Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Remove the Cart Icon?
- Removing the Cart Icon
- Disabling Add-to-Cart Buttons
- Conclusion
- FAQ
In the dynamic world of e-commerce, flexibility is key. Whether you're staging your website before launching your product line, transitioning your Shopify store into a catalog, or simply looking to hide the shopping cart for a more streamlined user experience, understanding how to remove or hide the cart function on Shopify is essential. This blog post will explore effective strategies to achieve this, tailored for both coding novices and those comfortable with dipping into a bit of code.
Introduction
Imagine you're setting up your Shopify store. You've chosen a theme, started to customize it, but then realized that the shopping cart icon doesn't align with your current goals. Perhaps your inventory isn't ready, or you're using your site as a digital showroom rather than for direct sales. The presence of a cart might confuse visitors or detract from the user experience you aim to create.
Removing or hiding the cart icon on Shopify might seem daunting, especially if coding isn't your forte. However, with the right guidance and understanding of Shopify's structure, it's a task that can be accomplished relatively smoothly. By the end of this post, you'll have learned how to effectively remove the cart icon from your Shopify store, using different methods that cater to varying levels of technical ability. Additionally, we'll explore options for those looking to disable or hide add-to-cart buttons, providing a comprehensive toolkit for customizing your Shopify user experience.
Why Remove the Cart Icon?
Before diving into the "how," let's briefly discuss the "why." Removing the cart icon or add-to-cart buttons can be beneficial for businesses focusing on brand building rather than immediate sales, businesses that use Shopify for showcasing products without offering online sales, or stores that sell exclusively in-person or through direct contact with the customer.
Removing the Cart Icon
The Shopify platform is built with a theme structure that allows for a high degree of customization. Most customizations, including removing the cart icon, are done by editing the theme's code, specifically the Liquid files that control the theme's layout and features.
Code Editing Method
For those comfortable with minor coding adjustments, this method involves directly editing your theme's Liquid files. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Access Your Theme's Code: In your Shopify admin dashboard, navigate to "Online Store" > "Themes." Next to your active theme, click "Actions" > "Edit code."
- Edit the Header.liquid File: In the "Sections" folder, locate and click on "header.liquid." This file controls what appears in your site's header, including the cart icon.
- Locate and Comment Out the Cart Icon Code: Use the "Ctrl + F" (or "Cmd + F" on Mac) shortcut to find the code snippet responsible for the cart icon, usually identifiable with terms like "cart," "basket," or "order." Once located, you can either comment it out by adding "{% comment %}" and "{% endcomment %}" tags around the code block or, if you're sure, delete the snippet. Remember, commenting out allows for easy reversal, while deleting is more permanent.
- Save and Check: After editing, save your changes and review your site to ensure the cart icon has been successfully removed or hidden.
Theme Customization Option
For those hesitant to engage directly with code, some themes offer the ability to hide the cart icon through the theme's customization settings. While not available in all themes, it's worth checking:
- Navigate to Theme Editor: From "Online Store" > "Themes," click "Customize" on your active theme.
- Explore Theme Settings: Look for sections labeled "Header," "Cart," or similar. If your theme supports it, you might find an option to toggle the cart icon on or off without needing to edit the code directly.
Disabling Add-to-Cart Buttons
Custom Product Templates
Shopify's Online Store 2.0 themes allow for the creation of custom product templates. By designing a template that omits the add-to-cart button, you can assign it to products as needed:
- Create Custom Product Template: Go to the theme editor and add a new product template without the add-to-cart functionality.
- Assign Template to Products: Select the products in your admin and apply the custom template to remove the add-to-cart buttons from specific product pages.
Conclusion
Whether for aesthetic reasons, transitioning phases, or the nature of your business, removing the shopping cart and add-to-cart buttons can significantly alter the user experience on your Shopify store. By following the steps outlined above, you can tailor your site's functionality to match your business needs, ensuring that your online presence aligns with your sales strategy and brand vision.
As with any customization, always ensure to back up your theme before making significant changes and test your adjustments thoroughly to maintain a seamless user experience.
FAQ
Q: Will removing the cart icon affect my SEO?
A: No, removing the cart icon itself should not directly affect your site's SEO. However, ensure that any changes to your site's functionality still provide a good user experience, as UX can impact SEO.
Q: Can I remove the cart icon from mobile views only?
A: Yes, by customizing your theme's CSS file (usually theme.scss.liquid or base.css), you can specifically target and hide the cart icon on mobile devices using media queries.
Q: What happens if I change themes?
A: Customizations like removing the cart icon are theme-specific. If you switch themes, you'll need to reapply these customizations to your new theme.
Q: Is it possible to hide the add-to-cart button for certain products but not others?
A: Yes, by creating and applying custom product templates or using conditional logic in your product template files, you can control which products display the add-to-cart button.
Q: Can I revert the changes if I change my mind?
A: Yes, if you've commented out the code, simply remove the comments to revert. If you've made more substantial changes, having a backup of your original theme files makes reverting much easier.
