How To Sell Services With Woocommerces

Sell Services Like a Pro: A Newbie-Friendly Guide to WooCommerce Services

Want to sell your amazing skills online but feel intimidated by the tech? Don’t worry! WooCommerce, primarily known for selling physical products, can be a fantastic platform for selling services too! This guide breaks down how to leverage WooCommerce to build a successful online service business, even if you’re a total newbie.

Why WooCommerce for Services?

You might be thinking, “WooCommerce is for *products*! Why use it for services?” Here’s why it’s a smart choice:

• Familiar Platform: If you’ve ever bought anything online, you’ve likely encountered a platform *like* WooCommerce. This familiarity makes it user-friendly for both you and your potential clients.
• Customization Power: WooCommerce is highly customizable. You can tailor it to perfectly fit your service offerings, from single sessions to ongoing packages.
• Payment Flexibility: Accept payments the way *you* want! Credit cards, PayPal, direct bank transfers – WooCommerce offers a wide range of payment gateway integrations.
• Order Management: Keep track of bookings, appointments, and requests all in one place. No more sticky notes or scattered emails!
• SEO Benefits: WooCommerce is built on WordPress, a search engine powerhouse. This means your service listings can rank higher in Google searches, attracting more clients.

Think of it this way: WooCommerce allows you to create a professional-looking “online storefront” for your skills, just like a store selling physical goods. But instead of t-shirts, you’re selling your expertise!

Setting Up Your WooCommerce Service Store

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Install WordPress and WooCommerce:

• If you don’t have a website yet, you’ll need to get hosting and install WordPress. Most web hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation.
• Once WordPress is running, navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for “WooCommerce”. Click “Install Now” and then “Activate”. WooCommerce will guide you through its setup wizard.

2. Choose the Right Theme (or Tweak Your Existing One):

• Select a WordPress theme that looks professional and is responsive (works well on all devices).
• Many themes are compatible with WooCommerce. Some are even specifically designed for service-based businesses.
• Don’t be afraid to customize your theme’s colors, fonts, and layout to match your brand!

3. Create Your First “Service Product”:

• Go to Products > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
• This is where the magic happens! Instead of describing a physical product, you’ll be describing your service.
• Important: Under the “Product data” dropdown, select “Simple product” and “Virtual”. *Don’t* select “Downloadable” unless your service includes a digital component (like an e-book guide after a consultation).

Here’s an example for a freelance writing service:

• Product Name: “3-Page Website Content Package”
• Description: “Need compelling Read more about How To Automatically Update Woocommerce Plugins website content that converts? This package includes three expertly crafted pages of website copy, optimized for search engines. Includes one revision round.”
• Price: Set your price.
• Product Short Description: (Visible on category pages) “Get three pages of SEO-friendly website content from a professional writer.”
• Product Image: Use an image that represents your service. Maybe a picture of a well-designed website, a writer typing, or a satisfied client.

Reasoning: Choosing “Virtual” tells WooCommerce that there’s no shipping involved. “Simple product” works well for straightforward services with a single price point.

4. Add Categories and Tags:

• Organize your services using categories and tags. This helps customers find what they need.
• Categories: Website Content, Copywriting, Blog Posts
• Tags: SEO Writing, Conversion Copy, Website Copywriting, Blog Writing

Why bother? Categories and tags improve your website’s organization and SEO, making it easier for potential clients to find you through search engines.

5. Set Up Payment Gateways:

• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments.
• Enable the payment gateways you want to use. PayPal is a good starting point. Stripe allows credit card payments directly on your site.
• Follow the instructions to configure each gateway.

Real-life Example: If you’re offering services internationally, consider offering multiple payment options to cater to different customer preferences.

6. Configure Email Notifications:

• WooCommerce sends email notifications to both you and your customers.
• Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Emails to customize these notifications.
• Ensure your “New order” notification is enabled so you know when someone purchases your service.

