Getting Began with WooCommerce – DreamHost

Whether or not it’s promoting classic treasures or making thousands and thousands from digital merchandise, establishing your individual on-line retailer will be actually thrilling. What’s extra, you don’t should be a tech professional to get began.

In reality, all you want is a WordPress website outfitted with WooCommerce. This highly effective plugin turns your website into an e-commerce retailer sooner than you’ll be able to say “ka-ching.”

In fact, there’s nonetheless a small studying curve concerned. That can assist you get began, we’ve compiled an entire introductory information.

Hold studying to be taught why WooCommerce is really easy to make use of and how one can arrange your individual retailer, configure merchandise, begin taking funds, and customizing your website.

What Is WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is a well-liked, free plugin that means that you can create a web-based retailer in your WordPress website.

First launched in 2011, WooCommerce was later acquired by Automattic in 2015, basically making it the formally supported WordPress e-commerce plugin. Since then, it has seen fairly speedy progress.

In line with statistics collected by Barn2, WooCommerce powers nearly 41% of all e-commerce web sites. This makes it the most well-liked e-commerce answer by far, nearly double its closest competitor (Shopify).

Why WooCommerce Is The Supreme Selection For Your On-line Retailer

So, what’s all of the hubbub about? To know why WooCommerce is so standard, it’s price taking a more in-depth have a look at what this plugin provides.

For a begin, WooCommerce is simple to put in and configure. Utilizing the fundamental free plugin on default settings, you’ll be able to arrange a retailer in lower than an hour.

On the similar time, WooCommerce provides a great deal of management for extra skilled sellers. You possibly can mess around with product prices, merchandise particulars, transport charges, taxes, inventory ranges, photographs, and far more.

You may also tailor the checkout process to fit your wants, due to customizable carts, geolocation options, and several other completely different fee gateways.

WooCommerce can be very scalable. As your website grows over time, the plugin makes it straightforward so as to add highly effective options and broaden your retailer.

WooCommerce Vs. Different E-commerce Options

This all appears to be like nice on paper, however you may be questioning how WooCommerce stacks up in opposition to the competitors.

Primarily based on reputation, the 2 closest rivals are Shopify (a standalone e-commerce platform) and Magento (a Content material Administration System or CMS).

Let’s evaluate WooCommerce to those main gamers on three key elements:

Pricing

WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce platform that’s 100% free. When you can lengthen the core platform with premium add-ons, the one obligatory expense is hosting, which begins at simply $2.95 per thirty days with DreamHost.

In distinction, Shopify and Magento cost month-to-month charges plus transaction charges. That provides up over time and may actually lower into your earnings.

Ease Of Use

You solely want a primary understanding of WordPress to arrange a web-based retailer utilizing WooCommerce. The admin space permits drag-and-drop constructing and enhancing.

Shopify additionally provides an intuitive dashboard, however customization can get sophisticated. In the meantime, configuring a Magento retailer requires extra technical data.

Options

You title it, WooCommerce has it: safe checkout, transport calculators, product administration, coupon codes, buyer critiques, sturdy reporting, and extra.

Shopify and Magento each supply related performance, however standard extensions and apps typically come at additional price. Most WooCommerce extensions are free, and even premium extensions are usually inexpensive.

The underside line: WooCommerce beats its closest rivals on pricing, whereas matching options. Plus, you get all the advantages of WordPress.

How To Set Up A Retailer With WooCommerce (5-Step Information)

Should you resolve to launch your new enterprise with WooCommerce, the subsequent step is to arrange your retailer.

As we talked about, WooCommerce is fairly straightforward to put in and configure. However for those who would really feel extra assured with a bit of steerage, right here’s an entire step-by-step tutorial:

Step 1: Set up The WooCommerce Plugin

Step one towards constructing your on-line enterprise is to put in WooCommerce.

Begin by logging in to your WordPress website and choosing Plugins > Add New Plugin within the left sidebar.

Use the search bar to seek out WooCommerce within the official Plugin Listing. The one you need needs to be the primary end result.

Click on the Set up Now button.

As soon as the set up course of is full, activate the plugin. You’ll then see a WooCommerce seem within the left sidebar. That is the place you’ll handle all of your retailer settings.

Step 2: Comply with The Setup Wizard

Should you open WooCommerce from the sidebar, the plugin will encourage you to launch the setup wizard.

