WordPress / 7 MIN READ
Woo Cart Page 101
Creating WooCommerce Product Buy Buttons
From the original Fervor library. Examples may use older package versions.
How to Create and Customize the Cart Page in WooCommerce: A Step-by-Step Tutorial
WooCommerce is a popular eCommerce plugin for WordPress that makes setting up an online store a breeze. The cart page is a critical component where customers review their selected products before proceeding to checkout. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through creating, configuring, and customizing the cart page in WooCommerce.
1. What is the Cart Page?
The cart page is where users see the items they’ve added to their shopping cart. This page usually includes:
- A list of selected products.
- Quantity controls.
- A button to update the cart.
- A link to proceed to checkout.
- Shipping costs or estimates.
- Coupons (if enabled).
2. Setting Up the Cart Page in WooCommerce
By default, WooCommerce sets up a cart page for you during installation, but if it’s missing, here’s how you can manually create it:
Step 1: Create a New Page
- Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
- Navigate to Pages > Add New.
- Title it Cart.
Step 2: Add the Cart Shortcode
- In the page editor, paste the WooCommerce shortcode for the cart:
[woocommerce_cart] - Publish the page.
Step 3: Assign the Cart Page in WooCommerce Settings
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced.
- Under the Page Setup section, find the Cart Page dropdown.
- Select the page you just created.
- Save changes.
3. Customizing the Cart Page
The default cart page is functional, but you may want to tailor it to fit your store’s design and improve user experience.
Option 1: Customize with the WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg)
- Open the Cart page in the WordPress editor.
- Add blocks around the cart shortcode, such as headings, images, or calls to action (CTAs).
- Customize the layout and styles using the editor tools.
Option 2: Customize with a Page Builder
If you use a page builder like Elementor or Divi:
- Open the cart page in your page builder.
- Use WooCommerce widgets or modules provided by the builder to redesign the cart layout.
- For example, Elementor has a Cart Widget for detailed customization.
Option 3: Modify with CSS
Add custom CSS to tweak the cart page’s appearance:
- Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
- Add your CSS code. For example:
.woocommerce-cart table { background-color: #f9f9f9; border: 1px solid #ddd; }
Option 4: Add Custom Functionalities
Use plugins like:
- WooCommerce Cart Abandonment Recovery to improve user retention.
- WooCommerce Direct Checkout to simplify the process.
- Custom Thank You Pages plugins to extend post-cart interaction.
4. Adding Features to the Cart Page
Enable Coupons
- Go to WooCommerce > Settings > General.
- Check Enable the use of coupon codes.
- Customers will now see a coupon field on the cart page.
Set Up Shipping Calculations
- Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping.
- Configure shipping zones, methods, and rates.
- The cart page will display real-time shipping costs.
Add Cross-Sells
Promote related products directly on the cart page:
- Edit a product in WooCommerce > Products.
- Scroll to the Linked Products tab.
- Add cross-sell products, which will appear on the cart page.
5. Troubleshooting Cart Page Issues
Common Problems
- Cart Page Not Displaying Properly: Ensure the
[woocommerce_cart]shortcode is present. - Broken Styles: Check for theme compatibility issues or conflicts with other plugins.
- Cart Not Updating: Flush your browser cache or troubleshoot JavaScript conflicts.
Solution: Debugging
- Switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Three) to see if the issue is theme-related.
- Deactivate plugins one by one to identify conflicts.
6. Pro Tips for an Awesome Cart Page
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure the cart page looks great on mobile devices.
- Clear CTAs: Use bright, attention-grabbing buttons for actions like “Proceed to Checkout.”
- Transparency: Display total costs, taxes, and fees upfront to build trust.
- Simplify the Process: Remove unnecessary steps to avoid cart abandonment.
7. Wrapping Up
Creating and customizing the cart page in WooCommerce is essential for any online store. By following the steps above, you’ll ensure your cart page is functional, visually appealing, and optimized for conversions.
