The shopping cart is key to an e-commerce experience. It’s the turning point where users either commit or abandon.
If the cart isn’t easy to use, clear to understand, and fast to update, users start losing trust.
4 Best Practices for Designing Shopping Carts
Make sure the cart is always visible
The majority of shopping cart designs place the cart in the top right.
We should also consider the shopping cart icon. The icon must be easily recognizable to everyone.
A typical shopping cart is one with a handle and wheels.
Additional icons might be a shopping bag or a basket. However, avoid picking confusing or overly abstract icons.
Keep the Cart Clean and Focused
A good shopping cart doesn’t try to sell more. It reassures users. It shows them exactly what they’ve added. The cart icon must display the number of items, and clicking the icon must show purchase details.
- Product name, image, size, and quantity
- Price per item and total cost
- Clear call to action
Avoid distractions like pop-ups or cross-sells unless they’re subtle and context-aware.
Make Updates Easy
Users often change their minds. Maybe they want two hoodies instead of one, or they want to remove an item altogether.
Adjust or delete quantities easily and visibly, not needing a hidden “update” button.
Changes should be reflected in real-time, with prices and totals updating automatically.
Offer a Sense of Control
The best carts give users confidence. They let them:
- Edit choices without leaving the cart entirely
- See shipping costs or estimates early
- Save items for later if they’re not ready to buy
They let users explore and then gently guide them back to the purchase.
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