How To Setup Woocommerce 2019

How to Set Up WooCommerce in 2019: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction:

WooCommerce, the leading e-commerce plugin for WordPress, empowers you to transform your website into a thriving online store. While the platform remains fundamentally the same in spirit, 2019 saw updates and refinements that are still relevant to creating a performant and successful online shop. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to set up WooCommerce in 2019, covering essential aspects from installation to initial configuration, helping you establish a solid foundation for your e-commerce venture. We’ll focus on practices applicable even today, focusing on the evergreen principles rather than fleeting trends. This guide assumes you already have a WordPress website up and running.

Main Part: Setting Up Your WooCommerce Store

1. Installing and Activating the WooCommerce Plugin

This is the foundational step. It’s quick and straightforward.

Navigate to Plugins: Log into your WordPress dashboard and go to “Plugins” -> “Add New.”
Search for WooCommerce: In the search bar, type “WooCommerce.”
Install and Activate: Locate the WooCommerce plugin (by Automattic) and click “Install Now.” Once installed, click “Activate.”

Upon activation, the WooCommerce Setup Wizard will automatically launch. This wizard guides you through the basic configuration. Don’t skip it!

2. The WooCommerce Setup Wizard: Essential Configurations

The setup wizard is crucial for configuring vital store settings.

Store Details: Provide your store address, country, and postcode. This information is critical for calculating taxes and shipping rates.
Industry: Select the industry that best describes your store’s products. This helps WooCommerce suggest relevant features and extensions later on.
Product Types: Choose the types of products you plan to sell (e.g., physical, digital, subscriptions).
Theme Selection (Optional): While not mandatory, consider using a WooCommerce-compatible theme. The wizard may suggest some suitable options. You can always change this later. Choose a responsive theme!
Recommended Plugins: WooCommerce will suggest some plugins. While you don’t need to install them all immediately, consider those that enhance functionality (e.g., Mailchimp for WooCommerce for email marketing). Evaluate each plugin based on your needs.

3. Configuring Payment Gateways

Offering multiple payment options is essential for customer convenience.

Navigate to WooCommerce Settings: Go to “WooCommerce” -> “Settings.”
Click on the “Payments” tab: Here, you’ll find a list of available payment gateways.
Configure Payment Options: Enable and configure your preferred payment gateways. Popular choices include:
PayPal: A widely recognized and trusted payment processor. Requires a PayPal business account.
Stripe: Another popular option, supporting credit cards and other payment methods. Requires a Stripe account.
Direct Bank Transfer (BACS): Allows customers to pay directly into your bank account. Requires manual order processing on your end.
Cash on Delivery: Suitable for local deliveries. Requires manual order processing.

Important: Secure your payment gateway configurations. Enable SSL certificates (HTTPS) to encrypt customer payment information.

4. Setting Up Shipping Options

Accurate shipping calculations are crucial for customer satisfaction.

Navigate to WooCommerce Settings: Go to “WooCommerce” -> “Settings.”
Click on the “Shipping” tab:
Add Shipping Zones: Create shipping zones based on geographical regions (e.g., United States, Europe, Local Delivery Area).
Add Shipping Methods to Each Zone: Within each zone, add shipping methods, such as:
Flat Rate: Charge a fixed price for shipping, regardless of the order value or weight.
Free Shipping: Offer free shipping for orders that meet certain criteria (e.g., minimum order value).
Local Pickup: Allow customers to pick up their orders from your physical location.

Advanced Shipping: For more complex shipping calculations (e.g., weight-based rates, real-time carrier rates), consider using shipping plugins like:

WooCommerce Shipping: A premium extension that integrates with major carriers.

5. Adding Your First Product

Time to showcase your offerings!

Go to Products -> Add New: This will take you to the product editor.
Product Title and Description: Provide a compelling title and a detailed description of your product. Use relevant keywords!
Product Data: Select the product type (simple, variable, grouped, etc.).
Pricing: Set the regular price and, optionally, a sale price.
Inventory: Manage inventory levels if you’re selling physical products. Enable stock management and enter the number of units you have.
Shipping: Enter the product’s weight and dimensions.
Linked Products: Suggest upsells and cross-sells.
Attributes: Define product attributes (e.g., color, size) if you’re selling variable products.
Product Image and Gallery: Upload high-quality images of your product. Optimize your images for web performance.
Product Categories and Tags: Categorize and tag your product for easy navigation.

Click “Publish” to make your product live.

6. Customize WooCommerce Emails

WooCommerce automatically sends emails for order confirmations, processing, completion etc. You can customise these to match your brand.

Navigate to WooCommerce Settings: Go to “WooCommerce” -> “Settings.”
Click on the “Emails” tab:
Choose an email type and click “Manage”: For instance, “New order” or “Processing order”.
Customize the email: You can edit the subject, heading and content of the email. You can also choose which email addresses receive the notifications.
Add your brand’s logo: This gives your emails a professional touch.

7. Testing Your Store

Before going live, thoroughly test your store.

Place a Test Order: Go through the entire checkout process as a customer.
Verify Payment Gateway Integration: Ensure that payments are processed correctly. Use a test credit card if available through your payment gateway provider.
Check Shipping Calculations: Confirm that shipping rates are calculated accurately.
Review Email Notifications: Make sure that order confirmation emails are sent and received correctly.
Test Product Variations: If you’re selling variable products, test different variations to ensure they are working as expected.

// Example test scenario in pseudocode
if (order_total == expected_total && shipping_cost == expected_shipping) {
echo "Test passed!";
} else {
echo "Test failed!";
}

Conclusion:

Setting up WooCommerce in 2019 (and applying its principles today) involves careful planning and attention to detail. By following this guide, you can establish a robust and user-friendly online store. Remember to continuously monitor your store’s performance, gather customer feedback, and adapt your strategies to stay competitive. The key is to create a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience for your customers. Regular updates and security checks are essential for maintaining a successful WooCommerce store. Good luck!