Best eCommerce Plugins for Your WordPress Website

In 2024, global retail e-commerce sales are projected to reach approximately $6.09 trillion, accounting for about 20.1% of total retail sales worldwide. 

This marks a significant increase from previous years, indicating a continued upward trend in online consumer spending. 

In the United States, retail e-commerce sales for the second quarter of 2024 were estimated at $291.6 billion, representing 16.0% of total retail sales for that period. 

The growth of eCommerce represents an increased opportunity for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. 

Setting up an online store requires a smaller initial investment than traditional brick-and-mortar shops. 

This comprehensive guide covers the ins and outs of creating an online store, including a focus on the best WordPress eCommerce plugins.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• What you need to open an online store
• How to find the best WordPress eCommerce plugins
• Free and premium WordPress eCommerce plugins to use on your WordPress site

WordPress site basics

WordPress is a widely used website builder worldwide—the platform powers more than 40% of websites online, from blogs to online shops. 

Creating a WordPress site is free, but that’s not the only reason it’s popular. WordPress dashboard uses an intuitive, beginner-friendly approach to website building.

However, using plugins and themes, users can design and customize more advanced websites, such as an eCommerce store, on WordPress. 

Themes are code packages that define a WordPress website’s look and feel with qualities like colors, layout, and font. 

Plugins are software pieces that add functionality to your WordPress site. For example, you can use plugins to add forms, calendars, and security features.

There are thousands of themes and plugins built for WordPress, including free and premium options. 

What do you need to build an eCommerce store?

Building an eCommerce website takes more effort than creating a blog or personal page. But tools like WordPress make it simpler. 

Related: How to Build an eCommerce website on WordPress

Let’s look at the must-haves for your online store. 

Reliable and secure web hosting

Website hosting refers to the services you use to store and access the files needed for your website. Anyone who wants to publish a website needs to purchase website hosting services. 

However, if you want to create an eCommerce website, there are some things to consider when choosing a hosting provider. 

First, you need fast and reliable hosting services. If a customer goes to your website and it’s down or takes too long to load, that’s bad for business. 

Second, you need to find a secure hosting provider.

Think about it. 

Your website collects and processes personal and financial information when a customer buys an item. You need a hosting provider to help keep your data and customer information safe. Service providers like Bluehost offer free SSL certificates and malware scanning tools. 

Domain name

Your domain name is your address (URL) on the internet. 

Once you’ve chosen a web hosting provider, you need a domain name to publish your eCommerce store. 

Many hosting providers offer domain search and registration services. You can save money on your domain by registering with your hosting service.  

In most cases, your domain name should be as close to your brand name as possible. To learn more, you can check out our guide on how to pick a domain name.

eCommerce platform/payment processor

Finally, your website needs to be able to handle all the tasks involved in an online purchase. 

An eCommerce platform gives your website the core functionality required for online transactions. These platforms include features such as:

• Product page design
• Inventory management 
• Payment processing 

WooCommerce is an open-source eCommerce store built on WordPress. It is also available as a WordPress eCommerce plugin that can be integrated easily into WordPress websites.

A WooCommerce online store aids in providing users with a personalized and powerful shopping experience.  

Read more about why WooCommerce is the right choice for your online store.

What to search for in an eCommerce platform

There are a handful of popular eCommerce platforms available. 

So, how do you make the right choice?

The answer depends on your business. You don’t want to choose the most popular option. You want the best platform for your business. 

Here are a few essential things to consider when choosing a platform for your WordPress website.

• User experience/user-friendliness
• Customer support
• Security 
• Scalability
• Mobile-friendliness

The eCommerce platform you choose affects your customer’s experience and your business’s success. 

The right platform should meet your current needs while allowing you to grow without breaking your budget.

WooCommerce and WordPress

With WooCommerce powering 30% of the internet’s online stores, it’s hard to argue with the fact that WooCommerce is one of the best eCommerce plugins for WordPress. WooCommerce is flexible and designed with the user in mind.

It gives you complete control over your eCommerce site. But the best part? It’s free.

The WooCommerce plugin has a lot of great features. Let’s look at some of our favourites:

1. Ability to update your inventory quickly. All you have to do is set up your product features once. When you get more products, you can quickly update your inventory.

2. Sell downloads. The plugin supports selling downloads (e.g. music from your album).

3. Affiliate sales. If you work as an affiliate for different merchants, you can easily set up WooCommerce to sell other products on your site as well.

4. Robust payment options. WooCommerce integrates well with PayPal, credit card merchants and more. This will give your customers more convenient payment options. You can even offer your customers the ability to pay by check or cash on delivery.

5. Shipping and tax costs are easy. WooCommerce automatically calculates taxes and shipping costs for you. This means you don’t have to do any fancy coding to make sure you are charging the correct amounts.

