A progress bar in the cart can be one of the most effective and visual ways to increase the average order value without applying aggressive discounts.
When customers reach the cart, they’ve already gone through several steps: discovering your products, comparing options, and deciding to buy. But that doesn’t mean the sale is closed. (For more on this, check out our article on how to use the cart to boost perceived value and skyrocket your sales.
It’s precisely at this moment, when their attention is fully focused and their purchase intent is high, that you have the best chance to motivate them to add something extra to their order.
With a well-designed progress bar, you can clearly and unobtrusively show that they’re just a few euros away from unlocking an additional benefit, like free shipping, a gift, or an exclusive sample.
And often, that’s all it takes to increase the order value.
With Planet, you can activate a smart progress bar in your cart that encourages higher spending without friction.
Start today with Planet and turn every cart into a sales opportunity.
What Is a Progress Bar in the Cart (and Why Does It Work)?
A cart progress bar is a small visual module that shows the customer how much more they need to spend to unlock a reward. As they add products, the bar fills and communicates what they’ve unlocked, or what they’re about to unlock. At the end of this article, we’ll show you how to implement one in your store.
It’s an incredibly effective tool because:
- It triggers the drive to complete a goal: The human brain is wired to close loops. When customers see they’re close to earning something, they’re far more likely to make the small effort needed to reach it.
- It increases perceived value: You’re not just asking them to buy more, you’re offering something in return, like an improved experience or tangible reward.
- It’s clear and non-intrusive: Unlike a popup or banner, the bar smoothly follows the user within the cart interface, without disrupting their flow.
- It subtly gamifies the experience: Watching the bar fill up adds a mini interactive moment to the purchase process, increasing engagement and excitement.
What Rewards Can You Offer at the End of the Bar?
The key to success is in what you offer once the goal is reached. It doesn’t need to be a major reward, what matters is that it’s tangible, desirable, and easy to understand.
Here are a few reward ideas that work well:
- Free shipping: A classic, highly effective motivator. Customers often add products just to avoid shipping costs.
- Free gift with purchase: A small gift can have high perceived value, especially if it’s exclusive or limited edition.
- Discount on the next order: Doubles as an immediate incentive and a hook to encourage repeat purchases.
- Exclusive sample of a new product: Ideal for brands looking to introduce new items or expand awareness of their catalog.
Tip: Start with one clear, achievable goal. Later, you can experiment with tiered bars (e.g. free shipping at €40, gift at €70).
Best Practices for Designing an Effective Progress Bar
Not all progress bars convert. These recommendations will help you get the most out of yours:
- Set the goal relative to your store’s average order value. If your average cart is €30, setting the bar at €100 will demotivate. Try €40–45 to encourage a small additional purchase.
- Make the message specific. Don’t say “Almost there!”, say “Only €6 left to unlock free shipping.”
- Make it visible from the start, but not distracting. It should support the cart experience, not compete with it.
- Reward instantly when the goal is reached. Change the message to something like “Reward unlocked!” with a festive icon or small animation.
How to Add a Progress Bar in the Cart with Planet
With Planet, you can display a visual progress bar directly in your Shopify store’s cart.
This feature lets you motivate customers to add more items by showing how close they are to unlocking a reward like free shipping, a gift, or a promotion. And it’s very easy to set up:
How does it work?
- You define the minimum amount to complete the bar (e.g. €40).
- The system displays a visual bar in the cart that fills as the customer adds products.
- You can customize the texts shown before, during, and after reaching the goal.
- Once the goal is reached, the message updates automatically, for example: “You’ve unlocked free shipping!”
The bar works smoothly, without interrupting the shopping experience, while actively encouraging the customer to take one more step.
You don’t always need to lower prices to sell more. Sometimes, you just need to show the customer they’re one step away from getting something better.
A well-designed progress bar turns the cart into more than just a step toward checkout, it becomes a powerful motivator.
Activate your first progress bar with Planet and discover how a simple visual element can increase the value of every order.