As consumer interest in online shopping grows, many business owners are looking for ways to create an online store website. Shopping via digital platforms is now considered more practical because the system makes it easier for both buyers and sellers. Sellers who understand how to create an online store website no longer need to spend a lot of money to build a physical store for their business to function.
Before getting into how to make an online store, let's take a look at the WooCommerce plugin.
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What is a WooCommerce Plugin?
WooCommerce is basically an open-source WordPress plugin that can be used to create an online store website. WooCommerce can also be said to be a customizable e-commerce CMS. With WooCommerce, you can add various features to WordPress to make it function more like an online store or e-commerce website.
WooCommerce, as previously stated, is a WordPress plugin. So, before you create an online store, you must first prepare your WordPress website.
How Much Does it Cost to Set Up an Online Store?
Basically, WooCommerce and WordPress are open-source software that is free to use. But you need to know that several costs will be incurred to launch an online store website.
Nonetheless, WooCommerce is a customizable WordPress plugin. This means you can control the costs of creating an online store website. In addition, keep in mind that running a website will necessitate additional expenses such as hosting and domain registration.
How to Create an Online Store Website with WooCommerce
Step 1: Install WooCommerce
You can download WooCommerce from the WordPress repository and upload it to your website. You can install it directly from the WordPress page to make things easier.
First, you must log in to the WordPress page and open the dashboard page. On that page, please open the Plugins menu > Add New.
In the search field, type "WooCommerce." If you have found the plugin, click "Install Now." You need to pay attention and select the author plugin listed as "Automatic." After installing WooCommerce, click the "Activate" button to activate it.
At this stage, WooCommerce is up and running on your WordPress.
Step 2: Access the Setup Wizard
While this setting is optional, we recommend that you do so to configure some of the main settings. Click the "Run the Setup Wizard" button on your WordPress dashboard page to perform this setting. But if you don't find it, open the WooCommerce plugin menu > Help > Setup Wizard > Let's go!
On this page, WooCommerce will require you to fill in some basic information about your online store (store setup), such as your address, currency, and the types of products you sell. You should keep in mind that you can edit this Setup Wizard whenever necessary. After filling out the data/information, you can continue this step by clicking the "Let's go" button.
Step 3: Choose an Online Store Payment Method
Following the completion of store settings or store setup, the next step is to plan for the payment method that will be used by your website. This is the second setting on the Setup Wizard page.
In this payment setting, you can decide which payment method to use. By default, you can use Stripe, PayPal, and offline payments such as check or cash. So, feel free to choose the option that best meets your company's requirements, and WooCommerce will configure the settings for you.
Step 4: Configure Product Shipping Options
After choosing a payment method, you will be directed to the shipping settings page. Here, you can decide how much your customers need to pay for shipping. You can also set one rate for your preferred zone or location and a different rate for customers in other areas.
Step 5: Review Add-Ons Options
Adding new features or functions to your online store website is one way to improve its performance. WooCommerce will recommend several applications, tools, or features to optimize your online store.
Step 6: Install the Jetpack plugin
Jetpack is a WordPress plugin containing a collection of features to optimize the performance of an online store website. Some features can improve website security, analytical systems, and theme settings.
This step is optional, but if you use it, your online store web will have better functionality. However, if you feel you don't need an additional plugin, you can skip this step by pressing "Skip this step".
After filling in the information in the setup wizard, your online store website is ready to use. The next step is to add the product to your website page.
Stages of Adding and Managing Products
Once you set up your online store, your WordPress dashboard page will display a new "Product" menu. This menu is what you will be able to use to add and manage products.
To add a product, the steps required are:
1. Add a new product
Click the Products menu > Add New.
2. Fill in the title and description of the product.
Create a product title and information related to the product you are selling.
3. Create product categories.
You will see the Product Categories menu on the right side of the post editor. You can create product categories on the menu by finding the "Add new category" option. After that, select the category that best fits your product.
If you want to display images in each category, you can set it up by visiting WordPress dashboard >> Products >> Categories. Then select "edit" on the product category you want to fill with images.
4. Fill in product data
You can fill in product data under the post editor. This menu allows you to specify whether the product being sold is a virtual product that can be downloaded. If "yes," you can select that option; if "no," you can ignore it.
In addition, on the product data menu, there is a "Simple product" option to fill in other important information related to the products being sold, namely:
- General: Here, you can enter a regular price or discounted price.
- Inventory: Here, you can manage the available product stock. You can also enter a product SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) if you have one.
- Shipping: Here, you can enter the weight and dimensions of the product and set the shipping class.
- Linked Products: Menu to add upsell and cross-sell.
- Attributes: Menu to describe product characteristics.
- Advanced: Here, you can enter custom purchase notes and enable or disable the review field.
5. Make a brief description of the product
Under the product data widget, you will find a section for creating a brief product description. In this section, you can highlight product specifications and add product images. The information you have created will later be displayed as a brief explanation in the product catalogue or on a page containing a list of products you sell.
6. Set main product pictures
By clicking the "Set product image" menu, you can upload an image that will serve as the product's primary image. Meanwhile, to add a product photo gallery, you can upload images through the "Add product gallery images" menu.
7. Publish your product
The next step is publishing the product item if all the data and information are complete. This can be done by clicking the "Publish" button.
How to View Orders Obtained
After creating an online store website, the next step is to monitor the incoming orders on the site. To do this, use the following method to open the order menu:
- Select WooCommerce > Order from the Dashboard page.
WooCommerce will display a list of orders that enter your online store in this section.