6. Inventory tracking. Inventory tracking is built right into the plugin, so you don’t have to manually keep track of your stock.

7. Mobile access. Do you need to check your WooCommerce stats on the go? No problem. WooCommerce allows this option with their mobile app.

8. Style. You can easily customize the style of your storefront.

9. Integrations. WooCommerce integrates well with several platforms like Google Analytics, PayPal, and hundreds of other popular systems.

10. Built with developers in mind. The plugin is extendable and adaptable, so developers can customize as needed.

Top WordPress eCommerce plugins to explore

There’s nothing basic about the process of choosing the right WordPress ecommerce plugin for your needs, especially among the multiple plugins available with several popular wordpress ecommerce plugins.

To help WordPress users, we have reviewed all the top WordPress ecommerce plugins and narrowed down the list to the best eCommerce plugins.

YITH WooCommerce Plugins

YITH WooCommerce Plugins offer specialized functionality for WooCommerce stores, with popular plugin options like Wishlist, Gift Cards, AJAX Product Filters, and customizable My Account pages. These plugins add value by enhancing customer experience and personalization options.

For example, YITH’s Wishlist plugin allows customers to save products and share lists with others, while the Gift Cards plugin is great for holiday sales. AJAX Product Filters enable quick sorting on product pages, and the Custom My Account page plugin allows for tailored customer accounts.

It is the most popular WordPress ecommerce plugin and some say it is the best wordpress ecommerce plugin.

Key YITH WooCommerce features:

• Create and share a wishlist for better customer engagement.
• Customizable gift cards for seasonal promotions.
• AJAX-powered product filters to improve product discovery.
• Customizable My Account pages for a personalized user experience.
• Integration with WooCommerce for seamless operation and analytics.

Yoast WooCommerce SEO

Yoast WooCommerce SEO is an WordPress eCommerce plugin extension of the popular Yoast SEO plugin, specifically tailored for WooCommerce-powered online stores. It is one of the best WordPress eCommerce plugins. It combines SEO best practices with features designed to help product pages rank better, attract organic traffic, and boost sales.

Key Yoast WooCommerce SEO features:

• Keyword optimization for product pages: Enhances content on product pages, analyzing keywords to improve search engine rankings and visibility.
• SEO analysis for product listings: Provides tailored suggestions for eCommerce content, helping improve readability and structure to engage customers.
• Technical SEO management: Streamlines technical aspects like meta tags, XML sitemaps, and schema markup, helping search engines understand product information. This setup increases the chances of appearing in rich snippets and enhances search engine crawling efficiency.
• Schema and rich snippets for products: Structured data aids search engines in displaying product details in search results, improving click-through rates with details like pricing and reviews.
• Social media optimization for products: Allows custom metadata for social platforms, ensuring product pages display accurately on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, which is essential for social commerce visibility.
• Improved internal linking suggestions: Highlights related products to enhance internal linking, which can lead to better product discovery and improved SEO.

Yoast SEO optimizes product pages specifically for eCommerce needs, making it a powerful tool for those looking to drive more organic traffic to their online store.

WooCommerce

Among the best WordPress eCommerce plugins is WooCommerce, one of the most robust and popular eCommerce plugins for WordPress. It offers extensive customization and a vast library of extensions for selling physical and digital products alike.

WooCommerce supports a range of business models, from simple retail to advanced, multi-vendor setups. Its features include product variations, tax calculations, inventory management, and shipping options.

WooCommerce also integrates seamlessly with many third-party tools, such as Google Analytics and various payment platforms, making it ideal for businesses and online stores of all sizes. It is the most popular WordPress ecommerce plugin.

Key WooCommerce features:

• Highly customizable product pages with multimedia support.
• Compatibility with thousands of WooCommerce-specific extensions.
• Advanced order and inventory management tools.
• Built-in support for major payment processors like Stripe and PayPal.
• Flexible shipping and tax calculation options.
• SEO-friendly design that integrates well with Yoast SEO for visibility enhancement.

Easy Digital Downloads (EDD)

Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is designed specifically for selling digital products, such as eBooks, software, and online courses. EDD offers a streamlined, user-friendly experience with features focused on digital transactions. The plugin includes robust file protection, customer management, discount codes, and a strong reporting system to help online store owners manage earnings and sales.

Its simplicity makes it ideal for businesses focused on digital content without the need for complex shipping or inventory features.

Key EDD features:

• Digital file protection to secure downloadable content.
• Integrations with major payment platforms like Stripe and PayPal.
• Customizable checkout options.
• Built-in reporting tools for detailed sales and earnings insights.
• Customer management features to track purchase history and generate personalized promotions.
• Easy-to-use extensions for affiliate marketing, recurring payments, and email marketing.

