How to Optimize Your Side Cart and Cart Drawer to Drive More Sales in 2025

Did you know that your cart experience can make or break your sales? In eCommerce, every second counts, and so does every click. A seamless and enjoyable checkout process can be the difference between an abandoned cart and a loyal customer. That’s where the Shopify Cart Drawer comes in. This simple feature lets customers check their cart without leaving the page, making shopping quicker and more convenient.

In this blog, we’ll explore why the Cart Drawer is a must-have for your Shopify store, the strategies to optimize it for maximum impact, and step-by-step guidance on how to implement it. 

What is a Shopify Side Cart & Cart Drawer?

A Shopify Cart Drawer ( or Side Cart) is a feature that makes the checkout process faster and easier for customers. Instead of redirecting shoppers to a separate cart page, it shows their cart in a small window that slides out from the side of the screen whenever they add a product.

Also known as a slide-out cart or mini cart, the Cart Drawer allows customers to see what’s in their cart and make changes without interrupting their shopping. This keeps the experience smooth and convenient, which can lead to more completed purchases and higher satisfaction.

By using a Cart Drawer, your store can provide a better checkout experience, helping you boost conversions and keep customers focused on buying.

Why should use Shopify Cart Drawer?

There are many reasons why you should try to use Shopify Cart Drawer for your store—it can boost your sales and keep your customers happier. 

Here’s why it’s a must-have for your store:

Increasing your AOV and profitability

A Shopify Cart Drawer can help you make the most out of every customer by encouraging them to spend more during their visit. By showing related or complementary products directly in the cart, you can gently nudge shoppers to add more items to their order. For example, if someone adds a phone case, you could recommend a screen protector or a charging cable. These upsells and product recommendations are simple yet effective ways to increase your Average Order Value (AOV) and make each sale more profitable—all without requiring extra effort from your customers.

Decreasing buyer's remorse & regret

Sometimes, customers second-guess their purchases, but a small gesture can make a big difference. Including a free gift in the Cart Drawer, such as a small sample or accessory, is a great way to reduce buyer’s remorse. When customers see the free gift added to their cart with a message like “You’ve unlocked a free gift!” it creates a sense of excitement and reinforces their decision to buy. This small touch helps build trust and makes the shopping experience feel more rewarding.

Adding on to a customer's LTV

When customers have a positive experience with your store, they’re more likely to come back—and that’s where the Cart Drawer plays a key role. By offering a smooth and engaging shopping journey, complete with personalized recommendations and thoughtful gestures like free gifts, you leave a lasting impression. Happy customers are more likely to make repeat purchases, increasing their Lifetime Value (LTV) and turning them into loyal advocates for your brand. The Cart Drawer isn’t just a convenience; it’s a way to build stronger relationships with your customers.

How to install a Cart Drawer on your Shopify store with GemPages

You can add a Cart Drawer to your Shopify store using GemPages is simple and doesn’t require coding. Follow these steps to set it up and customize it to match your store’s branding:

Step 1: Begin by visiting the Shopify App Store and searching for GemPages Landing Page Builder. Click on “Install App”, once the installation is complete, open the GemPages dashboard from your Shopify admin.

Step 2: From the GemPages dashboard, select the page where you want to add the Cart Drawer. This could be your homepage, product page, or any other relevant page. 

Step 3: If the page doesn’t already include a Product module, drag and drop the (P) Cart Button element into the module. This button will trigger the Cart Drawer when a customer adds a product to their cart. Make sure the placement aligns with your page’s design for seamless functionality.

Step 4: In the Settings tab of the editor, customize the Cart Drawer to fit your store’s style and functionality:

• Content: Choose what details to display, such as product images, titles, prices, and quantities.

• Layout: Adjust the drawer’s position (e.g., slide-in from the right or left).

• Colors and Shape: Match the color scheme, button styles, and overall design to your store’s branding.

And so on. 

Strategies to Optimize Your Side Cart and Cart Drawer

The Side Cart and Cart Drawer can be more than just a convenient feature for your customers—they can be powerful tools to increase sales, reduce abandoned carts, and build trust. To truly optimize these elements, you need to focus on specific strategies that encourage larger orders, create urgency, and make the shopping experience more rewarding. 

Let’s break down the most effective strategies:

Increase AOV with Cross-Selling and Upselling

One of the easiest ways to boost your revenue is by encouraging customers to add more to their cart. The Side Cart is an excellent tool for this because it keeps customers engaged with their shopping journey without interrupting them. Here’s how you can make it work: 

• Cross-Selling: This strategy involves recommending products that complement items already in the cart. For example, if a customer has added running shoes, you can suggest socks, a water bottle, or an energy bar. Cross-selling not only boosts sales but also enhances the customer’s experience by helping them discover products they might need but hadn’t considered.

