How to Skip the Add to Cart Page in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
Are you running an online store with WooCommerce and want to make the shopping experience even smoother for your customers? Do you find that the default “add to cart” process adds an extra, unnecessary step that can slow down sales? The solution might be simpler than you think: skipping the add to cart page!
This guide will walk you through how to achieve this, even if you’re new to WooCommerce. We’ll cover why you might want to do this, and the different methods you can use, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and comfort level.
Why Skip the Add to Cart Page?
Imagine this: you’re selling downloadable ebooks. A customer lands on your product page, ready to buy. But instead of immediately going to the checkout, they’re first taken to the “add to cart” page, even though they only want to buy *one* ebook. That’s an extra click they don’t need!
Here’s why skipping the add to cart page can be beneficial:
- Faster Checkout: Less clicks mean a quicker path to purchase, directly boosting your conversion rate.
- Improved User Experience: A streamlined process feels more intuitive and less frustrating for your customers.
- Ideal for Single Product Purchases: Perfect for shops that primarily sell single items, downloadable products, or services where customers know exactly what they want.
- Reduced Abandoned Carts: By minimizing steps, you reduce the chance of customers getting distracted or losing interest before completing their purchase.
- Redirect to Checkout Page: This is the main setting! Enable this to skip the cart page and go directly to checkout.
- Remove Add to Cart Button on Single Product Page: You can even replace the “Add to Cart” button with a “Buy Now” button. This is especially useful for single-product stores.
- Remove Add to Cart Button on Shop Page: Apply changes on all products.
Basically, it’s about removing friction and making it as easy as possible for customers to give you their money!
Methods to Skip the Add to Cart Page in WooCommerce
There are a few different ways to skip the add to cart page. We’ll cover the most common and easiest methods for beginners:
1. Using a WooCommerce Plugin
2. Adding Custom Code to your Theme’s functions.php (advanced)
Let’s dive in!
1. Using a WooCommerce Plugin (The Easiest Way)
The easiest and safest method for most users is to use a dedicated plugin. There are several free and premium plugins available that handle this functionality seamlessly.
Example: “Direct Checkout for WooCommerce”
This is a popular and free plugin specifically designed to streamline the checkout process. Here’s how to use it:
1. Install and Activate the Plugin: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New, search for “Direct Checkout for WooCommerce,” install, and activate it.
2. Configure the Plugin: Go to WooCommerce > Direct Checkout. You’ll find options like:
3. Save Changes: Click “Save changes” and test it out! Visit a product page and see if it redirects you to the checkout page when you click the “Add to Cart” button.
Reasoning: Plugins are a great option because they’re designed to work with WooCommerce and are typically well-maintained. They abstract away the need to write or modify code directly, reducing the risk of breaking your website.
2. Adding Custom Code to Your Theme’s `functions.php` (Advanced)
Warning: This method involves editing your theme’s `functions.php` file. Always back up your website before making any changes to your theme files. A small error in the code can break your website. It is also highly recommended to use a child theme.
This method requires a bit of PHP knowledge. If you’re not comfortable with code, stick to the plugin method.
Here’s the code snippet you can add to your theme’s `functions.php` file (or preferably, a child theme’s `functions.php`):
<?php /**
function wc_redirect_checkout( $url ) {
$url = wc_get_checkout_url();
return $url;
}
Explanation:
- `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_add_to_cart_redirect’, ‘wc_redirect_checkout’ );`: This line hooks into WooCommerce’s `woocommerce_add_to_cart_redirect` filter. This filter controls where the user is redirected after adding a product to the cart.
- `function wc_redirect_checkout( $url ) { … }`: This defines a function named `wc_redirect_checkout` that will be executed when the `woocommerce_add_to_cart_redirect` filter is triggered.
- `$url = wc_get_checkout_url();`: This line gets the URL of your checkout page using the `wc_get_checkout_url()` function.
- `return $url;`: This line returns the checkout URL, effectively telling WooCommerce to redirect the user to the checkout page.
Steps:
1. Access your `functions.php` File: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Theme Editor. (Again, using a child theme is strongly recommended).
2. Locate the `functions.php` File: On the right-hand side, find the `functions.php` file for your theme.
3. Add the Code Snippet: Paste the code snippet at the bottom of the `functions.php` file. Make sure you don’t accidentally delete any existing code!
4. Update File: Click the “Update File” button.
5. Test: Visit a product page and try adding a product to your cart. You should be redirected to the checkout page.
Reasoning: Using code offers more flexibility and control. You’re not relying on a plugin, which can sometimes have conflicts with other plugins or themes. However, it requires a greater understanding of PHP and WooCommerce hooks. If you are unsure, stick to the plugin method.
Important Considerations:
- Variable Products: If you’re selling variable products (products with options like size or color), skipping the add to cart page might not be the best idea. Customers need to select their desired variations before proceeding to checkout. You might need more complex coding or plugin options to handle this properly.
- One-Page Checkout: Consider using a one-page checkout plugin if you want to further streamline the process and display the cart and checkout on a single page.
- Testing: Always thoroughly test your changes after implementing any of these methods. Make sure the “add to cart” and checkout process works as expected.
Conclusion
Skipping the add to cart page in WooCommerce can significantly improve the user experience and boost your sales. Whether you choose to use a plugin or add custom code, remember to prioritize a smooth and intuitive shopping journey for your customers. Good luck!
