How to create an Ecommerce website using WordPress?
The problem is not setting up a business but the problem is finding a way to expand it. A way that could help you fight the competition of the market. There are many ways through which you can achieve the goal-social media, internet marketing, advertisement, and the list could continue. Expanding the business is not a tough thing but the tough thing is the effective use of the environment. A person that can make the environment to proper use can easily and effectively put it to best use. To start a business on the internet, WordPress is a tool that can help you easily achieve the task.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is an easy and powerful website content management and blogging. It is used by many companies, music sites and celebrities use WordPress to publish on the web. Though it mainly deals with blogging but supports other web content too such as online stores, media galleries.
Why WordPress?
I have personally chosen WordPress because when I used it was really easy to use I did not have trouble blogging using WordPress. Plus, as it is used by a lot of people I found it trustworthy. Here are some of the benefits I want to bring to you.
1. FLEXIBLE AND ADAPTABLE FOR EDIT.
Sometimes there are some edits that you might want to do to your website or blog and it is tougher than making a website itself but with WordPress, it becomes very easy for an individual to make the changes as required. It is endlessly adaptable to the company’s changing needs.
2. EVEN FOR BEGINNERS
Are you a beginner? Well, no need to stress out. WordPress is easy and user-friendly. You will have no need to require a professional to deal with WordPress. All you need is a domain name and WordPress hosting account.
3. THEMES OPTIONS
One of the functions or the benefit of the WordPress is the theme option. WordPress offers a variety of choices for tuning the appearance and functions of the new site. Some are free while some are to be purchased and it can be installed any time after live preview.
4. PLUGINS
The desires of every individual are different everyone has his or her own idea to make a site. With WordPress, this task is also achieved easily. The WordPress plugin directory has hundreds of plugins that allow the user to include the specific feature they require for their site.
5. MOBILE RESPONSIVE
Today, mobile phones are no less than a computer, your site needs to look good on mobile phones. WordPress does help us achieve this task by offering a variety of responsive theme designs.
6. BUILT IN BLOG
This feature makes publishing content easier. One of these features can be accessed from any device, at any time. This built-in blog feature helps sites unrelated to blogging to use blog feature to add updates.
Necessary tools to use WordPress.
There are a few things that you need before you start using the WordPress. The tools that you need are of no cost neither are they something that is really hard to find.
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- A domain name like pixaocean.com
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- Web hosting account to store your website’s files
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- Online marketplace addon
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- Woocommerce –best e-commerce addon
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- SSL Certificate to securely accept online payments
It will take about 35-40 minutes for the entire setup, let’s talk about it step by step.
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Step 1. Setting up an e-commerce platform
First of all, you will be required to buy the domain name and a web hosting account. Not only a web hosting but a service that is specialized in WooCommerce hosting as this software is the one we will be using as our e-commerce platform.
The cost of a domain name can be $14.99/year, web hosting $7.99/month and SSL certificate $69.99/year. This will cost you a lot if you are just a beginner.
Don’t worry Bluehost-official web hosting recommended for WordPress, solves the problem. It provides free domain name + SSL.
It will help you begin for $6.95/month.
After purchasing web hosting, follow the steps and complete the setup instructions on how to start an online store.
You have WordPress website along with WooCommerce installed in it. This is not enough as the WooCommerce by default assumes that your website in a single vendor website, which does not help other vendors to add their own products to your website.
Let’s make a few changes to help these other vendors.
Step 2. Installing a plugin.
The best way is through using the plugin search. The only drawback is that a plugin must be in the WordPress plugin directory which is limited to only free plugins.
First, go to the admin area and click on the Plugin>Add New. A screen like this will appear to go to the search bar and type the name of the plugin to begin the search.
The result of the search will be flashed on the screen and the screen will appear something like this.
Click on the plugin you desire to install, just click on the Install Now button. WordPress will start downloading the plugin and after installing a screen will pop up with a link to activate the plugin
The plugin may be installed but you have to activate it to start the plugin. So, go to the activate plugin option and click on it.
The next set involves configuring the plugin settings, which is different depending on each plugin.
You need to install and activate the WC Vendor plugin.
Step 3. Configuring setting on WC Vendor plugin
Now, you need to make a few changes depending on the type of site you want your site to be. After, activation click on the WooCommerce >WC Vendor
Here, you can decide the commission for the other vendors. The default settings work for the sites but the changes can be made depending on the requirement of your site.
Don’t forget to save the changes that you make.
Next comes the product page. This page helps you hide the items from the vendors while they post their product on your site.
The next option will help you to build the capabilities and permissions for the vendors. Just go to the capabilities option.
An individual page for vendor dashboard, shop settings, and orders page is automatically created by the plugin.
Yet, another page created by the WordPress plugin is the terms page will the vendor has to agree while submitting the application.
If you want to have your own terms and conditions. You can create a new page on the WordPress and add the terms and conditions you wish to have with the vendor like the product quality, payments method, return policy and settling disputes.
The final option is an important one where you choose the payment method. By default, the WC Vendor uses PayPal to pay vendors. A link will help you setup the PayPal.
Step 4. Account settings
Visit the WooCommerce >settings page and go to the “Accounts” tab. Check the boxes next to the customer registration option.
Do save the changes that you are making or make to the setup.
Yes, there are many things on the internet that could help you achieve the task that you desire. Remember every plugin has its own setting these setting are the ones that will help you out with the WC Vendor. Sure we are not suggesting that you go with the WC Vendor you can choose your plugin. But if you are going with WC Vendor now you know how to do that.