Are you looking for a tutorial on how to add a WooCommerce side cart to your online store?

A side cart enables your customers to have quick access to their shopping cart from any page while browsing your goods. It allows them to conveniently view the items in their cart, make additions or removals, and apply coupons, all without the need to navigate to a separate cart page.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the simple steps of adding a WooCommerce side cart to your site.

The best part is that you don’t need any experience in web development, conversion optimization, or automated sales funnels. You can simply follow the steps in this article and create a high-converting side cart in a matter of minutes.

Let’s dive in.

What is a Sliding WooCommerce Side Cart?

A sliding side cart is a dynamic panel that conveniently appears when a customer adds an item to their shopping basket. Additionally, customers have the flexibility to access this cart panel at any time by simply clicking on the cart icon, eliminating the need to navigate to a separate WooCommerce cart page.

Depending on the cart’s configuration, shoppers may also be able to seamlessly manage their cart contents, including adding or removing items and applying discount coupons, directly from the sliding panel. It’s also possible to incorporate call-to-action buttons, such as a link to your WooCommerce checkout page.

Adding a WooCommerce side cart significantly enhances the customer experience by streamlining the shopping process and allowing shoppers to keep a close eye on their expected costs at the time of checkout. Not to mention, it’s a great way of reducing cart abandonment rates.

How to Add a Side Cart to WooCommerce?

If you run an online store, it’s essential to make shopping easy and enjoyable for your customers. One way to do this is by adding a sliding side cart. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to use the “Mini Cart for WooCommerce” plugin to achieve this on WooCommerce.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Plugin

To get started, make sure you have the WooCommerce mini cart plugin installed and activated on your WordPress website. Follow the steps

1. Download Mini Cart for WooCommerce from your WooCommerce dashboard.
2. At the WordPress admin panel, go to Plugins > Add New > Upload and select the ZIP file you just downloaded.
3. Click Install Now, and then Activate Plugin.

Step 2: Setup and Configuration

The next step is to configure the side cart for your WooCommerce store. For this go to plugin settings, navigate to WooCommerce > Mini Cart > General Settings.

Side Cart Settings

• Enable Side Cart: This setting is a toggle switch that allows you to turn the side cart feature on or off. When enabled, your online store will display a side cart for users to view and manage their selected items.
• Enable Fly-to-Cart Animation: When this option is selected, it enables a visual animation effect where, upon adding an item to the cart, the product “flies” or smoothly transitions to the side cart. This animation adds a dynamic and engaging element to the user experience.
• Enable to Open Side Cart on Add to Cart: If this option is selected, the side cart will automatically slide open and display its contents when a user adds an item to their cart. This can be a convenient feature for users who want to quickly review their selections.
• Select Side Cart Position: This setting allows you to choose where on the screen the side cart will be displayed. Common positions include the right or left side of the webpage. Choosing the right position depends on your website’s design and user experience preferences.
• Side Cart Header Text: Here, you can enter the text that you want to appear as the header of the side cart. This could include a brief message or a title that indicates the purpose of the side cart.
• Side Cart Header Icon: This setting lets you choose an icon that will represent the cart in the side cart header. Icons can be graphical representations that quickly convey the cart’s function, such as a shopping bag or a cart icon.
• Enable Side Cart Rounded Corners: If selected, this option will give the side cart a design with rounded corners, creating a softer and more modern visual aesthetic. Choosing rounded corners can contribute to a more visually appealing and user-friendly design.

These settings provide a range of options for configuring the behavior and appearance of the side cart in your WooCommerce store, allowing you to customize its functionality, animation effects, and visual elements according to your preferences and the needs of your users.

benefits of Adding a Sliding Side Cart to your Store

Adding a side cart to your WooCommerce store can offer several advantages that enhance the overall user experience and contribute to increased sales. Here are some key advantages:

Improved User Experience

The side cart provides a more convenient and accessible way for users to view and manage their shopping cart without navigating away from the current page. This streamlined process improves user satisfaction and encourages them to continue shopping.

Quick Access to Cart Contents

With the side cart, users can easily see the items they’ve added to their cart at a glance. This quick access helps them keep track of their selections and make informed decisions about their purchases.

Reduced Cart Abandonment

By displaying the side cart immediately after adding an item, users have a visual confirmation of their selection. This can reduce the likelihood of cart abandonment, as customers are less likely to forget about their items or get frustrated with a hard-to-find shopping cart.

Encourages Upselling and Cross-Selling

The side cart can be leveraged to showcase related or recommended products, encouraging users to add more items to their cart. This presents opportunities for upselling and cross-selling, ultimately increasing the average order value.

Enhanced Mobile Responsiveness

The side cart is particularly beneficial for mobile users, as it provides a space-efficient way to manage their cart without taking up the entire screen. This mobile-friendly design contributes to a positive mobile shopping experience.

Engaging Fly-to Cart Animation

The fly-to-cart animation, if enabled, adds a visually appealing and engaging element to the user experience. This can create a sense of interactivity and delight, making the shopping process more enjoyable for users.

Customization for Brand Consistency

The ability to customize the side cart’s appearance, including the header text, icon, and rounded corners, allows you to maintain brand consistency. A cohesive and well-designed side cart contributes to a professional and trustworthy online store.

Faster Checkout Process

Users can quickly review and edit their cart contents without navigating to a separate page, streamlining the checkout process. This efficiency is especially important for users who want a seamless and time-saving shopping experience.

Flexible Placement Options

The option to choose the position of the side cart on the screen provides flexibility to align with your website’s design and layout. Whether on the right or left side, you can optimize the placement for better visibility and accessibility.

Increased Conversion Rates

The combination of improved user experience, reduced friction in the checkout process, and opportunities for upselling can contribute to higher conversion rates. A well-implemented side cart can positively impact the overall performance of your WooCommerce store.