# How to Change the “Continue Shopping” Link in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
Want to customize your WooCommerce store and make it truly your own? One small but impactful change you can make is altering the text of your “Continue Shopping” link. This seemingly minor tweak can improve user experience and better reflect your brand’s voice. This guide will show you how, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Why Change the “Continue Shopping” Link?
The default “Continue Shopping” link works, but it’s generic. Think about it: a simple change could make a big difference. For example:
- Branding Consistency: Replacing “Continue Shopping” with something like “Browse More Products” or “Shop More Items” helps maintain a consistent brand voice throughout your website.
- Improved User Experience: Clear, concise language guides users more effectively. A more descriptive phrase can make it easier for customers to understand their options after adding an item to their cart.
- A/B Testing Opportunity: You can experiment with different phrases to see which one drives better conversion rates.
Methods to Change the “Continue Shopping” Link
There are several ways to modify this link, ranging from simple (and recommended for beginners) to more advanced. Let’s explore them:
Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Extension (Easiest Method)
This is the simplest method, especially if you’re not comfortable with code. Many WooCommerce extensions allow you to customize this link without touching any code. Popular options include plugins that focus on general WooCommerce customization. These plugins often offer a simple interface to change text strings throughout your store, including the “Continue Shopping” link.
Advantages: Easy to use, no coding required.
Disadvantages: Requires installing and potentially paying for a plugin.
Method 2: Using a Child Theme (Recommended Method for Developers)
Modifying your theme directly can lead to issues when you update your theme. Creating a child theme is the safest approach. This method involves creating a custom function that hooks into WooCommerce’s action hooks. This is generally the recommended method for those familiar with PHP and WordPress development.
Here’s how you’d do it:
1. Create a child theme: If you don’t already have one, create a child theme for your active WooCommerce theme. This is crucial to prevent your changes from being overwritten during theme updates.
2. Add a custom function: In your child theme’s `functions.php` file, add the following code:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_return_to_shop_redirect', 'custom_return_to_shop_text' );
function custom_return_to_shop_text( $return_url ) {
return 'Browse More Products';
}
This code replaces the default “Continue Shopping” link with “Browse More Products.” You can easily adjust the text to your preference.
Advantages: Clean, efficient, and doesn’t rely on plugins.
Disadvantages: Requires knowledge of PHP and WordPress child themes.
Method 3: Directly Editing Your Theme’s Template Files (Not Recommended)
Editing your theme’s files directly is generally discouraged, as these changes will be lost when you update your theme. Only use this method if you understand the risks and are comfortable with potentially breaking your website. Locate the template file that contains the “Continue Shopping” link (usually within the cart or checkout pages) and manually change the text.
Advantages: Quick if you know exactly what you’re doing.
Disadvantages: High risk of breaking your site, changes lost on theme updates.
Choosing the Right Method
For most users, especially beginners, using a WooCommerce extension is the simplest and safest way to change the “Continue Shopping” link. If you’re comfortable with coding, creating a child theme and using the custom function offers a cleaner and more sustainable solution. Avoid directly editing your theme’s template files unless you’re experienced and understand the risks involved.
Remember to always back up your website before making any code changes. Happy customizing!
