How To Remove Woocommerce Cart From Menu WordPress

How to Remove the WooCommerce Cart from Your WordPress Menu

Introduction:

WooCommerce is a fantastic plugin for turning your WordPress website into a fully-fledged online store. However, the default WooCommerce installation automatically adds a cart icon to your main menu. While convenient for some users, this cart icon might not always align with your website’s design, user experience goals, or branding. Perhaps you prefer a more minimalist approach, or you want to strategically guide users through your sales funnel differently. Whatever your reason, removing the WooCommerce cart from your menu is a common task, and fortunately, it’s quite achievable. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to remove the WooCommerce cart from the WordPress menu using various methods, catering to different skill levels and comfort zones.

Methods to Remove the WooCommerce Cart Icon

There are several methods to remove the cart icon from your WordPress menu. Each method has its pros and cons, depending on your comfort level with code and your specific needs. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular techniques:

1. Using the WordPress Customizer (Theme Options)

Many WordPress themes designed with WooCommerce compatibility offer built-in options within the WordPress Customizer to manage or remove the cart icon. This is the simplest and most user-friendly method.

1. Navigate to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.

2. Look for a section related to WooCommerce, Header, or Menu settings. The exact location will vary depending on your theme.

3. Within these settings, you should find an option to disable or hide the cart icon. It might be labelled something like “Show Cart in Menu,” “Enable WooCommerce Cart Icon,” or similar.

4. Simply toggle the option off and click Publish to save your changes.

Advantages:

• Discover insights on How To Remove Woocommerce From Divi Easiest method: No coding required.
• Safe: Changes are made through the WordPress Customizer, minimizing the risk of breaking your site.
• Theme-dependent: Relies on your theme providing this functionality.

Disadvantages:

• Availability: Not all themes offer this option.
• Limited Customization: You may only be able to completely remove or show the cart, with limited control over its appearance.

2. Using a Plugin

If your theme doesn’t have a built-in option, you can use a plugin to remove the cart icon. There are several plugins available that offer this functionality, often as part of a larger suite of WooCommerce customization options.

1. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.

2. Search for plugins like “WooCommerce Menu Cart,” “WooCommerce Extra Product Options,” or similar plugins that offer menu cart control features.

3. Install and activate your chosen plugin.

4. Navigate to the plugin’s settings page. The location will vary based on the specific plugin.

5. Look for the option to hide or disable the cart icon in the menu and save your changes.

Advantages:

• Relatively Easy: Plugins provide a user-friendly interface for managing the cart icon.
• Extended Functionality: Many plugins offer Explore this article on How To Check Abandon Cart On Woocommerce additional features for customizing your WooCommerce store.
• Theme Independent: Works regardless of your theme’s built-in options.

Disadvantages:

• Plugin Bloat: Installing too many plugins can slow down your website.
• Compatibility Issues: Ensure the plugin is compatible with your current WordPress and WooCommerce versions.

3. Using Custom CSS

This method allows you to hide the cart icon using CSS code. This is a relatively straightforward option if you’re comfortable adding custom CSS to your website.

1. Identify the CSS class or ID associated with the cart menu item. You can do this by inspecting the element in your browser’s developer tools (right-click on the cart icon and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”). Look for a class name like `woocommerce-cart`, `menu-item-type-woocommerce`, or a similar identifier.

2. Navigate to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS in your WordPress dashboard.

3. Add the following CSS code, replacing `YOUR_CART_CLASS` with the actual CSS class or ID you identified:

.YOUR_CART_CLASS {

display: none !important;

}

or

#YOUR_CART_ID {

display: none !important;

}

4. Click Publish to save your changes. The `!important` declaration ensures your CSS rule overrides any existing styles.

Advantages:

• Simple and Clean: A relatively simple and lightweight solution.
• Direct Control: You have direct control over the appearance using CSS.
• No Plugin Required: Avoids the need to install an additional plugin.

Disadvantages:

• Requires CSS Knowledge: You need to be comfortable with CSS selectors.
• Theme Updates: Theme updates *might* overwrite your custom CSS, so you’ll need to check and re-add it if necessary.

4. Editing Theme Files (Functions.php)

This method is for advanced users only. Incorrectly editing theme files can break your website. Always back up your website before making any changes to theme files.

You can remove the cart icon programmatically by adding code to your theme’s `functions.php` file (or, preferably, a child theme’s `functions.php` file). This involves unhooking the function that adds the cart to the menu.

1. Create a Child Theme: This is highly recommended to avoid losing your changes when the theme is updated.

2. Edit your child theme’s `functions.php` file. You can access it through Appearance > Theme Editor (if enabled) or via FTP/file manager.

3. Add the following PHP code:

 <?php /** 
Remove WooCommerce cart menu item.
 */ function remove_woocommerce_cart_menu() { if ( class_exists( 'woocommerce' ) ) { // This may need adjusted based on your theme, inspect the menu source code to find the appropriate filter. remove_filter( 'wp_nav_menu_items', 'woocommerce_cart_menu_item', 20 ); remove_filter( 'wp_nav_menu_items', 'woocommerce_cart_menu_fragment', 20 ); } } add_action( 'init', 'remove_woocommerce_cart_menu' ); ?> 

Important: The specific filter to remove (in this case `woocommerce_cart_menu_item` and `woocommerce_cart_menu_fragment`) might vary depending on your theme. Inspect your theme’s code or contact the theme developer to determine the correct filter to remove. The number “20” represents the priority of the filter.

Advantages:

• Permanent Solution: If implemented correctly, it provides a reliable and efficient solution.
• No Plugin Required: Avoids the need to install an additional plugin.
• Fine-Grained Control: Offers the most control over how the cart is removed.

Disadvantages:

• Advanced: Requires PHP knowledge and familiarity with WordPress hooks and filters.
• Risk of Breaking Site: Incorrect code can break your website.
• Theme Dependent: The correct filter may vary based on the theme in use.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Method

Removing the WooCommerce cart from your WordPress menu is a relatively straightforward process, but the best method depends on your technical skills and the functionality offered by your theme.

• If your Check out this post: Woocommerce How To Add Plugin Into Pages theme Check out this post: How To Test Woocommerce Api provides an option in the Customizer: Use that option. It’s the simplest and safest approach.
• If not, consider a plugin: Choose a reputable plugin with good reviews and ensure it’s compatible with your WordPress and WooCommerce versions.
• If you’re comfortable with CSS: Use custom CSS to hide the cart icon. This is a lightweight and efficient solution.
• If you’re an advanced user with PHP knowledge: Editing your theme’s `functions.php` file offers the most control, but proceed with caution and always back up your website first.

By following these steps, you can easily remove the WooCommerce cart from your WordPress menu and create a website that perfectly aligns with your brand and user experience goals. Remember to always test your changes after implementing any of these methods to ensure everything works as expected.