How to Remove WooCommerce Category Count: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
If you’re running a WooCommerce store, you’ve likely seen the category count displayed next to each category name on your shop page and category archives. While this number, indicating the number of products within that category, can be helpful for some shoppers, it can also clutter your design or distract from your branding. Maybe you prefer a cleaner look, or perhaps you’re running promotions and the product count simply isn’t relevant at the moment. This article will walk you through how to remove the WooCommerce category count with simple, actionable steps. No coding experience required (though we’ll show you a code snippet too, if you’re feeling adventurous!).
Why Remove the WooCommerce Category Count?
Before diving into *how*, let’s briefly touch on *why* you might want to remove the count. Consider these scenarios:
* Cleaner Design: A store with a minimalist aesthetic might find the category count visually distracting. Removing it streamlines the layout.
* Focus on Categories, Not Numbers: You might want users to browse categories based on the category *itself*, rather than being influenced by which one has the most products.
* Sales and Promotions: During sales, the number of products might seem irrelevant. You want shoppers focused on the deals, not the inventory.
* Inaccurate Counts: Although rare, if product visibility settings are not configured correctly, there may be a category with 0 visible items, even though there may actually be products inside. This can confuse customers.
* A/B Testing: Sometimes, experimenting with different layouts (with and without the category count) can give you valuable insights into your customers’ shopping behavior.
Think of a boutique clothing store. They might only have a few items in a new “Summer Collection” category. Displaying a small product count next to the category might make it seem less appealing compared to a “Sale” category with a much larger number. Removing the count emphasizes the curated nature of the new collection.
Methods to Remove the Category Count
There are a few ways to achieve this, ranging from simple plugin options to code snippets. We’ll cover both!
#### 1. Using a WooCommerce Customization Plugin (Recommended for Beginners)
This is the easiest and most beginner-friendly method. Plugins like WooCommerce Product Category Count Remover or code snippet managers with PHP execution capabilities allow you to customize WooCommerce without directly editing your theme files.
Here’s a general outline of the process:
1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Search for a suitable plugin in the WordPress plugin directory (`Plugins` -> `Add New`). Always read reviews and check the last updated date before installing a plugin. A well-maintained plugin reduces the risk of compatibility issues.
2. Locate the Plugin Settings: After activation, the plugin will usually have its own settings page within the WordPress admin panel (often under `WooCommerce` or `Settings`).
3. Find the “Remove Category Count” Option: Look for an option specifically designed to hide the category count. It might be a simple checkbox or a toggle switch.
4. Save Your Changes: Make sure to save the plugin settings after enabling the option.
5. Clear Your Cache: If you’re using a caching plugin, clear your website cache to see the changes immediately.
Reasoning: Plugins provide a user-friendly interface, preventing you from potentially breaking your site through coding errors. They are also easily deactivated if needed.
#### 2. Adding Code to Your Theme’s `functions.php` File or Using a Code Snippet Plugin (For the Slightly More Adventurous)
This method involves adding a small PHP snippet to your theme’s `functions.php` file or using a code snippet plugin. Important: Always back up your website before editing theme files. A mistake in the `functions.php` file can break your site.
1. Access Your `functions.php` File: You can access this file through your WordPress admin panel (`Appearance` -> `Theme Editor`) or via FTP. Using a child theme is highly recommended to prevent your changes from being overwritten during theme updates.
2. Add the Code Snippet: Paste the following code snippet into your `functions.php` file (or your code snippet plugin):
add_filter( 'woocommerce_subcategory_count_html', '__return_empty_string' );
3. Save Your Changes: Save the `functions.php` file.
4. Clear Your Cache: Clear your website cache if you’re using a caching plugin.
Explanation of the Code:
* `add_filter()`: This is a WordPress function that allows you to modify the output of existing WordPress functions.
* `’woocommerce_subcategory_count_html’`: This is the filter hook specific to the HTML output of the WooCommerce category count.
* `’__return_empty_string’`: This is a built-in WordPress function that returns an empty string. Effectively, it replaces the HTML of the category count with nothing, thus hiding it.
Using a Code Snippet Plugin:
Instead of directly editing `functions.php`, which can be risky, you can use a plugin like “Code Snippets.” This plugin lets you add and manage code snippets without modifying your theme files.
1. Install and Activate Code Snippets Plugin: Find the Code Snippets plugin in WordPress.
2. Add New Snippet: From the WordPress dashboard, navigate to `Snippets` -> `Add New`.
3. Enter a Title: Give your snippet a descriptive title, like “Remove WooCommerce Category Count.”
4. Paste the Code: Paste the PHP code snippet from above into the code area.
5. Set Location: Set the location to “Run snippet everywhere” (or “Run snippet on front-end” if that’s an option).
6. Save and Activate: Save and activate the snippet.
Reasoning: Using a code snippet provides a direct and efficient way to remove the category count. Code snippet plugins offer a safer alternative to directly editing your theme’s `functions.php` file.
#### 3. CSS (Less Recommended – Might Not Fully Remove the Space)
While not the ideal solution, you *could* try using CSS to hide the category count. However, this only hides the *visual* display of the count; the HTML code is still there. This means the space occupied by the count might still be visible, resulting in an awkward layout.
1. Find the CSS Class: Use your browser’s developer tools (right-click on the category count on your shop page and select “Inspect”) to identify the CSS class associated with the category count. It’s often something like `.count`.
2. Add Custom CSS: You can add custom CSS through your WordPress customizer (`Appearance` -> `Customize` -> `Additional CSS`) or within your theme’s stylesheet.
3. Add the CSS Rule: Add the following CSS rule, replacing `.count` with the actual class you identified:
.count {
display: none !important;
}
4. Publish Changes: Publish your changes in the customizer or save your theme’s stylesheet.
Reasoning: CSS is a quick fix, but it’s not as clean as the PHP methods. It simply hides the element, potentially leaving an empty space. It’s best to use this method only if you are unable to use the other methods for some reason.
Troubleshooting
* Clear Your Cache: This is the most common culprit! Caching plugins can prevent changes from appearing immediately.
* Check Your Code: If you’re using the code snippet method, double-check the code for typos. Even a small error can prevent it from working.
* Plugin Conflicts: If you’re using a plugin, try deactivating other plugins to see if there’s a conflict.
* Theme Compatibility: Some themes might have specific customizations that override these methods. Try switching to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) to see if the issue persists. If it works with the default theme, the problem lies within your current theme.
By following these simple steps, you can easily remove the WooCommerce category count and achieve the cleaner, more focused design you desire for your online store. Good luck!
