WooCommerce: Ditch the Cart Icon – A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve built your awesome WooCommerce store, but that little cart icon is bugging you. Maybe it clashes with your design, maybe you only want it visible in specific areas, or maybe you’re building a catalog-style site without direct purchasing. Whatever your reason, removing the cart icon from your WooCommerce site is a common customization. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! This guide will walk you through several methods, from simple CSS tweaks to code snippets. Let’s get started!
Why Remove the Cart Icon?
Before we jump in, let’s quickly address why you might want to remove the cart icon in the first place. It’s all about user experience and design coherence. Consider these scenarios:
* Catalog Website: You’re showcasing products but not selling directly through your site. Removing the cart avoids confusion and streamlines the browsing experience. Think of a brochure website for a furniture manufacturer.
* Aesthetic Reasons: The default WooCommerce cart icon might not align with your site’s overall design. You might prefer a cleaner look or a different icon altogether. Imagine a minimalist art store where a bulky cart icon would detract from the visual appeal.
* Specific Functionality: You might have a custom checkout flow or only want the cart accessible on specific pages (e.g., only after adding an item). This helps control the user journey.
Ultimately, removing or modifying the cart icon allows you to tailor your WooCommerce store to your specific needs and brand.
Methods to Remove the WooCommerce Cart Icon
We’ll cover the most common and beginner-friendly methods, from simple to slightly more advanced. Choose the one that best suits your comfort level.
1. CSS (The Easiest Way – Often Enough)
This is the simplest and quickest method, especially if you’re not comfortable working with code. CSS lets you visually hide the cart icon.
How To:
1. Access your theme’s Customizer: In your WordPress admin area, go to Appearance -> Customize.
2. Find the “Additional CSS” section: This section allows you to add custom CSS rules to your site.
3. Add the following CSS code:
.woocommerce-cart-link {
display: none !important;
}
.site-header-cart { /* This is a common class, check your theme’s CSS */
display: none !important;
}
Explanation:
* `display: none;` hides the element from the page.
* `!important;` ensures that this rule overrides any other styles that might be affecting the cart icon. Use it judiciously, but it’s often necessary for this simple fix.
* `.woocommerce-cart-link` is a common class used for the cart icon. However, your theme might use a different class.
* `.site-header-cart` is another common class, especially for cart icons in the header. Inspect your site to find the correct CSS class to target.
How to find the right CSS class:
Right-click on the cart icon on your website and select “Inspect” (or “Inspect Element”). This will open your browser’s developer tools. You can then see the HTML and CSS associated with the cart icon. Look for the `class` attribute in the HTML.
Example:
Imagine your theme uses the class `.my-theme-cart-icon`. You would then use this CSS:
.my-theme-cart-icon {
display: none !important;
}
Pros:
* Super easy.
* Doesn’t require any coding knowledge.
* Easily reversible.
Cons:
* Only hides the icon visually; the underlying functionality is still there. If you really want to *remove* functionality, CSS isn’t enough.
* Might need adjustments depending on your theme’s CSS.
2. Editing Theme Files (Child Theme Recommended!)
Warning: Editing your theme files directly can break your site if done incorrectly. Always create a child theme before making changes to your theme’s files! A child theme protects your changes when the parent theme updates.
This method involves modifying your theme’s template files to remove the cart icon code.
Steps:
1. Create a Child Theme (Mandatory!): If you haven’t already, create a child theme for your current theme. There are plugins to help with this, or you can do it manually. Search “create wordpress child theme” for detailed instructions.
2. Identify the Template File: You need to figure out which template file is responsible for displaying the cart icon. Common places to look include:
* `header.php`
* `functions.php` (less common, but some themes add cart functionality here)
* `woocommerce/templates/cart/cart.php` (less likely to be the *icon* specifically)
3. Copy the Template File to Your Child Theme: Copy the template file you identified to the *same* folder structure within your child theme. For example, if you’re editing `header.php`, copy it to `wp-content/themes/your-child-theme/header.php`.
