Hey folks,
I’ve been noticing a trend among new Shopify merchants lately, and it’s something I think is worth talking about: many new store owners are rushing to run ads without first taking the time to optimize their cart for conversions. Let me explain why this is a problem and why it’s so crucial to address cart optimization before spending money on ads.
When you’re just starting out, it’s natural to think that ads will be the magic bullet that drives traffic and sales to your store. You’re thinking, “If I can get more people to my site, I’ll make more sales.” But here’s the thing: without cart optimization, you’re sending potential customers straight into a leaky bucket.
Think about it, when someone lands on your site, they’re interested, but the journey doesn’t end there. It’s your job to guide them through a smooth, seamless experience that makes them want to buy more, not just once, but multiple times. That’s where upselling and cross-selling come in. A simple, well-placed upsell in the cart can significantly increase your average order value (AOV), turning a one-item purchase into two, three, or more.
You also have to consider cart features like progress bars, sticky carts, and product bundles. They may seem like small things, but they have a huge impact on keeping customers engaged and excited to check out. For example, a progress bar shows how close the customer is to free shipping or a discount, giving them that extra push to add another item to their cart.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of running ads and seeing those visits come in, but what happens when a customer gets to your cart, only to find a slow, clunky experience with no extra incentives? Chances are, they’ll abandon it. And that’s money down the drain.
I’ve been working with the Shopify app like iCart, which is designed to help merchants take full advantage of upselling, cross-selling, and cart optimisation. From my experience, these small tweaks in the cart can lead to massive improvements in conversion rates. I’ve seen firsthand how adding features like sticky carts, progress bars, and product bundles can boost sales by keeping customers engaged right up to the checkout.
Here’s the thing: optimizing your cart for conversions isn’t just about upselling and cross-selling. It’s about building a smoother, more engaging shopping experience that keeps customers coming back for more. Trust me, ads will bring traffic, but cart optimization will convert that traffic into actual sales.
So, before you run those ads, take a moment to ask yourself: Have I optimized my cart to its full potential? If not, that should be your first step. When you get the cart right, your ads will perform better, and your business will grow faster.
Curious for others here: what’s the single tweak you made in your cart that had the biggest effect on conversions?
Show product suggestions right in the cart