A shopping cart is a feature most commonly used in online stores. It enables the user to add products or services they would like to purchase prior the process of checking out. Just like a utility cart in a grocery shop, it holds products temporarily as the shopper browses and orders.

Physical store shopping trolleys are fitted with wheels so that they can be wheeled from a place to another without much hassle. Likewise, an online shopping cart simplifies the process of buying and is also a fundamental part of your marketing efforts, turning visitors into customers.

How shopping carts work

Shopping carts in webstores work by storing product data, quantities, and prices of products entered by the user. This is the way they generally work:

• Item addition. When the user clicks the "Add to Cart" link, the item is added to the cart with data like name, price, quantity, and any relevant options (e.g., size or color). Inventory is sometimes also updated in real time on certain e-commerce sites to reflect what is in stock.
• Cart overview. The cart is accessible at any moment so users can see the list of products selected and the amount spent. This includes any discount used, tax, and shipping.
• Checkout procedure. Customers then checkout, where they enter shipping data, payment, and complete their purchase. More verification steps can be added by some stores, like email verification, to enhance security.
• Confirmation of order. The cart gets cleared after the transaction, and confirmation of the order is provided to the user, typically through an email.

How to improve your shopping cart

To make sure your shopping cart functions well on your business website, consider these tips.

• Mobile optimization. Ensure that the shopping cart is fully responsive and easy to navigate on any device.
• Clear call-to-action buttons. Simple buttons like "Proceed to Checkout" and "Continue Shopping" should be used to navigate the user.
• Transparency about pricing. Highlight clearly the total amount, the shipping fee, tax, and the discount amount applied.
• Save cart for later. Add a function to save items customers wish to buy later so they can pick up from where they left off.

FAQs about shopping carts

Why is a shopping cart important? 

A shopping cart is essential in processing purchases in an online store. It assists customers in keeping track of what they are purchasing and safely checkout without losing products or data.

What should a shopping cart include?

A shopping cart should clearly display:

• Product name and description
• Quantity and price
• Shipping cost and tax
• Order total
• Checkout or save-to-cart call-to-action buttons 

How do shopping carts reduce cart abandonment? 

Simple-to-use shopping baskets with clear prices and simple checkout eliminate cart abandonment. Integrating features such as guest checkout and transparent pricing can motivate users to finalize their purchases.

What is the difference between a shopping cart and a checkout page? 

A shopping cart is where customers examine and adjust their order, and the checkout page is where they input payment and shipping information so they can make the purchase.

Build your website with B12 

B12’s AI-powered website builder helps you create a fully functional e-commerce site. Whether you’re selling physical products, digital goods, or services, your site will be ready to go, no coding required. Get started today!