# How to Change Your WooCommerce Shopping Cart Icon: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve built a beautiful WooCommerce Read more about How To Export Products Woocommerce store, but that default shopping cart icon just isn’t cutting it. It feels generic, doesn’t match your brand, or maybe it’s just plain ugly. Don’t worry! Changing your WooCommerce shopping cart icon is easier than you think. This guide will walk you through several methods, from simple tweaks to more involved code adjustments. We’ll use real-world examples and clear explanations, perfect for beginners.
Why Change Your Shopping Cart Icon?
Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” A well-designed shopping cart icon is more than just an image; it’s a crucial part of your user experience (UX). Think of it like this:
- Brand Consistency: A consistent brand image builds trust and recognition. A mismatched cart icon breaks that consistency. Imagine a luxury watch store using a cartoonish shopping bag – it clashes!
- Improved User Experience: A clear, easily identifiable cart icon makes it simpler for customers to navigate your site and add items to their cart. A confusing or hidden icon leads to lost sales.
- Increased Conversions: A visually appealing and intuitive cart icon can subtly encourage more purchases. A better UX often translates to better conversion rates.
- WooCommerce Customizer: This plugin offers a wide range of customization options, including the cart icon.
- Header Footer and Top Bar: While primarily for header/footer customization, this plugin can also be used to replace the cart icon.
Method 1: The Easy Way (Using a Plugin)
The simplest way to change your WooCommerce shopping cart icon is using a plugin. Many free and premium plugins offer this functionality with ease. Here’s how:
1. Choose a Plugin: Search for “WooCommerce cart icon” in your WordPress plugin directory. Look at reviews and choose a plugin that suits your needs. Some popular options include (but are not limited to):
2. Install and Activate: Once you’ve selected a plugin, install and activate it through your WordPress dashboard.
3. Customize the Icon: Follow the plugin’s instructions to upload your new icon. Most plugins offer a simple interface where you can select your custom image.
4. Save Changes: Don’t forget to save your changes!
Real-life Example: Let’s say you’re running a bakery. Instead of the generic shopping cart, you could use a cute illustration of a bread basket. This aligns perfectly with your brand and creates a more engaging experience.
Method 2: The Code Way (For the Tech Savvy)
If you’re comfortable with code, you can directly modify your WooCommerce theme’s files. Caution: Always back up your files before making any code changes! Incorrectly modifying your theme can break your website.
This method usually involves replacing the existing icon image with your preferred image. You’ll need to find the correct file within your theme’s directory and modify the associated code. The location of the relevant files varies greatly depending on your theme. It is usually found within a file containing the functions related to the shopping cart display. This often includes file names like `functions.php`, `woocommerce.php` or similar within the `template` directory.
Example (Illustrative – Adjust to your specific theme):
Let’s say Explore this article on How To Make WordPress Theme Woocommerce Compatible your theme’s `functions.php` file contains this code (hypothetical example):
function my_custom_cart_icon() { ?> <a class="cart-contents" href="" title=""> <?php } add_action( 'woocommerce_header_add_to_cart', 'my_custom_cart_icon');
You could replace `` with your custom image:
function my_custom_cart_icon() { ?> <a class="cart-contents" href="" title=""> <img src="" alt="Shopping Cart"> <?php } add_action( 'woocommerce_header_add_to_cart', 'my_custom_cart_icon');
Remember to replace `/images/my-custom-cart-icon.png` with the actual path to your image. This is a simplified example. Your theme’s code might be different.
Conclusion
Changing your WooCommerce shopping cart icon significantly impacts your store’s visual appeal and user experience. Whether you opt for the easy plugin route or the more technical code approach, the result is a more branded and engaging online shopping experience for your customers. Remember to always prioritize a clear, easily identifiable icon to optimize conversions and improve your overall store aesthetics.