WordPress enables you to build top-notch ecommerce websites with minimum effort. In this article, we’ll share a step-by-step guide for beginners.
Table of Contents
Buy a Domain Name
An ideal domain name reveals the essence of your business. It should be short and easy to remember. Make sure it doesn’t resemble any other name that is already taken.
Pick a Hosting Plan
Shared hosting is the most budget-friendly option. Yet it doesn’t provide enough security guarantees for online shopping.
The optimal hosting provider for WordPress websites is Bluehost. It will automate many aspects of your online store’s setup. Its prices are affordable.
Install WordPress
Feel free to choose from one-click or manual installation. The former variant is more convenient but not all providers support it. If you opt for the manual method, be ready to download WordPress first and then upload it to your hosting account.
Install and Configure WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a plugin that will convert your website into a full-fledged online store. Once you have installed it, stick to this scheme:
- Fill in the form with your business details
- Indicate the payment options that you want your store to be compatible with
- Specify shipping options
- Decide on the complementary plugins and theme
- Install JetPack
You won’t need to pay to complete all these actions. But if you want to extend your store’s functionality with premium plugins, you have a right to do so.
Select a Theme
You’ll be able to choose from free and premium themes. Hand-pick those that you like the most and read people’s reviews about them to make sure they’re reliable. Check the theme in demo mode — and if everything is fine, make it go live.
Add Products
When you add a product to your catalog, specify the following details about it:
- Category
- Name
- Price
- Images
- Description
The system supports two types of descriptions: short and long.
To make the product available to customers, it’s enough to add one photo to its page. To boost sales, you should add more pictures that show the object from different angles. Plus, consumers will want to see how to use this thing.
Install Additional Plugins
These three solutions should come in particularly handy:
- Yoast for SEO guidance. It allows you to improve your search engine ranking and boost your visibility. You’ll be able to attract more clients and make more sales.
- Securi for security. This is not a free product. You’ll need to spend a few hundred dollars per year on it, depending on which plan you choose. Security is paramount for an online store that processes customers’ financial transactions, so it doesn’t make sense to economize on it.
- Site Reviews for reviews. Your clients will get a chance to leave product reviews on your website. It’s a great tool for motivating other people for purchase. Your conversion rates will increase.
If you wish, you’ll be able to add many more plugins to extend the functionality of your online store.
Add Compelling Content
Below, we’ll analyze four types of content that are paramount for an ecommerce website.
Privacy Policy
Every online store needs to have it. WordPress won’t allow you to make your website available to the public without a privacy policy. The system will offer a template that you can customize.
Product Images
To create stunning product photos, you should:
- Get a good camera
- Find a simple background
- Make high-quality photos
The more detailed and complex the item, the more photos it needs.
Even if you sell such simple items as frozen meals, try to add at least three photos to each item: the package, the product with the open package and the product that has been cooked and served on a visually appealing plate.
Product Descriptions
Try to put yourself in your customers’ shows. Provide people with the answers to the questions that they will be likely to ask. Describe with words those characteristics of your products that photos fail to demonstrate. Keep your texts short and use bullet points.
Stick to the same description template for all your products.
Microcopy
This term denotes various short texts that are scattered all around your website:
- Words that are written on the buttons
- Names of the menu sections
- Calls to actions
- Error messages
- Navigational hints
Such texts are alternatively known as “UX copy”. They improve user experience and help people find what they’re looking for. Ideal microcopy is short, simple and unambiguous.
Customers might fail to appreciate straightforward CTAs that encourage them to spend money immediately — such as “Buy now!”. It would be more reasonable to invite them to check the products by saying something like “Have a browse”.
Make Your Website Go Live
After you have finalized all the steps that were described above, review your online store one more time. Then, make it available to people and start selling!
