# How to Change Product Templates in WooCommerce for WordPress (A Beginner’s Guide)
So, you’ve built a beautiful WooCommerce store, but you’re not thrilled with the default look of your product pages? Want to customize the way your products are displayed? You’re in the right place! This guide will walk you through changing product templates in WooCommerce, even if you’re a complete beginner. We’ll explain the *why*, the Learn more about How To Change Order Of Products In Woocommerce *how*, and even provide some real-life examples to make it crystal clear.
Why Change Your WooCommerce Product Template?
Imagine you sell handmade jewelry. The default WooCommerce product template might display your beautiful necklaces next to a generic description and a standard “Add to Cart” button. But what if you want to showcase high-quality images, highlight unique materials, or include customer testimonials *directly on the product page*? That’s where customizing your product template comes in. By changing the template, you can tailor the appearance and functionality of your product pages to match your brand and enhance the customer experience. This can lead to:
- Improved Conversions: A more visually appealing and informative product page encourages customers to buy.
- Enhanced Branding: Consistent design across your site strengthens your brand identity.
- Better User Experience: A well-organized product page makes it easier for customers to find the information they need.
- Create a Child Theme: This involves creating a new folder (e.g., `my-child-theme`) inside your `/wp-content/themes/` directory. Inside this folder, create a `style.css` file and a `functions.php` file.
- `style.css` File: This file should contain information about your child theme. Add the following code, replacing “Parent Theme Name” with the name of your current theme:
- `functions.php` File (for template overrides): This is where you’ll add the code to override WooCommerce templates. For instance, to override the `single-product.php` template (the main product page template), you would add this code:
Methods for Changing Your WooCommerce Product Template
There are several ways to customize your WooCommerce product templates, ranging from simple edits to more advanced coding. Let’s explore the most common approaches:
1. Using a Child Theme (The Recommended Approach)
This is the safest and most efficient way to modify your WooCommerce templates. Creating a child theme prevents your changes from being overwritten when you update your parent theme.
/*
Theme Name: My Child Theme
Theme URI: http://yourwebsite.com/
Description: A child theme for Parent Theme Name
Author: Your Name
Author URI: http://yourwebsite.com/
Template: parent-theme-name // Replace with your parent theme’s folder name
Version: 1.0
*/
add_filter( 'woocommerce_locate_template', 'my_custom_woocommerce_template', 10, 3 ); function my_custom_woocommerce_template( $template, Explore this article on How To Add Another User On Woocommerce Account $template_name, $template_path ) { $custom_template = locate_template( array( $template_path . '/' . $template_name, 'woocommerce/' . $template_name ) ); if ( ! $template && $custom_template ) { return $custom_template; } return $template; }
This function first checks for a custom template in your child theme’s `woocommerce` folder. If it’s not found, it returns the original template.
- Create the Custom Template: Now, create a file named `single-product.php` inside the `woocommerce` folder within your child theme. This is where you’ll add your custom HTML and code to modify the product page. This file will replace the default.
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2. Using a Plugin (Easier, but Potentially Less Flexible)
Several plugins allow for easier template modifications without coding. These plugins often provide visual editors, making it easier for beginners. However, they might have limitations compared to direct code editing. Always carefully research a plugin before installing it to ensure it’s reputable and compatible with your theme and WooCommerce version.
3. Direct Theme File Editing (Not Recommended)
Editing the theme files directly is generally strongly discouraged. Any updates to your theme will overwrite your changes, leading to lost work and potential website breakage. Always use a child theme instead.
Example: Adding a Custom Field to Your Product Page
Let’s say you want to add a “Materials Used” section to your product page. Using a child theme, you would modify the `single-product.php` file inside the `woocommerce` folder within your child theme. You’d add code that retrieves this custom field data from your product and displays it nicely formatted. This requires understanding of PHP and WooCommerce functions, but the principle is to insert the new information into the existing template.
Remember to always back up your website before making any changes! If you’re unsure about any of these steps, it’s best to consult a WordPress developer or seek help from the WooCommerce support community.
