# How to Get Rid of That Pesky WooCommerce Right Sidebar
So, you’ve built a beautiful WooCommerce store, but that right sidebar is just… *there*. Cluttering things up, distracting your customers, and generally not contributing to a smooth shopping experience. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many WooCommerce users find the default sidebar unnecessary and want to remove it. This guide will show you how, regardless of your technical skill level.
Why Remove the Right Sidebar?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s quickly cover *why* removing the right sidebar is often a good idea. Think about your own online shopping habits:
- Improved Focus: A cleaner layout keeps the customer focused on your products and their purchase journey. A cluttered sidebar pulls their attention away from what matters most – making a sale!
- Enhanced Mobile Experience: On smaller screens, a right sidebar can make your site feel cramped and difficult to navigate. Removing it provides a much more user-friendly mobile experience.
- Faster Loading Times: Less content generally means faster loading speeds. This is crucial for SEO and user satisfaction – nobody likes waiting around! Think of it like this: a cluttered store aisle is Read more about Divi Woocommerce How To Remove Sidebar harder to navigate than a well-organized one.
- Modern Aesthetic: Many modern e-commerce designs favor a minimalist approach. A clean, single-column layout often looks more professional and contemporary.
- Locate Your Theme Options: Usually accessible through your WordPress dashboard (Appearance > Customize or a similar menu item).
- Look for Sidebar Settings: Search for options like “Sidebar Layout,” “Layout Settings,” or “Shop Layout.” The exact wording varies depending on your theme.
- Disable the Sidebar: Select the option that removes or hides the sidebar on your shop pages (and potentially other relevant pages like product categories and archives).
Methods to Remove the WooCommerce Right Sidebar
There are several ways to remove that right sidebar, ranging from simple theme options to custom code. Let’s explore them:
1. The Easy Way: Theme Options
This is the simplest method and should be your first attempt. Many WooCommerce-compatible themes offer a straightforward option to disable or hide the sidebar directly within the theme’s customization settings.
Example: If you’re using the Astra theme, you might find the sidebar options within the “WooCommerce” settings panel under the Customizer.
This method is ideal because it’s non-destructive. If you change your mind, you can easily re-enable the sidebar.
2. Using a Child Theme (Recommended!)
Before diving into code, it’s crucial to understand the importance of using a child theme. Modifying your parent theme directly is risky because any updates will overwrite your changes. A child theme keeps your customizations safe. If you’re not familiar with child themes, look up tutorials on how to create one for your theme; it’s a vital step for any WordPress customization.
3. The Code Method (For Experienced Users)
If your theme lacks direct sidebar controls, you’ll need to use some code. This involves editing your theme’s `functions.php` file (via your child theme!). This method requires a basic understanding of PHP. If you’re not comfortable with code, consider hiring a developer.
This code snippet removes the sidebar on WooCommerce shop pages and archives:
add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'remove_woocommerce_sidebar' ); Read more about How To Sell Large Files On Woocommerce function remove_woocommerce_sidebar() { if ( is_woocommerce() || is_product_category() || is_product_tag() ) { remove_action( 'woocommerce_sidebar', 'woocommerce_get_sidebar', 10 ); } }
Explanation:
- `add_action(‘wp_enqueue_scripts’, ‘remove_woocommerce_sidebar’)`: This line hooks our function into WordPress’s script loading process.
- `remove_action( ‘woocommerce_sidebar’, ‘woocommerce_get_sidebar’, 10 );`: This is the core of the code. It removes the action that calls the sidebar from the WooCommerce shop pages and related archives. `10` refers to the priority of the action, which is usually 10.
Important: Always back up your files before making any code changes. Incorrect code can break your website.
Conclusion: A Cleaner, More Effective WooCommerce Store
Removing the right sidebar can significantly improve the user experience on your WooCommerce store. Whether you choose the simple theme option or need to delve into code, remember to prioritize a clean, focused layout for optimal sales conversions. Start with the easiest method first – and always use a child theme for safety!