7. Consider Using Plugins for Bookings and Appointments:

• While the basic WooCommerce setup works for simpler services, you might need a booking plugin for appointment-based businesses.
• WooCommerce Bookings is a powerful (but paid) extension.
• Amelia and Bookly are popular alternatives with free and paid versions.
• These plugins allow clients to book specific time slots, manage appointments, and pay online.

Example: A therapist using WooCommerce with a booking plugin can allow clients to select a specific date and time for their session directly on the website.

Optimizing Your Service Listings for Conversions

Creating your service “products” is just the first step. Here’s how to make them irresistible to potential clients:

• High-Quality Images: Use professional-looking images that clearly represent your service.
• Compelling Descriptions: Don’t just list features; highlight the *benefits* of your service. What problems do you solve? What results can clients expect? Use strong action verbs and customer-centric language.
• Clear Pricing: Be transparent about your pricing. Consider offering package deals or tiered pricing options.
• Testimonials and Reviews: Gather testimonials from satisfied clients and display them prominently on your website. WooCommerce has built-in review functionality. Encourage customers to leave reviews after you’ve completed their service.
• Call to Action: Make it easy for customers to purchase your service. Use clear and concise call-to-action buttons like “Book Now,” “Get a Quote,” or “Order Now.”
• SEO Optimization: Use relevant keywords in your product titles, descriptions, and tags. Research what keywords your potential clients are using to find services like yours.

Example: Instead of saying “I offer website design,” say “Transform your online presence with a stunning, user-friendly website designed to attract more customers.”

Adding Custom Functionality with Code (Optional)

For more advanced customizations, you can use code snippets. Here’s an example of how to add custom fields to your service product:

 <?php // Add a custom field to WooCommerce product pages add_action( 'woocommerce_product_options_general_product_data', 'woo_add_custom_general_fields' ); 

function woo_add_custom_general_fields() {

global $woocommerce, $post;

echo ‘

‘;

// Custom text field

woocommerce_wp_text_input(

array(

‘id’ => ‘_service_duration’,

‘label’ => __( ‘Service Duration (in hours)’, ‘woocommerce’ ),

‘placeholder’ => ‘e.g. 2 hours’,

‘desc_tip’ => ‘true’,

‘description’ => __( ‘Enter the estimated duration of the service.’, ‘woocommerce’ )

)

);

echo ‘

‘;

}

// Save the custom field values

add_action( ‘woocommerce_process_product_meta’, ‘woo_save_custom_general_fields’ );

function woo_save_custom_general_fields( $post_id ){

// Saving Text Field

$service_duration = $_POST[‘_service_duration’];

if( ! empty( $service_duration ) )

update_post_meta( $post_id, ‘_service_duration’, esc_attr( $service_duration ) );

}

// Display custom field on front-end

add_action( ‘woocommerce_single_product_summary’, ‘woo_display_custom_field_service_duration’, 6 );

function woo_display_custom_field_service_duration() {

global $product;

$service_duration = get_post_meta( $product->get_id(), ‘_service_duration’, true );

if ( $service_duration ) {

echo ‘

Service Duration: ‘ . esc_html( $service_duration ) . ‘

‘;

}

}

Important: This code should be added to your theme’s `functions.php` file or a custom plugin. Be very careful when editing these files as errors can break your website. If you’re unsure, consider hiring a developer.

What this code does: Adds a “Service Duration” field to your product page and displays it on the front end.

Promoting Your Services

Once your WooCommerce service store is set up, you need to get the word out!

• Social Media Marketing: Share your services on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Content Marketing: Create blog posts and articles related to your services. This helps you establish authority and attract potential clients through search engines.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list and send out newsletters to promote your services and offer special deals.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your website and service listings for relevant keywords to improve your search engine rankings.
• Paid Advertising: Consider using paid advertising platforms like Google Ads or social media ads to reach a wider audience.

Conclusion

Selling services with WooCommerce is a fantastic way to leverage a powerful and customizable platform to build a successful online business. By following these steps and continuously optimizing your offerings, you can attract more clients, streamline your operations, and grow your service-based business. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you! Good luck!