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Website intermediate 45-60 minutes

How to Optimise Thank You Pages for Upsells and Referrals

Learn how to transform your 'Thank You' page from a dead-end into a powerful engine for extra sales and new customer referrals.

Angus 28 January 2026

Most Australian small business owners treat their 'Thank You' page as an afterthought—a digital receipt that simply says, "Order confirmed." However, from a marketing perspective, this is the exact moment your customer is most engaged and has the highest level of trust in your brand. By optimising this page for upsells and referrals, you can increase your average order value and acquire new customers at zero additional ad spend.

In this guide, we will show you how to turn that dead-end page into a high-converting asset for your Brisbane business.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
  • Access to your website’s backend (WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace, etc.).
  • A clear understanding of your 'Core Offer' and a logical 'Next Step' offer.
  • A simple referral incentive (e.g., "Give $20, Get $20").
  • Basic tracking installed (Google Analytics 4 or Meta Pixel) to measure conversions.

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Step 1: Map Out Your Customer Journey

Before touching your website, decide what you want the customer to do next. If they just bought a lawn maintenance package, an upsell might be a one-off hedge trimming service. If they signed up for a free consultation, the next step might be downloading a pricing guide. Visual Check: You should see a clear path from the initial purchase to the logical 'add-on' service.

Step 2: Confirm the Transaction Immediately

The very first thing a user should see is a clear confirmation. Use a large heading like "Success! Your order is on its way" or "You’re Booked In!" This reduces 'buyer’s remorse' and gives them the confidence to keep reading the page.

Step 3: Implement the 'One-Click' Upsell

If you are running an e-commerce store (like Shopify or WooCommerce), use a plugin to offer a complementary product right on the Thank You page. Pro Tip: Offer a 'Thank You' discount that is only valid for the next 20 minutes. This creates urgency. For example, "Add a secondary filter to your order now and save 15%."

Step 4: Add a Referral Section

Word-of-mouth is the lifeblood of Australian small businesses. Use a dedicated section on your Thank You page that says: "Loved your experience? Share the love!" Screenshot Description: You should see a distinct block with social sharing buttons (Facebook, WhatsApp, Email) and a unique referral link for the customer.

Step 5: Offer a High-Value Lead Magnet

If an upsell isn't appropriate, offer a 'Bonus' piece of content that helps them get the most out of their purchase. If you’re a Brisbane-based accountant and they’ve just booked a tax return, offer a "Year-Round Bookkeeping Checklist" PDF. This keeps your brand top-of-mind.

Step 6: Use Video to Build Personal Connection

A simple 30-second video recorded on your smartphone can work wonders. Introduce yourself, thank them personally, and tell them what to expect next. In the local Brisbane market, showing the face behind the business builds immense trust compared to faceless national competitors.

Step 7: Include Social Proof (Again)

Just because they’ve bought doesn't mean you stop selling. Include a small carousel of 5-star Google Reviews or a testimonial from a local client. This reinforces that they made the right decision and makes them more likely to refer a friend.

Step 8: Create a 'Value-Add' Survey

Ask a single, simple question: "What is the #1 thing we could have done better today?" or "What other services are you interested in?" This provides you with free market research and helps you segment your email list for future Australian-specific promotions (like EOFY sales).

Step 9: Optimise for Mobile

Many Australians shop or book services on their phones while commuting or on lunch breaks. Ensure your Thank You page buttons are large enough to tap with a thumb and that your video (if used) loads quickly on a 4G/5G connection.

Step 10: Set Up Conversion Tracking

Ensure your 'Thank You' page URL (e.g., /thank-you/ or /order-received/) is set up as a 'Conversion' or 'Key Event' in Google Analytics 4. This allows you to see exactly which marketing channels (SEO, Facebook Ads, etc.) are driving the most profitable customers.

Step 11: Add a "Follow Us" Section

Finally, invite them to join your local community on Facebook or Instagram. Frame it as a benefit: "Follow us on Instagram for local Brisbane project updates and exclusive flash sales."

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Pro Tips for Success

  • Keep it simple: Don't overwhelm the user with five different offers. Choose one primary upsell and one referral option.
  • The ABN Factor: If you are a B2B business, include your ABN and professional credentials at the footer of the page to maintain the high level of trust required in the Australian regulatory environment.
  • Personalise: Use the customer's first name in the heading (e.g., "Thanks, G'day Dave!") if your website platform allows for dynamic text.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • The Dead End: Having a page that just says "Thank You" with no navigation or next steps. This is a wasted lead.
  • Too Much Friction: Asking for too much information in a survey. Keep it to one or two clicks.
  • Slow Loading Speeds: If your upsell images are too large, the customer will close the tab before the offer even loads.

Troubleshooting

  • The page isn't showing up after purchase: Check your redirect settings in your form builder (like WPForms or Elementor) or your e-commerce checkout settings. Ensure the 'Redirect URL' is set to your new custom Thank You page.
  • Upsell buttons aren't working: Check for plugin conflicts. If you are using a 'One-Click Upsell' tool, ensure it is compatible with your payment gateway (e.g., Stripe or Square).
  • Low referral engagement: Your incentive might not be strong enough. Try increasing the reward or making the social sharing buttons more prominent.

Next Steps

Now that your Thank You page is working harder for your business, you should:
  • Monitor your Analytics: Check your 'Page Value' in GA4 after 30 days.
  • A/B Test: Try two different upsell offers to see which one Brisbane locals prefer.
  • Refine your Email Follow-up: Ensure your automated 'Thank You' email matches the tone and offers on your page.

If you need help setting up advanced tracking or designing a high-converting sales funnel for your Brisbane business, the team at Local Marketing Group is here to help. Contact us today to book a strategy session.

Conversion Rate OptimisationWebsite StrategyUpsellingReferral Marketing

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