How to Remove Sidebar from WooCommerce Cart Page: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
The WooCommerce cart page is a crucial element in your online store. It’s where customers review their selected items, calculate shipping costs, and proceed to checkout. While many themes include a sidebar on this page by default, it can sometimes detract from the user experience. A cluttered sidebar might distract customers, especially on mobile devices, and ultimately lead to cart abandonment. This article provides a detailed guide on how to remove the sidebar from your WooCommerce cart page, offering various methods to achieve a cleaner and more focused checkout process. We’ll explore code-based solutions, plugin options, and theme-specific settings, giving you the knowledge to customize your WooCommerce store effectively.
Removing the Sidebar from the WooCommerce Cart Page
There are several ways to remove the sidebar from the WooCommerce cart page, each with its pros and cons. The method you choose will depend on your comfort level with code, your theme’s capabilities, and whether you prefer using a plugin.
Method 1: Using CSS (The Quick Fix)
This method is the simplest and fastest, but it only hides the sidebar visually. The sidebar’s content is still loaded in the background.
1. Inspect the Cart Page: Open your WooCommerce cart page and use your browser’s developer tools (usually by right-clicking and selecting “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”). Identify the CSS class or ID associated with the sidebar container. Common examples include `.sidebar`, `#secondary`, `.widget-area`, or something specific to your theme.
2. Add Custom CSS: Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS in your WordPress dashboard. Add the following CSS code, replacing `.your-sidebar-class` with the actual class or ID you identified:
.woocommerce-cart .your-sidebar-class {
display: none !important;
}
Important: The `!important` declaration ensures that your CSS rule overrides any conflicting styles from your theme.
3. Test: Refresh your cart page to see the sidebar disappear.
Method 2: Using a Code Snippet (The More Permanent Solution)
This method involves adding code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or using a code snippet plugin. This actually removes the sidebar rather than just hiding it. Caution: Directly editing the `functions.php` file can break your site if done incorrectly. We highly recommend using a code snippet plugin for safety and easier management.
1. Install a Code Snippet Plugin: If you don’t already have one, install a plugin like “Code Snippets” from the WordPress plugin repository.
2. Create a New Snippet: Activate the Code Snippets plugin and go to Snippets > Add New.
3. Add the Code: Enter a title for your snippet (e.g., “Remove Cart Page Sidebar”). Then, paste the following code into the code area:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_show_page_title', 'remove_cart_sidebar', 999 );
function remove_cart_sidebar( $show_title ) {
if ( is_cart() ) {
remove_action( 'woocommerce_sidebar', 'woocommerce_get_sidebar', 10 );
}
return $show_title;
}
Explanation:
- `add_filter(‘woocommerce_show_page_title’, ‘remove_cart_sidebar’, 999);`: This line hooks into the `woocommerce_show_page_title` filter.
- `function remove_cart_sidebar($show_title) { … }`: This defines a function that will be executed.
- `if (is_cart()) { … }`: This condition checks if the current page is the cart page.
- `remove_action(‘woocommerce_sidebar’, ‘woocommerce_get_sidebar’, 10);`: This line removes the `woocommerce_get_sidebar` action, which is responsible for displaying the sidebar. The `10` is the priority of the action.
4. Save and Activate: Save and activate the snippet.
5. Test: Refresh your cart page. The sidebar should be gone.
Method 3: Using Theme-Specific Settings
Some WooCommerce themes provide built-in options to control the layout of individual pages, including the cart page.
1. Check Theme Customizer: Navigate to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard. Look for sections related to WooCommerce, page layouts, or shop settings. Some themes might have a specific option to disable the sidebar on the cart page.
2. Consult Theme Documentation: If you can’t find the option in the Customizer, consult your theme’s documentation or support resources. The theme’s documentation should explain how to manage page layouts.
Method 4: Page Builder Plugins
If you use a page builder plugin like Elementor, Beaver Builder, or Divi, you can often customize the cart page layout directly within the page builder’s interface.
1. Edit the Cart Page: Locate the cart page in your WordPress pages and edit it with your page builder.
2. Remove Sidebar Widget Area: Within the page builder, look for the sidebar widget area. Often, page builders will visually display and allow you to delete the widget area with ease.
3. Save and Update: Save and update the page to see the changes.
Conclusion
Removing the sidebar from your WooCommerce cart page is a simple but effective way to improve the user experience and potentially increase conversions. We’ve explored several methods, from quick CSS fixes to more robust code-based solutions. Choose the method that best suits your comfort level and technical expertise. Remember to back up your website before making any significant changes, especially when editing the `functions.php` file. By implementing one of these techniques, you can create a cleaner, more focused checkout experience for your customers.
