How To Change View Cart Text In Woocommerce

How to Change “View Cart” Text in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide

WooCommerce is a fantastic platform for building online stores. But sometimes, you want to customize it to better fit your brand and user experience. One common customization is changing the default “View Cart” text. Maybe you want it to say “Go to Basket,” “Check Out Your Goodies,” or something even more creative!

This guide will walk you through several easy methods to change the “View Cart” text in WooCommerce, even if you’re a complete beginner. We’ll cover everything from simple code snippets to using plugins, so you can choose the method that works best for you.

Why Change “View Cart” Text?

Think about your favorite online store. They likely use language that resonates with their brand and target audience. The default “View Cart” text is functional, but it can feel a bit bland. Changing it allows you to:

• Enhance your brand identity: Using language consistent with your brand’s voice creates a more cohesive experience. For example, a store selling handmade crafts might use “View Your Treasure Trove” instead of “View Cart.”
• Improve user experience: More descriptive or engaging text can encourage users to proceed to checkout. Instead of “View Cart,” consider “Ready to Checkout?” or “Proceed to Secure Checkout.”
• Increase conversions: Subtle changes in wording can sometimes lead to a boost in sales. By making the call to action more compelling, you can encourage users to complete their purchases. Imagine a store selling pet supplies using “See Your Pet’s Goodies”
• it’s more emotionally engaging.

Method 1: Using the `gettext` Filter (Code Snippet)

This method involves adding a small snippet of code to your theme’s `functions.php` file (or a child theme’s `functions.php` file – strongly recommended). This is a powerful way to modify text strings in WordPress and WooCommerce.

Important: ALWAYS use a child theme! Directly editing your theme’s files can lead to problems when the theme is updated, as your changes will be overwritten. If you don’t have a child theme, create one first. There are many tutorials online on how to create a WordPress child theme.

Here’s the code snippet:

 add_filter( 'gettext', 'change_view_cart_text', 20, 3 ); 

function change_view_cart_text( $translated_text, $text, $domain ) {

switch ( $translated_text ) {

case ‘View cart’:

$translated_text = __( ‘Your New Text Here’, ‘woocommerce’ );

break;

}

return $translated_text;

}

Explanation:

• `add_filter( ‘gettext’, ‘change_view_cart_text’, 20, 3 );`: This line tells WordPress to use the `change_view_cart_text` function whenever it needs to translate a text string.
• `function change_view_cart_text( $translated_text, $text, $domain )`: This defines our custom function.
• `switch ( $translated_text )`: This starts a `switch` statement to check the text being translated.
• `case ‘View cart’:`: This checks if the text is “View cart”. Important: This is case-sensitive, so make sure it matches the original text exactly.
• `$translated_text = __( ‘Your New Text Here’, ‘woocommerce’ );`: If the text is “View cart”, this line replaces it with your desired text. Replace ‘Your New Text Here’ with your actual text. The `__( ”, ‘woocommerce’ )` function is used for translation purposes and is important to include.
• `break;`: This stops the `switch` statement after a match is found.
• `return $translated_text;`: This returns the translated text.

How to Implement:

1. Go to Appearance > Theme Editor in your WordPress dashboard. (Again, make sure you’re editing your child theme’s `functions.php`!)

2. Locate the `functions.php` file.

3. Paste the code snippet at the end of the file.

4. Replace `’Your New Text Here’` with your desired text (e.g., `’Go to Basket’` or `’Check Out Your Goodies’`).

5. Click Update File.

Example:

Let’s say you want to change “View cart” to “My Shopping Bag.” Your code would look like this:

 add_filter( 'gettext', 'change_view_cart_text', 20, 3 ); 

function change_view_cart_text( $translated_text, $text, $domain ) {

switch ( $translated_text ) {

case ‘View cart’:

$translated_text = __( ‘My Shopping Bag’, ‘woocommerce’ );

break;

}

return $translated_text;

}

Method 2: Using a Plugin (Easier Option)

If you’re not comfortable editing code, using a plugin is a much simpler option. Several plugins allow you to easily customize text strings in WordPress and WooCommerce.

Recommended Plugins:

• Loco Translate: Discover insights on How To Edit Single Product Page Woocommerce This is a popular plugin for translating WordPress themes and plugins. Learn more about How To Import Product Data From Quickbooks To Woocommerce It also allows you to modify existing text strings without needing to edit code.
• Say What?: A simple and lightweight plugin specifically designed for changing text strings.
• Real-Time Find and Replace: This plugin lets you find and replace any text on your website in real-time.

How to Use Loco Translate (Example):

1. Install and activate the Loco Translate plugin.

2. Go to Loco Translate > Plugins.

3. Find WooCommerce in the list of plugins and click on it.

4. Click the “Edit Translation” button for your language (e.g., “English (US)”). If your language isn’t listed, click “New Translation” and select your language.

5. In the filter translations box, type “View cart” to find the string.

6. In the “Source text” section, you’ll see “View cart”. In the “WooCommerce translation” box below, enter your new text (e.g., “Go to Basket”).

7. Click Save.

Reasoning: Plugins offer a user-friendly interface, making it easier for non-developers to customize text without risking errors in code. They also often include features like translation management and support for multiple languages.

Method 3: Editing WooCommerce Templates (Advanced)

This method is more advanced and involves directly editing WooCommerce template files. It’s not recommended unless you have a good understanding of PHP and WordPress templating. You’ll need to override the relevant template file in your child theme.

Why this is not recommended for beginners:

• It requires understanding the WooCommerce template structure.
• Incorrect modifications can Explore this article on How To Change Woocommerce Search Placeholder Text break your website.
• Updates to WooCommerce may require you to re-apply your Learn more about How To Setup Stripe With Woocommerce changes.

However, if you’re curious, the file you’d typically need to modify is located in `woocommerce/templates/cart/cart.php` or related files that display the “View Cart” button. You’d copy this file to your child theme’s `woocommerce/cart/cart.php` directory and then edit the text within the copied file.

Conclusion

Changing the “View Cart” text in WooCommerce is a simple yet effective way to personalize your online store and improve the user experience. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and comfort level. For beginners, using a plugin like Loco Translate is the easiest and safest option. For those comfortable with code, the `gettext` filter provides a lightweight and efficient solution. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes!