# How to Change Your WooCommerce Cart URL: A Beginner’s Guide
Want a more branded or user-friendly URL for your WooCommerce shopping cart? The default `/cart/` might not be the most aesthetically pleasing or SEO-friendly. This guide will walk you through how to change it, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Why Change Your WooCommerce Cart URL?
Before diving into the “how,” let’s discuss the “why.” A customized cart URL offers several benefits:
- Branding: A URL like `yoursite.com/shopping-cart` or `yoursite.com/my-basket` reflects your brand identity better than the generic `/cart/`.
- SEO: A more descriptive URL can subtly improve your SEO. Search engines might interpret a clear URL like `/my-cart` as more relevant to shopping than the generic `/cart/`. While this is a minor SEO factor, it’s still a worthwhile improvement.
- User Experience: A clear, branded URL is simply easier for customers to remember and share.
Methods to Change Your WooCommerce Cart URL
There are several ways to achieve this, ranging from simple plugin solutions to more involved code modifications. We’ll cover the easiest methods first.
Method 1: Using a Plugin (Easiest Option)
The simplest way is often to use a plugin. Many plugins offer this functionality with minimal effort. Search the WordPress plugin directory for “WooCommerce custom permalinks” or “WooCommerce URL changer”. Popular options (always check recent reviews before installing) often include features beyond just the cart URL.
Method 2: Using a Custom Function (For the Technically Inclined)
If you’re comfortable with a bit of code, you can achieve this by adding a custom function to your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin. This method offers more control but requires more technical knowledge.
Caution: Incorrectly modifying your `functions.php` file can break your website. Always back up your files before making changes.
Here’s how you can do it:
function custom_woocommerce_cart_url() {
return home_url( '/my-shopping-cart' ); // Replace '/my-shopping-cart' with your desired URL slug
}
add_filter( 'woocommerce_get_cart_url', 'custom_woocommerce_cart_url' );
This code snippet replaces the default cart URL with `/my-shopping-cart`. Remember to replace `/my-shopping-cart` with your preferred URL slug.
Explanation:
- `function custom_woocommerce_cart_url()`: This defines a custom function.
- `return home_url( ‘/my-shopping-cart’ );`: This returns the desired URL. `home_url()` ensures the URL is correctly constructed based on your website’s settings.
- `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_get_cart_url’, ‘custom_woocommerce_cart_url’ );`: This hooks the custom function into WooCommerce’s cart URL filter.
Method 3: Using `.htaccess` (Advanced & Not Recommended for Beginners)
Modifying your `.htaccess` file is possible, but strongly discouraged unless you’re very experienced with web servers and `.htaccess` rules. Incorrect edits can render your website inaccessible. This method is generally less reliable and harder to maintain than the previous two.
After Changing Your Cart URL
After implementing any of these methods, thoroughly test your site to ensure everything works correctly. Check that:
- The cart page loads correctly.
- Links to the cart work as expected from product pages and other areas of your website.
- The checkout process functions without errors.
By following these steps, you can easily customize your WooCommerce cart URL to improve your brand image, user experience, and even give a minor boost to your SEO. Remember to choose the method that best suits your technical skills and comfort level. If you’re unsure, starting with a plugin is always the safest option.
