# How to Change the Share Buttons Layout on Your WooCommerce Product Page
Want to improve the social sharing options on your WooCommerce product pages? A well-placed and attractive set of share buttons can significantly boost your product visibility and sales. But what if the default layout isn’t cutting it? This guide will show you how to customize the placement and appearance of your share buttons, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Why Change the WooCommerce Share Button Layout?
The default share buttons provided by WooCommerce (or your theme) might not be visually appealing or strategically placed. This can lead to lower engagement. Consider these scenarios:
* Poor visibility: Hidden buttons are useless! If your buttons are buried at the bottom of a long product page, many customers will miss them entirely.
* Unattractive design: Clashing styles can make your product page look unprofessional. The default buttons might not match your brand’s aesthetic.
* Inefficient placement: The ideal placement often depends on your specific design and customer behavior. Experiments are key!
* Lack of social platforms: Maybe you want to showcase more platforms than the default options provide (Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.).
Methods for Changing the Share Button Layout
There are several ways to change the layout of your WooCommerce share buttons, ranging from simple plugin use to direct code modification (for the more technically inclined).
Method 1: Using a WooCommerce Share Buttons Plugin
This is the easiest and often recommended method. Plugins offer a user-friendly interface, requiring no coding skills.
- Find a plugin: Search the WordPress plugin directory for “WooCommerce social share buttons.” Many free and premium options exist, offering various customization features.
- Install and activate: Download and install the chosen plugin, then activate it from your WordPress dashboard.
- Customize settings: Most plugins provide options to choose specific social platforms, adjust button styles (size, colors, icons), and select the position on the product page (above the description, below the price, etc.).
- Locate the relevant files: You’ll likely need to find the template file responsible for displaying product pages in your active theme. This is usually located in a folder like `/woocommerce/single-product.php`.
- Identify the share buttons code: This section of code is responsible for displaying the share buttons.
- Modify the code: This might involve adding CSS for styling or using a different shortcode to incorporate a custom share button solution.
Example: A popular plugin like “Social Warfare” lets you easily change button styles, placement, and even add advanced features like click tracking.
Reasoning: Using a plugin saves time and minimizes the risk of breaking your website. It’s the perfect choice for beginners.
Method 2: Modifying Your Theme’s Files (Advanced Method)
This approach requires coding skills and caution. Incorrectly editing your theme files can break your website. Always back up your website before making any code changes.
Example (Conceptual – this will vary greatly depending on your theme):
Let’s say your theme has a basic share button setup:
To change the position, you might move this code block to a different location within the `single-product.php` file. Or you might replace the shortcode with custom HTML and CSS.
Reasoning: Direct code modification provides maximum flexibility but necessitates coding expertise and carries a higher risk. Use this method only if you’re comfortable with PHP and WordPress template files.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Method
For most users, using a WooCommerce social share buttons plugin is the ideal solution. It offers a balance of ease of use and functionality. However, if you have advanced coding skills and require very specific customization, manually modifying your theme files might be necessary. Remember to always back up your website before making any significant changes.
