Looking for ways to change the messages when your shoppers add products to their carts on your online store? We’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll show you how to change the WooCommerce add-to-cart message.
One reason WooCommerce is among the most popular eCommerce platforms is its extensive customization options.
Not only can you customize the shop page, the checkout, and the product pages, but also the smallest of details, like the add-to-cart messages. Most store owners overlook these messages, but the truth is that they can help you optimize your store and boost your conversion rates.
Before we go through how to edit the Add-to-Cart messages, let’s have a look at the default messages.
Table of contents
What’s the Added to Cart Message?
The add-to-cart messages in WooCommerce are the messages shown to the customers as soon as they add a product to the cart.
It is provided to the users to confirm that the product has been added to their cart. This also indicates that shoppers can proceed to checkout from the cart page if they wish to complete the purchase.
By default, the added to cart message is “(product_name) has been added to your cart”. Here, the product_name is the name of the item that the user has added to the cart. For example, if the item is “Headphone”, the add to cart message will be “Headphone has been added to your cart”.
Now that we have a basic idea of what they are, let’s better understand the benefits of editing the add-to-cart messages.
Why Edit the Add to Cart Message?
Most admins focus on customizing their stores, but often overlook the default messages. This means that you can easily stand out by simply doing something different.
Additionally, the ‘add to cart’ message is one of the most distinctive messages you provide to your customers before they confirm their purchase. That’s why you should make sure that the message is appropriate and helps you grow your business.
For example, you can use add-to-cart messages to thank customers for shopping in your store, offer discounts, or encourage them to shop more on your website.
By default, there aren’t any options to change the WooCommerce add-to-cart message. However, in this tutorial, we will demonstrate various ways to edit the add-to-cart messages.
How to Change the WooCommerce Add to Cart Message
You can easily change the WooCommerce add-to-cart messages programmatically using just a few code snippets. Before we start, make sure WooCommerce is correctly set up on your website; otherwise, you may not be able to make the most of this tutorial.
Moreover, keep in mind that some WooCommerce pages, such as shop, cart, and checkout, vary depending on the theme you use. We will use the Divi theme for this tutorial, so that some pages may appear differently on your site.
However, you should be able to follow all the steps without any issues. If you’re looking for themes for your site, check out our post about the best WooCommerce themes.
NOTE: As we’ll be editing some core files, we recommend that you back up your website and create a child theme before starting. If you need help with this, consider using one of the best child theme plugins.
Now, without further ado, let’s see how to edit the add-to-cart message in WooCommerce.
Where to Add the Code Snippets?
In the following section, we’ll examine various code snippets to be added to the functions.php file of the child theme. We will add them using the Theme Editor. In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor and open the functions.php tab.
Here you can add the code snippets that suit your needs at the end of the editor. Don’t forget to Update the file to apply the changes.
NOTE: Since we will make all changes via code, it’s recommended that you have basic programming knowledge. If not, you may need assistance from someone familiar with programming and code.
1. Change Custom WooCommerce Add to Cart Message
If you want to add a different added-to-cart message for your WooCommerce store, you can use the following snippet.
It will simply add a message to notify you that the product has been added to the cart, along with any necessary details. Alternatively, you can use it to add a simple message to your customers when they add an item to the cart.
1.1. Simple Message
Use the following snippet to modify your WooCommerce ‘Add to Cart’ message with simple text. In this case, we inform the shoppers that they’ve added a product to the cart and thank them for shopping with us.
add_filter( 'wc_add_to_cart_message_html', 'quadlayers_custom_add_to_cart_message' );
function quadlayers_custom_add_to_cart_message() {
$message = 'Your product has been added to cart. Thank you for shopping with us!' ;
return $message;
}1.2. Simple Product Message:
If you want to specify the name of the product as well, you can use the following snippet.
add_filter( 'wc_add_to_cart_message', 'quadlayers_custom_wc_add_to_cart_message', 10, 2 );
function quadlayers_custom_wc_add_to_cart_message( $message, $product_id ) {
$message = sprintf(esc_html__('%s has been added to your cart. Thank you for shopping!','tm-organik'), get_the_title( $product_id ) );
return $message;
}As soon as the customer adds a product to the cart, they will see the following message with the name of the product:
2. Custom Add to Cart Product Message with Cart Link
In the above snippets, we only added text to the message. But what if we want to add something? For example, you may want to display a “View cart” button so that shoppers can review what they’re buying.
In this case, you’ll need to modify the WooCommerce ‘Add to Cart’ message with a custom message and add a cart link.
/**
* Change WooCommerce Add to cart message with cart link.
