Simplified Guide: How to Get Rid of the "Buy It Now" Button on Shopify

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Understanding the "Buy It Now" Button
  3. How to Get Rid of the "Buy It Now" Button
  4. Conclusion
  5. FAQ
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Introduction

Imagine you're fine-tuning your Shopify store, seeking that perfect balance of aesthetics and functionality, and then you encounter it: the omnipresent "Buy It Now" button. While this feature accelerates the purchasing process, there are numerous reasons you might want to dial it back or remove it entirely, ranging from design preferences to customer buying habits. This scenario is not rare but rather a common stumbling block for many Shopify store owners looking for customization options that align with their unique brand identity.

In this comprehensive blog post, we'll explore the ins and outs of removing or adjusting the "Buy It Now" button on your Shopify store, ensuring you have the knowledge to customize your e-commerce platform to fit your business model perfectly. Whether you're aiming for a cleaner look, wanting to encourage more browsing, or simply prefer to guide your customers through a different checkout flow, this guide has got you covered.

Understanding the "Buy It Now" Button

Before diving into the resolution, let's briefly discuss what the "Buy It Now" button does and why Shopify includes it as a default feature. Primarily, it serves to expedite the purchasing process by allowing customers to skip the cart and head directly to the checkout with a single click. While this can boost conversion rates by streamlining transactions, not all merchants find it suitable for their store's workflow or customer experience.

How to Get Rid of the "Buy It Now" Button

Removing or hiding the "Buy It Now" button can be approached in several ways, depending on your comfort level with making modifications to your Shopify store's code or settings. Below are several methods to achieve this, ranging from simple toggles within your Shopify settings to more advanced coding solutions.

Via Shopify Admin Settings

For many, the simplest way to disable the "Buy It Now" button is through the Shopify admin panel:

  1. Navigate to your Shopify Admin, go to 'Online Store' > 'Themes'.
  2. Find the theme you're working with and select 'Customize'.
  3. Once in the theme editor, access the 'Product pages' section.
  4. Look for an option named 'Show dynamic checkout button' and uncheck it. This action will remove the "Buy It Now" button from your product pages.

It's worth noting that not all themes present this option directly, and some custom or older themes may require a more hands-on approach.

Editing the Theme Code

For those who don't shy away from delving into theme code, removing the button can also be achieved by editing your theme's CSS file:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to 'Online Store' > 'Themes'.
  2. Click on 'Actions' > 'Edit code'.
  3. Navigate to the 'Assets' folder and open your theme's CSS file (often called theme.scss.liquid or theme.css).
  4. At the bottom of the file, add the following CSS rule:
[data-add-to-cart-button] {
    display: none !important;
}
  1. Save your changes.

This CSS rule hides the "Buy It Now" button by targeting the Add to Cart button data attribute, which is commonly used for both buttons. Remember, this solution may vary in effectiveness depending on your theme's structure and coding.

Creating Alternative Product Templates

Another versatile approach involves creating alternative product templates. This solution is ideal for merchants who wish to remove the "Buy It Now" button from specific products rather than globally. By duplicating your product template and editing the code of the copy, you can selectively assign the alternate template to products that should not display the button:

  1. In the Shopify admin, go to 'Online Store' > 'Themes'.
  2. Choose 'Actions' > 'Edit code'.
  3. Duplicate the product.liquid file (or the relevant product template file) and rename this copy.
  4. Remove or comment out the code related to the "Buy It Now" button in your new template.
  5. Assign this template to products as needed through the product's detail page in your Shopify admin.

Conclusion

Tailoring the shopping experience to match your store's identity and your customers' needs is essential in the e-commerce landscape. By removing the "Buy It Now" button from your Shopify store, you can exercise greater control over the purchasing process, encourage customers to add more items to their carts, or simply offer a cleaner, more branded product page.

Remember, while the immediate goal might be to adjust a singular element like the "Buy It Now" button, it's essential to keep the broader picture in mind. Each adjustment should be a step towards creating an optimal user experience that not only reflects your brand's ethos but also drives conversions and customer satisfaction.

FAQ

Q: Will removing the "Buy It Now" button affect my store's conversion rate?
A: It might have an impact, as the button is designed to streamline the checkout process. Monitor your analytics to see how changes affect your store's performance and adjust accordingly.

Q: Can I remove the button from mobile view but keep it on desktop?
A: Yes, with custom CSS targeting specific screen sizes, you can hide the button on mobile devices while keeping it visible on desktops. However, this approach requires custom coding.

Q: Is it possible to customize the button instead of removing it?
A: Absolutely! Shopify allows extensive customization through its Liquid templating language. You can alter the button's appearance, text, and behavior to better fit your store's design and shopping flow.

Q: What if I change my mind?
A: If you've followed the steps above, reverting the changes is straightforward. Either re-enable the button through the admin settings or remove the custom CSS or template modifications you've applied.

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