Learn how to start an online store with WordPress in our comprehensive guide. From choosing the right domain to setting up payments, we've got you covered.
Approximate read time: 9.5 minutes
Starting an online business is a monumental task.
You have to set up your website, sell your products online, accept payments, and who knows what else you haven’t even considered!
We understand because we’ve been there.
But we’re here to tell you it’s not as scary as it seems. And it can take way less time than you think, too!
In this step-by-step tutorial, we'll show you how to build an online store with WordPress — from start to finish. And you won’t have to know any code to do it.
So, if you want to learn how to create a store on WordPress, keep reading!
What you need to create an online store with WordPress
The internet has changed our lives in so many ways.
And now anyone can create a website and start selling products is just one of them. But it’s a powerful tool that's helped many people transform their lives.
And you can use it to transform yours, too.
All you need is a few basic things:
- A domain name
- A web host
- An SSL certificate
- A few plugins
- A cup of coffee
Okay, the last one isn’t required. But it does help! 😉
So, let’s learn how to make an eCommerce website with a WordPress online store right now!
How to make an online store with WordPress
Step 1: Choose your online store platforms
First, you’ll need to get your domain name sorted out to start setting up a store on WordPress.
Your domain name is like your address on the Internet. It’s what users type in to access your website and view your excellent products!
You want to invest time into this and develop something that fits your business. Preferably keep it short and catchy, but a name that describes your site well so your target audience remembers it.
Once you’ve thought of yours, you can plug it into a Domain Registrar to see if it’s available.
There are plenty to choose from, but some top options are:
- Google Domains
- NameCheap
- Bluehost
- DreamHost
Domain prices vary, but you can usually find one for about $12-$15 per year. Also, many web hosts include your domain name when you purchase, so read on!
Next up is web hosting.
Web hosting helps get your website up and running on the Internet. It’s the company that builds your house (your website) at your address (domain).
You can often get your domain name and web hosting together in a package, making it easier for you to manage.
For example, some hosting companies give you your domain name for free. Starting out, you can find web hosting plans for around $5-$10.
Some top options for WordPress hosting we recommend are:
Last is an SSL certificate.
Think of this as the security system on your house so no one breaks in and steals essential items (like credit card numbers or other personal information).
With most web hosts, you’ll get an SSL certificate included.
Step 2: Create a WordPress site
Depending on your hosting service, your host may have already installed WordPress for you.
If not, you’ll have to get WordPress installed before you can continue with your website builder. We recommend checking out our post on building a WordPress from scratch to help you with that.
For most people, it’ll be as simple as a one-click installation. Then, you're off to the races!
After that, you want to choose your WordPress theme.
Ideally, you’ll have something light and fast because it will help your site load faster. And since you’re building an eCommerce store, it’s good to choose an eCommerce theme, so you can choose one that fits your needs.
Step 3: Set up your online store on WordPress
You have a few options for adding a store to WordPress.
You can use Shopify, WooCommerce, or MemberPress. And while they're all great options, we recommend using WooCommerce for its flexibility and valuable features.
It includes order tracking, delivery status updates, inventory management, plus many others. And there are even other WooCommerce plugins that help add extra abilities to your WooCommerce store.
So, install the WooCommerce WordPress plugin, then follow the setup wizard.
It will ask you for your business details to help configure shipping and tax rates, what type of products you sell, your business type, and more so it can adjust the WooCommerce settings to fit your needs.
Last, you can stick with your theme or choose one of the WooCommerce themes.
There are other WooCommerce plugins to add extra features to your site.
One particular plugin we recommend using is our own Formidable Forms.
With its drag and drop form builder, WooCommerce profile builder, and many payment methods, you get everything you need to manage a profitable online store from your WordPress dashboard.
Okay, now that we’ve got a few plugins ready, let’s start adding products to your shop!
Step 4: Add your products
To be clear, you can sell any product on your WooCommerce store — digital or physical.
And the process is similar for both. So, go to your WordPress dashboard to get started.
Next, go to Products → Add New.
Add your product title, description, category, and related tags here.
The Product Data box below lets you add more detailed information, like the price and tax. And there are a few separate sections: General, Inventory, Shipping, Linked Products, and Attributes, and you can add additional options.
You can set your prices, SKU, upsells or cross-sells, and other valuable information in these sections.
