WooCommerce Remove Shipping from Checkout: A Complete Guide

Sep 25, 2023

Streamlining the checkout process is a crucial aspect of enhancing the user experience in eCommerce. However, not all stores require shipping options in their checkout flow. This article will explore the steps to WooCommerce remove shipping from checkout page. By doing so, you can create a more focused and efficient purchasing journey for your customers, ultimately boosting conversions and satisfaction levels.

When Should You Remove Shipping from Checkout in WooCommerce?

Removing shipping options from the WooCommerce checkout becomes necessary in several scenarios, each driven by unique business requirements. Here are some common situations when you might need to consider removing shipping from your WooCommerce checkout:

  • Digital products: If your online store exclusively sells digital products, such as software, e-books, or online courses, there's no need to offer shipping options. Removing them simplifies the checkout process and avoids confusion.
  • Services: Service-based businesses like consulting or web design firms often don't require shipping. In such cases, eliminating shipping choices ensures your customers focus solely on the service selection and payment.
  • Local pickup only: When your business operates on a "local pickup only" model, providing shipping options can lead to unnecessary complexity. Removing them emphasizes the local pickup choice during checkout.
  • Free shipping promotions: During promotional periods where you offer free shipping, keeping other shipping options visible might discourage customers from choosing the free option. Removing additional shipping choices can help maximize the impact of your promotion.
  • Subscription products: For subscription-based businesses, customers often expect consistent, predefined shipping schedules. If shipping isn't customizable for these products, removing those options simplifies the checkout process.
  • Reducing cart abandonment: Complicated or irrelevant shipping choices can contribute to cart abandonment. Streamlining the checkout by removing unnecessary options can increase conversion rates.
  • International sales: If you have strict geographic limitations and only serve specific regions or countries, removing shipping options for areas outside your service area prevents confusion and potential orders you can't fulfill.

Option #1: Remove a Shipping Address From WooCommerce Cart

Follow the guidelines below to remove shipping address from WooCommerce checkout.

  • First, navigate to WooCommerce > Settings from your WordPress dashboard.
  • Then, go to the Shipping section, and select the Shipping options tab.
  • After that, select Force Shipping to Customer Billing Address in the Shipping Destination, and then click the Save Changes button to save the selections.

By doing this, the shipping part of the default checkout form will be removed, allowing consumers to easily finish the transaction.

Option #2: Disable WooCommerce Shipping & Shipping Calculations

This is recommended if you sell digital products like music, videos, images, ebooks, etc.

To hide shipping calculations in WooCommerce checkout, follow the steps below:

  • From your WP dashboard, go to WooCommerce > Settings.
  • Once you arrive at the Settings page, scroll down to the General section
  • Navigate to the Shipping locations, click on the small dropdown icon, and choose Disable Shipping & Shipping Calculations.
  • Once finishing, don’t forget to click Save to update your changes.

Please remember that this method will completely remove the shipping options and shipping detail section from your store. Your customers will not see the shipping calculator on their cart and checkout pages.

Option #3: Remove Shipping From WooCommerce Cart Using PHP

With this method, you need to create a child theme to avoid any unexpected errors to your main theme.

  • After creating a child theme, activate it and go to Appearance > Theme File > Editor.
  • Open your functions.php theme file.
  • Copy the code below and paste it into the functions.php file.
function updimes_disable_shipping_calc_on_cart( $show_shipping ) { if( is_cart() ) { return false; } return $show_shipping; } add_filter( 'woocommerce_cart_ready_to_calc_shipping', 'updimes_disable_shipping_calc_on_cart', 99 );
  • Finally, do not forget to save your changes.

WooCommerce Remove Shipping from Checkout: FAQs

1. How do I hide shipping in WooCommerce?

To hide shipping in WooCommerce, navigate to WooCommerce > Settings, select Disable Shipping & Shipping Calculations under General Options. This method is ideal for stores selling digital products, eliminating shipping entirely.

2. How do I get rid of the shipping calculator on my cart page?

Remove the shipping calculator in WooCommerce by going to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping, and unchecking Enable the shipping calculator on the cart page.

3. How do I change shipping text in WooCommerce checkout?

To change shipping text in WooCommerce checkout, use a plugin like WooCommerce Customizer for non-technical users or add custom code in your theme's functions.php to modify specific text elements to your desired wording.

Final Words

Removing shipping options from the WooCommerce checkout aligns your online store with your business model and customer expectations. It enhances the user experience, reduces friction during checkout, and ensures that customers can quickly and confidently complete their purchases, leading to higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.

Alice Pham

Writer and Blogger about Technology and Marketing. I also share my knowledge of Shopify, WordPress, and WooCommerce. Contact me via email: thuyphuong082@gmail.com or alicepham8295@gmail.com

Great! You've successfully subscribed.
Great! Next, complete checkout for full access.
Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.
Success! Your account is fully activated, you now have access to all content.