Bonus Beaver builder
How to Create and Customize a Cart Page in WooCommerce Using Beaver Builder
Beaver Builder is a fantastic drag-and-drop page builder that makes designing your website simple and intuitive. When combined with WooCommerce, it allows you to create a beautifully designed and fully functional cart page. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create a cart page with Beaver Builder and ensure it dynamically displays the cart contents.
1. Prerequisites
Before diving in, make sure:
- WooCommerce is installed and set up.
- Beaver Builder (Lite or Pro) is installed and activated.
- The Beaver Builder WooCommerce Add-On is enabled (if using the Pro version).
2. Setting Up the Cart Page
Step 1: Create a New Page
- Navigate to Pages > Add New.
- Title it Cart.
Step 2: Add the WooCommerce Cart Shortcode
- Switch to the Text Editor (not the Visual Editor).
- Paste the WooCommerce shortcode:
[woocommerce_cart] - Save the page as a draft.
3. Design the Cart Page with Beaver Builder
Step 1: Launch Beaver Builder
- Open the cart page in WordPress.
- Click Launch Beaver Builder at the top of the page.
Step 2: Add the Cart Module
If you’re using the Beaver Builder WooCommerce Add-On:
- Drag and drop the WooCommerce Cart module onto the page.
- The module automatically pulls cart content and integrates with WooCommerce’s functionality.
If you’re not using the WooCommerce Add-On:
- Drag a Text Editor module to the page.
- Add the
[woocommerce_cart]shortcode inside the text editor.
Step 3: Style the Page
- Customize the layout, typography, and colors to match your store’s branding.
- Use Beaver Builder’s settings to add padding, background colors, or images.
Step 4: Add Additional Sections
Want to enhance your cart page? Add sections like:
- Promotions or CTAs: Add a banner encouraging users to buy more.
- Product Recommendations: Use a WooCommerce widget to show related or cross-sell products.
- Trust Signals: Include customer testimonials or security badges.
4. Ensuring Dynamic Cart Content
Check for Dynamic Content Updates
WooCommerce cart content updates dynamically through AJAX (a type of web technology that updates the cart without reloading the page). To ensure it works:
- Test the cart page by adding items to your cart.
- Verify that changes (e.g., item quantity adjustments) reflect instantly.
Troubleshooting
If the cart doesn’t update dynamically:
- Check AJAX Functionality:
- Ensure your theme and Beaver Builder are compatible with WooCommerce.
- Switch to a default theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Three) to test for conflicts.
- Flush Cache:
- Clear your browser, WordPress, and server cache.
- Disable Plugin Conflicts:
- Deactivate other plugins one by one to identify conflicts.
5. Customizing Further
Option 1: Style with CSS
To fine-tune the cart’s appearance:
- Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
- Add code like this:
.woocommerce-cart table { border: 2px solid #cccccc; font-size: 16px; }
Option 2: Add Cross-Sells
Cross-sells are great for increasing the cart’s value:
- In WooCommerce > Products, edit a product.
- Go to the Linked Products tab.
- Add related products under Cross-Sells. They’ll appear on the cart page.
Option 3: Display a Mini Cart
You can add a mini cart to your header or sidebar:
- Use the WooCommerce Mini Cart widget if your theme supports it.
- Add it via Beaver Builder by dragging the widget into your design.
6. Publishing and Testing
- Save your changes in Beaver Builder and Publish the page.
- Add products to your cart and test the cart page.
- Verify that:
- Products appear correctly.
- Quantity updates and cart totals are accurate.
- Mobile responsiveness looks great.
7. Wrapping Up
By combining WooCommerce and Beaver Builder, you can create a stunning and fully functional cart page. Whether you’re adding simple styling or advanced customizations, Beaver Builder provides the flexibility you need to make your cart page both functional and user-friendly.
Need extra help with styling or troubleshooting? Drop me a line, and let’s make that cart page shine! 🚀