For example, if you’re running a clothing store, you can set your t-shirt prices, assign the product IDs, and then add any related products you have, such as other t-shirts to recommend.
Step 5: Accept payments
There are a few ways you can take online payments on your website.
You can use WooCommerce Payments, the only solution WooCommerce fully integrates. And it’ll allow you to accept credit and debit cards.
It also has extensions for Stripe, PayPal, and Square to add more payment gateways to your website.
Another option we mentioned earlier is using Formidable Forms.
Formidable has integrations with WooCommerce, Stripe, and PayPal, so you can easily add payments to your order forms!
And speaking of order forms, it’s an area where WooCommerce is a bit limited.
Instead, you can use Formidable Forms (specializing in forms) to create a custom WooCommerce order form for your website!
That way, you display your products with WooCommerce and then get orders and payments through Formidable!
Step 6: Send invoices and receipts
This is where things get tricky with WooCommerce.
To send invoices, you’ll have to purchase its PDF Invoices extension. But you probably know the drill by now.
Formidable can create PDFs from your form entries and automatically send them to customers or let you download them yourself!
And, even better, with its Views PDF editor, you can customize exactly how your PDF looks!
If you’re starting an online store, you want simple.
And with WooCommerce and Formidable, that’s precisely what you get.
Get Started with Formidable Forms!
Try Formidable on your eCommerce site risk-free with our 14-day money-back guarantee.
Step 7: Install other plugins for extra features
This is only the beginning!
With WooCommerce’s popularity, tons of excellent WordPress plugins are out there to help you expand your abilities.
We’ve already covered Formidable Forms, so we wanted to recommend a few more plugins to help you out. And that starts with analyzing your store traffic.
For that, MonsterInsights is the perfect analytics plugin. Over 3 million professionals use it, and that’s because it gives you real-time data and reports on your eCommerce sales, user behavior, and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) performance.
This plugin will help you get to know your traffic better so you can cater to them.
If you’re a B2B wholesale website, you should consider Wholesale Suite. The plugin offers wholesale pricing, order forms, tax control, shipping maps, and more.
If you plan on running BOGO deals, loyalty programs, gift card promotions, or other coupons, then we recommend Advanced Coupons.
And last, we recommend WooFunnels to help capture leads, boost your order values, and improve your sales funnel overall. After all, your leads are what lead to paying customers!
But remember, treat your plugins like guests in your house. You wouldn’t let anyone in, only the necessary ones.
You help speed up your WordPress website by keeping your plugin count low.
Step 8: Add an AI assistant or product quiz
Now that your website is running, let's help you wow your customers with an amazing shopping experience.
And there are two great ways to do it:
- Use AI
- Use product recommendation quizzes
When customers arrive on your site, they may need to learn what product is best for them. One way to attract more buyers is to make it easier for them to do this.
And when they’re told exactly the best product for them, that’s about as easy as it gets.
*Cue Formidable Forms*
We know it’s our plugin, so of course, we recommend it. But why wouldn't we recommend it if it can do all these things for your store?
Lucky for you, Formidable helps you use AI in WordPress and gives you product recommendation quizzes for WooCommerce for you to use. We’ve even made templates to make it faster for you (and we create more every day!).
With an AI field, you could have a simple field to answer any customer questions when unavailable.
Or, you can create a fun interactive quiz that gives them a product recommendation at the end!
Either way, improving your customer experience means more sales. And that’s more opportunities for your online store to grow.
FAQs
Is WordPress good for eCommerce stores?
Yes! WordPress is great for eCommerce stores!
On average, about 40% of all websites are built using WordPress. And that includes tons of online shops and small businesses. With WordPress’ huge offer of plugins, you can add any feature you need to your website with a simple installation.
So, don’t hesitate to make a WordPress online store!
Does WordPress take a percentage of sales?
No, WordPress doesn’t take a percentage of your sales.
WordPress provides you with a structure for you to display your website. However, WooCommerce, Shopify, and other eCommerce services may charge a percentage based on your sales.
Are you ready to create a store on your WordPress site?
Now that we've shown you how to make a store on WordPress, it's your turn to show us what you can do!
No more reading, planning, and preparing. It’s time for action!
So grab WooCommerce and Formidable Forms, and start making your online store right now. And let us know what you’re working on in the comments below! 👇 💬
Last, follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for more WordPress eCommerce tips and tricks!
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