WooCommerce Catalog Mode
Whether you’re looking to display products without ecommerce functionality or create a structured catalog layout, WooCommerce catalog mode offers versatile solutions for different business needs. This comprehensive guide will show you how to implement catalog mode in WooCommerce, including both plugin-based solutions and theme-integrated options.
Understanding WooCommerce Catalog Mode
The term “WooCommerce catalog mode” refers to displaying products in your online store without ecommerce functionality, where users can view but not purchase products.
Why Use Catalog Mode?
Catalog mode serves various business purposes:
- Wholesale Operations: Allow public browsing while restricting purchases to approved wholesalers
- Information Display: Showcase product specifications without immediate purchase options
- Professional Presentation: Create structured, easy-to-navigate product displays
Disabling Purchase Functionality
For Wholesale Stores: WooCommerce Wholesale Pro
If you’re running a wholesale operation, WooCommerce Wholesale Pro offers an excellent “Hide Price Until Login” feature that automatically puts your store into catalog mode for non-logged-in users.
When wholesale users log into their accounts, they’ll see products with prices and add-to-cart buttons. Other visitors will see products listed without prices or purchase options, with optional custom messaging explaining the wholesale-only nature of your store.
For General Stores: YITH WooCommerce Catalog Mode
The YITH WooCommerce Catalog Mode plugin provides comprehensive catalog functionality for non-wholesale stores, offering both free and premium versions.
Key Features:
- Disable purchasing for all users or specific user groups
- Hide add-to-cart buttons on product and shop pages
- Remove cart and checkout pages entirely
- Redirect users to custom URLs instead of product pages
- Configure catalog mode for non-account holders only
Advanced Catalog Features
Role-Based Pricing Implement different pricing structures for different user types using:
- WooCommerce Wholesale Pro for wholesale pricing
- WooCommerce Discount Manager for varied discount structures
- Custom role-based pricing rules
Request Quote Integration For businesses requiring custom pricing, integrate “Request a Quote” functionality instead of traditional add-to-cart buttons, allowing customers to inquire about specific products or bulk orders.
WoodMart Theme: Built-In Catalog Mode Solution
Important Note for WoodMart Users: If you’re using the WoodMart theme, you already have catalog mode functionality built right into your theme options, eliminating the need for additional plugins.
WoodMart’s “Catalog Mode” Feature
The WoodMart theme includes a catalog mode option that provides the same functionality as many premium plugins:
What It Does:
- Hides all “Add to cart” buttons throughout your site
- Removes the cart widget from your theme
- Disables cart and checkout pages
- Transforms your WooCommerce store into a pure product showcase
- Maintains all product information and browsing functionality
How to Enable:
Navigate to Theme Settings -> Shop -> Look for the “Enable catalog mode” setting.
Activate the option to instantly transform your store.
The last thing is to remove the Cart element in WoodMart -> Header builder.
This built-in feature means WoodMart users can avoid purchasing separate catalog mode plugins while still achieving professional catalog functionality.
Best Practices for Catalog Mode Implementation
Design Considerations
- Ensure clear navigation between the catalog and informational content.
- Provide obvious contact information for purchase inquiries.
- Maintain consistent branding throughout catalog pages.
Conclusion
WooCommerce catalog mode offers flexible solutions for businesses wanting to showcase products without immediate purchase options. Whether you need to disable purchasing functionality, create structured product displays, or both, there are multiple approaches available to meet your specific requirements.
For users of the WoodMart theme, the built-in “Enable catalog mode” feature provides an immediate, plugin-free solution that transforms your WooCommerce store into a professional product catalog. This eliminates the need for additional plugins while providing all the essential catalog functionality most businesses require. Ready to transform your WooCommerce store with professional catalog functionality? Explore the WoodMart theme and discover how its built-in catalog mode can streamline your product presentation without requiring additional plugins or complex setup processes.