WP EasyCart

WP EasyCart is a user-friendly WordPress plugin that supports a variety of products, including physical items, digital downloads, subscriptions, and memberships. It is one of the best WordPress eCommerce plugins. This plugin streamlines store management with tools for order processing, tax management, and shipping configuration. WP EasyCart also supports internationalization, which benefits businesses looking to expand globally.

Additionally, WP EasyCart offers robust integration with popular platforms, making it a great WooCommerce alternative for flexible store setups.

Key WP EasyCart features:

• All-in-one management system for products, payments, and shipping.
• Support for subscriptions, digital products, and memberships.
• Tax and VAT management tools for international sales.
• Marketing tools, including coupon management and email integrations.
• Integration with Stripe, Square, and PayPal for easy payment processing.
• Customizable product displays and customer account management.

WP eCommerce

WP eCommerce is a veteran WordPress plugin with powerful features for businesses looking to customize their store extensively. It supports physical and digital products, memberships, and subscriptions.

WP eCommerce allows for in-depth styling and customization, making it a suitable choice for users who want more control over the look and feel of their site. It also integrates with many payment gateways and offers robust shipping and tax settings.

Key WP eCommerce features:

• Extensive customization for both design and functionality.
• Support for multiple product types, including physical goods and memberships.
• Flexible tax and shipping configurations.
• Integration with leading payment gateways for secure transactions.
• Advanced reporting for tracking sales and customer behavior.

BigCommerce for WordPress

BigCommerce for WordPress combines the scalability of BigCommerce with the customization of WordPress. It’s a cloud-based eCommerce platform that enables businesses to handle high sales volumes and complex catalogs without slowing down their WordPress site.

BigCommerce WordPress plugin offers advanced features like multi-channel sales, comprehensive tax calculations, and complex payment and shipping options, making it ideal for enterprises or rapidly growing businesses.

Key BigCommerce features:

• Scalable infrastructure for handling large catalogs and high traffic.
• Multi-channel sales capabilities with integration to social media and marketplaces.
• Advanced shipping options, including real-time shipping quotes.
• Flexible tax and VAT settings for international sales.
• Headless eCommerce architecture allows for fast performance.

Ecwid eCommerce Shopping Cart

Ecwid is an ideal solution for small businesses or startups looking to sell across multiple channels. It enables integration with social media platforms, marketplaces, and even Google Shopping.

Ecwid’s free plan provides basic eCommerce functionality, making it accessible to businesses with limited budgets. Its user-friendly setup and multi-channel capabilities make it versatile for small stores looking to expand their reach.

Key Ecwid features:

• Seamless integration with social media platforms and marketplaces.
• Support for multiple sales channels, including Facebook and Instagram.
• Built-in shopping cart and checkout options.
• Mobile-responsive design for optimized customer experiences.
• CSV product import and export for easy inventory management.
• Available free plan

WP Product Review Lite

WP Product Review Lite enhances eCommerce sites by adding product review and rating features. This plugin is especially useful for online stores selling digital downloads or niche products, as it improves user engagement and provides valuable social proof.

WP Product Review Lite also allows for custom review widgets and comparison tables, enhancing the customer experience and helping improve SEO.

Key WP Product Review Lite features:

• Interactive review and rating options for products.
• Customizable widgets for showcasing reviews on product pages.
• Comparison tables to help customers make informed purchase decisions.
• Affiliate link support for monetization through product recommendations.
• Pros and cons listings for transparent product reviews.

Constant Contact

Constant Contact integrates email marketing with eCommerce, allowing businesses to manage customer communication effectively. It features a drag-and-drop email builder, automation options, and segmentation tools, which are essential for building customer relationships and driving repeat sales.

This WordPress plugin is beneficial for stores looking to retain customers through personalized marketing.

Key Constant Contact features:

• Drag-and-drop email editor for quick campaign creation.
• Customizable email templates for promotional and transactional emails.
• Automation options for welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and more.
• Audience segmentation for targeted marketing.
• Real-time tracking and analytics to optimize email performance.

CartFlows

CartFlows is designed to optimize WooCommerce checkout and increase conversions through advanced sales funnels. It offers features like custom checkout layouts, one-click upsells, order bumps, and cart abandonment recovery. This is particularly useful for stores looking to boost their average order value and streamline the purchase process.

Key CartFlows features:

• Custom checkout pages for a tailored shopping experience.
• One-click upsell and order bump features to increase sales.
• Cart abandonment recovery to reduce lost sales.
• Built-in analytics to track funnel performance and optimize conversions.
• Easy integration with popular payment gateways for a seamless checkout.

Mailchimp for WooCommerce

Mailchimp for WooCommerce integrates email marketing with WooCommerce, allowing businesses to manage automated email campaigns and customer interactions. This eCommerce plugin supports targeted marketing efforts based on customer purchase behavior, helping improve retention and conversion rates.

