Alright, guys, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of customizing your Shopify store! One common tweak many store owners want to make is removing the shopping cart icon. Maybe you're going for a minimalist look, or perhaps you want customers to proceed directly to checkout without a visual reminder of their accumulating items. Whatever your reason, I’m here to guide you through the process step by step.

Why Remove the Shopping Cart Icon?

Before we get started, let’s briefly touch on why you might want to remove that little cart icon in the first place. For some store designs, the shopping cart icon can feel redundant or out of place. Especially if you have a streamlined user experience where customers are immediately directed to the checkout page after adding an item, the icon might just be visual clutter. Also, some brands aim for a cleaner, more sophisticated aesthetic, and removing unnecessary icons can contribute to that overall feel.

Sometimes, removing the shopping cart icon is a strategic decision aimed at improving conversion rates. By reducing the number of clicks and visual distractions, you can guide your customers more effectively towards completing their purchase. Think of it as decluttering not just the visual space but also the customer’s decision-making process. A simplified interface can lead to a smoother, more enjoyable shopping experience, ultimately boosting sales.

Moreover, consider mobile users. On smaller screens, every pixel counts. Removing the shopping cart icon can free up valuable real estate, making your site look less cramped and more user-friendly on mobile devices. This can significantly improve the mobile shopping experience, which is crucial since a large percentage of online shopping now happens on mobile.

So, whether it's for aesthetic reasons, improved user experience, or strategic conversion optimization, removing the shopping cart icon can be a worthwhile customization. Now that we understand the ‘why,’ let’s get into the ‘how.’

Method 1: Editing Your Theme's Code

For the brave and the code-savvy, the most direct way to remove the shopping cart icon is by diving into your Shopify theme’s code. Don't worry; I'll walk you through it. But remember, always back up your theme before making any changes. This way, if anything goes wrong, you can easily revert to the original version.

Step 1: Access Your Theme's Code

First, go to your Shopify admin dashboard. Click on “Online Store” and then “Themes.” Find the theme you want to edit and click the “Actions” button. From the dropdown menu, select “Edit code.” This will take you to the code editor.

Step 2: Locate the Relevant Code Snippet

Now, this is where it can get a little tricky because the exact file and code snippet you need to find will depend on your theme. However, a good starting point is to look for files like header.liquid, theme.liquid, or any file with “cart” or “header” in its name. Use the search function (usually Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) and type “cart icon” or “shopping cart” to find relevant code snippets.

Step 3: Remove or Comment Out the Code

Once you've found the code responsible for displaying the shopping cart icon, you have two options: remove it completely or comment it out. Removing it will delete the code, while commenting it out will disable it without deleting it. Commenting out is generally safer because you can easily uncomment it if you want to restore the icon later.

To comment out the code, wrap it in {% comment %} and {% endcomment %} tags, like this:

{% comment %}
<div class="cart-icon">
  <! -- Your shopping cart icon code here -->
</div>
{% endcomment %}

Or, if you prefer to remove the code entirely, just delete the relevant lines. Make sure you’re only deleting the code related to the cart icon to avoid breaking other parts of your theme.

Step 4: Save Your Changes

After you’ve made your changes, click the “Save” button in the top right corner of the code editor. Then, preview your store to make sure the shopping cart icon is gone and that everything else is working as expected.

Important Considerations

• Backup First: Always, always back up your theme before making any code changes.
• Child Themes: If you're using a child theme, make sure you're editing the correct files in the child theme, not the parent theme.
• Theme Updates: Keep in mind that if you update your theme, your changes might be overwritten, so you may need to reapply them.

Method 2: Using CSS to Hide the Icon

If you're not comfortable editing your theme's code directly, another option is to use CSS to hide the shopping cart icon. This method is less invasive and easier to undo if you change your mind.

Step 1: Access Your Theme's CSS File

Go back to your Shopify admin dashboard, click on “Online Store,” and then “Themes.” Find the theme you want to edit and click the “Actions” button. From the dropdown menu, select “Edit code.”

In the code editor, look for a file named theme.scss.liquid or theme.css.liquid. This is where your theme’s CSS styles are defined.

Step 2: Add CSS to Hide the Icon

Scroll to the bottom of the CSS file and add the following code:

.cart-icon {
  display: none !important;
}

Replace .cart-icon with the actual CSS class or ID of your shopping cart icon. You can find this by inspecting the element in your browser’s developer tools. Right-click on the shopping cart icon on your store’s front end and select “Inspect” (or “Inspect Element”). This will open the developer tools, where you can see the HTML and CSS code for the icon. Look for the class or ID that’s applied to the icon and use that in your CSS code.

The !important declaration ensures that your CSS rule overrides any other styles that might be applied to the icon.

Step 3: Save Your Changes

Click the “Save” button in the top right corner of the code editor. Then, preview your store to make sure the shopping cart icon is hidden.

Advantages of Using CSS

• Non-Invasive: CSS changes are less likely to break your theme than direct code edits.
• Easy to Undo: Simply remove the CSS code to restore the icon.
• Maintainability: CSS changes are generally easier to manage and update.

Method 3: Using a Theme Settings

Some Shopify themes come with built-in settings that allow you to remove the shopping cart icon without editing any code. This is the easiest and safest method, but it depends on whether your theme supports this feature.

Step 1: Access Your Theme Settings

Go to your Shopify admin dashboard, click on “Online Store,” and then “Themes.” Find the theme you want to edit and click the “Customize” button. This will take you to the theme editor.

Step 2: Look for Cart Icon Settings

In the theme editor, look for settings related to the header, navigation, or cart. The exact location of these settings will vary depending on your theme, but they’re usually found under sections like “Header,” “Navigation,” or “Theme settings.”

Step 3: Disable the Cart Icon

If your theme has a setting to disable the cart icon, simply toggle it off or uncheck the box. Then, click the “Save” button in the top right corner of the theme editor.

Advantages of Using Theme Settings

• Easiest Method: No coding required.
• Safest Method: No risk of breaking your theme.
• Theme-Specific: Settings are designed to work seamlessly with your theme.

Important Considerations Before Removing the Cart Icon

Before you go ahead and remove the shopping cart icon, there are a few things you should consider. First, make sure that your customers can still easily access their cart and complete their purchase. If you remove the icon, you’ll need to provide an alternative way for customers to view their cart, such as a text link in the header or a persistent cart drawer that appears when they add an item to their cart.

Second, consider the impact on user experience. While a minimalist design can be appealing, it’s important to ensure that your site is still easy to navigate and use. Removing too many visual cues can make it harder for customers to find what they’re looking for, which can lead to frustration and abandoned carts.

Finally, test your changes thoroughly. After you’ve removed the shopping cart icon, ask friends or colleagues to test your site and provide feedback. Pay attention to how they navigate the site and whether they have any difficulty finding the cart or completing a purchase.

Conclusion

And there you have it! Three simple methods to remove the shopping cart icon from your Shopify store. Whether you choose to edit your theme's code, use CSS, or leverage theme settings, remember to back up your theme, test your changes, and prioritize user experience. Customizing your store should always enhance the customer journey, not hinder it. Happy customizing!