1. Choose a domain name on WordPress
In WordPress, creating an online store is like creating any website. In fact, unlike e-commerce platforms like Shopify or Adobe Commerce (ex-Magento), The world’s most used content management system Works through a plugin (WooCommerce). During this first step, you must choose your domain name. It is recommended to choose a .com or .fr extension and purchase your own domain name. Follow the steps provided by WordPress to define the basic parameters of your website.
You will also need to choose a web host for your site, in order to store all your files. There are different types of hosting: shared server, dedicated server, VPS (Virtual Private Server). Make sure you choose the option that best suits your site in terms of server performance, ease of use, and cost.
2. Install the WooCommerce plugin
WooCommerce is an open source e-commerce solution. Its peculiarity: it comes in the form of a plugin that allows you to easily create your own e-commerce website on WordPress. Once your site is created, you just need to access the section Accessories, available on the left sidebar of the WordPress interface to find and install the WooCommerce plugin. Once the installation is complete, you will need to enter basic information about your store: sector of activity, type of products for sale, details about your inventory, etc.
WooCommerce then appears in the left sidebar of WordPress, after which you can access several tabs:
- general : This tab contains information about your online store, such as its location, delivery zones, and currencies.
- products: This section allows you to configure product-related parameters such as inventory management or display options.
- value added tax: You have access to taxes that correspond to your geographic location.
- Send: You choose the terms of delivery, the countries you deliver to, or the costs associated with each country of dispatch.
- Command : This tab allows you to configure all steps from order to payment. You set up general conditions of sale, transaction pages, or accepted payment types.
- Accounts: Here you can manage customer accounts, as well as redirects depending on the action taken.
- Email messages: This section allows you to configure email notifications for each transaction made.
3. Determine a suitable theme for your online store
Choosing a theme, that is, the visual aspect of your online store, is one of the steps that complete the configuration of the WooCommerce plugin. This is an important detail for your e-commerce site, because the theme chosen should highlight your products. Note that WooCommerce works automatically with all WordPress themes, so you have the option to keep the theme initially selected when creating your website. Otherwise, other topics, in particular Optimized for WooCommerce, also available. Besides, WordPress also allows you to Create your own topic.
Good to know: If you want to get a specific overview of a particular topic, be sure to add some products before configuring it.
4. Design the interface and layout of your e-commerce site
Installing WooCommerce automatically creates a centralized navigation interface with 4 options: Home, Shopping Cart, Checkout, and Arithmetic. On the other hand, the presentation of your e-commerce website should be easy to understand. This is particularly reflected through the navigation menu, which should clearly display the options your website provides. by going to the section appearance, You will be able to configure the items that will be included in your list, as well as its structure. Depending on the chosen WordPress interface, through the theme you can make a number of changes to the layout or menu structure.
5. Add products, text and images
Adding new products is quite intuitive. from oath WooCommerce Books Online In the left sidebar of WordPress, select Products > Add. The interface consists of several blocks and then allows you to choose a title for your product, embed text, add shipping details, images, and a short description that lists the essentials to know about the product. You also have the possibility to add categories or tags to better list your different products.
6. Choose complementary accessories
Thanks to WordPress and WooCommerce, you have the possibility to enhance your e-commerce website with complementary plugins, free or paid. In fact, WooCommerce offers payment, booking, or shipping related plugins. The solution is also compatible with other marketing, payment and analytics tools. The different file extensions available are listed WooCommerce site.