Quick Summary
Ever added a product to the cart and got redirected to a boring, full-page cart? Yeah, that kills conversions.
Shoppers expect a seamless experience, and the traditional cart just doesn’t cut it anymore. That’s where a cart drawer can change the game. It keeps users on the same page, lets them view their cart instantly, and encourages more checkouts with less effort. But how to set it up? That’s where most store owners get stuck.
In our guide, we are going to break down how to create a cart drawer in Shopify. Whether you prefer a no-code setup, use apps, want full control of code, or need help from expert Shopify developers, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s get started!
A Shopify cart drawer (also called a slide-out or mini cart) is a small panel that slides in from the side of the screen when a product is added to the cart.
Instead of redirecting the customer to a full cart page, it shows cart contents on the current page. That means users can keep browsing, adding more products, and checking cart totals without interruption.
This small change creates a smoother, faster shopping experience. And for online stores, that usually means higher engagement and better conversion rates.
Now that you know what a cart drawer is and why it matters, let’s look at how to create a cart drawer in Shopify.
There are three main ways to do it. We are starting with the simplest: using your theme’s built-in settings.
If you’re looking for a quick and beginner-friendly way to add a cart drawer, Shopify’s built-in theme settings are your best bet. You don’t need to touch a single line of code.
This method works well if you’re using a modern theme and don’t need advanced customization.
Before you start, make sure your current theme supports the cart drawer feature. Most of Shopify’s Online Store 2.0 themes, Dawn, Ride, and Refresh, come with built-in support for this feature.
If you’re using an older or a custom theme, this method might not be available. But you can always customize your Shopify theme to make things work.
Here’s how you can activate the cart drawer:
If everything’s set up correctly, the cart drawer will now slide in from the side instead of redirecting customers to a full cart page.
Pros:
This no-code method is ideal for small to mid-sized stores that want to enhance their user experience without investing time or resources into development. You can set it up in minutes, test it instantly, and see the results live.
Cons:
While this method is simple and quick, it does have some downsides:
If your store needs more advanced features or a branded design, you should explore apps or consult with a Shopify development agency for custom solutions.
If you prefer a plug-and-play solution or your theme lacks cart drawer support, Shopify apps can be a smart choice. They’re easy to install, often come with powerful features, and don’t require any coding knowledge.
Whether you want upsells, animations, or sticky cart buttons, there’s likely an app that fits your needs.
Note: For demonstration, we’re using the AMP ‑ Slide Cart Drawer app to showcase how you can implement a cart drawer using a third-party solution. The steps may vary slightly depending on the app you choose, but the general process remains similar.
Install the AMP ‑ Slide Cart Drawer app and follow the prompts to set it up.
Once installed, open the app from your Shopify dashboard. You’ll see the option to Enable Slide Cart, and toggle it on to activate the drawer.
Go to the Appearance tab inside the app. From here, you can adjust colors, fonts, and settings to match your store’s brand design.
Here, you can configure settings like:
If you want advanced features like upsell/cross-sell, you can manage them here. These features can be managed through dedicated tabs inside the app dashboard. Here are some common features you will find in most apps:
Note: We are using the free version of the app here. The premium version can offer more advanced features and customizations.
Now, you need to check if the app is enabled in the theme editor screen as well. Follow these steps:
Visit your storefront and add a product to the cart to preview the live cart drawer experience. Adjust settings as needed.
When to Use an App:
Consider using a cart drawer app if:
Here are some recommended Shopify apps you should try:
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re looking for speed, convenience, and functionality, using an app is a great way to enhance your Shopify cart experience with minimal effort.
If your theme doesn’t support a cart drawer or you want full control over its design and functionality, building a Shopify theme from scratch is a solid option.
This method gives you complete flexibility to design a cart drawer that matches your brand and delivers exactly the experience you want.
It does require a bit of technical know-how, but if you’re comfortable working with Shopify’s theme code or hire Shopify development experts, you’ll be able to build something powerful. Here are some prerequisites to keep in mind:
Start by creating a new snippet file in your theme and name it cart-drawer.liquid. This will hold the HTML structure of your drawer:
<div id="cart-drawer" class="hidden fixed right-0 top-0 h-full w-80 bg-white shadow-lg z-50">
<div class="cart-header p-4 border-b">
<h2 class="text-lg font-bold">Your Cart</h2>
<button id="close-drawer">×</button>
</div>
<div id="cart-items" class="p-4"></div>
<div class="cart-footer p-4 border-t">
<p>Subtotal: <span id="cart-subtotal">$0.00</span></p>
<a href="/checkout" class="btn-primary">Checkout</a>
</div>
</div>
This sets up the structure and layout for your cart drawer, including areas for items, subtotal, and checkout buttons. The hidden class keeps it offscreen until triggered.
