How To Remove Category Image In Woocommerce

How to Remove Category Image in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide

WooCommerce category images can be a great way to visually enhance your online store and make it more engaging for customers. But sometimes, they just don’t fit your design aesthetic or business needs. Maybe you’re going for a minimalist look, or perhaps the images aren’t consistent in quality. Whatever the reason, removing category images is a simple process, and this guide will walk you through it step-by-step.

Think of it this way: imagine you’re running a clothing store. You initially put up images of models wearing each category of clothing – “Shirts,” “Pants,” etc. However, your competitor notices that users don’t find the image useful and decides to remove them for a cleaner design. This might lead to your store looking cluttered and unprofessional compared to theirs. Removing your category images might be the right way to go for you too.

Why Remove Category Images?

Before diving into the “how,” let’s quickly cover the “why.” Here are a few common reasons to remove WooCommerce category images:

• Design Consistency: Maybe your images are inconsistent in size, style, or quality, creating a jarring user experience.
• Minimalist Aesthetic: You might be aiming for a cleaner, more modern look where images on category pages are unnecessary.
• Improved Page Load Speed: Smaller images or removing them altogether can help boost your website’s loading speed, which is crucial for SEO and user experience.
• Mobile Optimization: On smaller screens, category images can take up valuable screen real estate, pushing important content further down the page.

Methods for Removing WooCommerce Category Images

There are a few ways to remove category images in WooCommerce, ranging from simple CSS tweaks to more involved code modifications. We’ll cover the most common and effective methods:

#### 1. Using CSS to Hide the Image

This is the easiest and fastest method, especially if you’re not comfortable editing code. CSS allows you to “hide” the image from view without actually deleting it from your database.

Steps:

1. Identify the CSS Class: You’ll need to find the CSS class or ID that targets the category image. The easiest way to do this is using your browser’s developer tools (Right-click on the category image and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”).

2. Add the CSS: Once you’ve identified the class or ID, add the following CSS code to your theme’s stylesheet (`style.css`) or, even better, to a custom CSS plugin (like “Simple Custom CSS” or the built-in WordPress Customizer under Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS):

.woocommerce-loop-category__title > img { /* Example Class */

display: none !important;

}

/* Or if you find a specific image class */

.category-image {

display: none !important;

}

Important:

• Replace `.woocommerce-loop-category__title > img` with the actual class or ID you found in your browser’s developer tools. The `> img` part targets the `img` tag *within* the category title element.
• `!important` ensures that your CSS rule overrides any other conflicting styles. Use it carefully.

3. Clear Your Cache: After adding the CSS, clear your website’s cache (and your browser’s cache) to ensure the changes are reflected immediately.

Real-life Example: Imagine you are using the “Storefront” theme, and you found out by inspecting the category image that it has a class of `.woocommerce-loop-category__title > img`. You would use the CSS above without needing to change it.

Reasoning: This method doesn’t affect your database. It’s a visual change only. If you decide you want the images back later, you can simply remove the CSS code.

#### 2. Removing the Image Programmatically (Using PHP)

This method involves adding code to your theme’s `functions.php` file (or using a code snippets plugin). This provides more control but requires more technical knowledge. Always back up your website before making changes to the `functions.php` file!

Steps:

1. Access Your `functions.php` File: You can access this file through your WordPress dashboard (Appearance > Theme Editor) or via FTP.

2. Add the Code Snippet: Add the following code to your `functions.php` file:

<?php
/**
Remove category image from product archives (category pages).
*/
function remove_category_image() {
remove_action( 'woocommerce_before_subcategory_title', 'woocommerce_subcategory_thumbnail', 10 );
}
add_action( 'init', 'remove_category_image' );
?>

Explanation:

• `remove_action( ‘woocommerce_before_subcategory_title’, ‘woocommerce_subcategory_thumbnail’, 10 );`: This line removes the default WooCommerce action that displays the category thumbnail before the category title.
• `add_action( ‘init’, ‘remove_category_image’ );`: This schedules the `remove_category_image` function to run during the WordPress initialization process.

3. Save the File: Save the changes to your `functions.php` file.

4. Clear Your Cache: Clear your website’s cache after saving the file.

Real-life Example: You have a child theme installed and want to make modifications that won’t be overwritten when the parent theme updates. You use this method by adding the code to your child theme’s `functions.php` file.

Reasoning: This method directly removes the action that displays the image, ensuring it doesn’t appear on the page at all. It is the most robust method, as it isn’t relying on hiding something with CSS. It’s a true removal.

#### 3. Using a Plugin

Several WooCommerce plugins allow you to customize your store’s appearance, including the ability to remove category images. Search the WordPress plugin repository for terms like “WooCommerce category customization” or “WooCommerce product archive customization.”

Steps:

1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Find a suitable plugin and install and activate it.

2. Configure the Plugin: Follow the plugin’s instructions to configure it. Most plugins will have options to enable or disable category images.

Reasoning: Plugins offer a user-friendly interface for making customizations without coding. The drawback is relying on the plugin’s developer for updates and compatibility.

Important Considerations

• Child Themes: If you are using a custom theme, it’s best practice to create a child theme before making any code changes. This protects your customizations from being overwritten when the parent theme is updated.
• Backups: Always back up your website before making any changes to the `functions.php` file or installing new plugins. This allows you to quickly restore your site if something goes wrong.
• Caching: Caching plugins can sometimes prevent changes from being reflected immediately. Remember to clear your cache after making any modifications.
• Testing: After removing the category images, thoroughly test your website to ensure that everything is working as expected.

Conclusion

Removing category images in WooCommerce is a relatively straightforward process that can significantly impact your store’s design and user experience. Whether you choose to use CSS, PHP, or a plugin, remember to back up your website and test your changes thoroughly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily customize your WooCommerce store to perfectly match your vision.