Empty Cart Experience

What the empty cart screen is

The empty cart screen is what customers see when they open the cart drawer and there are no items in the cart. You can use it to guide customers back to shopping and suggest products they may want.

Before you start

  • You’ll make these changes inside the Cart Editor.
  • Use Preview first so you can check the look on desktop and mobile before you publish.
Keep your empty cart message short. One clear line plus a strong button works best.

Set the empty cart title and message

In the app, go to Cart Editor, then find the Empty cart or Empty state section.

Turn on the Empty cart title (if there is a toggle), then type a short title customers will understand.

  • Example: Your cart is empty
  • Example: Let’s find something you’ll love

Fill in the Empty cart message. Use one sentence to tell customers what to do next.

  • Example: Browse our bestsellers and add your favorites.
  • Example: Free shipping starts at $50. (only if it’s true for your store)

Open your theme preview and open the cart drawer with an empty cart. Make sure the text fits and does not look crowded on mobile.

If you use multiple languages, check your language/translation fields so the empty cart text shows correctly for each language.

Add a “Continue shopping” button (CTA)

A strong CTA helps customers get back to shopping fast instead of closing the drawer.

In Cart Editor, open the Empty cart section and look for Button or Continue shopping settings.

Set the button label to something clear.

  • Recommended: Continue shopping
  • Other options: Shop bestsellers, Browse new arrivals

Choose the link for the button. Use a destination that helps customers start shopping right away.

  • Best choice: a collection page (like Bestsellers or New Arrivals)
  • Good choice: your homepage

Adjust the button style (colors, shape, and size) so it looks like the main buttons in your store.

Avoid linking “Continue shopping” directly to the cart page. Customers are already in the cart drawer, so this usually adds extra steps.

(Optional) Show product recommendations in an empty cart

Product recommendations can turn an empty drawer into a sales moment. Keep this section small and simple.

In Cart Editor (or your upsell/recommendations area), find the setting that controls showing recommendations when the cart is empty, then enable it.

Choose a source that makes sense for new shoppers.

  • Bestsellers: great for most stores
  • Newest arrivals: great for fashion and seasonal drops
  • Manual picks: best if you want full control

Show a small number so the drawer stays fast and easy to scan.

  • Recommended: 2–4 products

Make sure customers can tap a product, view details, and add it to the cart without confusion (especially on mobile).

If you sell many product types, create a “Bestsellers” collection and use that for empty cart recommendations. It’s easy to keep updated.

Recommended empty cart setup (copy-ready)

  • Title: Your cart is empty
  • Message: Start shopping and we’ll keep your items here.
  • Button: Continue shopping → link to Bestsellers collection
  • Recommendations: On (2–4 bestsellers)
  • Title: Your cart is empty
  • Message: Add items to unlock free shipping.
  • Button: Shop deals → link to Sale collection
  • Recommendations: On (2–4 sale items)
Only mention free shipping, discounts, or guarantees if they match your store’s real policy.

Quick checklist

  • Empty cart title and message are clear and short
  • Continue shopping button goes to a useful page (collection or homepage)
  • Recommendations (if enabled) show 2–4 items and look good on mobile
  • No promo text that could be misleading
When you’re happy with the look, publish your changes and re-check the empty cart on both desktop and mobile.