WooCommerce: How to Hide the Add to Cart Button (Beginner’s Guide)
So, you’re running a WooCommerce store and want to hide the “Add to Cart” button? Maybe you’re selling services, providing quotes, using your store as a product catalog, or temporarily restricting sales. Whatever the reason, it’s a common need, and luckily, there are a few easy ways to achieve this. This guide is tailored for WooCommerce newbies, providing simple explanations and practical examples.
Why Hide the Add to Cart Button?
Before we dive into *how*, let’s quickly consider *why* you might want to do this. Understanding the rationale helps choose the right method.
* Quote-Based Sales: Instead of direct purchases, you want customers to request a quote. Hiding the Check out this post: How To Remove Ships From In Woocommerce “Add to Cart” button encourages them to contact you. Imagine a custom furniture maker – they likely need to discuss specifics before setting a price.
* Product Catalog (No Direct Sales): You’re showcasing your products online, but sales happen offline, in a physical store, or through a distributor. Think of a manufacturer displaying their products but not selling directly to consumers.
* Services: Selling consultations, appointments, or installations. The “Add to Cart” button doesn’t make sense for booking a plumber!
* Out of Stock Products: While WooCommerce allows managing inventory, sometimes simply removing the purchase option is cleaner than showing “Out of Stock.” It prevents frustration.
* Pre-launch or Coming Soon: Teasing products before they are actually available. Hiding the “Add to Cart” keeps customers interested without letting them buy just yet.
* Subscription/Membership Products: Sometimes subscriptions are handled outside the default WooCommerce flow. You might hide the regular “Add to Cart” and direct users to a custom subscription form.
Method 1: Using a Plugin (The Easiest Option)
For most beginners, a plugin is the recommended way. It avoids messing with code and offers flexibility. Several free and premium plugins can handle this. A popular choice is “WooCommerce Hide Add to Cart Button”. Let’s illustrate using a hypothetical plugin named “Simple Hide Cart Button” (replace this with the *actual name* of the plugin you choose).
1. Install and Activate the Plugin:
* Go to your WordPress dashboard: Plugins > Add New.
* Search for “Simple Hide Cart Button” (or whatever plugin you choose).
* Click “Install Now” and then “Activate”.
2. Configure the Plugin:
* Look for the plugin’s settings page (usually under WooCommerce or a dedicated menu).
* You’ll likely find Discover insights on How To Do Woocommerce Holiday Deals options like:
- Hide the Add to Cart button on:
- Single Product Pages
- Shop Pages (category and archive pages)
- Replace the button with custom text: (e.g., “Request a Quote”, “Contact Us”, “Learn More”)
- Add a link to the custom text: (directing users to a contact form or another page)
- Hide for all products or specific product categories.
* Configure the plugin according to your needs and save the settings. For example, you might choose to hide the “Add to Cart” button on single product pages and replace it with a “Request a Quote” button that links to your contact form.
Why use a plugin? It’s user-friendly, requires no coding knowledge, and often comes with additional features.
Method 2: Custom Code (For the Slightly More Adventurous)
If you’re comfortable with a *tiny* bit of PHP code, you can customize your theme’s `functions.php` file (or ideally, a child theme’s `functions.php` to avoid losing changes during theme updates). Always back up your website before editing code.
#### Hiding the Button on Single Product Pages
<?php /**
Explanation:
- `remove_action()`: This function removes the default “Add to Cart” button from the single product page. The arguments are:
- `woocommerce_single_product_summary`: The action hook where the button is located.
- `woocommerce_template_single_add_to_cart`: The function that displays the “Add to Cart” button.
- `30`: The priority of the function.
- `add_action()`: This function tells WordPress when to execute our custom function (`hide_add_to_cart_single_product`).
- `woocommerce_before_single_product`: It runs before the product page is displayed.
#### Hiding the Button on Shop (Category/Archive) Pages
<?php /**
?>
Explanation:
- Similar to the single product code, this removes the “Add to Cart” button from the shop pages (category and archive pages) using `woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item` and `woocommerce_template_loop_add_to_cart`.
Important Considerations when using code:
- Explore this article on Ipn Paypal Woocommerce How To
- Child Theme: *Always* use a child theme to add custom code. This prevents your changes from being overwritten when your main theme updates.
- Backup: Back up your entire website *before* modifying the `functions.php` file. A single typo can break your site.
- Testing: Test thoroughly after adding the code.
- Specificity: This code hides the button globally. For more fine-grained control (e.g., hiding for specific products or categories), you’ll need more advanced coding techniques, likely involving conditional statements (e.g., `if ( is_product_category( ‘your-category-slug’ ) ) { … }`).
Why use custom code? It gives you granular control and avoids relying on third-party plugins. However, it requires some technical knowledge and carries a higher risk of breaking your site if done incorrectly.
Method 3: CSS (A Simple Patch, Not a Solution)
While not ideal, you *can* hide the button using CSS. However, this is a cosmetic fix only. The button is still technically present in the code, just hidden from view. It’s generally not recommended as a primary solution.
Add this CSS code to your theme’s `style.css` file (again, use a child theme!) or via the WordPress Customizer (Appearance > Customize > Additional CSS):
.woocommerce div.product form.cart .button,
.woocommerce a.button.add_to_cart_button,
.woocommerce li.product a.button {
display: none !important;
}
Explanation:
- This CSS targets the “Add to Cart” button using its CSS classes.
- `display: none !important;` hides the element completely. The `!important` ensures it overrides any other CSS rules.
Why NOT to use CSS as your *only* solution?
- Not Secure: Technically savvy users can still find and interact with the hidden button by manipulating the website’s code in their browser.
- SEO Issues: Search engines *might* consider hidden content negatively.
- Doesn’t Prevent Purchases: If the button is still accessible via direct URL manipulation, customers *could* still theoretically place orders, leading to fulfillment issues.
Which Method Should You Choose?
- Beginners: Start with a plugin. It’s the easiest and safest option.
- Intermediate Users: If you’re comfortable with basic PHP and understand child themes, custom code offers more control.
- CSS: Use CSS only as a temporary fix or in conjunction with other methods for cosmetic adjustments.
Remember to choose the method that best suits your technical skills and the specific requirements of your WooCommerce store. Good luck!
