How to Remove the “Add to Cart” Button from Your WooCommerce Homepage (For Beginners)
So, you’ve got a beautiful WooCommerce store, and you’re looking to tweak things to perfection. Maybe you don’t want visitors adding products directly from the homepage, preferring they browse the product page first. Perhaps you want to simplify the look or only offer certain products with custom purchase processes. Whatever the reason, removing the “Add to Cart” button from your WooCommerce homepage is a common customization. This article will walk you through several methods, even if you’re a complete beginner. We’ll break it down step-by-step, so you can confidently customize your online store.
Why Remove the “Add to Cart” Button on the Homepage?
Before we dive in, let’s understand the “why.” Consider these scenarios:
* Enhanced Product Details: You sell intricate, customizable products. You *want* customers to explore all the options on the product page before adding to the cart. Removing the button on the homepage encourages them to do just that. Think handmade furniture where dimensions and finishes need to be carefully chosen.
* Custom Ordering Processes: Perhaps you only take orders through a contact form or require a quote. Hiding the “Add to Cart” button can steer customers towards your desired ordering workflow. This might be relevant if you offer bespoke services or large-scale wholesale options.
* Simplified Design: Sometimes, less is more. Removing the button creates a cleaner, more focused design, especially if you’re showcasing your brand or highlighting key product categories on the homepage. Read more about How To Put Products In Drop Down Menus On Woocommerce Imagine a minimalist clothing store focusing on style and imagery first, before the “buy now” prompt.
* Promotional Products: You might use your homepage solely for showcasing promotional or featured products. You can show off the product and description but keep the user from adding the product to the cart from the homepage.
Method 1: Using Custom CSS (The Quick & Easy Way)
This method is the simplest and works by hiding the “Add to Cart” button using CSS. It’s great if you’re not comfortable editing PHP code.
1. Access Your WordPress Customizer: Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Appearance > Customize.
2. Find the “Additional CSS” Section: Within the Customizer, look for a section labeled “Additional CSS” (or similar, depending on your theme).
3. Add the CSS Code: Paste the following code into the “Additional CSS” box:
.woocommerce ul.products li.product .button {
display: none !important;
}
Explanation:
* `.woocommerce ul.products li.product .button`: This CSS selector targets the “Add to Cart” button elements within WooCommerce product listings on your homepage (and potentially other product listing pages).
* `display: none !important;`: This line hides the selected elements. The `!important` tag ensures that this rule overrides any other CSS rules that might be affecting the button’s visibility.
4. Publish Your Changes: Click the “Publish” button at the top of the Customizer to save your changes.
Important Note: This CSS might affect the “Add to Cart” buttons on *all* product listing pages, not just the homepage. If you only want to remove the button from the homepage, you’ll need a more specific CSS selector. This gets trickier and might require some knowledge of your theme’s HTML structure or the use of a plugin.
Method 2: Using a Child Theme and Editing Your Theme’s Functions.php (Advanced)
This method is more complex but provides greater control. It’s the recommended approach if you’re comfortable editing code and want a more robust solution. Crucially, always use a child theme to prevent your changes from being overwritten when your main theme updates.
1. Create a Child Theme: If you don’t already have one, create a child theme for your active theme. There are many tutorials online for creating WordPress child themes. Search for “how to create a wordpress child theme”.
2. Edit Your Child Theme’s `functions.php` File: Access your child theme’s `functions.php` file using FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager. Always back up your `functions.php` file before making any changes!
3. Add the Following Code: Add the following PHP code to your `functions.php` file:
function remove_add_to_cart_buttons_homepage( $args ) { if ( is_front_page() || is_home() ) { remove_action( 'woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item', 'woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart', 10 ); } return $args; } add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_get_price', 'remove_add_to_cart_buttons_homepage' );
Explanation:
* `function remove_add_to_cart_buttons_homepage( $args ) { … }`: This defines a new function named `remove_add_to_cart_buttons_homepage`.
* `if ( is_front_page() || is_home() ) { … }`: This condition checks if the current page is the homepage (`is_front_page()`) or the blog page set as the homepage (`is_home()`).
* `remove_action( ‘woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item’, ‘woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart’, 10 );`: This line is the core of the solution. It removes the `woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart` function, which is responsible for displaying the “Add to Cart” button in the product loop (the list of products on your homepage). The `10` is the priority of the action, which you must match for it to be successfully removed.
* `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_product_get_price’, ‘remove_add_to_cart_buttons_homepage’ );`: This line calls the function `remove_add_to_cart_buttons_homepage`
4. Save and Upload Your Changes: Save the `functions.php` file and upload it to your child theme directory.
Important Considerations:
* Child Theme is Essential: Using a child theme protects your customizations from being overwritten when your main theme is updated. This is *critical* for long-term maintenance.
* `functions.php` Errors: Even a small syntax error in your `functions.php` file can break your site. Always back up the file before making changes and be careful with your code.
* Alternative Homepages: If you’re using a custom page builder for your homepage, these methods might not work directly. You may need to investigate how the products are displayed on your homepage and adjust the CSS or code accordingly.
* Testing: After making changes, thoroughly test your website to ensure everything is working as expected. Check the product pages to ensure the “Add to Cart” button is still working there.
Method 3: Using a Plugin (The Simplest for Non-Coders)
If you’re not comfortable with code at all, using a plugin is the easiest option. There are several WooCommerce plugins specifically designed for customizing product display, including the removal of the “Add to Cart” button.
1. Install and Activate a Plugin: Search for plugins like “WooCommerce Customizer,” “YITH WooCommerce Customize,” or “Remove Add to Cart Button WooCommerce” in the WordPress plugin directory (Plugins > Add New). Choose a reputable plugin with good reviews.
2. Configure the Plugin: Once the plugin is installed and activated, navigate to its settings page (usually found under the WooCommerce or WordPress settings menu).
3. Find the Option to Hide/Remove the “Add to Cart” Button: The plugin’s settings will vary, but look for an option to disable or hide the “Add to Cart” button on the shop page, homepage, or specific product categories.
4. Save Your Changes: Save the plugin’s settings, and the “Add to Cart” button should be removed from your homepage.
Benefits of Using a Plugin:
* No Coding Required: Plugins provide a user-friendly interface, making customization accessible to everyone.
* Easy to Manage: You can easily enable or disable the functionality with a few clicks.
* Often Include Additional Features: Many plugins offer a range of other customization options, such as changing product prices, managing product descriptions, or altering the layout of your shop.
Drawbacks of Using a Plugin:
* Plugin Bloat: Too many plugins can slow down your website. Choose plugins carefully and uninstall any that you’re not actively using.
* Plugin Compatibility: Plugins can sometimes conflict with each other or with your theme. Always test new plugins thoroughly before using them on a live site.
* Potential Security Risks: Poorly coded plugins can introduce security vulnerabilities. Choose reputable plugins from trusted developers.
Conclusion
Removing the “Add to Cart” button from your WooCommerce homepage is a relatively straightforward customization. Choose the method that best suits your technical skill level and desired level of control. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes and test thoroughly after implementing your solution. With a little effort, you can create a WooCommerce store that perfectly reflects your brand and meets your specific business needs. Good luck!