After the welcome display screen, the wizard will ask you whether or not you’re establishing a retailer for the primary time or already promoting on-line. Select the related choice.

Subsequent, add your retailer particulars: title, location, business, and e mail. Afterward, this info will seem on all of your invoices, packing slips, and affirmation emails.

As soon as your small business particulars are entered, you’ll be able to select to put in the instructed extensions or wait till later.

Lastly, click on Proceed to launch your on-line storefront.

Step 3: Add Merchandise To Your Retailer

We’re able to promote, proper? Properly, not fairly. Your retailer wants some merchandise for those who’re going to make any cash.

To start populating your new retailer, faucet Add Merchandise on the beginning display screen.

Choose the related product kind. Select “Variable product “in case your product is available in completely different variations (e.g., sizes and/or colours).

Subsequent, fill out the important thing product particulars.

• Title and outline: Embrace key phrases that prospects would possibly seek for.
• Pricing: Set common and sale costs.
• Product photographs: Excessive-quality images will assist you to make gross sales.
• Product classes: Determine how merchandise are grouped in website navigation.
• Stock: Observe your inventory and arrange alerts.
• Delivery: Add the product weight and dimensions to calculate transport charges.

Should you’re establishing a “Variable” product, make sure that so as to add the completely different product variations below the Attributes tab.

End by publishing your new product. If you wish to add extra merchandise, you should use your first product as a template. Duplicate the primary product itemizing and edit the content material.

Step 4: Choose Your Cost Choices

To earn a living out of your merchandise, you might want to present prospects with a solution to pay for his or her purchases. Fortunately, WooCommerce makes it fairly straightforward to deal with transactions.

Essentially the most handy path right here is WooCommerce Funds. Powered by Stripe, this technique is totally built-in with the WooCommerce system.

To configure this fee choice, navigate to WooCommerce > Residence and choose Arrange funds. Then, click on on Get began and observe the setup directions.

If you wish to present prospects with an alternate, Stripe and PayPal are good choices. Each will let you settle for all main bank cards, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay. The latter additionally permits PayPal customers to pay instantly from their account, which can increase conversion rates significantly.

Different on-line fee choices embrace:

• AliPay
• Skrill
• Braintree
• Authorize.web
• Amazon Pay
• Sq.

You possibly can allow a number of standard fee strategies within the Arrange funds space. For extra granular management, navigate to WooCommerce > Settings and choose the Funds tab.

So as to add a brand new third-party processor, you will want to install the matching extension and arrange a fee account. Remember to verify the charges related to every gateway, as a result of they differ considerably.

Step 5: Configure Gross sales Tax And Delivery Choices

Each tax and transport could cause complications for brand new enterprise house owners. Fortunately, WooCommerce makes it pretty straightforward to gather the correct quantity and ship shipments to the best handle.

When you’ve arrange funds, the setup information will immediate you to “Add tax charges.”

Begin by visiting WooCommerce > Residence and discover the choice to Add tax charges. Right here, you’ve got two selections:

1. Arrange WooCommerce Tax, an extension that automates tax calculations.
2. Arrange your tax charges manually (see the small hyperlink on the backside of the web page).

WooCommerce Tax is certainly the simpler choice right here. You possibly can set it up in a few minutes by following the on-screen directions.

Should you want to set tax charges your self, you’ll be able to head to WooCommerce > Settings and choose the Tax tab.

• When you’re nonetheless contained in the Tax tab, choose Normal Charges from the sub-menu on the prime.
• Add tax charges by nation, state, and even zip code. Use the Insert Row button to create a brand new line after which enter your information.
• Lastly, save your modifications.

Should you’re solely promoting digital merchandise or affiliate gadgets, you’ll be able to skip to the subsequent step. But when your retailer provides bodily gadgets that should be mailed, you need to take a minute to arrange your transport choices.

Head to WooCommerce > Settings and select the Delivery tab. You’ll see the U.S. already added if the handle of your small business is in america.

However you’ll be able to add extra. On the prime of the web page, choose Delivery zones. Click on Add zone.

Delivery zones are geographical areas that you simply outline as having the identical transport necessities, together with carriers and forms of transport.

To configure your new zone:

• Add a reputation for the area. Make it descriptive.
• Within the Zone areas subject, select the places you wish to be included within the zone.
• Select which transport strategies needs to be obtainable within the new zone: free transport, flat price, or native pickup.
• Lastly, click on on every technique to regulate the price and any particular necessities (e.g. minimal order without spending a dime transport).
• Don’t depart your zone hanging. Hit that save button.

