Since its creation in 2011 WooCommerce quickly became one of the best plugins for creating WordPress eCommerce websites. The reason it is so popular is because it is extremely easy to use and there are many useful extensions available that add to its functionality.
Even though WooCommerce is very easy to use it is important to know what it can and cannot do in order to make sure that your site lives up to its potential. Here are some tips for getting started with WooCommerce.
Choosing a Theme
WooCommerce works well with almost any WordPress theme, but your store will benefit from using a theme that was customized especially for the plugin. For example, the standard theme for WooCommerce is not very mobile friendly, so finding a theme that works across all devices will be essential for all the mobile traffic coming your way. In addition, there are several themes that provide customized features that enhance the built-in functionality of WooCommerce.
Payments
For payment options, WooCommerce only works with Simply Commerce and PayPal by default. It also accepts checks, COD, and bank transfers. If you do not have a large budget to work with then the standard PayPal offering may work fine. Consider adding a payment gateway to your site that allows credit cards to be used. This will look cleaner and provide a less confusing experience for your customers.
Shipping
When it comes to shipping things can get complicated. The simplest way to set up shipping is by using a flat rate or a table rate. The problem with this is you may lose money when shipping to locations that are far away. You will need an extension in order to set up a table rate on WooCommerce. An extension tie in can be used with almost any of the shipping providers, but this can be a bit difficult to set up as the size and weight of the product must be considered.
When it comes to shipping, do what you are most comfortable with. Just make sure you are not gouging customers with high shipping costs or losing money by charging too little for shipping.
Once you have these things figured out, make sure that you check your site daily and keep it updated. This will ensure that WooCommerce is working for you in the best possible way.
