# How to Eliminate That Pesky Sidebar on Your WooCommerce Shop Page
So, you’ve built a beautiful WooCommerce store, but that sidebar on your shop page is just… *there*. It’s cluttering up your product displays, making it harder for customers to find what they’re looking for. Don’t worry, removing it is easier than you think! This guide will walk you through several methods, from simple tweaks to a bit of code, so you can reclaim that valuable screen real estate.
Why Remove the Sidebar? A Real-World Example
Imagine you’re browsing Amazon. Would you prefer a cluttered page with sidebars full of distracting ads and suggestions, or a clean page showcasing products relevant to your search? Most likely, the clean page wins. Removing the sidebar on your WooCommerce shop page improves the user experience (UX). This leads to:
- Increased conversions: A cleaner, more focused shop page directs attention to your products.
- Improved mobile experience: Sidebars are particularly problematic on smaller screens, leading to frustrating scrolling and navigation.
- Better SEO: While not a direct ranking factor, a better UX indirectly benefits SEO by improving dwell time and reducing bounce rates.
- Look for Theme Options: Access your theme’s customization panel (usually via Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard).
- Shop Page Settings: Look for settings related to the shop page, sidebars, or layout options. The exact wording will vary depending on your theme.
- Disable the Sidebar: There should be an option to select a “no sidebar” layout or to choose a specific sidebar (and select “none”).
- Save Changes: Once you’ve made the selection, save your changes. Refresh your shop page to see the results!
- Search for “WooCommerce Sidebar Control”: Use the WordPress plugin directory to find a suitable plugin.
- Install and Activate: Once you’ve found a suitable plugin, install and activate it as you would any other plugin.
- Configure the Plugin: Most plugins will allow you to specify which pages should have a sidebar, and which should not. Simply select your shop page and choose the “no sidebar” option.
Method 1: The Easy Way – Using Your Theme’s Options
Many WooCommerce themes offer a straightforward way to disable the sidebar on specific pages, including the shop page. This is often the easiest and quickest solution.
Example: The popular Astra theme offers a straightforward sidebar control within its theme options panel for each page.
Method 2: Using a Plugin (For Added Control)
If your theme doesn’t offer this direct control, or you need more granular control over different page layouts, a plugin can help. Plugins offer flexibility and additional features, but always choose reputable plugins from trusted sources.
Method 3: A Little Code (For Advanced Users)
This method requires you to edit your theme’s files. Only use this method if you’re comfortable working with code and have created a backup of your theme files. Incorrectly modifying files can break your website.
We’ll use a child theme to make this change to avoid losing your modifications when you update your parent theme. If you don’t have a child theme, create one before proceeding.
You’ll need to locate your theme’s `archive-product.php` file. This file controls the display of your shop page. Within this file, you’ll find code that includes the sidebar. The exact code will vary depending on your theme, but it often looks something like this:
Simply remove or comment out this line. Commenting it out involves adding `/*` before and `*/` after the line:
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This prevents the sidebar from being displayed. Remember to save the changes to your `archive-product.php` file.
Conclusion: A Clean Shop Page Leads to Happy Customers
Removing that sidebar is a small change that can significantly improve your WooCommerce shop’s user experience. Start with the easiest method – your theme’s options – and Discover insights on How To Delete Customers From Woocommerce if that’s not sufficient, explore plugins or, if you’re comfortable, code modifications. Remember to always back up your website before making any code changes. A cleaner shop page is a happy shop page, leading to happier customers and ultimately, more sales!
