How to Change “Return to shop” Link in WooCommerce? (Free Method)

If you’ve ever clicked the “Return to Shop” button in WooCommerce, you know it takes customers to the default WooCommerce shop page. While this works for many, there are times you might want to redirect this link to a custom page—like a promotional page, category page, or even your homepage. Customizing this link can improve navigation and enhance the shopping experience.

To change the “Return to Shop” link in WooCommerce, go to Appearance > Theme File Editor > functions.php in your WordPress dashboard. There, add a custom PHP snippet function using the woocommerce_return_to_shop_redirect filter to set the new URL. Then, hit on Update File to save the changes and test to ensure the link redirects correctly.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to modify the Return to Shop link in WooCommerce with the easiest and free method. Even you don’t need to be an expert in coding. You can just copy and paste the code, and your “Return to Shop” link will be changed to your preferred page.

Why Change the “Return to Shop” Link?

Customizing the Return to Shop link can be essential for several reasons:

• Better User Experience: Redirect users to a page that aligns with their preferences or your sales strategy.
• Promotions and Campaigns: Direct traffic to specific promotional pages or best-seller categories.
• Personalized Navigation: Provide a more tailored shopping experience by linking to relevant content.

5 Easy Steps to Change return to shop link in WooCommerce (Free)

Step 1: Access Your Theme’s functions.php File

• Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
• Navigate to Appearance > Theme Editor.
• On the right-hand side, you’ll see a list of theme files. Look for functions.php.
• Click on functions.php to open the file for editing.

Step 2: Add a Custom PHP Function to Change “Retuen to Shop” Link

You need to write a custom PHP function that modifies the “Return to Shop” link URL in WooCommerce.

• Insert the code: Add the following PHP code snippet to change the Return to Shop link:

add_filter('woocommerce_return_to_shop_redirect', 'custom_return_to_checkout_link');

function custom_return_to_checkout_link() {

    // Redirect to the WooCommerce checkout page

    return wc_get_checkout_url();

// You can change this URL to any custom page

}

• Scroll to the bottom of the functions.php file and enter the code.

Note:

1. The code uses a WordPress filter woocommerce_return_to_shop_redirect to modify the URL of the “Return to Shop” link.

2. The function wc_get_checkout_url() is used to return the checkout page URL, but you can replace it with any other URL (such as a custom page URL).

Step 3: Customize the Link (Optional)

If you want the “Return to Shop” link to redirect to a page other than the checkout, you can change the link.

For example, if you want to direct users to a custom page, replace wc_get_checkout_url() with the custom URL. For example:

return home_url('/your-custom-page');

1. This will redirect users to https://yourwebsite.com/your-custom-page.

Bonus Tip:

If you want to use a page from WooCommerce, you can use the get_permalink() function like so:

return get_permalink(woocommerce_get_page_id('shop'));

Step 4: Save Changes to functions.php

• Save the Changes:
  • After adding the PHP code, click the Update File button at the bottom of the editor to save your changes.

Important:

Always back up your site before editing any theme files to prevent accidental loss of data.

Step 5: Test the “Return to Shop” Link

You need to check if the changes have taken effect and that the link now redirects to your desired page.

• Add a product to your WooCommerce cart.
• Remove the product from the cart or go to the empty cart page.
• Look for the “Return to Shop” link.
• Click on the link and ensure it redirects you to the new page (checkout or your custom page).

Best Practices for Changing the “Return to Shop” Link

Making changes to the “Return to Shop” link in WooCommerce requires precision and planning. Following best practices ensures your updates enhance user experience without disrupting your site.

1. Use a Staging Site

Always test changes on a staging environment before applying them to your live store. This minimizes the risk of downtime or unexpected errors.

2. Backup Your Site

Create a full backup of your website before editing code or installing plugins. This ensures you can restore your site if anything goes wrong.

3. Keep SEO in Mind

Ensure the redirect URL aligns with your SEO strategy to maintain or improve your website’s search engine ranking.

4. Check for Broken Links

After making changes, verify that all links, including the modified “Return to Shop” link, work correctly to avoid 404 errors.

5. Use Descriptive URLs

If you’re redirecting to a custom page, use a URL that clearly describes the purpose of the page to improve user trust and click-through rates.

6. Document Your Changes

Maintain a log of any custom code added or changes made. This helps you or your developer troubleshoot or update your site in the future.

FAQs

Conclusion

Changing the Return to Shop link in WooCommerce is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your store’s navigation and user experience. Whether you prefer coding or using plugins, this guide provides all the steps you need to make the change effectively. Remember to test your modifications and keep your store updated to avoid any issues.

When you redirect the Return to Shop link to your store’s needs, you can create a more engaging shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.