Introduction

In early 2024, Shopify removed the popular “Save Cart” feature from its POS system, replacing it with “Save as Draft Order” functionality. This change affects many merchants who used the Save Cart function daily for temporary order holding, customer management, and seamless workflows. This guide provides strategies and workarounds to manage Shopify POS effectively without the Save Cart feature, covering tips for using draft orders and potential alternatives.

1. Why Was the Save Cart Feature Removed?

The shift from Save Cart to Draft Orders is part of Shopify’s efforts to enhance POS functionality with features that integrate across devices and channels. However, the Save as Draft Order feature was implemented without full feature parity to Save Cart, creating workflow issues for merchants. Shopify has acknowledged the feedback and plans to make future adjustments to the Draft Order workflow, though a timeline for these updates is yet to be provided.

2. Using Draft Orders as an Alternative

While Shopify’s Draft Orders cannot fully replicate the convenience of Save Cart, they do provide some capability for temporarily holding orders. Here’s a quick guide on how to use draft orders as a replacement for Save Cart:

1. Initiate a Draft Order: In the Shopify POS, build the cart with items for the customer, and then select “Save as Draft Order” from the More Actions menu.
2. Skip Contact Information: Leave the contact fields blank if you do not require customer details at this stage.
3. Retrieving the Draft Order: Go to Orders > Draft Orders to locate the saved cart. Select the order to resume checkout or make modifications.

This process works best for short-term order holding but lacks the ease of the one-click Save Cart feature.

3. Pros and Cons of the Draft Order Replacement

Pros

• Cross-device Compatibility: Draft Orders are accessible across devices and allow merchants to pull orders from multiple POS terminals.
• Integrated with Shopify Admin: Draft Orders are visible in Shopify Admin, offering central management of saved orders.

Cons

• Extra Clicks and Complexity: Saving an order as a draft requires more steps than Save Cart, adding friction to in-store transactions.
• Limited Editing Capability: Draft Orders cannot be re-saved after editing, requiring a full checkout or deletion for changes.
• Cluttered Draft Orders Section: Merchants using Draft Orders frequently for temporary holds may experience a cluttered Draft Orders section in their admin, making it hard to track specific orders.

4. Tips to Streamline Draft Orders

To help you make the most of Draft Orders as a Save Cart replacement, consider these tips:

• Use Descriptive Order Notes: Adding brief notes or identifiers in the draft order notes can help staff quickly locate specific orders in a busy Draft Orders list.
• Regularly Clear Out Completed Draft Orders: To avoid clutter, regularly clear completed draft orders from the admin section. This will help prevent confusion between active and completed orders.
• Train Staff on Workflow Changes: Ensure that all staff members understand the new steps involved in using draft orders for holding and retrieving carts, minimizing delays in customer service.

5. Other Workarounds for Effective POS Use

While Draft Orders offer a partial solution, additional workarounds may streamline operations:

• Separate POS Devices by Function: If feasible, consider using one device for building carts and another for final checkouts, allowing for simpler retrieval and management of draft orders during peak hours.
• Automate Order Creation via Third-Party Apps: Several third-party Shopify apps provide automated checkout or draft order solutions, potentially adding functionality closer to the original Save Cart feature. Research POS add-ons to find one that meets your needs.
• Use Shopify POS Pro Plan: For more advanced functionality, consider upgrading to the POS Pro plan, which includes additional features, though the Draft Order workflow is still required.

6. Shopify’s Future Plans for POS Workflow

Shopify has acknowledged merchant feedback on the Draft Order feature and is working on improving the workflow to better meet user needs. Although specific updates or timelines have not been provided, Shopify’s support team recommends sharing constructive feedback on POS features through the Shopify Help Center.

Merchants who wish to stay informed about these changes are encouraged to follow the Shopify Changelog or sign up for Shopify’s product update emails. Additionally, reaching out to Shopify’s retail support team can help escalate the priority of certain feature requests.

Conclusion

The removal of Shopify’s Save Cart feature has impacted many merchants who relied on its simplicity and efficiency. While Draft Orders offer an alternative, they require more clicks, involve additional complexity, and currently lack the flexibility of the original Save Cart feature. By adapting your workflow and using workarounds like descriptive notes and separate devices, you can partially recreate the Save Cart experience until more substantial improvements are made. Keep an eye on updates from Shopify for news on potential POS improvements.

FAQs

• Why did Shopify remove the Save Cart feature?
  Shopify replaced Save Cart with Draft Orders to provide cross-device and channel functionality. However, this change has created new workflow challenges that Shopify is addressing based on merchant feedback.
• Can I still use Save Cart on Shopify POS?
  No, Save Cart has been removed and replaced with Save as Draft Order. This change applies to both Shopify POS Lite and POS Pro plans.
• How can I retrieve and edit a Draft Order?
  Go to Orders > Draft Orders in the POS app, select the draft order, and proceed with checkout or additional edits. Note that Draft Orders cannot be re-saved if changes are made.
• Will Shopify bring back Save Cart?
  Shopify has not announced plans to restore Save Cart but is working to improve the Draft Order functionality to better meet merchant needs.