How To Remove Shopping Cart Header Woocommerce

How to Remove the Shopping Cart Header in WooCommerce: A Complete Guide

Introduction

The default WooCommerce installation includes a shopping cart icon in the header of your website. While functional, it might not align with your desired website aesthetics, or you might prefer a different approach for displaying cart information. Removing the shopping cart header in WooCommerce can be achieved through various methods, allowing you to customize your online store’s appearance. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to remove the shopping cart header using CSS, code snippets, and plugins. We will also discuss the pros and cons of each method to help you choose the best approach for your needs.

Why Remove the Shopping Cart Header?

Here are some reasons why you might want to remove the shopping cart header:

• Aesthetic Reasons: The default cart icon might not match your brand’s design.
• Simplified Design: A cleaner, less cluttered header can improve user experience.
• Alternative Navigation: You might prefer a different way for users to access their cart, like a sticky cart button or a dedicated cart page link.
• Theme Compatibility: The header might conflict with your chosen theme’s layout or design.

Removing the Shopping Cart Header

There are several methods you can use to remove the shopping cart header in WooCommerce. We’ll explore the most common options, along with their respective pros and cons.

1. Using CSS (Quick and Easy)

This is the simplest Learn more about How To Add Paypal Payment Gateway In Woocommerce method and a good starting point. It involves hiding the cart element using CSS code.

How to do it:

1. Identify the CSS Class or ID: Use your browser’s developer tools (right-click on the cart icon and select “Inspect Element”) to find the CSS class or ID associated with the shopping cart element in your header. Common class names include `.woocommerce-cart`, `.cart-contents`, or similar. Look for a unique identifier.

2. Add Custom CSS: Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS in your WordPress dashboard.

3. Insert the CSS code: Add the following CSS code snippet, replacing `YOUR_CART_CLASS_OR_ID` with the actual class or ID you found in step 1.

.YOUR_CART_CLASS_OR_ID {

display: none !important;

}

• !important ensures that this style overrides any other conflicting styles.

Pros:

• Simple and quick to implement.
• Doesn’t require coding knowledge beyond basic CSS.
• Easily reversible.

Cons:

• Only hides the element visually; the HTML code still exists, which might affect page speed slightly.
• Can be less reliable if your theme uses very specific CSS rules that are difficult to override.

2. Using Code Snippets (Recommended for Efficiency)

This method involves adding a PHP code snippet to your theme’s `functions.php` file or using a code snippets plugin. This approach removes the cart element entirely.

How to do it:

1. Backup your website: Before making any changes to your theme files, it’s crucial to create a backup of your website.

2. Edit `functions.php` or use a Code Snippets plugin:

• Editing `functions.php` (Not Recommended for Beginners): Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor and find the `functions.php` file. Add the code snippet (below) to the end of the file. Caution: Directly editing `functions.php` can break your site if you make a mistake.
• Using a Code Snippets Plugin (Recommended): Install and activate a plugin like “Code Snippets” or “WPCode.” These plugins provide a safe and easy way to add PHP code without directly editing theme files.

3. Add the Code Snippet: Insert the following PHP code snippet. This snippet assumes your theme uses a WooCommerce hook to display the cart. You might need to adjust it based on your theme’s structure.

 <?php /** 
Remove the WooCommerce cart header.
 */ function remove_woocommerce_cart_header() { remove_action( 'woocommerce_before_main_content', 'woocommerce_breadcrumb', 20, 0 ); // Example, remove breadcrumbs as well. remove_action( 'YOUR_WOOCOMMERCE_HEADER_HOOK', 'YOUR_WOOCOMMERCE_HEADER_FUNCTION', 10 ); // Replace with your actual hook and function } add_action( 'wp', 'remove_woocommerce_cart_header' ); ?> 

Important: You must replace `YOUR_WOOCOMMERCE_HEADER_HOOK` and `YOUR_WOOCOMMERCE_HEADER_FUNCTION` with the actual WooCommerce hook and function responsible for displaying the cart in your theme. Use your browser’s developer tools to inspect the header and identify the relevant hook. You may have to consult your theme documentation or contact the theme developer to find these details. If you don’t find a hook, the theme probably directly outputs the cart HTML, making it difficult to remove directly using this method.

Alternative Code snippet for removing menu item based on the menu ID

 <?php add_filter( 'wp_nav_menu_items', 'remove_cart_from_menu', 9999, 2 ); function remove_cart_from_menu( $items, $args ) { 

// Change ‘menu’ to your specific menu ID (located in the WP dashboard under Appearance > Menus)

if ($args->theme_location == ‘menu’) { // Use the theme location of the menu you wish to modify

foreach( $items as $key => $item ) {

if( $item->title == ‘Cart’ ) { // Or whatever the cart menu item is called

unset( $items[$key] );

}

}

}

return $items;

}

Pros:

• More efficient than CSS because it removes the element from the HTML.
• Provides more control over the removal process.

Cons:

• Requires basic PHP knowledge.
• Can be more complex to implement, especially if you’re unfamiliar with WooCommerce hooks.
• Editing `functions.php` directly can be risky. Code Snippets plugins are recommended.
• Finding the correct WooCommerce hook and function might require theme documentation or developer assistance.

3. Using a Plugin (Convenient but Can Be Overkill)

Several plugins can help you customize your WooCommerce store, including the ability to remove elements from the header.

How to do it:

1. Install and Activate a Plugin: Search for plugins like “Header Footer Code Manager,” “WooCommerce Customizer,” or similar plugins in the WordPress plugin repository.

2. Configure the Plugin: The plugin’s settings will typically provide options to remove or customize header elements, including the shopping cart. Follow the plugin’s documentation for specific instructions.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface, making it easy to remove the cart without coding.
• Often offers additional customization options for your WooCommerce store.

Cons:

• Can be overkill if you only need to remove the cart header.
• Might add extra weight to your website, potentially impacting performance.
• Relying on a plugin makes you dependent on its updates and compatibility.

Conclusion

Removing the shopping cart header in WooCommerce is a simple yet impactful customization that can significantly improve your website’s design and user experience. Choosing the right method depends on your technical skills and the complexity of your desired changes. CSS is the quickest and easiest option for simple visual hiding, while code snippets offer a more efficient and robust solution for completely removing the element. Plugins Explore this article on How To Change Price Of Shipping Woocommerce provide a user-friendly alternative but can be less efficient and more resource-intensive. Remember to always backup your website before making changes and choose the method that best suits your needs and technical expertise. Always test your changes thoroughly after implementing them to ensure a smooth user experience.