Yes, you can skip the cart and redirect customers straight to checkout on Shopify, but the best method depends on your theme, your product type, and whether you still want customers to edit their basket first. In most cases, I recommend either using Shopify's dynamic checkout button for a no-code option or adding a small theme customisation if you want the main Add to Cart flow to go directly to checkout.
I've worked on Shopify stores and built apps in this ecosystem for years, and this is one of those changes that sounds simple but can have a big impact on conversion rate, average order value, and customer confusion if it's done badly. For some stores, especially single-product offers, it works brilliantly. For others, it can quietly hurt revenue because you remove upsell opportunities and the chance to review the order before payment.
In this guide, I'll show you how to skip the cart on Shopify, when it's worth doing, when it is not, and the safest ways to implement it on modern themes like Dawn.
What does it mean to skip the cart on Shopify?
Skipping the cart on Shopify means sending a shopper directly to /checkout after they add a product, instead of showing the cart page or cart drawer first. It shortens the purchase path by removing one step from the buying journey.
There are actually two slightly different versions of this setup. The first is redirecting to checkout after clicking Add to Cart. The second is using a dynamic checkout button, sometimes shown as Buy it now, which takes customers straight from the product page into checkout or an accelerated payment flow.
This matters because the search intent behind this keyword is usually practical. Most merchants are not looking for theory. They want a working Shopify method, ideally for Dawn or another Online Store 2.0 theme, with as little risk as possible.
Should you skip the cart and send customers straight to checkout?
Sometimes yes, but not for every store. Skipping the cart works best when the buying decision is simple, the product has few options, and the customer is unlikely to add multiple items.
In my experience building Shopify apps, stores selling one hero product, limited-offer products, landing-page traffic, or mobile-first impulse purchases often benefit most. If someone lands on a focused product page from an ad and already knows what they want, removing the cart step can reduce friction.
But there is a trade-off. If your store relies on cross-sells, cart drawer upsells, bundles, free shipping thresholds, or customers buying several items together, sending people straight to checkout can reduce basket building. If upsells are important to your store, read How to Create Shopify Cart Drawer Upsells That Boost AOV and How to upsell on Shopify in 2026 before making the change.
What is the easiest way to skip the cart on Shopify?
The easiest way is to use Shopify's dynamic checkout button. It requires no code and works well if you want a fast-buy option on the product page.
This is the quickest route for merchants who do not want to edit theme files. Shopify already supports this natively in many themes, including modern OS 2.0 themes. It is also the option I usually suggest first if the goal is simply to give shoppers a faster route to payment.
How do I enable the dynamic checkout button?
Enable the dynamic checkout button in your theme customiser. This adds a Buy it now style button that can send shoppers directly into checkout.
- In Shopify admin, go to Online Store - Themes
- Click Customize on your live theme
- Open a product template
- Click the Product information or product section
- Enable Show dynamic checkout button
- Save your changes
This method is ideal if you want to keep the normal Add to Cart button and offer a faster checkout option. It is also safer than custom code because it is theme-supported and easier to maintain after theme updates.
One thing to watch: dynamic checkout buttons can behave differently depending on the buyer's device, payment method, and whether accelerated wallets like Shop Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay are available. If you want more control over these options, Shopify's official help docs are worth checking: Shopify dynamic checkout documentation.
How do I redirect Add to Cart straight to checkout on Shopify?
If you want the main Add to Cart button itself to send shoppers to checkout, you usually need a small theme edit. The exact file varies by theme, but the principle is the same.
The older workaround in many forum threads is to add a hidden return field to the product form. That approach still works on some themes, but modern themes like Dawn often use JavaScript-based product forms and cart drawers, so you may also need to edit the relevant JS file. Always duplicate your theme before touching code.
What is the simplest code change for older Shopify themes?
For older themes, adding a hidden return_to input inside the product form can redirect to checkout after the item is added. This is the classic method and still appears in many community answers.
Find your product form in files such as product-template.liquid or a related product section, then add this inside the form:
<input type="hidden" name="return_to" value="/checkout">In your original article, the example was placed beneath the Add to Cart text span. That still communicates the core idea correctly. The limitation is that many modern Shopify themes no longer rely on the same template structure, so you may not find exactly the same code block.
How do I do this on Dawn or another Online Store 2.0 theme?
On Dawn and similar OS 2.0 themes, you will usually need to update the product form behaviour in JavaScript rather than only editing Liquid. This is because Add to Cart is often handled asynchronously.