Key Mailchimp features:

• Automated email campaigns for welcome messages, product recommendations, and more.
• Advanced segmentation based on purchase history and behavior.
• Pre-built email templates for streamlined campaign creation.
• Abandoned cart reminders to recover lost sales.
• Integration with WooCommerce’s order and customer data.

eCommerce Product Catalog

The eCommerce Product Catalog plugin is ideal for businesses that want a visually organized and searchable product catalog without a full shopping cart experience. It is one of the best WordPress eCommerce plugins in the market. It enables users to create custom product displays and provides powerful search and filter options, making it easy for customers to browse.

Additionally, it supports multi-level categories and CSV import/export, streamlining the management of larger product lists. It will make your eCommerce store better than ever.

Key eCommerce Product Catalog features:

• Customizable product display options for tailored catalog appearances.
• Product search and filter tools for user-friendly navigation.
• Multi-level categories and tags to improve product organization.
• CSV import/export functionality for bulk product management.
• Mobile-friendly design for optimal viewing on all devices.

AMP for WooCommerce

AMP for WooCommerce focuses on optimizing your online store’s mobile performance, enhancing load speeds to improve the shopping experience and SEO. With mobile commerce continually on the rise, AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages) helps you create a seamless mobile experience by streamlining page elements. This results in better user engagement, lower bounce rates, and higher conversions on mobile devices.

Key AMP for WooCommerce features:

• Accelerated load times for mobile shopping, crucial for retaining mobile shoppers.
• Improved SEO ranking due to faster page speeds.
• Compatibility with WooCommerce, ensuring all eCommerce functionalities work smoothly on mobile.
• Increased conversion rates by minimizing page load delays.
• Enhanced user experience with a mobile-friendly interface.

WooCommerce Subscriptions

WooCommerce Subscriptions is essential for stores offering recurring billing products or services. With this eCommerce plugin, you can create and manage different subscription packages, allowing customers to sign up for weekly, monthly, or annual payments.

It also includes features for subscription management, automatic renewals, and customer account options, making it ideal for businesses that offer subscription boxes, memberships, or any ongoing service.

Key WooCommerce Subscriptions features:

• Recurring billing options with flexible frequency (weekly, monthly, yearly).
• Automatic renewal capabilities to improve customer retention.
• Built-in tools for managing customer subscriptions.
• Integration with popular payment gateways for smooth transactions.
• Customer self-management options for their subscriptions.

WooCommerce Bookings

WooCommerce Bookings is a practical eCommerce plugin for service-based businesses, allowing customers to book appointments, rentals, or reservations directly from your store. It provides flexible booking options, such as one-on-one appointments or group bookings, and features a calendar view for easy management.

This plugin is particularly beneficial for businesses like salons, consultants, or rental services.

Key WooCommerce Bookings features:

• Booking options for appointments, rentals, and reservations.
• Flexible scheduling options, including time slots and date ranges.
• Built-in calendar view for easy management and scheduling.
• Automated reminders for bookings to reduce no-shows.
• Integration with WooCommerce for seamless payment gateways and processing.

TrustPulse

TrustPulse adds a layer of social proof to your site by showing real-time customer activity, such as recent purchases, sign-ups, or downloads. This can significantly boost conversion rates by building trust and creating a sense of urgency.

With customizable notification options, TrustPulse allows you to tailor the display and timing to fit your website’s aesthetics.

Key TrustPulse features:

• Real-time activity notifications to boost social proof.
• Customizable design to match your website’s theme.
• Targeted display rules to show notifications to specific user groups.
• Advanced analytics to track performance and optimize settings.
• Easy integration with WooCommerce and other WordPress plugins.

Each of these WordPress plugins offers unique functionality that can help optimize your WordPress eCommerce store, creating a streamlined experience for both you and your customers.

Whether you’re focused on improving customer engagement, expanding your product catalog, or enhancing mobile performance, there’s a WordPress eCommerce plugin to meet your needs.

Final thoughts

To build the ideal WordPress website for your business, select a plugin based on your store’s specific needs—whether it’s selling digital or physical products, or a combination of both. For example, WooCommerce supports ecommerce sites with numerous add-ons, while Easy Digital Downloads is excellent for selling digital products.

Additionally, Bluehost’s seamless integration with WordPress, along with plugins like Yoast SEO and WP EasyCart, can further streamline the process, making it easier to manage customer data, track purchases with Google Analytics, and integrate with media platforms.

For those looking to expand their online presence, tools such as Google Shopping and advanced WooCommerce extensions provide broader outreach capabilities.

Finally, remember that the success of a WordPress eCommerce store isn’t just in the product offerings but in the overall user experience, customer support, and reliable hosting. With the right choices, your eCommerce store can thrive in the competitive online marketplace, creating a valuable and engaging experience for every visitor.

Find the perfect home for your eCommerce store with Bluehost’s fast and reliable WordPress hosting services.

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