*/
function quadlayers_add_to_cart_message_html( $message, $products ) {
$count = 0;
$titles = array();
foreach ( $products as $product_id => $qty ) {
$titles[] = ( $qty > 1 ? absint( $qty ) . ' × ' : '' ) . sprintf( _x( '“%s”', 'Item name in quotes', 'woocommerce' ), strip_tags( get_the_title( $product_id ) ) );
$count += $qty;
}
$titles = array_filter( $titles );
$added_text = sprintf( _n(
'%s has been added to your cart. Thank you for shopping!', // Singular
'%s have been added to your cart. Thank you for shopping!', // Plural
$count, // Number of products added
'woocommerce' // Textdomain
), wc_format_list_of_items( $titles ) );
$message = sprintf( '<a href="%s" class="button wc-forward">%s</a> %s', esc_url( wc_get_page_permalink( 'cart' ) ), esc_html__( 'View cart', 'woocommerce' ), esc_html( $added_text ) );
return $message;
}
add_filter( 'wc_add_to_cart_message_html', 'quadlayers_add_to_cart_message_html', 10, 2 );Now, when you check your site from the front end, you will see the custom message you’ve just customized.
The snippet also considers multiple items and grouped products when they are added to the cart and adjusts the message accordingly.
3. Custom Add to Cart Product Message with Checkout Link
Now let’s take it a step further. We know that most customers prefer shorter checkouts. What if you could customize the WooCommerce add-to-cart message to include a checkout link instead of a cart link? That way, you would cut out one step and shorten the checkout process.
In this case, we’ll add a link to the checkout that says “Proceed to checkout.
/**
* Change WooCommerce Add to cart message with a checkout link.
*/
function quadlayers_add_to_cart_message_html( $message, $products ) {
$count = 0;
$titles = array();
foreach ( $products as $product_id => $qty ) {
$titles[] = ( $qty > 1 ? absint( $qty ) . ' × ' : '' ) . sprintf( _x( '“%s”', 'Item name in quotes', 'woocommerce' ), strip_tags( get_the_title( $product_id ) ) );
$count += $qty;
}
$titles = array_filter( $titles );
$added_text = sprintf( _n(
'%s has been added to your cart. Thank you for shopping!', // Singular
'%s have been added to your cart. Thank you for shopping!', // Plural
$count, // Number of products added
'woocommerce' // Textdomain
), wc_format_list_of_items( $titles ) );
$message = sprintf( '<a href="%s" class="button wc-forward">%s</a> %s', esc_url( wc_get_checkout_url() ), esc_html__( 'Proceed to checkout', 'woocommerce' ), esc_html( $added_text ) );
return $message;
}
add_filter( 'wc_add_to_cart_message_html', 'quadlayers_add_to_cart_message_html', 10, 2 );If you check the front end, as soon as customers add a product to the cart, they will see an option to Proceed to checkout instead of the View cart button.
If the customer clicks on it, they will be redirected to the checkout page, skipping the cart page.
For more information, refer to our tutorial on skipping the cart page in WooCommerce.
4. Remove the Add to Cart Message
Alternatively, you can remove the add-to-cart message entirely. All you need to do is use the following code snippet:
add_filter( 'wc_add_to_cart_message_html', '__return_null' );Bonus: Customize the Add to Cart Button in WooCommerce
We’ve just seen various ways to change the WooCommerce add-to-cart messages. If you want to take your store to the next level, there’s one more thing you can do. Customizing the add to cart button can also be helpful to boost conversion rates.
Personalizing the button customers press to initiate the purchase process can significantly impact your sales and make your store stand out by avoiding the dull ‘add-to-cart’ buttons commonly used by other sites.
In this section, we’ll show you how to easily customize the add-to-cart buttons in WooCommerce using code snippets. All you have to do is copy and paste them into the functions.php file. For other options to personalize the add-to-cart button, refer to this comprehensive guide.
1. Change the Add to Cart Button Text
Similar to the add to cart message, you can change the text in the add to cart button. Go to Appearance > Theme Editor, open the functions.php file, and add the following code snippet.
add_filter('woocommerce_product_single_add_to_cart_text','QL_customize_add_to_cart_button_woocommerce');
function QL_customize_add_to_cart_button_woocommerce(){
return __('Buy this item', 'woocommerce');
}You will see that the text on the ‘Add to Cart’ button changes when you preview it on your website.
In this case, we’re changing the add-to-cart button text to “Buy this item,” but you can customize the code and add any text you want. Don’t forget to update the file after you finish your changes.
2. Redirect to Cart Page from Add to Cart Button
Another alternative is to redirect your customers to the cart page as soon as they add a product to their cart and display the add to cart messages.
All you need to do is go to WooCommerce > Settings and open the Products tab. Then, check the option to Redirect to the cart page after successful addition in the Add to cart behavior section. Don’t forget to save the changes.