A typical setup is:
- Duplicate your live theme
- Go to Online Store - Themes - Edit code
- Open files such as main-product.liquid, buy-buttons.liquid, or product-form.js
- Find the code that handles successful add-to-cart submission
- Replace the cart drawer or cart notification action with a redirect to /checkout
For example, if your theme's JavaScript submits the product form and then opens a cart drawer, you would change the success behaviour to something like:
window.location.href = '/checkout';This is the part many older tutorials miss. They explain the concept, but not the reality of modern Shopify theme architecture. If your store uses cart drawers, AJAX cart updates, or custom theme scripts, a hidden input alone may not be enough.
If you are not comfortable editing theme JavaScript, use the dynamic checkout button or an app instead. A broken product form is a far bigger problem than an extra cart step.
What is the best method for your store?
The best method depends on how much control you need. Dynamic checkout is best for simplicity, theme edits are best for custom behaviour, and apps are best for non-technical merchants who want flexible settings.
| Method | Best for | Technical difficulty | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic checkout button | Single-product stores, no-code merchants | Low | No code, quick to enable, supported by Shopify | Does not replace main Add to Cart in every case |
| Hidden return_to field | Older themes | Low to medium | Simple implementation, minimal code | May not work properly on OS 2.0 AJAX themes |
| Theme JS redirect | Dawn and modern themes | Medium | Most control, can replace cart drawer flow | Needs testing and maintenance after theme updates |
| App-based solution | Merchants who want settings without coding | Low | Easy to manage, often includes button controls | Extra app cost and possible script overhead |
When does skipping the cart improve conversions?
Skipping the cart can improve conversions when it removes friction from a simple purchase. It tends to work best for low-complexity orders and warm traffic.
Mobile shoppers are a big reason this tactic still matters. On smaller screens, every extra page load and every extra decision can reduce completion rate. If your traffic is heavily mobile and you sell a straightforward product, a direct path to checkout can be a smart test.
In my own work with Shopify merchants, I have seen this perform best when the store has one main CTA, few variant choices, and limited need for cart editing. It is especially useful on sales funnels, advertorials, and product-led landing pages where the goal is speed rather than browsing.
That said, do not assume fewer steps always means more revenue. A store can improve checkout starts and still lose profit if average order value drops. If you rely on upsells, AI recommendations, or add-ons, compare total revenue per visitor, not just checkout clicks. For related strategies, see How to Maximize Revenue from Your Shopify Product Pages and How to upsell on Shopify leveraging AI.
What are the risks of skipping the cart?
The main risks are lower average order value, more customer confusion, and less room for cart-based merchandising. This is why I rarely recommend making it the default without testing.
The cart page or cart drawer is where many stores show related products, free gift thresholds, delivery messaging, and discount prompts. If you remove that step, you also remove those opportunities. That can be expensive if your store depends on cross-sells or bundles.
You can also create confusion if shoppers expect to review quantities, notes, or shipping details before checkout. This matters even more for stores selling personalised products, made-to-order items, or products with optional extras. If that sounds like your store, you may be better off improving the cart rather than removing it. For example, How to Add a Rush Order or Production Option to Your Shopify Store covers cases where order options matter before checkout.
Another issue is analytics. If you change the flow, monitor whether checkout starts increase, whether completed orders increase, and whether AOV falls. A superficial conversion win can hide a revenue loss.
How do I test whether skipping the cart is worth it?
Test the change on a duplicate theme and compare revenue metrics, not just clicks. The right KPI is usually revenue per session or conversion value, not simply checkout starts.
- Duplicate your live theme before editing anything
- Implement one method only
- Track a clean before-and-after period, ideally at least 2-4 weeks depending on traffic
- Compare conversion rate, AOV, reached checkout, and purchase rate
- Segment by mobile vs desktop and landing page traffic vs returning traffic
If you have enough traffic, an A/B test is even better. In practice, many smaller stores do not, so a time-based test is still useful. Just avoid running major promotions or theme redesigns at the same time, or your data becomes messy.
Also check whether your checkout experience itself is optimised. If checkout is slow, cluttered, or poorly matched to the product page, skipping the cart will not fix the deeper problem. This is similar to what I often tell merchants about speed work: changing one visible step rarely solves the entire funnel. If performance claims are part of the pitch, read The Hidden Truth About Shopify Speed Optimization Scams.
Can I skip the cart with an app instead of editing code?
Yes, you can use an app if you want a quicker setup and easier controls. This is often the safest choice for merchants who do not want to maintain custom theme edits.
One option is PF Skip Cart. It is designed specifically around reducing cart friction and sending buyers to checkout faster.
