WooCommerce How To Change Labels: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
WooCommerce is a powerful and versatile e-commerce platform, but sometimes the default labels and text just don’t quite fit your brand or specific product offerings. Maybe you want to rename “Add to Cart” to “Buy Now,” or change “Product” to “Item.” Customizing these labels can significantly improve your store’s user experience and align it perfectly with your brand voice. This guide will walk you through various methods to effectively change WooCommerce labels, empowering you to create a more personalized and engaging online store. We’ll cover everything from simple plugin solutions to more advanced code-based customizations, enabling you to tailor your WooCommerce experience to your exact needs.
Main Part: Methods to Change WooCommerce Labels
There are several approaches to modifying WooCommerce labels, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right method depends on your technical skills, the complexity of the changes you want to make, and your overall preference. Let’s explore some of the most common and effective techniques:
1. Using a Translation Plugin (Recommended for Simple Changes)
Translation plugins aren’t just for translating your entire website; they can also be incredibly useful for simply renaming specific text strings. Plugins like Loco Translate and Say What? are designed Discover insights on How To Customize Woocommerce Page Divi to locate and replace text within your WordPress theme and plugins, including WooCommerce.
How to use Loco Translate:
1. Install and Activate Loco Translate: Find the Loco Translate plugin in the WordPress plugin repository and install/activate it.
2. Navigate to Loco Translate > Plugins: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Loco Translate and select “Plugins.”
3. Choose WooCommerce: Find WooCommerce in the list of plugins and click on it.
4. Create a New Translation: Click “Create template.” Once done click “New translation” button.
5. Choose Language and Location: Select your WordPress language (e.g., “English (United States)”) and the location for saving the translation files (ideally, in your theme’s ‘languages’ folder or a custom folder to prevent overwrites during WooCommerce updates).
6. Find and Replace: Search for the specific text string you want to change (e.g., “Add to Cart”). Enter the new text in the “Translation” field below.
7. Save Changes: Click the “Save” button.
Example:
To change “Add to Cart” to “Add to Basket,” you would search for “Add to Cart” in Loco Translate and enter “Add to Basket” in the translation field.
2. Using Code Snippets in `functions.php` (Advanced Users)
For more complex label modifications or if you prefer a code-based approach, you can use the `functions.php` file in your child theme. This method provides greater control but requires some familiarity with PHP. Always use a child theme to prevent losing your changes during theme updates!
Steps:
1. Access your Child Theme’s `functions.php` file: Use an FTP client or the WordPress theme editor (Appearance > Theme Editor) to access your child theme’s `functions.php` file.
2. Add Code Snippets: Use the `woocommerce_` filters to modify the relevant text.
Examples:
Changing “Add to Cart” button text:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_single_add_to_cart_text', 'woo_custom_single_add_to_cart_text' ); add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_add_to_cart_text', 'woo_custom_product_add_to_cart_text' );
function woo_custom_single_add_to_cart_text() {
return __( ‘Buy It Now’, ‘woocommerce’ );
}
function woo_custom_product_add_to_cart_text() {
return __( ‘Buy Learn more about Woocommerce How To Hide A Category It Now’, ‘woocommerce’ );
}
Changing “Product” label on the shop page:
This is a more involved example, as it likely requires altering multiple occurrences of the word “Product” depending on where you want it changed. A simpler approach is to leverage the translation functionality (as described above) because it handles the different contexts effectively. However, if you want a code solution:
add_filter( 'gettext', 'change_product_label', 20, 3 );
function change_product_label( $translated_text, $text, $domain ) {
switch ( $translated_text ) {
case ‘Product’:
$translated_text = __( ‘Item’, ‘woocommerce’ );
break;
case ‘Products’:
$translated_text = __( ‘Items’, ‘woocommerce’ );
break;
}
return $translated_text;
}
Important Considerations:
- Use Child Theme: Always use a child theme for code customizations to avoid losing your changes when the parent theme updates.
- Test Thoroughly: After making changes, thoroughly test your website to ensure everything functions correctly.
- Backup Your Website: Before making any code changes, always back up your website to prevent data loss.
- Specificity: Be as specific as possible with your filters to avoid unintended changes.
- Pros: Easy to use, no coding required, often includes other useful customization features.
- Cons: May be more expensive than other solutions, may not be as flexible as code-based customization.
3. Using a WooCommerce Customization Plugin (Intermediate Option)
Some plugins specifically designed for WooCommerce customization offer built-in options for changing labels and text without requiring any coding. These plugins often provide a user-friendly interface for managing various aspects of your store’s appearance and functionality. Examples include YITH WooCommerce Customize My Account Page and various plugins that offer general customization options.
4. Editing Template Files (Not Recommended for Beginners)
While technically possible, directly editing WooCommerce template files is strongly discouraged unless you are an experienced developer. This approach is highly susceptible to breaking your website and losing changes during WooCommerce updates. If you must edit template files, ensure you are overriding them correctly within your child theme.
Conclusion
Customizing WooCommerce labels is a powerful way to tailor your online store to your brand and improve the user experience. Whether you choose a simple translation plugin, a code-based approach, or a dedicated customization plugin, understanding the different methods available allows you to choose the best option for your skills and needs. Remember to always use a child theme and back up your website before making any changes. By thoughtfully modifying your WooCommerce labels, you can create a more engaging and personalized shopping experience for your customers.
