eCommerce is a booming industry, and for a good reason. It’s convenient and satisfying to buy things online. So customers frequently make purchases from the comfort of their own homes rather than go out to shop.
That’s why many modern entrepreneurs want to start their own online stores. Of all the available content platforms, WordPress is the best for making an eCommerce shop.
It’s flexible and has tons of themes and plugins to choose from. Plus, it has other benefits that make it a great eCommerce hub.
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How to Make an eCommerce Site Using WordPress
If you have an idea for an eCommerce store, let’s break down the step-by-step process to launch it on WordPress.
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1. Choose a Domain Name and Decide on Hosting
When creating a website, you have to settle on a good domain name, especially when making an online store. Your domain name is essentially your online address. So try to pick a domain name that matches your online store’s business name.
Doing so will make it easier for your customers to find your website. Next, choose a WordPress hosting provider. In a nutshell, hosting providers give you the server space you need to run your online website.
For the best results, go with managed WordPress hosting whenever possible. You’ll have more server resources like bandwidth and storage space compared to shared hosting solutions.
2. Install WordPress and Set Up SSL Certification
Now it’s time to set up WordPress on your computer. Fortunately, WordPress offers one-click installation, as do most WordPress hosting providers. You can alternatively manually install WordPress, although this takes a little more technical know-how and some extra time.
Depending on the hosting provider you choose, you may also get free SSL certification as a perk. This is vital for anyone running an online store. SSL certification encrypts traffic to and from your website and keeps your customers’ information safe.
You won’t be able to run an online store successfully without SSL certification. If you don’t have it for free as a perk from your hosting subscription, then make sure to purchase it.
3. Create Your eCommerce Store Using WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a dedicated eCommerce platform built to work perfectly with WordPress’s code architecture. So it integrates pretty easily with WordPress’s broader CMS or content management system.
You can grab WooCommerce as a plugin by logging into your WordPress dashboard. Then search for it from the plugin menu. Note that you’ll probably need some technical expertise to make some edits to your site.
You can check out how to edit wordpress themes if you’re looking for a basic introduction.
4. Add Products
WooCommerce will set you up with a basic store platform and layout right off the bat. After this, it’s time to add products to your store.
Be sure to add unique product descriptions, names, prices, and pictures. The more distinctive and attractive you make your products, the easier it will be to sell those products to customers.
5. Customize Your Store
Your online storefront has to be as attractive and intriguing as that of a brick-and-mortar shop. To make your eCommerce shop stand out, use WooCommerce’s customization tools. For example, you can choose a theme, an outline for your store, and which pages are available.
We recommend adding a few pages at a minimum, so your customers have the tools they expect when they visit. These include contact pages, “About Us” pages, and so on.
6. Leverage Plugins for Added Functions
WordPress is one of the most popular website-building platforms mainly due to its integration with thousands of plugins. Plugins are little widgets that add additional features or functions to your website.
Here are just a couple of great plugins that can help your eCommerce store succeed:
- Yoast SEO, a plugin that enables you to improve your search engine optimization rankings
- Securi, a security plugin that works in conjunction with SSL certification
- Site Reviews, which allows your customers to leave reviews on your site. The more positive reviews you have, the faster your business will grow
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7. Grow Your Business
After you’ve finished customizing your store and placing your products, it’s time to launch it. As your site expands, you’ll need to pay attention to specific digital metrics, like the conversion rate. Doing so will help you add products and pages that make sense for your customers.
Your work as an eCommerce store owner is never really over. But congratulations! The hard part is done – now you can continue your entrepreneurial endeavors online. Good luck!
