How to Remove the Cart Link from Your WooCommerce Header: A Beginner’s Guide
That little shopping cart icon in your WooCommerce header? It’s a beacon, beckoning customers to checkout and finalize their purchases. But sometimes, it’s just *not* what you need. Maybe you’re building a catalog site without direct sales, or you want a cleaner, more minimal design. Whatever your reason, removing the cart link is a common WooCommerce customization.
Don’t worry; you don’t need to be a coding wizard to do this. This guide breaks down the process for even the newest WooCommerce user. Let’s dive in!
Why Remove the Cart Link? Real-World Scenarios
Before we get into the “how,” let’s understand the “why” a bit better. Here are a few common scenarios where removing the cart link makes sense:
* Catalog Websites: If you’re showcasing products but directing customers to purchase elsewhere (like a physical store or another website), the cart link is misleading. Think of a high-end furniture website that encourages inquiries rather than online checkout.
* Membership Sites: If your primary “product” is a membership, the cart is less relevant after the initial sign-up. Imagine a website for a subscription box service. After subscribing, the cart link serves little purpose for existing members.
* Simplified Design: Sometimes, less is more. Removing the cart link can create a cleaner, more professional look. For example, a website focusing on artwork might prioritize visual appeal over immediate sales, choosing a minimalist aesthetic.
* Specific User Flows: You might want to guide users through a different checkout process, rendering the standard cart irrelevant. Think of a website that requires custom quotes before checkout.
Methods for Removing the Cart Link
There are several ways to banish that pesky cart link. We’ll cover the most common (and beginner-friendly) approaches.
#### 1. Using a WordPress Theme Customizer (If Available)
Many modern WordPress themes offer built-in options to manage WooCommerce elements, including the cart link. This is the easiest and often the safest method.
* How to Check: Go to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress admin area. Look for a section related to WooCommerce, Header, or Layout. Within those sections, you might find a checkbox or setting to hide the cart icon or menu item.
* Real-Life Example: The popular “Astra” theme has extensive WooCommerce customization options within its customizer, often including the ability to toggle the cart icon on or off.
Reasoning: Theme customizers provide a user-friendly interface, eliminating the need for code editing. This is the preferred method if your theme supports it because it’s generally the most update-safe.
#### 2. Using CSS (The Quick Fix)
If you just want to *hide* the cart link visually (but not actually remove it from the code), CSS is your friend.
* How to Implement:
1. Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS in your WordPress admin area.
2. Add the following CSS code:
.woocommerce-cart-link,
.cart-contents {
display: none !important;
}
3. Click Publish.
* Real-Life Example: Imagine you’re using a theme that doesn’t provide a direct option to remove the cart, but it’s cluttering your header. CSS provides a simple way to visually eliminate it.
Reasoning: CSS is a quick and simple solution for hiding elements. The `!important` declaration ensures that your rule overrides any conflicting styles from your theme. However, be aware that the underlying code for the cart still exists.
#### 3. Using a Code Snippet (For More Control – Proceed with Caution!)
This method involves adding a small PHP snippet to your theme’s `functions.php` file (or, ideally, a child theme’s `functions.php` file) or using a code snippet plugin. This is slightly more advanced and requires extra care. BACK UP YOUR WEBSITE BEFORE MAKING CHANGES!
* How to Implement:
1. Create a Child Theme: This is crucial to prevent your changes from being overwritten when your Read more about Woocommerce WordPress How To Edit Shop Homepage theme updates. If you don’t already have one, create a child theme for your current WordPress theme.
2. Edit functions.php (Carefully!): Edit the `functions.php` file of your child theme (or use a code snippet plugin like “Code Snippets”).
3. Add the following PHP code:
<?php add_filter( 'woocommerce_add_to_cart_fragments', 'remove_cart_link_fragments', 11 ); Check out this post: How To Add Custom Fields In Woocommerce
function remove_cart_link_fragments( $fragments Explore this article on How To Setup Woocommerce Register Login Page ) {
unset( $fragments[‘a.cart-contents’] ); //For WC versions less than 3.8
unset( $fragments[‘div.widget_shopping_cart_content’] ); //For WC versions 3.8+
return $fragments;
}
?>
* Real-Life Example: You want to completely remove the cart link from the code, not just hide it. This snippet ensures the link doesn’t even get Explore this article on How To Set Up Sales Tax In Woocommerce generated. This is a good choice if you’re concerned about site performance or want the most thorough removal.
Reasoning: This method directly modifies WooCommerce’s core functionality. The `woocommerce_add_to_cart_fragments` filter allows you to alter the HTML fragments related to the cart that WooCommerce generates and then returns to the browser. Using `unset()` removes those specific fragments.
Important Notes:
* Child Themes are Key: Never edit your parent theme’s files directly. Always use a child theme to protect your customizations during theme updates.
* Backup, Backup, Backup: Before making any code changes, back up your website. This is essential to restore your site if something goes wrong.
* Code Snippet Plugins: Plugins like “Code Snippets” can make managing and activating code snippets easier and safer than directly editing `functions.php`. They offer better error handling and organization.
#### 4. Using a Plugin (The Simplest Approach for Non-Coders)
Several plugins are specifically designed to customize WooCommerce elements, including removing the cart link. This is generally the easiest option for users uncomfortable with code.
* How to Implement:
1. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress admin area.
2. Search for plugins like “WooCommerce Menu Cart” (some variations allow you to remove it as well as customize it).
3. Install and activate the plugin.
4. Configure the Learn more about Woocommerce Paypal How To Setup plugin settings to hide or remove the cart link.
* Real-Life Example: You’re unfamiliar with code and want a straightforward solution. A plugin offers a user-friendly interface to manage various WooCommerce elements, including the cart link.
Reasoning: Plugins provide a pre-built interface to accomplish common tasks without coding. They abstract the complexity, making customization accessible to everyone. Just be sure to choose a well-maintained and reputable plugin.
Choosing the Right Method
* Simplest & Safest (if available): Theme Customizer
* Quick Hide (but code still exists): CSS
* More Thorough (requires caution): Code Snippet (functions.php)
* Easiest for Non-Coders: Plugin
Remember to choose the method that best suits your skill level and the needs of your website. Always prioritize safety by backing up your site before making changes and using child themes when modifying code. Happy customizing!
