How To Create an eCommerce Website In WordPress

Introduction.

Building an eCommerce website can feel like a huge task, but it’s more doable than you might think—especially with WordPress.

Having your online store gives you the freedom to showcase your products, grow your brand, and connect directly with your customers. And the best part? You don’t need to be a coding wizard to make it happen.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to create an eCommerce website using WordPress. I’ll break it all down into easy steps, share tips, and clear up any confusing parts along the way.

By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to set up your online store.

Let’s get started.

Why Choose WordPress for eCommerce?

WordPress is one of the most popular website builders in the world. Over 43% of all websites on the internet are built on it, according to recent stats. The reason? It’s flexible, user-friendly, and offers tons of customization options.

With the help of plugins like WooCommerce, WordPress becomes a powerful tool for creating online stores. WooCommerce powers 28% of all eCommerce websites, making it the go-to choice for many online businesses.

How Do I Build an eCommerce Site in WordPress?

1. Get a Domain Name and Hosting

Before you can start building your site, you’ll need two things:

A domain name: This is your website’s address (like yourstore.com).
Hosting: This is where your website lives on the internet.

Look for reliable hosting providers that offer good speed, security, and support. Companies like Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator are often recommended for WordPress users. Some even offer one-click WordPress installations to make things easier.

2. Install WordPress

Once you’ve got hosting, most providers have simple tools to install WordPress in just a few clicks. After installation, log in to your WordPress dashboard.

3. Install and Activate WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns WordPress into a fully functional eCommerce platform. To install it:

Go to Plugins > Add New in your dashboard.
Search for “WooCommerce” and click Install Now.
Activate the plugin once it’s installed.

WooCommerce will guide you through a setup wizard to configure basic settings like your store location, currency, and payment methods.

4. Choose a Theme for Your Store

Your theme controls how your site looks. There are thousands of WordPress themes, but for eCommerce, look for ones optimized for WooCommerce.

Popular free options: Astra, Storefront, or Neve.
Paid options: Flatsome or Divi for advanced customization.

Install your chosen theme by going to Appearance > Themes > Add New, then activate it.

5. Add Your Products

Now comes the fun part—adding products!

Go to Products > Add New in your dashboard.
Enter a product title, description, price, and upload high-quality images.
Organize products with categories and tags to help customers navigate your store.

If you’re selling digital products, WooCommerce lets you mark items as “Downloadable” or “Virtual” to skip shipping steps.

6. Set Up Payment Methods

WooCommerce supports popular payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and direct bank transfers. During the setup wizard, you can choose the options that work best for you.

For PayPal or Stripe, you’ll need to link your account.
WooCommerce Payments (available in certain regions) is another convenient option.

7. Configure Shipping Options

For physical products, you’ll need to set up shipping methods.

Flat rate: Charge a fixed shipping fee.
Free shipping: Offer free delivery for certain orders.
Real-time rates: Use plugins to calculate rates based on weight, dimensions, or location.

Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping to configure these options.

8. Customize Your Website

This step is all about making your store unique and user-friendly.

Use menus to organize your pages (like Home, Shop, About, and Contact).
Customize your site’s colours, fonts, and layout in Appearance > Customize.
Add widgets like search bars or product filters to improve navigation.

9. Test Everything

Before launching your site, test it thoroughly:

Add items to your cart and go through the checkout process.
Ensure payment gateways work correctly.
Check your site on mobile devices—it should look good and work smoothly.

10. Launch Your Store

Once everything looks and works the way you want, it’s time to go live! Spread the word on social media, send out an email to your contacts, and maybe even offer a launch discount to attract customers.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to know coding to build an eCommerce website in WordPress?

A: No, WordPress and WooCommerce are beginner-friendly, and most tasks involve clicking through settings and adding information.

Q: How much does it cost to build an eCommerce website?

A: Costs vary depending on your choices. Here’s a rough breakdown:

Domain: $10–$20/year
Hosting: $3–$30/month
Premium themes or plugins (optional): $20–$200 one-time or per year
So, you can start with as little as $50–$100.

Q: Can I use free plugins for advanced features?

A: Yes, many free plugins extend WooCommerce’s functionality. Examples include:

WooCommerce Shipping & Tax for shipping and tax calculations.
Product Add-Ons for customization options.

Q: What if I want a custom design?

A: You can use page builders like Elementor or hire a developer for a unique look.

Final Thoughts

Creating an eCommerce website with WordPress doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and steps, anyone can set up a professional online store.

Whether it’s a small boutique or a large-scale business, WordPress and WooCommerce offer the flexibility to grow as your needs evolve.

Are you ready to build your WordPress store? What’s the first product you’d love to sell? Let me know in the comments below!