How To Remove Shopping Cart From WordPress Using Woocommerce

Removing the Shopping Cart in WooCommerce: A Newbie-Friendly Guide

So, you’re running a WooCommerce store on WordPress, and you’ve decided the shopping cart page isn’t necessary for your business model. Maybe you’re selling single items, digital products, or services where a direct “buy now” approach makes more sense. No problem! Removing the shopping cart is a pretty common modification, and this guide will walk you through several methods, catering to different skill levels.

Think of it like this: you’re running a small Etsy store selling custom portrait drawings. Instead of having customers add the drawing to a cart, you want them to click a “Request Custom Portrait” button that takes them directly to checkout after they’ve configured all the personalization options. This removes a step and streamlines the buying process.

Why Remove the Shopping Cart?

Before we dive in, let’s consider why you might want to remove the shopping cart in the first place:

• Simplified Purchasing: As mentioned above, it streamlines the process for single product sales or services.
• Focus on Direct Purchase: It pushes customers straight to the checkout, potentially increasing conversion rates.
• Specific Business Model: It might not be needed for subscription services, appointment booking, or stores focusing on a single product at a time.
• Clean and Minimalist Design: Sometimes, removing the cart simply contributes to a cleaner, more focused user experience.

Method 1: Using a Plugin (Easiest)

For beginners, using a plugin is generally the easiest and safest approach. There are several plugins available that can help you remove the shopping cart functionality with just a few clicks.

One popular option is “WooCommerce Direct Checkout.” While the name may be similar to a direct pay solution, it focuses on bypassing the cart page. Let’s explore how this method can be employed.

1. Install and Activate the Plugin: In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for “WooCommerce Direct Checkout” (or another similar plugin). Install and activate it.

2. Configure the Plugin: After activation, look for the plugin settings (usually under WooCommerce or a dedicated “Direct Checkout” menu). The options will vary depending on the plugin, but you should be able to:

• Disable the “Add to Cart” button.
• Redirect directly to the checkout page.
• Replace the “Add to Cart” button with a custom button (e.g., “Buy Now”).

Pros:

• Easy to use: No coding required.
• Quick solution: Implements the change in minutes.
• Reversible: Deactivating the plugin restores the original functionality.

Cons:

• Plugin dependency: Relies on a third-party plugin, which might become outdated or incompatible with future WooCommerce updates.

Method 2: Code Snippets (Intermediate)

If you’re comfortable with a little bit of code, you can use code snippets to customize the WooCommerce behavior. Always back up your website before making any code changes!

This example shows you how to remove the “Add to Cart” button for all products and redirect to the checkout page:

1. Add the code to your `functions.php` file (or a custom plugin):

 /** 
Remove add to cart button and redirect to checkout
 */ 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_filter( ‘woocommerce_get_checkout_url’, ‘woo_custom_cart_redirect_checkout’ );

function woo_custom_cart_redirect_checkout() {

global $woocommerce;

// If the cart is empty, just return the checkout URL.

if ( WC()->cart->is_empty() ) {

return wc_get_checkout_url();

}

// Otherwise, empty the cart and redirect to the checkout page to start a new checkout process

WC()->cart->empty_cart();

return wc_get_checkout_url();

}

add_filter( ‘woocommerce_add_to_cart_redirect’, ‘custom_add_to_cart_redirect’ );

function custom_add_to_cart_redirect( $url ) {

$url = wc_get_checkout_url();

return $url;

}

Explanation:

• `remove_action()`: This removes the default “Add to Cart” button from the product listing and single product pages.
• `add_filter()` and `custom_add_to_cart_redirect()`: These functions intercept Explore this article on How To Use Woocommerce Plugin In WordPress Youtube the “Add to Cart” action and redirect users directly to the checkout page. The first filter empties the cart if it isn’t already empty, and then it takes the person to the checkout.

2. Alternative approach: Replace Add to Cart button with Buy Now (with direct checkout redirect):

 /** 
Replace "Add to cart" with "Buy Now" button
 */ add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_single_add_to_cart_text', 'woo_custom_single_add_to_cart_text' ); add_filter( 'woocommerce_product_add_to_cart_text', 'woo_custom_product_add_to_cart_text' ); 

function woo_custom_single_add_to_cart_text() {

return __( ‘Buy Now’, ‘woocommerce’ );

}

function woo_custom_product_add_to_cart_text() {

return __( ‘Buy Now’, ‘woocommerce’ );

}

add_filter( ‘woocommerce_add_to_cart_redirect’, ‘custom_add_to_cart_redirect’ );

function custom_add_to_cart_redirect( $url ) {

$url = wc_get_checkout_url();

return $url;

}

Explanation:

• This code snippet renames the “Add to Cart” button to “Buy Now” while continuing to redirect to the checkout.

Important Considerations:

• Child Theme: Never directly edit the `functions.php` file of your main theme. Always use a child theme to prevent changes from being overwritten when you update your theme.
• Code Errors: Even a small error in your code can break your website. That’s why backing up your site and understanding the code is crucial.
• Testing: Thoroughly test your changes after implementing the code snippet. Make sure the redirect works correctly and that there are no unexpected side effects.

Pros:

• More control: Allows for precise customization.
• No plugin dependency: Reduces the number of plugins on your site.
• Efficient: Code snippets are generally lightweight.

Cons:

• Requires coding knowledge: Not suitable for complete beginners.
• Risk of errors: Mistakes in the code can break your website.
• Maintenance: You need to keep the code updated and compatible with WooCommerce updates.

Method 3: Custom Template Overrides (Advanced)

This method involves modifying the WooCommerce template files directly. It Discover insights on How To Use Woocommerce Product Filter gives you the most control over the look and feel of your store, but it’s also the most complex.

This method is generally not recommended for beginners.

1. Create a Child Theme: Essential!

2. Copy the Template: Copy the specific WooCommerce template file you want to modify (e.g., `templates/loop/add-to-cart.php` for the product listing page, or `templates/single-product/add-to-cart/simple.php` for the single product page) from the WooCommerce plugin folder to your child theme. Maintain the same directory structure within your child theme.

3. Modify the Template: Edit the copied template file in your child theme to remove the “Add to Cart” button or change its behavior. You can completely remove the “ or “ depending on the template.

Pros:

• Maximum Control: Complete control over the appearance and functionality.
• No plugin dependency: Reduces reliance on external plugins.

Cons:

• Highly Complex: Requires advanced knowledge of WordPress and WooCommerce templating.
• Maintenance intensive: You’ll need to manually update the template files whenever WooCommerce updates to ensure compatibility.
• Risk of errors: Incorrect modifications can break your website.

Choosing the Right Method

• Beginner: Use a plugin. It’s the easiest and safest option.
• Intermediate: Use code snippets if you’re comfortable with basic coding and understand the risks.
• Advanced: Use template overrides for maximum control, but only if you’re experienced with WordPress and WooCommerce development.

No matter which method you choose, remember to back up your website regularly and test your changes thoroughly. Good luck simplifying your WooCommerce store!