# How to Change the Shopping Cart Icon in WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a powerful and popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress, but its default design might not always align with your brand’s aesthetic. One small but impactful detail is the shopping cart icon. This article will guide you through several methods for changing the WooCommerce shopping cart icon, allowing you to customize your store’s look and feel. Let’s dive in!
Understanding the WooCommerce Cart Icon
Before we get into the how-to, it’s important to understand where the cart icon is located. Typically, it’s displayed in the header of your WooCommerce store. It’s a crucial element of the user experience, directly linking customers to their cart and encouraging purchases. Changing this icon is a simple yet effective way to improve your store’s branding consistency and overall visual appeal.
Methods to Change the WooCommerce Shopping Cart Icon
There are several ways to change your WooCommerce shopping cart icon, ranging from simple CSS edits to utilizing plugins. We’ll explore the most common and effective methods below.
Method 1: Using CSS (Beginner-Friendly)
This method is perfect for those comfortable with basic CSS editing. It’s a quick and non-invasive way to alter the icon without modifying core WooCommerce files. However, it will be lost if you update your theme.
- Locate the CSS: Access your theme’s `style.css` file (usually through your WordPress theme editor or a code editor if you’ve accessed your theme files via FTP).
- Add the following CSS: This code targets the cart icon and replaces it with a custom image. Remember to replace `your-cart-icon.png` with the actual path to your image. Ensure your image is appropriately sized and optimized.
- Save and Refresh: Save the changes to your `style.css` file and refresh your website to see the updated icon.
- Create a Child Theme: If you don’t already have a child theme, create one following WordPress’s guidelines. This involves creating a new folder and adding the necessary files.
- Add Custom CSS: Inside your child theme’s `style.css` file, add the same CSS code from Method 1. This ensures that your changes will persist even after updating your parent theme.
- Search for a Plugin: Use the WordPress plugin directory to search for plugins offering WooCommerce customization. Look for ones with high ratings and positive reviews.
- Install and Activate: Install and activate the chosen plugin. Configure the plugin’s settings to change the cart icon to your desired image.
.woocommerce-cart-icon {
background-image: url(‘your-cart-icon.png’);
background-size: contain; /* Adjust as needed */
background-repeat: no-repeat;
}
Method 2: Using a Child Theme (Recommended)
This is the most recommended method for modifying your theme’s CSS. Creating a child theme prevents your changes from being overwritten when you update your parent theme.
Method 3: Using a Plugin (Easiest but Potentially Less Efficient)
While CSS edits are often sufficient, plugins offer an alternative approach. Many plugins provide visual customization options for WooCommerce, including the cart icon. However, adding extra plugins can slow down your website.
Conclusion
Changing the WooCommerce shopping cart icon is a simple yet effective way to personalize your store’s design and strengthen your brand identity. While plugins offer a convenient solution, using CSS within a child theme provides a more efficient and sustainable method, preventing your changes from being lost during theme updates. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and prioritize maintaining your website’s performance. Remember to always back up your website before making any significant code changes.
