How to Remove “Powered by WooCommerce” From Your Footer: A Beginner’s Guide
You’ve got your awesome WooCommerce store up and running. Fantastic! But you might notice a little line in the footer that says “Powered by WooCommerce.” While there’s absolutely nothing *wrong* with it (it’s a testament to a great platform!), you might want to remove it to maintain a consistent brand aesthetic or add your own custom branding.
Don’t worry, it’s a common desire and a fairly straightforward process. This guide will walk you through several easy methods to remove that footer credit, even if you’re a complete beginner. We’ll explain the reasoning behind each method and provide examples, so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Why remove it at all? Think of it like this: you wouldn’t let a clothing label show prominently on the *outside* of your stylish new outfit, would you? Your website footer is prime real estate, a place to showcase your brand’s personality and important information. Removing the default “Powered by WooCommerce” text gives you that space back.
Method 1: Using the WooCommerce Customizer
This is the easiest and safest method for most users, as it doesn’t involve touching any code. WooCommerce often provides a built-in customizer option for removing or changing the footer credit. However, this option isn’t universally available across all WooCommerce versions and themes.
How to check:
1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Customize.
3. Look for a section related to Footer, Theme Options, or something similar. This might be different depending on your theme.
4. Within that section, see if there’s an option to “Remove Footer Credit,” “Disable Powered by WooCommerce,” or a similar setting.
Example: Some themes have a dedicated “Footer” section within the Customizer. In that section, you might find a checkbox that says “Disable WooCommerce Footer Credit.” Simply check the box, and the footer text disappears!
Reasoning: This method is ideal because it’s built directly into the theme or WooCommerce itself. This means it’s less likely to break when you update your theme or WooCommerce in the future.
Method 2: Editing Your Theme’s `functions.php` File (Advanced, But Common)
This method involves adding a snippet of code to your theme’s `functions.php` file. Be careful! Editing this file incorrectly can break your website. It’s highly recommended to back up your website before proceeding.
Steps:
1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Theme File Editor.
3. In the “Select theme to edit” dropdown, make sure you’ve selected your child theme (if you’re using one – and you *should* be! More on that later). If you’re not using a child theme, select your active theme.
4. In the file list on the right, find the `functions.php` file.
5. Add the following code snippet to the *end* of the file:
function remove_woocommerce_footer_credit() {
remove_action( 'woocommerce_credits', 'woocommerce_credit', 10 );
}
add_action( 'wp_footer', 'remove_woocommerce_footer_credit' );
6. Click Update File.
Explanation:
- `remove_action( ‘woocommerce_credits’, ‘woocommerce_credit’, 10 );` This line removes the default WooCommerce function that adds the footer credit. We’re telling WordPress to stop executing that specific action.
- `add_action( ‘wp_footer’, ‘remove_woocommerce_footer_credit’ );` This line hooks our new function (`remove_woocommerce_footer_credit`) into the `wp_footer` action. This ensures our function runs when the footer is being generated.
- Code Snippets: This plugin lets you add PHP code snippets (like the one above) without directly editing your `functions.php` file. This is a safer option than directly editing the file.
- Custom CSS and JS: Some plugins allow you to inject custom CSS, which *could* be used to hide the footer element (less reliable than other methods).
Reasoning: This method is effective because it directly targets the WooCommerce function responsible for displaying the footer credit. It’s a common and reliable way to remove it.
Important Child Theme Note: Always use a child theme! Editing your parent theme directly means your changes will be overwritten when you update the theme. A child theme inherits the styling and functionality of the parent theme but allows you to make modifications without affecting the parent. This is crucial for maintaining your customizations during updates.
Method 3: Using a Plugin
If you’re uncomfortable editing code, a plugin can be a user-friendly alternative. Several plugins allow you to remove or customize the WooCommerce footer credit.
Examples:
How to use a plugin (example using Code Snippets):
1. Install and activate the “Code Snippets” plugin.
2. Go to Snippets > Add New.
3. Give your snippet a title (e.g., “Remove WooCommerce Footer Credit”).
4. Paste the following code into the code editor:
function remove_woocommerce_footer_credit() {
remove_action( 'woocommerce_credits', 'woocommerce_credit', 10 );
}
add_action( 'wp_footer', 'remove_woocommerce_footer_credit' );
5. Select “Only run on site front-end” from the dropdown.
6. Click Save Changes and Activate.
Reasoning: Plugins offer a convenient way to add functionality without directly touching core files. They often provide a graphical interface for managing code snippets, making the process less intimidating for beginners.
Method 4: CSS (Less Reliable)
This is the least recommended method, as it simply *hides* the footer credit, rather than removing it. While it might appear to work on the surface, the code is still present in the page’s source code, which isn’t ideal for SEO or clean code practices.
How to:
1. Go to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
3. Use your browser’s developer tools (right-click on the footer text and select “Inspect”) to identify the CSS class or ID of the footer element containing the WooCommerce credit. It might be something like `#site-info` or `.woocommerce-credit`.
4. Add the following CSS to the “Additional CSS” box, replacing `#site-info` with the actual selector you found:
#site-info {
display: none !important;
}
Reasoning: This method simply hides the element using CSS. The code is still present in the page source. It’s a quick fix, but not a permanent or optimal solution. The `!important` is often needed to override existing theme styles.
Why it’s less reliable:
- It only hides the text; the code is still there.
- Theme updates might change the CSS classes/IDs, breaking the styling.
What to do *After* Removing the Credit
Now that you’ve removed the default WooCommerce footer credit, you have the opportunity to customize your footer! Consider adding:
- Copyright information: `© 2023 Your Store Name`
- Links to important pages: About Us, Contact Us, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service
- Social media icons: Link to your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
- Custom branding: Add your logo and a tagline.
- Email signup form: Encourage visitors to subscribe to your newsletter.
Conclusion:
Removing the “Powered by WooCommerce” footer credit is a simple way to personalize your store and maintain a consistent brand identity. Choose the method that best suits your comfort level and technical expertise. Remember to back up your website before making any code changes and always use a child theme for customizations. Good luck creating a beautiful and effective online store!
