Short version: A cart is the e-commerce step where selected products are collected and reviewed before checkout.
The cart usually shows product names, images, quantities, prices, discounts, delivery information, taxes or fees, and a button to continue to purchase. It is a decision checkpoint: the customer can adjust the order, compare the total, remove items, or pause before entering payment and delivery details.
A good cart reduces uncertainty. It should make the total cost clear, avoid surprise fees, keep important product details visible, and make the path to checkout easy to understand. If the cart hides delivery costs, feels unstable, or creates extra work, it can contribute to avoidable abandonment.
For most stores, improving the cart means reducing uncertainty before checkout, especially around total cost, delivery, returns, and payment confidence.
Related terms: checkout, checkout flow, and abandoned cart.