How to Remove WooCommerce from Divi: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you installed WooCommerce on your Divi website, played around with it, and now you’ve decided it’s not for you? Maybe you’re switching to a different e-commerce platform, or perhaps you realized you don’t need an online store at all right now. Don’t worry, removing WooCommerce from Divi is totally doable, and this guide will walk you through it step-by-step. We’ll cover the “why” behind each step, making sure you understand what you’re doing.
Why Remove WooCommerce?
Before we jump in, let’s quickly cover why you might want to remove WooCommerce in the first place:
- You’re not actively selling: If you’re not using your store, it’s just adding unnecessary bloat to your website, slowing it down and making it harder to manage.
- Switching to another platform: Maybe you’re moving to Shopify, Etsy, or a different e-commerce solution.
- Simplifying your website: You might have initially thought you needed an online store, but now you realize a simpler website better suits your needs.
- Performance issues: WooCommerce, while powerful, can impact website speed, especially if not optimized correctly. Removing it can significantly improve performance. Think of it like removing extra weight from a runner – they’ll be faster without it!
Step 1: Back Up Your Website (Seriously!)
This is *crucial*. Before making any major changes to your website, always back it up. This includes your files and your database. Imagine accidentally deleting something important without a backup – you’d be stuck! You can use a plugin like UpdraftPlus, or your hosting provider likely offers backup solutions. Think of it as creating a “restore point” for your computer. If something goes wrong, you can rewind to a working version.
Step 2: Deactivate WooCommerce Plugins
First, you need to deactivate the core WooCommerce plugin *and* any WooCommerce-related add-ons you have installed.
1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Find WooCommerce in the list.
3. Click Deactivate.
4. Repeat this process for *all* other WooCommerce-related plugins. These could include plugins for payment gateways (like PayPal or Stripe), shipping methods, or anything else that extends WooCommerce’s functionality.
Why? Deactivating plugins prevents them from running in the background and potentially causing conflicts during the removal process.
Step 3: Delete the WooCommerce Plugin(s)
Now, you need to actually delete the plugins. Deactivating them only stops them from running; deleting them removes the files entirely.
1. Return to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
2. Find WooCommerce again.
3. Click Delete.
4. You’ll likely be asked to confirm. Click OK.
5. Repeat this process for all the deactivated WooCommerce-related plugins.
Why? Deleting the plugins frees up storage space and ensures that no remnants of the plugin’s code remain on your website.
Step 4: Remove WooCommerce Pages
WooCommerce automatically creates several pages like “Shop,” “Cart,” “Checkout,” and “My Account.” You probably don’t need these anymore.
1. Go to Pages > All Pages in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Find the WooCommerce pages (they’ll likely have “WooCommerce” in the title or be named “Shop,” “Cart,” etc.).
3. Hover over each page and click Trash.
4. Empty the Trash by going to Trash and clicking Empty Trash.
Why? Removing these pages cleans up your website’s navigation and prevents visitors from stumbling upon broken or outdated pages.
Step 5: Remove WooCommerce Data (Important!)
This is where things get a little more technical. WooCommerce stores a *lot* of data in your database (products, orders, customer details, etc.). If you want a truly clean removal, you need to remove this data. Be extremely careful with this step, as it’s irreversible!
Option 1: Using the WooCommerce Settings (If Available)
Some older versions of WooCommerce offered a setting to remove data on plugin deletion. Check if you see this option. It usually appears after deleting the plugin. If you see it, use it!
Option 2: Using a Plugin (Recommended for Beginners)
The safest way to remove WooCommerce data is to use a dedicated plugin. One popular option is “Uninstall WooCommerce.”
1. Go to Plugins > Add New and search for “Uninstall WooCommerce”.
2. Install and activate the plugin.
3. The plugin will usually redirect you to a page where you can confirm the data removal. *Read the instructions carefully!*
4. Follow the plugin’s instructions to remove the WooCommerce data.
Option 3: Manually Removing Database Tables (Advanced)
This is for advanced users only! If you’re not comfortable working with databases, *do not* attempt this. Incorrectly modifying your database can break your website.
1. Access your website’s database using phpMyAdmin (usually found in your hosting control panel).
2. Back up your database *again* before proceeding.
3. Identify and delete the WooCommerce-related database tables. These tables typically have the `wp_woocommerce_` prefix. Common tables include: `wp_woocommerce_sessions`, `wp_woocommerce_api_keys`, `wp_woocommerce_attribute_lookups`, `wp_woocommerce_downloadable_product_permissions`, `wp_woocommerce_log`, `wp_woocommerce_order_itemmeta`, `wp_woocommerce_order_items`, `wp_woocommerce_payment_tokenmeta`, `wp_woocommerce_payment_tokens`, `wp_woocommerce_shipping_zones`, `wp_woocommerce_shipping_zone_locations`, and `wp_woocommerce_shipping_zone_methods`. Double-check before deleting!
Why? Removing the WooCommerce data ensures that your database is clean and optimized. It also prevents potential conflicts with other plugins or future installations. Imagine it like decluttering your attic – you want to get rid of all the old boxes you don’t need anymore.
Step 6: Remove WooCommerce Code Snippets (If Any)
If you added any custom code snippets related to WooCommerce to your `functions.php` file, Divi’s theme options, or using a code snippet plugin, remove them. This code will no longer be needed and could potentially cause errors.
Example:
Let’s say you added this code to disable the WooCommerce sidebar:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_show_page_title', '__return_false' );
Remove this code snippet.
Why? Old code can create conflicts or unexpected behavior on your site.
Step 7: Clear Your Website Cache
Finally, clear your website cache (if you’re using a caching plugin) and your browser cache to ensure that you’re seeing the latest version of your website.
Why? Caching plugins store static versions of your website to improve performance. Clearing the cache ensures that the changes you’ve made are reflected immediately.
Testing and Verification
After completing these steps, thoroughly test your website to ensure that everything is working as expected. Look for any errors or broken links that might have been caused by the removal of WooCommerce.
Conclusion
Removing WooCommerce from Divi requires a few steps, but by following this guide, you can ensure a clean and successful removal. Remember to back up your website before making any changes and to proceed with caution when removing database data. Good luck, and enjoy your streamlined, WooCommerce-free Divi website!
