How to List Products on WooCommerce Without a Cart: A Beginner’s Guide
WooCommerce is a fantastic platform for selling online. But what if you want to use it more like a catalog or a showroom, displaying your products without the immediate option to buy? Perhaps you want customers to contact you for custom quotes, or maybe you’re showcasing items that aren’t always available. This article will guide you through how to list products on WooCommerce without a cart option, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Imagine you’re a custom furniture maker. You want to showcase your stunning creations online, but each piece is unique and requires a consultation before pricing. A Explore this article on How To Make Product Images Native Size Woocommerce traditional “Add to Cart” button just wouldn’t work. That’s where this guide comes in.
Why List Products Without a Cart?
Before we dive into the “how-to,” let’s understand the “why.” Listing products without a cart is beneficial in several scenarios:
- Request a Quote: Ideal for products with variable pricing, like custom services, installations, or large orders.
- Showroom or Catalog Mode: Display your products for informational purposes, perhaps directing customers to a physical store or another sales channel.
- Lead Generation: Encourage potential customers to contact you for more information, building relationships and generating leads.
- Limited Stock or Pre-Orders: Showcase items that aren’t immediately available, prompting inquiries or pre-order interest.
- Services Based business: For a services business, often adding a cart option doesn’t Discover insights on Woocommerce How To Make A Return make sense.
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to “Plugins” > “Add New.”
- Search for “Catalog Visibility Options.”
- Install and activate the plugin. (It’s often by WooCommerce.com)
- After activating the plugin, go to the WooCommerce > Settings > Products Tab.
- You will find that the Catalog Visibility Options tab has been added.
- You can either:
- Enable catalog mode for all product categories.
- Enable catalog mode for specific product categories only.
- Exclude certain categories from the catalog mode.
- The plugin allows you to change the “Add to cart” button with another button with custom text or a button redirecting to a contact form.
- This will allow your website to be more user-friendly.
- Easy to Use: No coding required.
- Granular Control: Allows to be enabled for specific categories and disable others.
- Customization: Allows to change the “Add to cart” button with a redirect.
- You can access the `functions.php` file in your WordPress theme editor (Appearance > Theme Editor), but it’s highly recommended to use a child theme to avoid losing changes when the theme is updated. A child theme is a separate theme that inherits the styling and functionality of your main theme, allowing you to safely make modifications.
Method 1: Using the “Catalog Visibility Options” Plugin (Easiest)
The easiest and most straightforward way to remove the “Add to Cart” button is by using a free plugin. This method is perfect for those who don’t want to touch code.
1. Install and Activate the “Catalog Visibility Options” Plugin:
2. Configure the Plugin:
3. Configure the settings for product categories.
4. Change the “Add to Cart” Button to something else (Optional):
Benefits:
Method 2: Using Code (For the More Adventurous)
If you’re comfortable with a little bit of code, this method allows for more customization and control. Always back up your website before making any code changes.
1. Access Your `functions.php` File:
2. Add the Following Code Snippet:
/**
/
* Add custom button (e.g., “Request a Quote”).
*/
add_action( ‘woocommerce_single_product_summary’, ‘custom_request_quote_button’, 30 );
function custom_request_quote_button() {
global $product;
$link = get_permalink( get_page_by_title( ‘Contact Us’ ) ); // Replace ‘Contact Us’ with the title of your contact page
echo ‘Request a Quote‘;
}
Explanation:
- `remove_action(…)`: This removes the default “Add to Cart” button from both the shop page (catalog view) and the single product page.
- `add_action(…)`: This adds a custom function (`custom_request_quote_button`) that displays a “Request a Quote” button instead.
- `$link = get_permalink( get_page_by_title( ‘Contact Us’ ) );`: This gets the URL of your “Contact Us” page. Replace ‘Contact Us’ with the exact title of your contact page.
- `echo ‘Request a Quote‘;`: This generates the HTML for the “Request a Quote” button, linking to your contact page. You can customize the button text and CSS classes as needed.
Example:
Let’s say you have a contact page titled “Get a Free Quote.” You’d change the line:
$link = get_permalink( get_page_by_title( 'Contact Us' ) );
to:
$link = get_permalink( get_page_by_title( 'Get a Free Quote' ) );
3. Save the Changes:
- After adding the code, save the `functions.php` file.
Benefits:
- Greater Control: You have more control over the customization and styling of the button.
- Direct Integration: No reliance on a plugin.
- Flexibility: Easily adapt the code to different scenarios.
Important Considerations:
- Child Theme: Using a child theme is crucial to prevent your changes from being overwritten by theme updates.
- Contact Page: Make sure your contact page is well-designed and includes all the information you need to provide accurate quotes or answer customer inquiries.
- Testing: Thoroughly test your website after making any code changes to ensure everything is working correctly.
- Styling: You might need to adjust the CSS to style the custom button to match your website’s design.
Method 3: Using a Theme Option (If Available)
Some WooCommerce-compatible themes offer built-in options to disable the cart functionality or switch to catalog mode directly from the theme settings.
1. Check Your Theme Documentation:
- Refer to your theme’s documentation or support channels to see if it provides a built-in option for disabling the cart.
- Theme settings are usually found under “Appearance” > “Customize” or within the theme’s specific options panel in your WordPress dashboard.
- Look for a setting related to “Catalog Mode,” “Disable Cart,” or similar options. Enable it and save the changes.
2. Locate the Theme Settings:
3. Enable Catalog Mode (If Available):
Benefits:
- Theme-Specific Integration: Seamlessly integrates with your theme’s design and functionality.
- Easy Configuration: Usually involves a simple checkbox or dropdown option.
Final Thoughts:
Listing products on WooCommerce without a cart can be a strategic move for businesses offering custom services, unique products, or simply wanting to generate leads. By choosing the method that best suits your technical skills and website requirements, you can create a compelling online presence that effectively showcases your offerings and encourages customer engagement. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes and thoroughly test your implementation to ensure a smooth user experience. Good luck!