Now, log in to your website as a customer, or open a new incognito window, and add a product to the cart. You will be redirected to the cart page immediately after adding the item.
These are just a few examples of how to customize the Add to Cart button, but there’s a lot more you can do. For more information, refer to our detailed guide on customizing the ‘Add to Cart’ button in WooCommerce.
Best WooCommerce Plugins to Customize the Store
Now, let’s explore some popular WooCommerce plugins that we can use to customize our store.
1. Custom Add To Cart Button for WooCommerce
The Custom Add to Cart Button for WooCommerce is a flexible plugin that allows you to take complete control over how the add-to-cart button looks and functions across your store.
Whether you want to change the button text, link, or behavior on product, shop, or category pages, this plugin makes it easy without requiring code modifications.
You can set custom button labels, such as “Buy Now” or “Add to Bag,” and even redirect customers to a custom URL or direct them to checkout after they click the button.
This is ideal for stores that want to create a faster shopping experience or run promotional campaigns. The plugin works with both simple and variable products, offering per-product customization that provides more granular control over user flows.
It is lightweight, easy to set up, and integrates smoothly with most WooCommerce-compatible themes, making it an excellent choice for store owners who want more flexibility with minimal setup.
2. Custom Add to Cart Button Label and Link
Custom Add to Cart Button Label and Link for WooCommerce is a handy plugin that lets you change the label and link of the add to cart button across your entire store.
Instead of the default WooCommerce behavior, you can direct customers to a custom URL and modify the button text to match your store’s goals. This is especially useful if you want to send users directly to the checkout page, a landing page, or even an external product page.
You can set different labels and links for product pages and archive pages, providing more flexibility in how your store is organized. Designed with ease of use in mind, the plugin works without any coding and supports simple product types.
It is an excellent choice for store owners looking to boost conversions or create a more guided shopping experience.
3. Custom Add to Cart labels for WooCommerce
Custom Add to Cart Labels for WooCommerce is a lightweight plugin that lets you customize the ‘Add to Cart’ button text based on product type.
It allows you to set different labels for simple, variable, grouped, and external products, helping you tailor the shopping experience across your entire WooCommerce store.
From the plugin’s settings panel, you can easily configure custom button texts like “Buy Now,” “Select Size,” or “More Info,” depending on the product type.
These labels automatically apply to both product and archive pages, making your store more user-friendly and informative without needing any code. This plugin is ideal for stores with a mix of product types or complex purchase flows.
Whether you’re selling physical products, digital downloads, or external items, Custom Add to Cart Labels for WooCommerce provides you with more control over button messaging and enhances customer engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now, let’s examine some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding this topic.
Yes, you can customize the default message using a PHP filter (wc_add_to_cart_message_html) in your theme’s functions.php file or with a plugin.
The message is generated dynamically via a WooCommerce filter and isn’t stored in a specific file. You can override it using the wc_add_to_cart_message_html filter hook.
You can use conditional logic inside the filter callback to check for specific product IDs, categories, or cart quantities and display a tailored message accordingly.
By default, no. You’ll need to write custom JavaScript that hooks into the added_to_cart event to update the message on shop/archive pages using AJAX.
Yes, some WooCommerce customization plugins or snippet managers allow you to modify system messages without requiring code changes. However, using a simple PHP snippet is often more flexible.
No, this change only affects the message shown after a product is added to the cart. It doesn’t alter any functionality or content on the checkout or cart pages.
Yes, placing your custom code in a child theme’s functions.php file is a safe and recommended way to make changes without losing them during theme updates.
Conclusion
All in all, editing the add-to-cart messages can be very useful in providing your customers with additional information and encouraging them to purchase more products from your store. Most stores leave the default messages, so you’ll stand out from your competitors.
In this article, we have learned various methods for customizing the ‘Add to Cart’ message in WooCommerce using code snippets. This will hopefully help you boost your sales and increase conversion rates.
The code snippets we’ve used are straightforward. Feel free to use them as a base and customize them for your site.
You can change the text of the messages, add links to different parts of your site, or even delete the add-to-cart messages. Additionally, we’ve seen a few examples of customizing the ‘Add to Cart’ button on your site.
We hope that this tutorial was helpful. If you’ve enjoyed the read, share this post with your friends and help them improve their online stores!
Here are some more articles that you might find interesting:
- How to hide and remove Add to cart button in WooCommerce
- How to Customize the WooCommerce Cart Page
- WooCommerce Add to Cart Button Not Working? How to fix it!
- How to Add the Add to Cart Button in Divi Shop Pages
Have you customized the ‘Add to Cart’ messages on your store?
What did you do?
Let us know in the comments below!