How to Remove the Shopping Cart Icon in WooCommerce (WordPress) – A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’re building your online store with WooCommerce, and you’ve decided that the shopping cart icon just doesn’t quite fit your aesthetic? Maybe you prefer a minimalist look, or perhaps you’re only offering a limited number of products and the constant reminder of a cart feels unnecessary. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone! Many WooCommerce users want to customize their stores, and removing the shopping cart icon is a common tweak.
This guide will walk you through several ways to remove that pesky icon, catering to different skill levels. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner – we’ll keep it simple and explain everything Learn more about Woocommerce How To Not Display Sidebar On Shop Apge clearly.
Why Remove the Shopping Cart Icon?
Before we dive in, let’s consider why you might want to remove the shopping cart icon:
- Minimalist Design: You might want to create a cleaner, more modern look for your website.
- Limited Product Range: If you only sell a few products, the constant presence of the cart icon might be distracting. Think of a website that only sells one type of handmade pottery. The focus should be on the pottery itself, not the checkout process.
- Subscription-Based Business: You might have a subscription model where users purchase a subscription and don’t need a traditional shopping cart.
- Custom Checkout Flow: You might have implemented a custom checkout flow that renders the default WooCommerce cart icon redundant.
- `display: none !important;` This line hides the specific elements selected. The `!important` ensures that this rule overrides any conflicting CSS rules from your theme. The listed classes target different elements related to the cart: cart form, mini-cart, total amount, and buttons.
- `.menu-item-has-children .sub-menu .woocommerce-mini-cart` – This targets the mini cart, which is usually present in a dropdown in your main menu.
- Inspect Element: If the above CSS doesn’t work, you might need to inspect the element using your browser’s developer tools (right-click on the cart icon and select Check out this post: How To Change The Cart Display In Woocommerce “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”). This will show you the exact CSS class or ID of the cart icon, which you can then use in your CSS.
- Theme Compatibility: Some themes might have very specific CSS rules that override this. You might need to adjust the CSS code accordingly.
- Menu Cart Item (If it persists in the main menu): If you still see the cart icon in your main menu, you may need to add this CSS too:
- `header.php`
- `functions.php`
- Theme-specific template files (e.g., files in the `woocommerce/` directory)
- Check out this post: How To Change Woocommerce Product Price To Say Starting At
Method 1: Using CSS (The Quick & Easy Way)
This is the simplest method and works for most themes. It involves adding some CSS code to your website to hide the shopping cart icon.
1. Accessing the Customizer: Go to your WordPress dashboard, then navigate to Appearance > Customize.
2. Finding the CSS Editor: Look for an option like “Additional CSS” or “Custom CSS”. This option can vary slightly depending on your theme.
3. Adding the CSS Code: Now, paste the following CSS code into the editor:
.woocommerce-cart-form__contents .cart-collaterals,
.woocommerce-mini-cart__total,
.woocommerce-mini-cart__buttons,
.widget_shopping_cart .total,
.widget_shopping_cart .buttons {
display: none !important;
}
.menu-item-has-children .sub-menu .woocommerce-mini-cart {
display: none !important;
}
Explanation:
4. Publishing the Changes: Click the “Publish” button to save your changes. Visit your website and see if the cart icon is gone!
Important Considerations:
.menu-item-type-woocommerce {
display: none !important;
}
Method 2: Using a Theme Options Panel (If Available)
Many premium WooCommerce themes come with built-in options to control the display of the shopping cart icon.
1. Access Theme Options: Look for a “Theme Options” or “Theme Settings” section in your WordPress dashboard. This is usually found under “Appearance” or in a separate menu item.
2. Search for Cart Settings: Explore the theme options to find settings related to the shopping cart. Look for options like “Show Cart Icon,” “Enable Cart Icon,” or similar phrases.
3. Disable the Icon: If you find such an option, simply disable it and save your changes.
Example: Some themes might have a setting under “Header” or “Navigation” that allows you to toggle the display of the cart icon.
Method 3: Using a Plugin (For More Control)
If the CSS method is not working, and your theme doesn’t offer a built-in option, you can use a plugin. Be aware that plugins can sometimes slow down your site, so choose a lightweight and well-reviewed plugin.
1. Install a Plugin: Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Search for a Suitable Plugin: Search for plugins like “WooCommerce Menu Cart Remover” or “WooCommerce Customize.” Read reviews and choose one that is recently updated and has good ratings. Avoid using old, outdated plugins.
3. Install and Activate: Install and activate the chosen plugin.
4. Configure the Plugin: Go to the plugin’s settings page (usually found under “Settings” or in the WordPress menu). Follow the plugin’s instructions to remove the shopping cart icon. Often, this will involve simply checking a box or selecting an option.
Example: A plugin like “WooCommerce Menu Cart Remover” would offer a simple option to hide the cart icon from the main menu.
Method 4: Editing Theme Files (Advanced – Use with Caution!)
This method involves directly editing your theme’s files. This is generally not recommended for beginners because mistakes can break your website. If you’re comfortable with code and understand how WordPress themes work, proceed with caution. Always create a backup of your theme before making any changes!
1. Access Your Theme Files: You’ll need to access your theme files through FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or the WordPress File Manager (if your hosting provider offers one).
2. Identify Relevant Files: The file that displays the shopping cart icon will vary depending on your theme. Common files to check include:
3. Edit the File: Open the file in a text editor. Look for the code that generates the shopping cart icon. This might be a line of PHP code like:
4. Remove or Comment Out the Code: You can either remove the code completely or comment it out by adding `//` at the beginning of the line:
//
5. Save and Upload: Save the changes and upload the modified file back to your server, overwriting the original file.
Important Considerations:
- Child Theme: Always use a child theme when editing theme files. This prevents your changes from being overwritten when you update your theme.
- Backup: Always create a backup of your theme before making any changes.
- Syntax Errors: Be careful to avoid syntax errors in your code. Even a small mistake can break your website.
Conclusion
Removing the shopping cart icon in WooCommerce is a relatively straightforward process, even for beginners. Start with the easiest methods (CSS or theme options) and only consider editing theme files if you’re comfortable with code and understand the risks. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can customize your WooCommerce store to perfectly match your brand and design preferences! Good luck!
