How to Remove the “Read More” Button in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’re building your dream online store with WooCommerce, and you’ve noticed that pesky “Read More” button on your shop page? You might be thinking, “But I want customers to see the price and add to cart right away, not click through to another page!” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many WooCommerce store owners want to streamline the shopping experience and remove the “Read More” button to encourage faster purchases.
This guide will walk you through different methods to remove the “Read More” button from your WooCommerce shop pages. We’ll keep it simple, beginner-friendly, and packed with real-life examples. Let’s dive in!
Why Remove the “Read More” Button?
Imagine walking into a physical store. You see a product on display with a price tag and a clear “Buy Now” sign. That’s the kind of experience we want to recreate online. Here’s why removing the “Read More” button can be beneficial:
- Reduced Clicks: Read more about How To Set Up Woocommerce Elementor Fewer clicks mean a faster path to purchase. Customers can add items to their cart directly from the shop page.
- Improved User Experience: A cleaner, less cluttered shop page can be more appealing and easier to navigate.
- Increased Conversions: By making the “Add to Cart” button more prominent, you can encourage impulse purchases and boost your sales.
- Better Mobile Experience: On smaller screens, less content above the fold can be crucial. Removing the “Read More” button can help showcase the product more effectively.
- Via FTP: Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to connect to your web server and navigate to `wp-content/themes/[your-theme-name]/functions.php`.
- Via the WordPress Theme Editor: Go to Appearance > Theme Editor in your WordPress dashboard. Be very careful using the theme editor as mistakes can break your site. Make sure you have a backup.
Method 1: Using WooCommerce Settings (If Available in Your Theme)
Some WooCommerce themes offer built-in options to control the display of the “Read More” button. This is the easiest and most straightforward method if your theme supports it.
1. Check Your Theme Options: Navigate to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Look for WooCommerce Settings: Within the customizer, look for a section specifically related to WooCommerce or Shop settings.
3. Find the “Read More” Button Option: Browse through the settings. You might find an option labeled something like “Display Read More Button,” “Show Excerpt,” or “Shop Page Content.”
4. Disable the Option: If you find the relevant option, simply uncheck the box or select the “Hide” option.
5. Publish Your Changes: Click the “Publish” button to save your changes and update your shop page.
Example: The “Astra” theme has a dedicated WooCommerce section in the customizer that allows you to control the product grid display, including the excerpt (which triggers the “Read More” button).
Method 2: Using a Code Snippet (For More Control)
If your theme doesn’t offer a built-in option, you can use a code snippet. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a coding expert! We’ll use a simple code snippet that targets the “Read More” button and removes it.
Important: Before making any changes to your theme’s code, always create a backup of your website! This will protect you in case something goes wrong.
1. Access Your Theme’s `functions.php` File: You can access this file in two ways:
2. Add the Code Snippet: Add the following code snippet to the end of your `functions.php` file:
Explanation:
- `remove_action`: This WordPress function removes an existing action.
- `woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item`: This is a WooCommerce hook that defines what happens after each product is displayed in the shop loop.
- `woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart`: This is the function responsible for displaying the “Add to Cart” button (which often appears alongside the “Read More” button).
- `10`: This is the priority of the action.
- `add_action`: This WordPress function adds a new action. It makes sure that the `remove_read_more_button` function runs when the `woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item` action is called.
3. Save the File: Save the changes to your `functions.php` file.
4. Clear Your Cache (If Necessary): If you’re using a caching plugin, clear your website’s cache to ensure the changes are reflected.
Real-life Example: You’re using the default “Storefront” theme, but you want a cleaner look on your shop page. Adding this code snippet to your `functions.php` file will remove the “Read More” button, allowing customers to add products to their cart directly from the shop page.
Method 3: Using a Plugin (The Easiest Option for Non-Coders)
If you’re not comfortable editing your theme’s code, you can use a plugin. There are several plugins available that allow you to customize your WooCommerce shop pages without writing any code.
1. Install and Activate a WooCommerce Customization Plugin: Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard and search for Learn more about How To Remove Woocommerce Cart Bar In Header a plugin like “WooCommerce Product Table,” “WooCommerce Customizer,” or “YITH WooCommerce Quick View.” These plugins often include options to customize the shop page layout.
2. Configure the Plugin: After activating the plugin, navigate to its settings page (usually found under WooCommerce > Settings or in the plugin’s own menu).
3. Look for Options Related to Shop Page Display: The plugin’s settings should include options to control the display of various elements on the shop page, including the excerpt and “Read More” button.
4. Disable the “Read More” Button: Find the relevant option and disable it.
5. Save Your Changes: Save the plugin settings.
Example: You install the “WooCommerce Product Table” plugin because you want to display your products in a table format with clear pricing and “Add to Cart” buttons. The plugin’s settings allow you to hide the product excerpt and therefore remove the “Read More” button.
Important Considerations:
- Theme Compatibility: Some themes might override the code snippets or plugin settings. If you’re having trouble, consult your theme’s documentation or contact the theme developer for assistance.
- Plugin Bloat: Be mindful of installing too many plugins, as they can slow down your website. Choose a plugin with a good reputation and only install the ones you need.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Always test your website on different devices to ensure that the changes you’ve made are mobile-friendly.
- Regular Updates: Always keep your plugins and themes updated to ensure they are secure and compatible with the latest version of WooCommerce.
By following these methods, you can easily remove the “Read More” button from your WooCommerce shop page and create a more streamlined and user-friendly shopping experience for your customers. Good luck!