WooCommerce: e-Commerce, Conveniently.

WooCommerce is a free open-source platform

WooCommerce is a popular e-Commerce platform, that functions as a plugin for WordPress. It applies the framework for a WordPress site to become an online store after installing it and becomes a powerhouse for e-Commerce Search Engine Optimization, analytics, and shipping after installing a couple of plugins!

Unlike other e-Commerce platforms like Shopify and Bigcommerce, WooCommerce is an open-source solution. Both WordPress and the plugin WooCommerce are free for personal and commercial use. So you can install and start using them immediately.

Just because installing them is free doesn’t mean there won’t be additional expenses, though: domain, hosting, email, theme, support are just some things you may need to pay for. These features are usually included with other e-Commerce platforms, such as Shopify, so that may be important to consider moving forward.

In the “add plugins” menu, search for “WooCommerce” and click Install Now

After installing the plugin, it will prompt you to fill out important information for your store through a setup wizard.

Installation is Simple

Installing WooCommerce on your WordPress site is relatively simple, and can be finished in minutes; all you need is:

 

    • A hosted, WordPress-powered website with a domain name.
    • The WooCommerce plugin installed on the WordPress site.
    • A theme that is compatible with WooCommerce.

Payment Gateways

It should be made clear that WooCommerce does not provide its own payment gateway upon installation, though. Setting up a payment gateway requires an account for the gateway of choice, which requires additional setup. When choosing a gateway, we would recommend Authorize.net, Stripe, or Square, as they are the most used platforms.

Final Thoughts

WooCommerce is simple to use, and it provides a lot of tools for a WordPress-based store. We would recommend it to any small business looking for a way to move forward into selling their products on an online platform.