How To Make Woocommerce Catalog Mode

How to Turn WooCommerce into Catalog Mode: A Beginner’s Guide

Want to showcase your products without actually selling them online? Maybe you’re building a brochure website, or perhaps you only want to provide information before directing customers to a physical store. That’s where WooCommerce Catalog Mode comes in!

This article will guide you through turning your WooCommerce store into a catalog, even if you’re a complete beginner. We’ll cover why you might want to do this, and how to achieve it in a simple, effective way.

What is WooCommerce Catalog Mode?

WooCommerce is a powerful plugin that transforms WordPress into a full-fledged e-commerce platform. By default, it’s designed to sell products online. Catalog Mode, on the other hand, removes all the purchasing elements. It turns your online store into a digital brochure. Instead of “Add to Cart” buttons, you might see “Learn More” or “Contact Us” buttons, giving customers the information they need without the option to buy directly.

Imagine you’re a furniture maker. You might want to display your beautiful handcrafted pieces online, showcasing the craftsmanship and materials. However, due to customisation options and logistics, you prefer customers to contact you directly to discuss their specific needs and place an order offline. Catalog Mode is perfect for this!

Why Use WooCommerce Catalog Mode?

Here are a few compelling reasons to consider enabling catalog mode:

• Brochure Website: Create a visually appealing online catalog to present your products without selling directly online. Useful when you are primarily sell offline.
• Lead Generation: Encourage customers to contact you for inquiries, custom orders, or price quotes. Focus on gathering leads rather than immediate sales.
• Wholesale Businesses: Display products to registered wholesalers only, requiring them to contact you to discuss pricing and order quantities.
• Product Launches: Tease upcoming products without enabling sales immediately. Build anticipation before the official launch date.
• Complex Pricing: For products with highly variable pricing, such as custom art or bespoke services, it’s often easier to handle quotes offline.
• International Markets: Adapt your store for markets where online payment options might be limited, encouraging local inquiries instead.

How to Enable WooCommerce Catalog Mode: The Easy Way

There are several ways to enable catalog mode. We’ll focus on using a plugin because it’s generally the easiest and safest option for beginners.

1. Install a Catalog Mode Plugin:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to “Plugins” -> “Add New.”
• Search for “WooCommerce Catalog Mode” (or “YITH WooCommerce Catalog Mode,” which is a popular and well-regarded option).
• Click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”

2. Configure the Plugin:

• Once activated, the plugin will add a settings page to your WordPress admin menu. The location varies depending on the plugin you choose. It might be under “WooCommerce,” a separate menu item, or within the plugin settings.
• The plugin will typically have options to:
• Enable/Disable Catalog Mode: This is the main switch.
• Remove “Add to Cart” Buttons: This is essential to prevent customers from adding products to their cart.
• Remove the Cart Page: This hides the cart icon and any links to the cart page.
• Remove the Checkout Page: Disables the checkout process completely.
• Replace Buttons with Custom Text/Links: You can replace the “Add to Cart” button with “Contact Us,” “Request a Quote,” or a link to a specific page on your website.

3. Real-life example:

Let’s imagine you’re using the “YITH WooCommerce Catalog Mode” plugin:

• After installing and activating the plugin, navigate to “YITH” -> “Catalog Mode.”
• In the settings, you’ll see a checkbox to “Enable Catalog Mode.” Check it!
• Find the option to “Remove Add to Cart button.” Check this Explore this article on How To Combine Reviews Woocommerce too.
• Look for a section where you can “Customize Button Text.” Change the text to something like “Enquire Now” or “Get a Quote.”
• You could also add a link to your contact page.

Reasoning: This approach allows you to change the entire store with minimal effort. For instance, all Add to Cart button can be replaced by Enquire Now button.

Example Code Snippet (For Advanced Users – Use with Caution!)

If you’re comfortable with code, you can achieve a similar effect using a code snippet. However, be extremely careful when editing your theme’s `functions.php` file. Always back up your website before making any code changes.

Here’s a basic example of removing the “Add to Cart” button using a function in your theme’s `functions.php` file:

 <?php Read more about How To Make A Variable Product In Woocommerce /** 
Remove Add to Cart button
 */ function remove_woocommerce_add_to_cart_buttons() { remove_action( 'woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item', 'woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart', 10 ); remove_action( 'woocommerce_single_product_summary', 'woocommerce_template_single_add_to_cart', 30 ); } add_action( 'init', 'remove_woocommerce_add_to_cart_buttons' ); 

/

* Redirect to contact page

*/

add_filter( ‘woocommerce_loop_add_to_cart_link’, ‘custom_add_to_cart_link’ );

function custom_add_to_cart_link() {

$link = ‘Learn More‘;

return $link;

}

Explanation:

• The `remove_woocommerce_add_to_cart_buttons()` function removes the default “Add to Cart” buttons from the shop loop (product listing pages) and the single product page.
• The `add_filter` function changes the add to cart url to contact page url.

Important: This code snippet is a basic example. You may need to adjust it based on your theme and desired functionality. Consider using a plugin instead unless you’re comfortable with PHP and WordPress development.

Testing Your Catalog Mode

After enabling catalog mode, thoroughly test your website! Make sure:

• The “Add to Cart” buttons are gone.
• The cart and checkout pages are inaccessible (or redirect to a different page).
• The custom text and links you set up are working correctly.
• The overall user experience is smooth and intuitive.