Pro tips: Use tools like Frequently Bought Together on Shopify to automate and personalize cross-selling suggestions.

• Upselling: Upselling is about offering a higher-value or upgraded version of a product. For instance, if a customer adds a standard blender, you can recommend a more powerful model with additional features at a slightly higher price. Use clear messaging such as “Upgrade to the premium model for just $20 more!” to make the upsell feel like an irresistible deal.

Learn more about Cross-selling and Up-selling: The Ultimate Guide to Driving Sales

• Bundles and Discounts: Offer bundles of related products at a discounted price. For instance, “Buy this skincare set (cleanser, toner, and moisturizer) and save 15% compared to buying individually.” Bundles simplify decision-making and increase the perceived value of the purchase. 

Urgency Tactics

Customers often delay purchases because they believe they can come back later. Adding urgency in the Cart Drawer can combat this hesitation and prompt quicker decisions. However, it needs to feel natural and credible.

• Countdown Timers: Including a countdown timer in your Cart Drawer for time-sensitive deals, such as “20% off ends in 2 hours,” creates a sense of urgency. This visual element directly ties their action to a limited-time benefit, making them feel compelled to act.

• Low Stock Alerts: Display messages like “Only 2 items left in stock—order now!” to create scarcity. These alerts work especially well for popular items. Be sure to base these messages on real stock data to maintain customer trust.

• Progress Bars for Incentives: Showing a progress bar, such as “Spend $10 more to unlock free shipping,” gives customers a visual representation of how close they are to earning a reward. This not only motivates them to add more items but also gamifies the shopping experience, making it enjoyable.

Free Gift Visibility

Free gifts are a tried-and-true way to make customers feel appreciated and encourage them to spend more. The Cart Drawer is the perfect space to showcase these offers effectively, but success lies in how well you present them. Here’s how to maximize the impact of free gifts in your store:

• Threshold-Based Offers: Highlight promotions like “Spend $50 to receive a free tote bag!” directly in the Cart Drawer. This encourages customers to increase their order value to unlock the reward. Use bold and clear messaging to grab their attention.

• Display the Free Gift: Once a customer qualifies for the offer, show the free gift in their cart with a celebratory message like, “Your free tote bag has been added!” This reinforces the value of their decision and creates excitement.

• Limited-Time Freebies: Tie your free gift offer to a specific time frame, such as “Today only: Get a free mug with purchases over $100!” This creates urgency and exclusivity, motivating customers to act quickly.

Use Social Proof

Social proof is a powerful motivator that can reduce hesitation and encourage customers to follow through with their purchase. By showing that others trust your store and love your products, you can build credibility in seconds.

• Customer Reviews and Ratings: Adding reviews and star ratings in the Cart Drawer, like “Rated 4.9/5 by over 200 happy customers,” reassures shoppers of product quality. Short comments like “Great quality and fast delivery!” or customer photos make the reviews feel genuine. Place them under each item for easy visibility without cluttering the cart.

•  Trust badges are simple yet powerful visuals that signal credibility and security. Including badges like “100% Satisfaction Guaranteed,” “Secure Payment,” or “Fast Shipping” in your Cart Drawer can help reduce hesitation, especially for first-time buyers. These badges act as quick reminders that the shopping process is safe and backed by your store’s commitment to quality. Place these badges near the checkout button or cart total, where they can subtly reinforce the decision to complete the purchase. 

Pro tips: Increase the conversion rate by using the Sales Funnel feature of GemPages. Besides, you can implement A/B offer testing with comprehensive metric reports, allowing sellers to fine-tune their pricing strategies.

Wrap up

Optimizing your Side Cart and Cart Drawer is more than just a design upgrade—it’s a strategic move that can significantly boost your sales and improve the customer experience. By implementing features like cross-selling, upselling, urgency tactics, free gifts, clear return policies, and social proof, you can turn a simple cart into a powerful tool for driving conversions and building trust with your shoppers.

Whether you’re looking to increase your Average Order Value, reduce cart abandonment, or create a seamless shopping journey, a well-designed Cart Drawer is essential for modern e-commerce success. With tools like GemPages, adding and customizing a Cart Drawer on your Shopify store has never been easier. Take the time to set up and optimize this feature, and you’ll not only enhance your store’s functionality but also create a better shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.

Start transforming your cart today and watch as your store’s performance improves!