I found that it can be highly effective when set up correctly. It works particularly well for stores that sell customizable goods, gift sets, or subscription-based products.
Pros:
✔ Encourages higher spending per order.
✔ Enhances the customer shopping experience.
✔ Works great for seasonal promotions.
✔ Improves customer retention and repeat purchases.
Cons:
✘ Requires proper inventory tracking to avoid stock issues.
✘ Needs an optimized checkout process to prevent abandoned carts.
✘ Mobile responsiveness must be carefully managed.
For store owners looking to implement WooCommerce product boxes, it’s worth considering the Extendons Mix and Match Products Plugin for WooCommerce. It is widely recognized as one of the best options available, offering essential mix-and-match functionality.
However, success depends on strategy and execution. By offering the right incentives, optimizing the shopping experience, and tracking inventory effectively, stores can make the most of this feature to increase sales and customer loyalty.
