How to Change Button Text in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
WooCommerce is a powerful and flexible e-commerce platform, but sometimes you need to tweak things to perfectly match your brand and customer experience. One common customization is changing the button text. Whether you want to make it more descriptive, add a personal touch, or simply align it with your overall marketing strategy, this guide will walk you through how to change button text in WooCommerce in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
Think of it this way: “Add to cart” is functional, but “Grab Yours Now!” is a bit more exciting, right? Let’s dive in!
Why Change WooCommerce Button Text?
Before we get into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Here are a few compelling reasons to customize your button text:
- Improve Clarity: Sometimes the default text isn’t clear enough. For example, changing “Place Order” to “Confirm & Pay” can reduce confusion during checkout.
- Boost Conversions: A more persuasive call to action can entice customers to click. “Shop Now” might become “Discover Our Deals!”
- Reflect Your Brand Voice: Your button text is another opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality. A playful brand might use “Snag It!” instead of “Add to Cart.”
- Enhance User Experience: Tailoring the text to specific products or situations can make the user journey smoother. For a pre-order item, “Pre-Order Now” is much clearer than just “Add to Cart.”
- Say What? (Free and straightforward)
- Loco Translate (Free with premium options for advanced features)
- Go to Tools > Text Changes.
- Click Add New.
- Original string: Enter the *exact* text of the button you want to change (e.g., “Add to cart”). Important: Case sensitivity matters!
- Text domain: Enter `woocommerce`.
- Text context: This can often be left blank. If the plugin asks for it, you might need to inspect the code (advanced).
- Replacement string: Enter your desired new Read more about How To Add A Text Field Attribute To Woocommerce Prodcut button text (e.g., “Buy Now”).
- Click Add Text Change.
- Go to Loco Translate > Plugins.
- Find and click on WooCommerce.
- Click + New Language.
- Choose your language (usually English).
- Click Start Translating.
- In the search box, enter the original text of the button you want to change (e.g., “Add to cart”).
- In the translation box, enter your desired new button text (e.g., “Buy Now”).
- Click Save.
- Use with Caution!)
If you’re comfortable with code, you can modify the button text using PHP snippets in your theme’s `functions.php` file or a code snippet plugin. Important: Always back up your site before making code changes!
add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_add_to_cart_text', 'woo_custom_cart_button_text' ); // 2.1 + add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_single_add_to_cart_text', 'woo_custom_cart_button_text' ); // 2.1 +
function woo_custom_cart_button_text() {
return __( ‘My Awesome Button Text’, ‘woocommerce’ );
}
Explanation:
- `add_filter()` hooks into the WooCommerce filters that control the “Add to Cart” button text.
- `woo_custom_cart_button_text()` is a function that returns your desired text.
- `__( ‘My Awesome Button Text’, ‘woocommerce’ )` translates the text (important for multilingual sites). Replace “My Awesome Button Text” with your desired text.
Real-Life Example: You’re selling subscription boxes. Change “Add to Cart” to “Subscribe & Save” to emphasize the recurring benefit.
Reasoning: Code provides the most flexibility, but it requires technical knowledge and can be risky if not done correctly.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Cache: Clear your browser and website cache after making changes. Caching can sometimes prevent the updated text from appearing.
- Theme Compatibility: Some themes might override the default WooCommerce button text. Check your theme’s settings for any conflicting options.
- Plugin Conflicts: If you’re using multiple plugins, deactivate them one by one to identify if any are interfering with the button text changes.
- Case Sensitivity: Remember that text replacements are often case-sensitive. Double-check that the original text you’re targeting matches exactly.
- Translation Files: If you’re using a translation plugin, ensure that your translation files are properly configured and up-to-date.
Method 1: Using the WooCommerce Customizer
The easiest way to change some common button texts is through the WooCommerce Customizer. This is a built-in feature, so no extra plugins are required for basic modifications.
1. Go to WordPress Dashboard > Appearance > Customize.
2. Find and click on WooCommerce.
3. Look for a section related to Product Catalog, Product Images, or similar options. The exact wording may vary depending on your theme.
4. Within that section, you might find options to change the “Add to Cart” button text.
5. Enter your desired text and click Publish to save your changes.
Real-Life Example: Let’s say you’re selling handmade jewelry. Changing “Add to Cart” to “Claim Your Unique Piece” adds a touch of exclusivity and aligns with your brand.
Reasoning: This method is quick and simple for basic “Add to Cart” button adjustments.
Method 2: Using a Plugin (Recommended for More Control)
For more extensive control Check out this post: I Don’T Know How To Use Woocommerce over button text across your entire WooCommerce store (including Learn more about How To Edit My Woocommerce Product Page the checkout page, single product pages, and archive pages), a plugin is the way to go.
1. Install and Activate a Translation/String Override Plugin: There are several excellent options available. Popular choices include:
2. Using Say What? (Example):
3. Using Loco Translate (Example):
Real-Life Example: You’re selling digital downloads. Change “Add to Cart” to “Download Instantly” for immediate gratification.
Reasoning: Plugins provide a robust and reliable way to manage text overrides, ensuring consistency across your store. They also handle updates gracefully.
Method 3: Using Code (Advanced
Conclusion
Changing button text in WooCommerce is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your customer experience and boost conversions. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and desired level of control. Whether you’re using the Customizer, a plugin, or code snippets, remember to test your changes thoroughly and always back up your site before making any modifications. Now go forth and create some compelling calls to action that will have your customers clicking!