PF Skip Cart can be useful if you want direct checkout behaviour without manually editing Liquid or JavaScript. It also gives you more store-level control than a one-line code snippet.
- Direct checkout from the Add to Cart action
- Instant checkout flow without showing the cart page first
- Button visibility controls for Add to Cart or Buy Now
- Cart page controls including hiding certain elements
- No-code setup for merchants who want speed over custom development
I still recommend testing any app carefully on a duplicate theme, especially if your store already uses subscription apps, bundle apps, or custom cart logic. Multiple apps touching the same purchase flow can conflict in subtle ways.
How do I skip the cart without breaking my Shopify theme?
The safest way is to duplicate your theme, identify whether your theme uses AJAX cart behaviour, and test the full purchase flow on mobile and desktop. Never edit a live theme blindly.
Here is the checklist I use when reviewing this kind of change:
- Duplicate the theme first
- Test products with single variants and multiple variants
- Check whether the store uses a cart drawer, cart page, or cart notification
- Test discount codes, gift cards, and selling plans if relevant
- Check Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and other accelerated payment methods
- Verify that cart notes, personalisation fields, or add-ons are not lost
- Test on mobile Safari and Chrome, not just desktop
This sounds basic, but I have seen merchants break their add-to-cart flow by copying a forum snippet meant for a completely different theme version. The biggest gap in most competing articles is that they treat all Shopify themes as if they work the same way. They do not.
What if you only want some products to skip the cart?
You do not have to apply this site-wide. In many cases, the best setup is to send only certain products or templates straight to checkout.
This is often the smarter approach. For example, you might skip the cart for single-SKU hero products from paid traffic, but keep the cart for collections, bundles, or products with lots of optional extras. That gives you the conversion benefit where it makes sense without sacrificing merchandising across the rest of the store.
You can do this with conditional theme logic, template-specific product sections, or app rules depending on your setup. If you are using custom product options or notes, be especially careful. I build apps myself, and I can tell you that product-page customisation logic is one of the first places where checkout shortcuts expose edge cases.
How does this compare with keeping the cart and optimising it instead?
For many stores, optimising the cart is more profitable than removing it. If your store sells complementary products, the cart is often a revenue tool, not just a step in the funnel.
| Approach | Best for | Main benefit | Main downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skip cart | Single-product, direct-response offers | Less friction | Fewer upsell opportunities |
| Keep cart and optimise it | Multi-product stores, bundle-heavy stores | Higher AOV potential | Extra step before checkout |
| Offer both | Most stores | Flexibility for different shopper types | Needs clearer CTA hierarchy |
My default recommendation for most merchants is offer both. Keep Add to Cart for normal basket building, and enable a fast-buy option for customers who want speed. That usually gives you the best balance of conversion and order value.
Frequently asked questions about skipping the cart on Shopify
These are the most common questions merchants ask when setting this up. They usually come up after the first implementation attempt.
Can I redirect straight to checkout after Add to Cart?
Yes. You can do it with a hidden return field on some themes, a JavaScript redirect on modern themes, or an app-based solution.
Does Shopify allow skipping the cart?
Yes. Shopify supports fast-buy behaviour through the dynamic checkout button, and merchants can also customise themes to redirect to /checkout.
Will skipping the cart hurt conversions?
It can. It may improve checkout starts but reduce average order value or create confusion if customers need to review their basket first.
Is the dynamic checkout button the same as skipping the cart?
Not exactly. It is a fast-buy option that can bypass the normal Add to Cart flow, but it does not always replace your main cart journey entirely.
Can I disable dynamic checkout instead?
Yes. In the theme customiser, you can usually turn off the dynamic checkout button if it conflicts with your store's purchase flow or design.
What do I recommend in practice?
For most Shopify stores, I recommend testing a fast-buy option first rather than fully removing the cart. That gives you a lower-risk way to reduce friction without sacrificing all cart-based upsells.
If your store sells a simple hero product, start with the dynamic checkout button. If you specifically want the main Add to Cart button to redirect to checkout, use a theme edit on a duplicate theme and test it properly. If you want flexibility without code, try PF Skip Cart.
And if your store makes good money from cart upsells, free shipping thresholds, or add-ons, think carefully before removing that step. In a lot of Shopify stores, the cart is not friction. It is where extra revenue happens. If that is your situation, you may get better results from improving your upsell strategy instead, including guides like How to Cross-Sell Matching Variants and Boost Your Shopify Store’s AOV in 2025 and AI-powered upsells: the future of ecommerce conversion.
The best answer is not whether you can skip the cart. It is whether skipping the cart makes your store more money. Test that, and you will make the right call.
