How to Replace the “Add to Cart” Button in WooCommerce (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
WooCommerce’s “Add to Cart” button is the gateway to your online store’s success. But what if you want to customize it? Maybe you want to change the text, the appearance, or even replace it with something completely different like a “Request a Quote” button. Don’t worry! This guide will walk you through how to replace the “Add to Cart” button in WooCommerce, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Why Replace the “Add to Cart” Button?
There are several compelling reasons why you might want to replace or modify this crucial button:
* Branding: A customized button can better align with your brand’s visual identity. Think about a luxury brand. They might want a more subtle and elegant button than the default WooCommerce one.
* User Experience: Tailor the text to better suit your product or service. Instead of “Add to Cart,” consider “Book Now” for appointments or “Download Now” for digital products. Consider a local farm that sells “CSA shares” (Community Supported Agriculture). They might have a button that says “Join Our CSA!” instead of “Add to Cart”.
* Specific Product Types: Some products, like those requiring custom quotes or inquiries, don’t fit Learn more about How To Change The Email Colors In Woocommerce the standard “Add to Cart” flow. This is common for B2B e-commerce shops.
* Call to Action (CTA): Increase conversions by crafting a more compelling and persuasive CTA that encourages immediate action. “Get Started Today!” is usually more compelling than “Add to Cart.”
* Accessibility: By customizing the button, you can ensure that your site is more accessible to users with disabilities by including descriptive and accurate labels.
Understanding the Basics: WooCommerce Hooks and Templates
Before diving into code, it’s important to understand two core concepts: WooCommerce Hooks and Templates.
* WooCommerce Hooks: Hooks are specific points in the WooCommerce code where you can “hook” in your own custom functions. Think of them like designated spots where you can insert your own code snippets. We will use hooks to remove and replace the Add to Cart button.
* WooCommerce Templates: These are PHP files that control the layout and appearance of various WooCommerce elements, including the “Add to Cart” button. Editing templates directly isn’t recommended for beginners because updates to WooCommerce can overwrite your changes. We’ll primarily use hooks in this tutorial to avoid that problem.
Method 1: Replacing the Button with a Custom Function (Recommended)
This is the recommended method, especially for beginners, as it avoids directly modifying template files, making it update-safe.
Steps:
1. Access Your `functions.php` File:
The easiest way to add custom code is to use your theme’s `functions.php` file. You can find it in `wp-content/themes/your-theme-name/functions.php`.
Important: If you are not familiar with the theme’s file structure, consider using a child theme. This will prevent your changes from being overwritten when the theme is updated.
2. Add the Code:
This code snippet will remove the default “Add to Cart” button and add a new button with custom text. We’ll use the `woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item` hook for archive pages (like your shop page) and the `woocommerce_single_product_summary` hook for single product pages.
<?php
// Remove default Add to Cart button on archive pages (shop page)
remove_action( ‘woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item’, ‘woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart’, 10 );
// Add a custom button on archive pages
add_action( ‘woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item’, ‘custom_add_to_cart_button’, 10);
function custom_add_to_cart_button() {
global $product;
$link = $product->get_permalink();
echo ‘View Product‘;
}
// Remove default Add to Cart button on single product pages
remove_action( ‘woocommerce_single_product_summary’, ‘woocommerce_template_single_add_to_cart’, 30 );
// Add a custom button on single product pages
add_action( ‘woocommerce_single_product_summary’, ‘custom_single_add_to_cart_button’, 30);
function custom_single_add_to_cart_button() {
global $product;
echo ‘‘;
}
Explanation:
* `remove_action(‘woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item’, ‘woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart’, 10);`: This line removes the default “Add to Cart” button from the shop page.
- ‘woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item’: The hook we’re using.
- ‘woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart’: The function that Check out this post: How To Make A Self Order Kiosk With Woocommerce displays the default button.
- `10`: The priority, specifying when the function is executed.
- ‘woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item’: Same hook as above.
- ‘custom_add_to_cart_button’: Your function (explained below).
- `10`: The priority.
* `remove_action(‘woocommerce_single_product_summary’, ‘woocommerce_template_single_add_to_cart’, 30);`: This removes the Add to Cart button on single product pages.
* `add_action(‘woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item’, ‘custom_add_to_cart_button’, 10);`: This tells WooCommerce to execute the `custom_add_to_cart_button` function after each product on the shop page.
* `function custom_add_to_cart_button() { … }`: This is your custom function that outputs the new button.
* `echo ‘View Product‘;`: This line creates an HTML link styled as a button using WooCommerce’s default button styles. It links to the product’s page. We change the button text to “View Product”.
* `add_action(‘woocommerce_single_product_summary’, ‘custom_single_add_to_cart_button’, 30);`: Same concept as above, but it applies on the single product page.
* `function custom_single_add_to_cart_button() { … }`: The custom function for the single product page.
* `echo ‘‘;`: Here, we replace the Add to Cart button with a simple “Enquire Now” button.
3. Customize the Button Text and Link:
Modify the HTML within the `custom_add_to_cart_button` and `custom_single_add_to_cart_button` functions to change the button’s text, link, and appearance. For example:
echo 'get_name() . '" class="button alt">Request a Quote';
This would replace the button with a link that opens an email to `[email protected]` with a pre-filled subject line including the product name.
4. Save and Test: Save your `functions.php` file and refresh your WooCommerce pages. You should see your new button in place of the default one.
Method 2: Using Plugins
There are several plugins available that simplify the process of customizing WooCommerce buttons. Here are a couple of popular options:
* WooCommerce Button Editor: A dedicated plugin for customizing button text, colors, and styles.
* Custom Add to Cart Text: This plugin focuses specifically on changing the “Add to Cart” button text.
Plugin Advantages:
* No coding required.
* User-friendly interface.
* Often provide more advanced customization options.
Plugin Disadvantages:
* Can add extra weight to your site (if you use many plugins).
* Potential compatibility issues with other plugins or themes.
* Some plugins require payment.
Important Considerations:
* Child Theme: Always use a child theme when making code changes to your theme. This ensures your customizations aren’t lost when the theme is updated.
* Backups: Before making any changes to your site, create a backup. This allows you to easily restore your site if something goes wrong.
* Testing: Test your changes thoroughly to ensure they work as expected and don’t break any other functionality on your site.
* CSS Styling: You may need to add custom CSS to further style your new button to match your website’s design. You can add this CSS in your theme’s `style.css` file (or ideally, in your child theme’s `style.css` file).
Conclusion
Replacing the “Add to Cart” button in WooCommerce is a powerful way to enhance your online store’s branding, user experience, and overall conversion rates. While coding provides more flexibility, plugins offer a simpler solution for basic customizations. Choose the method that best suits your skills and needs. Remember to always back up your site and test your changes thoroughly before making them live. Good luck!
