Guide to creating a WordPress eCommerce website
eCommerce has paved its way in the retail scenario. It has turned heads and accounts for a significant part of the industry, offering platforms and various services. Venturing out on the eCommerce platform is more straightforward than before, with all the right things, just a click away.
Today, we talk about one such venture by using the WordPress platform to build an eCommerce store. The next question in everyone’s mind is, why would we choose WordPress, among other solutions.
It is readily accessible, and the flexibility of usage makes it the system of choice. The user functions and features apply to all stores and can change depending upon the chosen preferences.
So, if you’re in, let’s look at all the intricacies that go into creating an eCommerce website using WordPress. Here is a walkthrough of all the guidelines for making the WordPress eCommerce website.
1. Choosing a domain name
The first step to starting an eCommerce website is setting up the domain name. It will function as the address of the website. Determining the identity of a website occurs through the domain name. Securing ownership of a domain is of value for the operations of the business.
Next is the hosting provider. For hosting the website and its offerings, the provider is essential. Hence, the business website has an entire server solely present for its use. After both of the elements are in place, initiating the installation of WordPress is a cakewalk.
Either it can happen manually or through single-click access. WordPress has several recommendations for hosting providers like BlueHost, FlyWheel and others.
WordPress is mainly a free to use platform with charges applicable only for premium versions, upgrades and personal benefits. The fees involved come along with the hosting provider and the domain provided. Hence, the installation of WordPress is quite economical along every step of the process.
2. Choosing an eCommerce plugin
WordPress doesn’t have standard features which can distinguish it from the premium versions apart from the integrated plugins. The plugins add functionality to a variety of attributes which help in customizing the eCommerce platforms.
The extensions that come with the plugins give you total control over the digital storefront through online recommendations. Many popular plugins can come to your rescue. Examples include WooCommerce, SeedProd, UpDraftPlus and so forth.
Payment channels also provide an all-round user experience with payments occurring swiftly and efficiently. Each of the plugins has a different interface benefit and bandwidth accessibility. Hence, there’s an improved exposure to control, exclusivity and storage.
3. Installing plugins
One of the significant steps which require consideration is whether the hosting provider is compatible with the plugins. WordPress provides ease and convenience of installation. The solution is a one-stop solution for all eCommerce needs, including safety and security.
The installation process is not at all time-consuming and happens in a relatively straightforward manner. The steps of installation are as follows:
- Gain access to the dashboard through the login portal.
- From the sidebar, select the plugin option and then choose the function- ‘Add new’ to add the plugin.
- Search for the plugin and click on the ‘Install Now’ to begin the process.
The process is easy to understand and readily accessible at all points in time. The high-level security ensures that there’s no leaking of personal details, and they remain protected always.
4. Product pages and categories
Every eCommerce business constitutes products and services that require an appropriate set-up. After all, covering the basics is essential, and the following features should be available: Title, description, image and corresponding price range.
The option of adding both physical and virtual products is available. The products section of an eCommerce website is very similar to the blog section of WordPress. Like posing blogs, adding products is simplified with the options present.
Every product category has a different type applicable. Filtering the data is simple and can be diverse varying from simple to variable. Each class has descriptions and individual properties specific to the type of product included.
Apart from the physical products, there are virtual ones which include downloads respectively. Certain products are available online too. The ones available for download purposes are of different varieties and formats.
While adding either category of the products, utmost consideration is necessary for the product title, descriptions, tags and image quality. The occurrence of keywords in the classes also determines the search intent.
5. Payment gateways
The checkout process is the final step in the buyer’s journey. Similarly, setting up a payment gateway is the last step in creating a WordPress website too. After all, a channel of payments is essential for obtaining payments from the clientele.
Multiple payment options are the best way to retain older customers and acquire new leads. While choosing payment gateways, various factors require close observation and upkeep.
Attributes like service costs, integration ability, available plugins, third-party compatibility and so forth are part and parcel of the payment gateways. In addition to these features, the safety and security provided are also important. Further, the customer support feature is also vital to online transactions.
Many times payment gateways crash due to multiple reasons. In such cases, having numerous options helps in seamless transactions. Further, with strong backend support and backups for the rest of the records, payment gateways can function without any hassle.
Conclusion
With the support of this guide, all the how-to guidelines are available at a single location. After a closer look at the different aspects of creating a WordPress website, the platform will be up and running in no time.
Every step is clear and concise. Right from choosing a domain name from the registry to adding the inventory of goods, everything is attainable and straightforward with the entire installation process.
The development of an eCommerce platform is elementary, with the ease and convenience of the site-building features available with the WordPress website’s creation. The functionality and expansion of components are possible with the help of a professional website designer.
