How to Edit an Empty Cart in WooCommerce (7 Easy Ways for 2026)
7 mins read

How to Edit an Empty Cart in WooCommerce (7 Easy Ways for 2026)

How to Edit an Empty Cart in WooCommerce (7 Easy Ways for 2026)

How to Edit an Empty Cart in WooCommerce

If you are searching for how to edit an empty cart in WooCommerce, this complete beginner-friendly guide will help you customize your WooCommerce empty cart page for better conversions and improved user experience. By default, WooCommerce displays a simple message saying “Your cart is currently empty.” However, this basic message is a missed opportunity because you can turn the empty cart page into a powerful sales and marketing tool. Editing the WooCommerce empty cart page allows you to guide visitors back to your shop, display featured products, promote discounts, improve engagement, and reduce bounce rates. In this step-by-step WooCommerce tutorial, you will learn the best ways to edit an empty cart in WooCommerce using custom code, plugins, redirects, page builders, and conversion optimization strategies.

Why You Should Edit Empty Cart Page in WooCommerce

Many WooCommerce store owners ignore the empty cart page, but optimizing it can improve conversions and customer engagement significantly.
  • Improve user experience
  • Reduce bounce rate
  • Increase WooCommerce sales
  • Guide customers back to shopping
  • Promote products and discounts
  • Improve mobile shopping experience
  • Create better WooCommerce branding
  • Encourage users to continue browsing
Additionally, a well-designed WooCommerce empty cart page can keep visitors engaged instead of losing them.

Benefits of Customizing WooCommerce Empty Cart Page

Increase Conversions

A custom empty cart page can encourage visitors to continue shopping using product recommendations and special offers.

Improve Navigation

Adding clear buttons and product categories helps customers easily find products.

Boost Product Visibility

You can display trending products, featured collections, or best sellers directly on the empty cart page.

Improve Mobile Experience

Mobile users benefit from clean navigation and quick access to products.

Reduce Abandoned Sessions

Instead of leaving your website, customers are redirected toward helpful shopping pages.

Default WooCommerce Empty Cart Behavior

WooCommerce normally displays this default message:

Your cart is currently empty.
Unfortunately, this default WooCommerce empty cart message does not provide strong calls-to-action or shopping suggestions. Therefore, customizing the empty cart page is highly recommended for WooCommerce stores.

Best Ways to Edit Empty Cart in WooCommerce

There are several methods available for WooCommerce empty cart customization.
  • Using custom code
  • Using WooCommerce plugins
  • Using Elementor or page builders
  • Redirecting users to custom pages
  • Adding product recommendations
  • Using custom WooCommerce templates

Method 1: Create a Custom Empty Cart Page

One of the best methods is creating a completely custom WooCommerce empty cart page.

Steps to Create Custom Empty Cart Page

  1. Create a new WordPress page
  2. Add WooCommerce product sections
  3. Add “Shop Now” buttons
  4. Display trending products
  5. Add discount offers or coupons
  6. Redirect empty cart users to the page

What You Can Add

  • Featured products
  • Flash sale banners
  • Shop categories
  • Coupon offers
  • Customer testimonials
  • Recently viewed products
This strategy improves engagement and helps customers continue shopping.

Method 2: Edit Empty Cart in WooCommerce Using Code

You can customize the WooCommerce empty cart page using PHP code. Add this code inside your theme’s functions.php file:

add_action('woocommerce_cart_is_empty', 'custom_empty_cart_message');

function custom_empty_cart_message() {

echo '

Your cart is empty!

'; echo 'Browse our latest products and special offers.

'; echo 'Shop Now'; }

This code replaces the default WooCommerce empty cart message with custom content.

Advantages of Code Method

  • Lightweight solution
  • No plugin required
  • Fast loading speed
  • Fully customizable
However, always create a backup before editing theme files.

Best Plugins for WooCommerce Empty Cart Customization

If you do not want to edit code manually, plugins provide beginner-friendly customization options.

Recommended WooCommerce Plugins

  • CartFlows
  • WooCommerce Customizer
  • Elementor Pro
  • SeedProd
  • ShopEngine
  • WooBuilder

Benefits of Plugins

  • Drag-and-drop editing
  • No coding knowledge required
  • Fast customization
  • Better design control
  • Responsive layouts

How to Redirect Empty Cart Users in WooCommerce

Many WooCommerce stores redirect empty cart users to custom sales pages.

Why Redirect Empty Cart Users?

  • Promote offers
  • Increase sales
  • Reduce exits
  • Improve product discovery

Example Redirect Ideas

  • Shop page
  • Best-selling products page
  • Discount landing page
  • Category pages
This technique can improve WooCommerce conversion rates significantly.

Best WooCommerce Empty Cart Design Ideas

Add Strong Call-to-Action Buttons

Use buttons like:
  • Continue Shopping
  • Browse Products
  • View Trending Products
  • Claim Discount

Display Product Recommendations

Showing featured or trending products encourages customers to continue shopping.

Use Clean Mobile-Friendly Design

Responsive WooCommerce design improves mobile conversions and user experience.

Add Limited-Time Offers

Discounts and urgency banners can improve engagement.

WooCommerce Empty Cart Optimization Tips

  • Keep page design simple
  • Use mobile-friendly layouts
  • Add product recommendations
  • Use fast-loading images
  • Add coupon codes
  • Optimize WooCommerce speed
  • Use strong CTA buttons
  • Test your empty cart page regularly
Additionally, clean WooCommerce design improves customer trust and usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I customize WooCommerce empty cart page?

Yes, you can customize the WooCommerce empty cart page using code, plugins, page builders, or redirects.

How do I redirect empty cart users in WooCommerce?

You can redirect users using custom PHP code or WooCommerce redirect plugins.

Does customizing empty cart page improve conversions?

Yes, a custom empty cart page can improve engagement and reduce bounce rates.

Which method is best for beginners?

Using plugins like Elementor Pro or CartFlows is the easiest method for beginners.

Can I show products on empty cart page?

Yes, WooCommerce allows you to display featured products, best sellers, and recommendations.

Conclusion

Learning how to edit an empty cart in WooCommerce is important for improving user experience, conversions, and customer engagement. Instead of showing a boring default message, you can create a professional WooCommerce empty cart page using custom code, plugins, redirects, and product recommendations. Finally, optimizing the WooCommerce empty cart page can help reduce bounce rates and guide visitors back into your sales funnel.

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