Online Shopping Cart
What is an online shopping cart?
An online shopping cart is software that allows users to select and purchase goods or services from an online store, offering customers a convenient way to collect and organize products they're interested in purchasing. When users visit an online store, they will typically see a section where they can add items to their shopping cart. This is usually represented by a button with a symbol of a shopping cart or the words "Add to Cart." Once they click on this button, the selected item will be added to their digital shopping cart. As customers continue browsing and adding items, these products will accumulate in their cart until they are ready to checkout.
Importance of online shopping carts for eCommerce
Online shopping carts are the backbone of an eCommerce website. It not only holds selected items for potential purchase but also manages the checkout process, which includes calculating taxes, shipping costs and handling payment transactions. Without a reliable online shopping cart, both the buyer's experience and the seller's operations could face significant hurdles. Users would have to remember each individual item and add it again during checkout, causing frustration and potentially leading to abandoned purchases.
For merchants, shopping carts are crucial because they help track consumer behavior, manage inventory and process orders efficiently. This is why when building an eCommerce website, it’s important to incorporate the shopping cart as a central part of the user flow and journey.
Learn more: What is eCommerce, Best eCommerce website builders
How do online shopping carts work
Adding items to the cart
Users find a product they like, select the desired size or color and click 'Add to Cart'.
Cart interface navigation
Once items are in their cart, users can review them, change quantities, or remove them altogether before checkout. This gives the users full control over their purchases.
Checkout process
Once satisfied with their selections, customers can proceed to checkout. This involves entering shipping and payment information before finalizing the purchase.
Learn more: How to start a business, Is Wix good for eCommerce
Components of an online shopping cart
User-friendly and customizable design options
Product management tools
Intuitive checkout processes
Security protocols to protect against eCommerce website security attacks
PCI compliance: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
Abandoned cart functionality and recovery
Online shopping cart abandonment
Shopping cart abandonment is when customers add items to their online shopping cart but leave before completing the purchase. Many reasons could lead to cart abandonment, such as browsing, finding better prices elsewhere or distraction.
Some strategies to mitigate abandonment and improve checkout conversions are:
Offer free shipping or clearly communicate shipping costs upfront.
Simplify the checkout process to reduce friction.
Provide multiple payment options to accommodate different preferences.
Use retargeting ads and email reminders to bring customers back.
Types of online shopping carts
There are several types of shopping carts available, each with its own set of features and benefits that can cater to different business needs. The main types of shopping carts that you can consider for your eCommerce website are:
Shopping carts as part of full eCommerce platforms
There are fully comprehensive eCommerce platforms like Wix that include everything from website hosting to a fully-functioning shopping cart. This option is ideal for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution.
Shopping carts as a website add-on
Add-on shopping carts are modules or plugins that can be integrated into existing websites. They're great if you already have a site and need to add specific eCommerce capabilities.
Integration-based shopping carts
Some shopping carts are designed to work with other systems, such as inventory management or customer relationship management software.
ご興味のある方はこちらもご覧ください：
Benefits of an online shopping cart
For customers:
Enhanced shopping experience: Features like order tracking, easy returns and saved payment information create a more satisfying customer journey.
Secure shopping environment: A reliable shopping cart system that reassures customers about the security of their personal and financial information.
Efficient checkout process: Hassle-free checkout with clear instructions and multiple payment options for a smoother transaction.
For merchants:
Managing inventory through the cart system: Merchants can see what’s popular, what’s not and adjust their stock accordingly.
Upselling options: Advanced features like upselling and cross-selling within the cart can lead to higher average order values and increased revenue.
Processing orders and tracking analytics: After a purchase is made, merchants use the shopping cart system to process orders and ship products. They also analyze data to understand sales patterns and customer behavior.
Providing customer behavior data and buying patterns: This data can be used to enhance marketing strategies, decipher buying patterns and streamline business operations more effectively.
Best Practices for choosing online shopping cart software
Prioritize ease of use, cost-effectiveness, scalability and integration capabilities when selecting a shopping cart.
Ensure mobile readiness and customization options to cater to consumers shopping on mobile devices.
Consider starting with free shopping cart systems if on a tight budget or for testing purposes.
Invest in paid solutions for long-term growth, offering more features, better support and scalability for business expansion.
Online shopping cart examples
Some examples that showcase effective shopping cart strategies include:
A small business offering artisanal products opted for a SaaS shopping cart solution, allowing them to focus on product quality and customer service without worrying about technical issues.
A popular fashion retailer implemented a shopping cart that suggests complementary products during checkout, leading to an increase in average order value.
An electronics online store introduced a one-page checkout process, significantly reducing their cart abandonment rate.
Online shopping cart FAQ
What is the best shopping cart software for a startup?
The best software depends on your specific needs, budget and technical skills. SaaS solutions are often recommended for startups due to their ease of use and low upfront costs.