You’ll now need a button to open the cart drawer and a script to fetch and display cart data. Add this button where you’d like users to access the cart, usually in header.liquid:
<button id="open-cart">Cart (<span id="cart-count">0</span>)</button>
Now add the following JavaScript for interactivity:
document.getElementById('open-cart').addEventListener('click', () => {
fetch('/cart.js')
.then(res => res.json())
.then(cart => {
document.getElementById('cart-subtotal').innerText = `$${(cart.total_price / 100).toFixed(2)}`;
// Render cart items here
document.getElementById('cart-drawer').classList.remove('hidden');
});
});
document.getElementById('close-drawer').addEventListener('click', () => {
document.getElementById('cart-drawer').classList.add('hidden');
});
This code uses Shopify’s AJAX API to fetch live cart data and update the subtotal. You’ll need to extend this logic to loop through and display cart items inside the #cart-items div.
Smooth transitions help the drawer feel more natural and polished. You can start with something simple like:
#cart-drawer {
transition: transform 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
This adds a smooth animation when the drawer appears or disappears. You can enhance it further using Tailwind or custom CSS.
To take your custom drawer to the next level, here are a few ideas:
Building your own cart drawer takes more time, but opens the door to powerful customization.
Pros:
Cons:
Even with the best setup, things can sometimes go wrong. A custom cart drawer involves multiple moving parts like markup, JavaScript, APIs, and styling. Here’s how to troubleshoot common issues and keep everything running smoothly.
If clicking the cart button does nothing, double-check your event listeners. Make sure your JavaScript runs after the DOM has loaded, especially if you’re using defer or placing your script at the bottom of the page. Using DOMContentLoaded or placing scripts just before </body> can help.
If the subtotal or item list doesn’t update after adding to the cart, make sure you’re using Shopify’s AJAX endpoints properly (/cart.js, /cart/add.js, etc.).
Also, ensure your fetch logic updates the DOM correctly. Try logging responses in the console to debug what’s missing.
Responsive design matters. If the drawer looks broken or overlaps content on smaller screens, check your CSS.
Use mobile-first styling or utility frameworks like Tailwind CSS to manage width, padding, overflow, and positioning effectively.
Sometimes, third-party apps or theme customizations can clash with your drawer. If you see duplicate cart drawers or broken behavior, disable apps one by one to isolate the conflict. Use browser dev tools to inspect script errors or overlapping elements.
Here are some best practices you should follow:
Troubleshooting is part of the process when working with cart drawers, especially when custom code or multiple apps are involved. Keeping things modular, well-tested, and responsive will go a long way in making sure your Shopify cart drawer performs smoothly across all users.
A Shopify cart drawer (or mini cart) is a sliding panel that appears on the same page when a product is added to the cart. It lets users view and manage cart items without leaving the shopping page.
To add a sliding cart in Shopify, you can enable a sliding cart using your theme settings, install a cart drawer app, or manually add custom code using Liquid, JavaScript, and CSS.
A cart page redirects users to a new page to view their cart. A cart drawer shows cart details in a sliding panel on the current page, offering a smoother and faster shopping experience.
To create an add to cart button in Shopify, use the Liquid form tag with product details and an input for quantity. Add a submit button with the type submit, and the value Add to Cart.
If you want to change your cart to a drawer in Shopify, go to Online Store > Themes > Customize. Then, under Theme Settings > Cart, select Drawer instead of Page. Save changes and preview the new behavior.
A cart drawer isn’t just a fancy design element; it’s a practical upgrade that improves how customers interact with your Shopify store. It keeps the shopping flow smooth, reduces friction at checkout, and can even lead to better conversions.
Whether you use built-in theme settings, install an app, or go fully custom with code, there’s a solution for every store owner.
Just choose the method that fits your needs, test it across devices, and keep user experience at the center. In the end, a well-built cart drawer can make your store feel faster and easier to shop. If you need help with customizing your theme or want to build advanced functionalities to improve the checkout process, our Shopify developers can help you ensure the best outcomes. Contact us today. And let’s discuss your project!
Ankur Shah is a tech-savvy expert specializing in eCommerce solutions. With a deep understanding of WooCommerce and Shopify, he helps businesses optimize their online stores for success. Whether it's implementing new features or troubleshooting issues, Ankur is your go-to guy for all things eCommerce.
