How to Remove Sale Tags from Your WooCommerce Products: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’re running a WooCommerce store, and you’ve got a sale going on. Great! The little “Sale!” tag is doing its job, grabbing attention. But what happens *after* the sale? You don’t want those tags sticking around confusing your customers, do you? Or maybe you don’t like the default style or placement of the tag at all.
This article is your comprehensive guide to removing or customizing those pesky sale tags in WooCommerce. We’ll break down the process into simple, easy-to-follow steps, even if you’re brand new to WordPress and WooCommerce. We’ll cover both the code-free (almost!) and the code-based methods. Let’s dive in!
Why Remove Sale Tags?
Think of it this way: Imagine walking into a store and seeing “Sale!” signs everywhere, even on items that are now full price. It’s confusing and can even damage your brand’s credibility. Here’s why removing or customizing sale tags is important:
- Accuracy: Displaying accurate pricing information is crucial for customer trust.
- Aesthetics: The default sale tag might not fit your store’s design. Customizing or removing it allows you to maintain a consistent brand image.
- Campaign Specificity: You might prefer to announce sales through banners, email marketing, or other means rather than relying solely on the default tag.
- `.woocommerce span.onsale`: This targets the specific HTML element responsible for displaying the sale tag within WooCommerce products.
- `display: none;`: This CSS property hides the element completely.
- `!important;`: This ensures that this CSS rule overrides any other conflicting styles that might be trying to display the sale tag. It’s a bit like shouting louder to get heard!
- Using a Child Theme’s `functions.php` file: The best practice is to create a child theme. You can edit the `functions.php` file in your child theme to add the code.
- Using a Code Snippets Plugin: There are several plugins available in the WordPress repository that allow you to add code snippets without directly editing theme files. A popular one is called “Code Snippets.”
Method 1: The “CSS Magic” (Simple and Quick)
This method is perfect for those who aren’t comfortable diving into code. We’ll use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to hide the sale tag from view. Think of CSS as the styling language for websites; it controls how elements look.
1. Access the WordPress Customizer: Navigate to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Find the “Additional CSS” section: Look for a section usually labeled “Additional CSS,” “Custom CSS,” or something similar.
3. Add the following CSS code: Paste the following code into the text area:
.woocommerce span.onsale {
display: none !important;
}
Explanation:
4. Publish Your Changes: Click the “Publish” button to save your changes. Refresh your product pages to see the sale tags disappear.
Reasoning: This method is the easiest and least invasive. It doesn’t alter any core WooCommerce files, which makes it safe and easy to undo. It simply tells the browser not to *show* the sale tag.
Method 2: Code Snippet (More Control and Flexibility)
This method involves adding a PHP code snippet to your website. PHP is the programming language that WordPress (and WooCommerce) is built on. This approach gives you more control over the sale tag’s display, allowing you to completely remove it *before* it’s even rendered.
Important: Before editing any code, back up your website! This is crucial. If something goes wrong, you can restore your site to its previous working state. Also, it’s best practice to use a child theme when making code changes. This prevents your modifications from being overwritten when the main theme is updated.
1. Choose a Method for Adding the Code: You can add the code snippet in a few ways:
2. Add the Following PHP Code: Paste the following code into your chosen method:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_sale_flash', '__return_false' );
Explanation:
- `add_filter()`: This is a WordPress function that allows you to modify existing functionality.
- `’woocommerce_sale_flash’`: This is the specific filter hook that controls the output of the sale tag.
- `’__return_false’`: This is a built-in WordPress function that simply returns `false`. By returning `false`, we’re telling WooCommerce *not* to display the sale flash (sale tag).
3. Activate Your Snippet (If using a plugin): If you’re using a Code Snippets plugin, make sure the snippet is activated. If you’re using the `functions.php` file, simply saving the file will activate the code.
4. Test Your Site: Clear your website’s cache (if you’re using a caching plugin) and refresh your product pages to see the sale tags removed.
Reasoning: This method is more robust than the CSS method because it completely prevents the sale tag from being generated in the first place. It’s more efficient, although it requires a bit more technical know-how.
Troubleshooting
* Sale tags are still visible after using CSS: Make sure you’ve cleared your browser’s cache. Sometimes, your browser might be displaying an older version of the stylesheet. Also, double-check that you’ve copied and pasted the CSS code correctly.
* The code snippet isn’t working: Double-check that you’ve added the code to the correct file (either `functions.php` in your child theme or in a code snippets plugin). Ensure the snippet is active if using a plugin. Also, check for any syntax errors in the code.
* Website is broken after adding the code: Restore your website from the backup you created before making changes. Double-check the code you added for any typos or syntax errors.
Conclusion
Removing or customizing sale tags in WooCommerce is a straightforward process. Whether you choose the simple CSS method or the more powerful code snippet approach, you can ensure your product listings are accurate, visually appealing, and aligned with your brand’s message. Remember to always back up your site before making any code changes! Good luck, and happy selling!