And similar to that, you’re prepared for lift-off! Your retailer now has the logic to deal with taxes like a seasoned accountant and ship packages as if it’s received its personal supply fleet.

Bear in mind to check every thing when you’re carried out. Make a mock buy to see if taxes and transport prices are added appropriately. It’s a good suggestion to run a system verify earlier than the actual deal.

How To Customise Your WooCommerce Retailer

We may actually spend a few days speaking about all of the methods you’ll be able to customise your new WooCommerce retailer.

Exploring the built-in choices ought to preserve you busy for some time, however whenever you’re able to take your retailer to the subsequent stage, there are two forms of upgrades to take a look at: themes and plugins.

WooCommerce Themes

WooCommerce works effectively with nearly any WordPress theme. Nonetheless, there are many themes particularly created for websites that use WooCommerce.

These themes assist you to customise your retailer’s look to match the remainder of your on-line presence. Some even add new performance associated to WooCommerce, akin to custom post types.

Most WooCommerce themes are primarily based on the official Storefront theme:

This theme is developed by the staff behind WooCommerce, so you’ll be able to make certain that it’s safe and that the mixing is bullet-proof. Storefront can be free, which is all the time a plus.

Whereas this theme works effectively by itself, it may be additional expanded utilizing one in all a number of child themes.

Should you’re not conscious, a toddler theme builds on an current theme (its “guardian”), enabling you to make modifications to the guardian theme with out enhancing it instantly.

Along with Storefront and its little one themes, you will discover a variety of WooCommerce-ready premium themes. Many of those are specialised for several types of shops.

For instance, Electro is particularly constructed for creating electronics retailers, whereas the Motor theme is tailor-made towards automobile dealerships. No matter your small business and tastes, you need to be capable of discover a theme that works completely for you.

WooCommerce Extensions

When you’ve picked out a theme in your retailer, it’s time to contemplate whether or not you want some extra options. 

WooCommerce extensions will let you introduce new performance to your WordPress retailer. Whereas they work very very similar to WordPress plugins, they’re particularly created to combine with WooCommerce.

Some extensions are free to make use of, whereas others require a one-time fee or an everyday subscription charge. Both means, you should use them to boost your retailer with superior options.

There are lots of of extensions at the moment, from gross sales evaluation instruments to safety plugins. We’re going to check out a couple of of the most effective choices for first-time WooCommerce customers.

1. WooCommerce Google Analytics

WooCommerce Google Analytics allows you to use Google Analytics to trace your retailer’s efficiency. This extension will help you perceive your prospects’ journey, together with how they discovered your website and which merchandise they’re most curious about. You possibly can then use this information to optimize your gross sales funnel.

Key Options:

• Tracks session size, customers, and referrers.
• Highlights which areas of your retailer carry out effectively and which want enchancment.
• Helps you perceive buyer conduct and product reputation.

Pricing: WooCommerce Google Analytics is a free extension, but it surely does supply a premium version as effectively, beginning at $79 per 12 months for a single website. Each extensions additionally require a free Google Analytics account.

2. WooCommerce Subscriptions

WooCommerce Subscriptions allows you to create merchandise that may be unlocked with recurring funds. The extension works each for bodily merchandise, akin to a month-to-month subscription field, and digital services or products.

Key Options:

• Allows you to decide on your fee schedule from a number of choices.
• Gives greater than 25 standard fee gateways.
• Helps automated subscription renewal emails for each you and your prospects.

Pricing: WooCommerce Subscriptions begins at $239 per 12 months for a single website.

3. WooCommerce Zapier

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WooCommerce Zapier is a good answer for integrating your retailer with third-party providers. With this one extension, you’ll be able to join WooCommerce with MailChimp, YouTube, Dropbox, Google Drive, and lots of different platforms.

Key Options:

• Integrates with over 1,000 third-party providers.
• Allows you to configure automation to save lots of time.
• Supplies efficiency studies by the “Digest by Zapier” characteristic.

Pricing: WooCommerce Zapier costs begin at $79 per 12 months for a single website.

4. Sq. For WooCommerce

Square for WooCommerce enhances your retailer’s fee choices, each on-line and in particular person. The extension could be very straightforward to put in, and also you’ll be capable of settle for fee inside minutes. Sq. is appropriate with all credit score and debit playing cards within the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Key Options:

• Makes it simpler to just accept funds from varied sources.
• Deposits your funds rapidly, inside 1-2 enterprise days.
• Allows you to rapidly sync your Sq. and WooCommerce accounts.

