Stop the Upsell: How to Disable Related Products in Your WooCommerce Storefront
Want to declutter your WooCommerce product pages and improve the customer experience? One easy way to do that is by disabling those automatically generated related products. They *can* be helpful, but often they just add visual noise and distract from the main product. This article will show you how to easily remove them, boosting both aesthetics and potentially your conversion rates.
Why Disable Related Products?
Before diving into the “how,” let’s consider the “why.” Related products, while intended to increase sales, can sometimes backfire. Imagine browsing for a specific pair of running shoes. Suddenly, you’re bombarded with suggestions for hiking boots, yoga mats, and protein shakes. The connection is loose at best, and the overwhelming options can lead to decision fatigue. A cleaner, more focused page often leads to a more effective purchase experience.
Method 1: Using a Plugin (Easiest Method)
The simplest way to disable related products is by using a plugin. Several free and paid options are available that offer granular control over various WooCommerce features. This is particularly helpful if you lack coding experience.
- Search for a plugin: Use keywords like “WooCommerce remove related products” in your WordPress plugin directory.
- Install and Activate: Once you find a suitable plugin, install and activate it as you would any other WordPress plugin.
- Configure Settings: Most plugins will have an easy-to-use interface to enable/disable various features, including related products. Look for options related to product suggestions, cross-selling, or upselling.
Example: A popular plugin like “WooCommerce Customizer” often includes this functionality. It provides a visual interface to manage many WooCommerce aspects without requiring code changes.
Method 2: Using Child Theme and Custom Code (For Advanced Users)
If you’re comfortable working with code, you can directly modify your WooCommerce theme’s functionality. This approach is more involved but offers finer control. Always use a child theme to avoid losing your changes during theme updates.
This method involves removing the code that displays related products. The location of this code can vary depending on your theme, but it typically involves removing the `woocommerce_related_products` hook.
Here’s a snippet of code you can add to your child theme’s `functions.php` file:
add_action( 'woocommerce_after_single_product_summary', 'remove_related_products', 20 );
function remove_related_products() {
remove_action( ‘woocommerce_after_single_product_summary’, ‘woocommerce_output_related_products’, 20 );
}
This code specifically targets the `woocommerce_after_single_product_summary` action hook and removes the `woocommerce_output_related_products` function. This effectively prevents related products from being displayed.
Important Considerations:
- Backup your files: Before making any code changes, always back up your website files and database.
- Test thoroughly: After implementing the code, carefully test your website to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
- Theme Compatibility: The exact code might need adjustments depending on your theme’s structure. Consult your theme’s documentation or seek help from a developer if needed.
Method 3: Using a Snippet in your Theme’s Functions.php (Intermediate users)
A less invasive approach is Check out this post: How To Change The Foot In My Woocommerce to add a function to your theme’s `functions.php` file. This method requires a child theme Read more about How To Make Elementor Work On Woocommerce to prevent issues from theme updates. Explore this article on How To Add A Subscription Package Woocommerce Subscriptions This snippet simply removes the output of related products without disabling the functionality elsewhere in WooCommerce:
function remove_related_products_output() { remove_action( 'woocommerce_after_single_product_summary', 'woocommerce_output_related_products', 20 ); } add_action( 'init', 'remove_related_products_output' );
This code achieves the same result as the previous method, but might be preferred by those who want a cleaner and more targeted approach. Remember to always use a child theme!
Conclusion: Choose the Best Method for You
Disabling related products in WooCommerce is achievable through various methods, catering to different levels of technical expertise. Choose the method that best aligns with your comfort level and technical skills. By decluttering your product pages, you can create a more streamlined and user-friendly shopping experience, potentially leading to higher conversion rates. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes.
