1. Choose a domain name on WordPress
On WordPress, creating an online store is similar to creating any site. Indeed, unlike e-commerce platforms such as Shopify or Adobe Commerce (ex-Magento), the most widely used CMS in the world works through a plug-in (WooCommerce). During this 1st step, you should choose your domain name. It is recommended to opt for a .com or .fr extension, and to buy your domain name. Follow the steps given 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, dedicated server, VPS (Virtual Private Server). Be sure to choose the one that will be best suited for your site in terms of server performance, ease of use, and cost.
2. Install WooCommerce Plugin
WooCommerce is an open source e-commerce solution. Its particularity: it comes in the form of a plug-in that allows you to create your e-commerce site easily on WordPress. Once your site is created, you just need to access the section Extensions, available on the left sidebar of the WordPress interface to find the WooCommerce plugin and install it. Once the installation is complete, you will need to enter basic information about your store: sector of activity, type of products offered for sale, details relating to your stock, etc.
WooCommerce then appears in the left sidebar of WordPress, you then have access to 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 presentation options.
- VAT : you have access to the taxes that correspond to your geolocation.
- Dispatch : you choose the delivery conditions, the countries in which you deliver or the costs relating to each country of dispatch.
- Ordered : this tab allows you to configure all the steps from order to payment. You set up your general conditions of sale, the transaction pages or the types of payment accepted.
- Accounts : here you manage customer accounts, as well as redirections depending on the action taken.
- Emails: this section allows you to configure email notifications for each transaction made.
3. Define a suitable theme for your online store
The choice of the theme, that is to say the visual aspect of your online store, is one of the steps that complete the configuration of the WooCommerce plugin. This is a crucial detail for your e-commerce site, because the chosen theme must highlight your products. Note that WooCommerce works automatically with all WordPress themes, so you have the option of keeping the theme initially selected when creating your website. Otherwise, other themes, specially optimized for WooCommerce, are also available. Besides, WordPress also allows you to create your own theme.
Good to know: if you want to have a concrete overview of a particular theme, be sure to add a few products before configuring it.
4. Design the interface and layout of your e-commerce site
The installation of WooCommerce automatically generates a central navigation interface composed of 4 options: the home page, the shopping cart, the payment and My account. On the other hand, the presentation of your e-commerce site must be easily understandable. This is reflected in particular by a navigation menu, which must clearly present the options offered by your website. By going to the section Appearance, you will be able to configure the elements to be included in your menu, 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 the menu structure.
5. Add products, text and images
Adding new products is quite intuitive. From section WooCommerce in the left sidebar of WordPress, select Products > Add. The interface is made up of several blocks and then allows you to choose a title for your product, integrate text, add shipping details, images and a short description listing the essentials to know about the product. product. You also have the possibility to add categories or tags to better list your different products.
6. Opt for complementary extensions
Thanks to WordPress and WooCommerce, you have the possibility to optimize your e-commerce site with complementary extensions, free or paid. Indeed, WooCommerce offers plug-ins related to payment, taking reservations or shipping. The solution is also compatible with other marketing, payment and analytics tools. The different extensions available are listed on the WooCommerce website.