4. Edit the Template File: Open the copied file in your child theme. Look for the code that displays the cart icon. This might involve HTML like `` or PHP code that generates the cart link. Carefully remove the Read more about How To Manage Customers In Woocommerce relevant code.
Example (in `header.php`):
Let’s say you find this code in your `header.php` file:
<a class="cart-contents" href="” title=””>
cart->get_cart_total(); ?> cart->get_cart_contents_count(); ?>
You would carefully remove this entire `div` to remove the cart icon from your header.
5. Save the File: Save the modified file in your child theme.
6. Clear your cache: (If you’re using a caching plugin).
Pros:
* Completely removes the cart icon from the theme.
* More “permanent” than CSS.
Cons:
* Requires coding knowledge (HTML and potentially PHP).
* Can be risky if you’re not careful.
* Requires creating and using a child theme.
* Theme updates may require you to re-apply your changes to the child theme.
3. Using a Plugin (The Flexible Option)
Several plugins can help you manage WooCommerce elements, including the cart icon. These plugins often offer more granular control than CSS and can be easier to use than editing theme files directly.
Example:
* WooCommerce Menu Cart: While this plugin is primarily designed to customize the cart icon, some of its settings can effectively *remove* the cart icon from certain locations.
Steps:
1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Search for a WooCommerce customization plugin in the WordPress plugin repository (e.g., “WooCommerce Menu Cart”) and install/activate it.
2. Configure the Plugin: Go to the plugin’s settings page (usually under WooCommerce or a separate settings menu).
3. Look for Options to Hide the Cart Explore this article on How To Add Woocommerce Measurements Icon: The plugin’s interface will vary, but look for options to disable or hide the cart icon in the menu, header, or other locations.
4. Save Your Changes: Save the plugin settings.
5. Clear your cache: (If you’re using a caching plugin).
Pros:
* User-friendly interface.
* Often offers more customization options than CSS.
* Generally safer than directly editing theme files.
Cons:
* Adds an extra plugin to your site.
* Plugin functionality might depend on updates and compatibility.
4. Using Code Snippets (functions.php or a Code Snippet Plugin)
This method involves adding PHP code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or using a code snippet plugin (recommended). Code snippet plugins offer a safer way to add code without directly modifying your theme.
Important: Again, use a code snippet plugin for safety. Editing `functions.php` directly can cause issues.
Example (removing the cart fragments which control updating the cart count):
/**
- Remove WooCommerce Cart Fragments. This can help with performance
- when cart functionality isn't needed on all pages.
function remove_woocommerce_cart_fragments() {
wp_dequeue_script(‘wc-cart-fragments’);
}
Explanation:
* This code removes the `wc-cart-fragments` script, which is responsible for updating the cart count dynamically. This might be a good option if you only want the cart visible on specific pages.
How to Use a Code Snippet Plugin:
1. Install and Activate a Code Snippet Plugin: Popular options include “Code Snippets” or “WPCode”.
2. Add a New Snippet: Go to the plugin’s interface and add a new code snippet.
3. Paste the Code: Paste the PHP code into the snippet editor.
4. Activate the Snippet: Activate the snippet to run the code.
5. Clear your cache: (If you’re using a caching plugin).
Pros:
* More control over the removal process.
* Can be more efficient than CSS in some cases.
Cons:
* Requires PHP knowledge.
* Can be risky if done incorrectly (hence the recommendation for code snippet plugins).
Choosing the Right Method
Here’s a quick summary to help you choose:
* CSS: Easiest and fastest for simple visual removal. Best for beginners.
* Editing Theme Files (Child Theme!): More permanent and comprehensive removal. Requires HTML/PHP knowledge and a child theme.
* Plugin: User-friendly and offers more customization options. Adds an extra plugin to your site.
* Code Snippets: Most flexible but requires PHP knowledge. Use a code snippet plugin for safety.
No matter which method you choose, always back up your website before making any changes. Good luck!
