Expert Answer • 1 min read

Is my cart abandonment rate calculated based on abandoned carts or abandoned checkouts in Shopify?

As a Shopify store owner, understanding cart abandonment metrics has been a constant challenge for me. Every time I look at my analytics, I see these numbers dancing around, but I'm never quite sure what they truly represent. Are we talking about customers who added items to their cart but never started checkout? Or those who initiated checkout but didn't complete the purchase? This ambiguity drives me crazy because it directly impacts how I strategize my conversion optimization efforts. I've spent countless hours trying to decode these metrics, knowing that even a small improvement could mean thousands of dollars in additional revenue. My team keeps asking, 'What's our real abandonment rate?' and I want a clear, definitive answer. More importantly, I want to understand not just how it's calculated, but what actionable insights I can extract from these numbers to reduce friction in my store's purchasing journey.
Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO

1 min

TL;DR - Quick Answer

In Shopify, cart abandonment rate is typically calculated based on initiated checkouts, not just items added to cart. Shopify defines an abandoned checkout as an instance where a customer starts but does not complete the checkout process after entering their email address. This means the metric focuses on more qualified potential purchases, providing a more precise view of conversion challenges.

Complete Expert Analysis

Understanding Shopify Cart Abandonment Calculation

What Shopify Counts as an Abandoned Checkout

  • Must have email address entered in checkout
  • Checkout process initiated but not completed
  • Does NOT include items just added to cart

Calculation Method

Abandonment Rate = (Initiated Checkouts - Completed Purchases) ÷ Initiated Checkouts × 100%

Pro Tip: Growth Suite can help reduce abandonment by tracking visitor intent and presenting targeted, time-limited offers precisely when a customer is most likely to convert.

Recommended Strategies to Reduce Abandonment

  1. Simplify checkout process
  2. Offer multiple payment options
  3. Use intent-based discount offers
  4. Implement trust signals
  5. Create urgency with countdown timers
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Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Muhammed Tüfekyapan

Founder & CEO of Growth Suite

With over a decade of experience in e-commerce optimization, Muhammed founded Growth Suite to help Shopify merchants maximize their conversion rates through intelligent behavior tracking and personalized offers. His expertise in growth strategies and conversion optimization has helped thousands of online stores increase their revenue.

E-commerce Expert Shopify Partner Growth Strategist

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