Empty cart pages: point shoppers to something to buy
An empty cart is a chance to keep a shopper browsing. Offer links to popular collections instead of a dead end.
2 min read
Area
CRO & UX
Severity
Medium
Fix effort
Small
Stores failing
Not enough data
An empty cart page that says only "Your cart is empty" is a dead end. Links to popular categories, bestsellers or the last collection viewed turn it into a way back. This check opens the empty cart and looks for what it offers.
Why it matters
Shoppers land on an empty cart after removing items, after a session expiry or from an old link. Each is a moment where they might have kept shopping. The page should help them.
What the audit looks at
The audit looks at what the empty cart says and where it sends the shopper.
What usually causes it
- A bare message with no links
- A drawer cart that closes without options
- A theme that does not customise the empty state
- Navigation hidden on the cart page
How to fix it
Point shoppers to something to buy from an empty cart. The effort is small, usually a setting or a paste and under 30 minutes.
- An empty cart with no next step is a dead end. Offer a Continue shopping button and a few bestsellers or collections.
- Show it both on the cart page and in the cart drawer.
On Shopify
- Online Store > Themes > Customize, open the cart template or cart drawer settings and add a continue shopping button or featured collection to the empty state.
On WooCommerce
- The WooCommerce empty cart shows a Return to shop button by default. If it is gone, a theme override of cart/cart-empty.php removed it.
How to check it yourself
- Open your cart with nothing in it.
- Count how many links lead into the catalogue.
- Check the mobile view.
Frequently asked questions
What should it show?
A short line, a button to the main collection and perhaps bestsellers.
Does it matter for conversion?
It affects only the few visitors who reach an empty cart, so it is low effort and low priority.
Related checks
Check your own store
See whether your store passes this check
Paste your store URL. The audit loads your pages in a real browser and shows the result for this check with the evidence behind it.