How to Remove the Sidebar from Your WooCommerce Checkout Page (Easy Guide!)
So, you’ve got your WooCommerce store up and running, but that pesky sidebar is cramping your checkout page style? Don’t worry! It’s a common issue and easily fixable. Having a sidebar on your checkout page can distract customers and decrease conversions. You want them focused on completing their purchase, not clicking on random widgets. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t put a noisy toy store next to the cashier at a fancy restaurant, right? Same principle applies here!
This guide will walk you through a few straightforward methods to remove the sidebar, even if you’re a WooCommerce newbie. We’ll explain the *why* behind each method, so you can choose the best option for your store.
Why Remove the Sidebar from the Checkout Page?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s reinforce the importance of removing the sidebar:
- Reduced Distractions: A clean checkout page keeps the focus on the essential elements: billing information, shipping details, and payment options.
- Improved Conversion Rates: Fewer distractions lead to a smoother checkout experience, increasing the likelihood of customers completing their purchase.
- Mobile Optimization: Sidebars often don’t translate well to mobile devices, potentially pushing the checkout form way down the page and creating a frustrating user experience. A streamlined, distraction-free checkout on mobile is *critical* for success.
- Professional Look: A clean, focused checkout page looks more professional and trustworthy, building confidence in your brand. Imagine walking into a tidy store versus a cluttered one – which one makes you feel more comfortable spending money?
Method 1: Using Theme Options (Easiest!)
The simplest Explore this article on How To Change View Cart Text In Woocommerce way to remove the sidebar is through your theme’s options. Many popular WooCommerce themes offer a built-in setting to disable the sidebar on specific pages, including the checkout.
1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to Appearance > Customize. The exact location might vary slightly depending on your theme.
3. Look for options related to “Layout,” “Page Settings,” or “WooCommerce.” Search for something like “Sidebar Visibility” or “Checkout Page Settings.”
4. Find the option to disable the sidebar on the “Checkout” page. The label might also say something like “Full-Width Checkout.”
5. Enable the “Full-Width Checkout” option (or disable the sidebar visibility on checkout).
6. Click “Publish” to save your changes.
Real-life example: The popular “Astra” theme allows you to set specific layout options for individual pages. In Astra’s customizer, you would go to “Page Settings” > “Sidebar” and select “No Sidebar” for your checkout page.
Reasoning: This is the preferred method because it’s the easiest and safest. It doesn’t require any coding and takes advantage of the functionality already built into your theme.
Method 2: Using a Plugin (Simple & Versatile)
If your theme doesn’t offer a built-in option, a plugin can come to the rescue! There are several free and premium plugins specifically designed to manage WooCommerce layouts and remove sidebars.
Here’s how to use the “WooCommerce Checkout Manager” plugin (a free and popular option as an example):
1. Install and activate the “WooCommerce Checkout Manager” plugin. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard, search for the plugin, install, and activate it.
2. Navigate to WooCommerce > Checkout Manager.
3. Look for a setting to enable a “Distraction Free Checkout”. This option will generally hide the sidebar on the checkout page.
4. Save your changes.
Reasoning: Plugins offer a more flexible approach. Many provide additional customization options beyond just removing the sidebar, such as adding or removing checkout fields. They are good if your theme doesn’t offer the flexibility you need.
Method 3: Using Custom CSS (For Some Themes)
This method *might* work, depending on how your theme is structured. You’ll be hiding the sidebar using CSS. This is less reliable than the previous methods but still worth a try if those don’t work.
1. Identify the CSS class or ID of your sidebar on the checkout page. The easiest way to do this is to use your browser’s developer tools (right-click on the sidebar and select “Inspect”). Look for the `id` or `class` attribute of the sidebar’s container. For example, it might be something like `#secondary` or `.sidebar`.
2. Go to Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS.
3. Add the following CSS code, replacing `#your-sidebar-id` or `.your-sidebar-class` with the actual class or ID you found:
.woocommerce-checkout #secondary {
display: none;
}
.woocommerce-checkout #content {
width: 100%; /* Expand the content area to fill the space */
}
@media (max-width: 768px) { /* Optional: For smaller screens (Mobile) */
.woocommerce-checkout #secondary {
display: none !important; /* Use !important to override other styles */
}
}
4. Click “Publish” to save your changes.
Real-life example: If your sidebar’s ID is `secondary`, the CSS would be:
.woocommerce-checkout #secondary {
display: none;
}
.woocommerce-checkout #content {
width: 100%;
}
Reasoning: CSS is a powerful tool for styling websites. This method directly hides the sidebar element. The `width: 100%` part is crucial to make the main content area expand and fill the space left by the hidden sidebar. The `@media` rule ensures the change applies correctly to smaller (mobile) screen sizes.
Important Note: This method might not work perfectly if your theme has complex CSS rules. If the sidebar disappears but the main content area doesn’t expand correctly, you’ll need to adjust the CSS code accordingly.
Method 4: Editing Theme Files (Advanced – Use with Caution!)
WARNING: This method involves editing your theme’s core files. It’s highly recommended to back up your website before attempting this! Making a mistake can break your site. Consider creating a child theme to avoid losing your changes when the theme is updated.
1. Identify the template file responsible for the checkout page. This is usually `woocommerce/checkout/form-checkout.php` within your theme or child theme folder.
2. Copy the `form-checkout.php` file to your child theme folder if you are using one. The folder structure should be like this: `your-child-theme/woocommerce/checkout/form-checkout.php`.
3. Open the file and locate the code that outputs the sidebar. This might involve looking for functions like `get_sidebar()` or code that includes elements with the class or ID you identified earlier.
4. Comment out or remove the sidebar code. For example, if you find the code `get_sidebar();`, you can comment it out like this: `// get_sidebar();`
<?php /**
defined( ‘ABSPATH’ ) || exit;
do_action( ‘woocommerce_before_checkout_form’, $checkout );
// If checkout registration is disabled and not logged in, the user cannot checkout.
if ( ! $checkout->is_registration_enabled() && $checkout->is_registration_required() && ! is_user_logged_in() ) {
echo esc_html( apply_filters( ‘woocommerce_checkout_must_be_logged_in_message’, __( ‘You must be logged in to checkout.’, ‘woocommerce’ ) ) );
return;
}
?>
<form name="checkout" method="post" class="checkout woocommerce-checkout" action="” enctype=”multipart/form-data”>
get_checkout_fields() ) : ?>
5. Save the file.
Reasoning: This method provides the most control but is also the most risky. It allows you to directly modify the theme’s code to remove the sidebar. Using a child theme ensures your changes persist after theme updates.
Testing & Final Thoughts
After implementing any of these methods, always test your checkout page thoroughly to ensure it’s working correctly on different devices and browsers. Make sure all form elements are visible and functional, and that the page looks clean and professional.
Removing the sidebar from your WooCommerce checkout page is a simple change Explore this article on How To Add A Create An Account Feature To Woocommerce that can have a significant positive impact on your store’s conversion rates. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and theme setup, and enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, more focused checkout experience! Good luck!
