How To Change Return To Shop Link In Woocommerce

How to Change the "Return to Shop" Link in WooCommerce

WooCommerce offers a highly customizable e-commerce experience, and sometimes you need to tweak even the smallest details to perfectly match your brand and user experience goals. One such detail is the "Return to Shop" link, often found after a user completes a purchase or views a product. This guide will walk you through several methods to change this link, catering to different levels of technical expertise.

Understanding the "Return to Shop" Link

The "Return to Shop" link usually redirects customers back to your WooCommerce shop's homepage. However, you might want to redirect them to a specific page, like a new product page, a promotional offer, or even a thank you page with additional information. Modifying this link enhances the user journey and can boost sales by strategically guiding customers towards your desired actions.

Method 1: Using the WooCommerce Admin Panel (Easiest Method)

This method is ideal for users comfortable navigating their WordPress dashboard. While it doesn't directly change the text "Return to Shop," it offers a simple way to alter the redirection URL.

Steps:

1. Log in: Access your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate: Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products > General.
3. Redirect URL: Locate the "Redirect after adding to cart" field. By default this will be set to the shop page. Here you can add the url of the page where you would like to redirect your customers after adding a product to the cart.
4. Save changes: Click the "Save changes" button.

Note: This method affects the redirect after adding a product to the cart. For changes after checkout, further methods are needed.

Method 2: Using a Child Theme and Custom Functions (For Developers)

This method provides the most control but requires some coding knowledge. It allows for precise modification of the text and link destination.

Steps:

1. Create a Child Theme: This is crucial to avoid losing your customizations during WooCommerce updates.
2. Create a functions.php file: Within your child theme's folder, create a functions.php file.
3. Add the code: Add the following code snippet to your functions.php file. Remember to replace 'YOUR-DESIRED-URL' with the actual URL of your preferred redirection page.

add_filter( 'woocommerce_return_to_shop_redirect', 'custom_return_to_shop_redirect' );
function custom_return_to_shop_redirect( $url ) {
  return 'YOUR-DESIRED-URL';
}

4. Save and Activate: Save the functions.php file, and activate your child theme.

This method overrides the default redirect URL for "Return to Shop" links throughout your WooCommerce store.

Method 3: Using a Plugin (Beginner-Friendly, but requires choosing a suitable plugin)

Several WooCommerce plugins provide customization options for the checkout and order confirmation pages. These plugins offer user-friendly interfaces to modify the "Return to Shop" link without coding.

Steps:

1. Install a suitable plugin: Search the WordPress plugin repository for plugins that offer checkout customization. Carefully review user reviews and ratings before installing.
2. Configure the plugin: Once installed and activated, navigate to the plugin's settings page and find the options related to the "Return to Shop" link or post-purchase redirect.
3. Modify the link: Modify the link's URL and save your changes.

Caution: Always select reputable plugins from trusted developers. Poorly coded plugins can cause conflicts and negatively affect your website.

Choosing the Right Method

The best method depends on your comfort level with coding and WordPress. If you're comfortable with editing code and themes, the child theme approach provides ultimate flexibility. For beginners, using the WooCommerce admin panel or a reliable plugin is the safer and simpler option. Remember to always back up your website before making any significant changes.

By implementing one of these methods, you can easily customize the "Return to Shop" link to seamlessly integrate with your WooCommerce store's overall user experience and marketing strategies.