Pricing: Sq. for WooCommerce is a free extension that requires a Square account.

5 Ideas For Rising A Profitable WooCommerce Retailer

Now your retailer is full, you’ll be able to think about rising your new enterprise. Listed below are some key suggestions for attracting prospects and making gross sales:

1. Use Coupon Codes And Promotions To Increase Gross sales

Everybody loves a very good deal. As a retailer proprietor, you’ll be able to faucet into this common fact by providing coupon codes and promotions. They’re not simply money-savers in your prospects — they’re sale-makers for you.

Create time-sensitive reductions, bundle offers, or loyalty rewards. You may also give away free reward playing cards with purchases over a sure dimension. These little incentives will be sufficient to steer window consumers to make a purchase order.

To create promotional coupon codes, choose Advertising > Coupons from the left-hand sidebar.

2. Get Extra Prospects With Search Engine Optimization

Your retailer is a needle within the Web haystack. web optimization (SEO) will help you emerge from the pile, in order that extra prospects can discover your website.

To reap the advantages right here, make sure that to do your homework with key phrase analysis. Discover out which phrases your prospects are trying to find, after which weave these magic phrases into your product descriptions, titles, and metadata. Use a plugin like Yoast SEO to information you.

3. Use Analytics To Perceive Your Patrons

You don’t want a crystal ball to determine which merchandise to inventory. Instruments like Google Analytics can reveal worthwhile insights about your consumers.

Discover out the place they arrive from, how lengthy they hold round, and what catches their eye. With this intel, you’ll be able to higher perceive who your future prospects are more likely to be — and tailor your storefront to go well with.

4. Keep Correct Safety

Your on-line retailer is your kingdom, and each fortress wants defenses. Manner too many small companies fall sufferer to cyber assaults, resulting in loads of monetary ache.

To keep away from this destiny, often replace your WooCommerce and plugins.

Nerd Be aware: WordPress really provides automated updates for many plugins by way of Plugins > Allow auto-updates.

When you’re at it, allow data backups. It will will let you restore your website rapidly if anybody manages to interrupt in.

5. Create Customized Options With Blocks

WooCommerce Blocks means that you can create custom-designed pages while not having a PhD in coding.

Need a checkout that’s smoother than butter? There’s a block for that. Eyeing a product grid that’s cleaner than your Sunday greatest? Blocks have gotten you lined. Experiment with them to craft a retailer that completely matches your wants.

WooCommerce FAQs

Nonetheless have questions? We’ve solutions:

How a lot does WooCommerce price?

For self-hosted e-commerce websites, the WooCommerce plugin is totally free. As such, you solely have to cowl your internet hosting necessities and your area. You may also lengthen the core platform by paying for premium plugins and themes.

Do I want internet hosting for WooCommerce?

Sure. Or extra precisely, you want a hosted web site. Keep in mind that WooCommerce is definitely a plugin for WordPress, not a standalone retailer builder.

Are you able to dropship with WooCommerce?

Though WooCommerce doesn’t natively assist dropshipping, you’ll be able to introduce this characteristic by way of the WooCommerce Dropshipping premium plugin.

Can You Promote On WordPress With out WooCommerce?

Though WooCommerce might be the most effective e-commerce plugin, it isn’t the one choice. Search within the official Plugin Listing, and you can see loads of different choices.

Begin An On-line Retailer Right this moment

If you wish to use your WordPress website to promote items and providers, WooCommerce is by far your only option.

It’s the most well-liked e-commerce plugin for a cause, and it makes it extremely straightforward for novices and skilled customers alike to open a web-based retailer. The essential WooCommerce plugin allows you to construct a profitable enterprise, and you’ll enhance it even additional utilizing themes and extensions.

However bear in mind, constructing your e-commerce web site is simply step one. You’ll additionally have to make it possible for your retailer is all the time accessible and that you simply present an excellent buyer expertise. That begins with selecting a dependable internet hosting supplier.

With DreamHost, each plan is backed by a 100% uptime assure. And with our devoted WooCommerce plans, your website runs on optimized servers — which means lightning-fast loading occasions.

Take a look at our internet hosting plans at the moment to start your on-line retail journey!