How to Build Your eCommerce Website on WordPress

Key highlights 

• Build a dynamic online store with WordPress using powerful eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce. 
• Bluehost’s optimized hosting ensures seamless, secure eCommerce performance. 
• Protect customer data with SSL, two-factor authentication and security plugins. 
• WooCommerce and WP eCommerce offer flexible solutions for digital or physical products. 
• Boost SEO with faster load times, optimized content and top-tier plugins

Introduction

There’s never been a better time to launch an online eCommerce website on WordPress.  

WordPress offers a wide array of tools and plugins to help you set up a fully functional eCommerce site, suitable for selling everything from physical goods to digital products. With its flexibility, even beginners can create a professional eCommerce website with minimal effort.  

One of the best features of WordPress is its scalability, making it an ideal ecommerce platform for businesses of any size. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced web developer, WordPress provides various eCommerce plugins to suit your needs and budget.  

This guide walks you through the crucial processes of creating online stores with WordPress for eCommerce, from plugin selection to customizing your store’s design. Let’s get started.  

Can WordPress be used for eCommerce?  

WordPress can certainly be used for eCommerce, making it an ideal solution for small businesses looking to expand their online presence. With the integration of popular WordPress eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce, you can effortlessly transform WordPress websites into fully functional online stores.  

WooCommerce, the most popular eCommerce plugin, offers a range of features, including customizable storefront themes, secure payment processing through gateways like PayPal and Stripe and inventory management tools. You can easily integrate add-ons for real-time shipping rates with carriers like USPS, FedEx or DHL and even automate tax calculations to simplify international sales.  

Additionally, alternatives like Ecwid and BigCommerce offer seamless integration with WordPress, giving you further flexibility depending on your specific needs. While WooCommerce is deeply customizable and works within your WordPress site, Ecwid and BigCommerce allow you to run an online store with minimal setup, even supporting multi-currency and global sales.  

By leveraging the power of WordPress with eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce, we can create a robust and scalable online store. Maintain full control of your business, customer data and overall online presence.  

Why use WordPress for your eCommerce business?  

WordPress powers nearly 43% of the world’s websites, from personal blogs to many of the Internet’s top 100 websites.  

As a free, open-source platform, it provides a flexible framework that can easily be transformed into a powerful eCommerce site with the help of various plugins and themes.  

Here’s why WordPress is an excellent choice for your eCommerce business:  

• Endless customization: With thousands of themes and plugins, you can customize your eCommerce website to your exact needs, whether you’re selling products, services or subscriptions.  
• Easy integration: WordPress works seamlessly with popular eCommerce tools like WooCommerce, Ecwid and BigCommerce, allowing you to build a complete online store in no time.  
• Scalability: WordPress is suitable for businesses irrespoective of their size, from small startups to large enterprises, offering the flexibility to grow and scale your store as needed.  
• Community support: With WordPress being the world’s most popular CMS, there’s a massive community of developers and users who contribute to a vast library of WordPress themes, plugins and resources.  
• Learning resources: You’ll never be short of help, thanks to the extensive collection of forums, tutorials and courses available online to assist with building and optimizing your WordPress eCommerce site.  

WordPress offers a robust, customizable and scalable solution for any eCommerce business, backed by an active global community.  

At Bluehost, we also write a lot about eCommerce for WordPress sites and our experts are always available to answer your questions.  

Setting up an eCommerce platform: The WordPress eCommerce solution  

The configuration of your WordPress ecommerce platform will vary based on your business goals, product types and long-term vision. However, all successful eCommerce sites share a few essential features that make managing the store easy for owners and provide a smooth shopping experience for customers.  

To ensure your WordPress eCommerce website runs efficiently and converts visitors into buyers, it should offer the following:  

• Effortless product management: Organize product pages with options to promote featured items and special offers and manage product categories easily.  
• Compelling product listings: Include comprehensive descriptions, high-quality images and well-organized categories to help customers make informed decisions.  
• Smooth checkout process: Provide a smooth checkout experience, with eCommerce features like currency converters, shipping calculators and digital download links. WooCommerce and other popular eCommerce plugins can handle these tasks effortlessly.  
• Secure payment options: Use trusted platforms like Stripe or PayPal to protect customer payment information and boost trust in your eCommerce site.  
• Design that matches your brand: Choose from WordPress eCommerce themes that reflect your brand’s identity, ensuring a cohesive and professional look across your store.  
• Quick customer support: Integrate contact forms, live chat or a support phone number to address customer inquiries quickly and build trust in your online stores.  
• Mobile-friendly experience: Ensure your site has a mobile interface to cater to the growing number of shoppers using tablets and smartphones.  
• Engage through social media: Link to your social media profiles to encourage engagement, share content and increase your store’s visibility.  
• Online security: Protect your WordPress website with an SSL certificate to secure customer data and ensure safe transactions.  

The right setup for your WordPress eCommerce website will depend on your budget, skills and business size. By using top eCommerce plugins like WooCommerce, build a professional online store that grows with your business from scratch.  

How to make an eCommerce website with WordPress?  

Designing a successful eCommerce website with WordPress requires a few key steps.  

Here’s how to get started:  

Pick a WooCommerce hosting plan  

Begin by selecting a reliable WooCommerce hosting plan. Many hosting providers, like Bluehost, offer specialized packages that cater specifically to eCommerce needs. These plans often include features like discount code creation, product review integration and secure payment processing. Choose an economical plan that fits your budget and needs.  

Choose a domain name  

Next, purchase and register a domain name for your online store. A memorable and brand-appropriate domain helps customers easily find your store. Check out our article on choosing a domain name for tips on selecting the perfect one.  

Secure your account  

After registering, check your email for account setup instructions. You’ll receive a hyperlink to reset your password. Follow the prompts to ensure your account is secure.  

Log in to your hosting account  

Once your account is secure, log in to your Bluehost (or preferred host) account. Select the Create Your Website option to begin setting up your eCommerce store.  

Proceed with onboarding (WonderStart)  

Bluehost’s WonderStart tool simplifies the setup process, providing guided steps to build your store. This includes previews of your content, design options and powerful features. Click Start Setup to begin.  

Complete the WonderStart questionnaire  

Answer a few questions about your experience with WordPress to tailor the setup process. Be honest about your experience level to receive the best guidance and tools for your needs. Click Continue Setup once done.  

Select your store category  

Choose a category that best fits your eCommerce business. This will help customize your store’s design and features. If you don’t see a perfect match, type in a custom category. Click Continue Setup to move forward.  

Configure tax settings  

Enter your business address and configure your tax settings. These details can be updated later, but providing accurate information now ensures smooth operation from the start.  

Define product types  

Specify what types of products you’ll be selling (physical, digital or services) and estimate the quantity of products. This helps tailor the store’s functionality to your needs. Click Continue Setup to proceed.  

Review store appearance  

Once the setup is complete, review your store’s appearance. Make any design adjustments as needed to make sure that your site looks professional and positions itself with your brand identity.  

Finalize your store’s identity  

Add your store’s name, description and upload your logo. Link to any relevant social media accounts, then click Finish to complete the setup process.  

Your WordPress ecommerce platform is now ready for products and further customization.   

About WordPress eCommerce themes   

Themes are essential components of the WordPress system. Thousands are available in both free and premium versions.    

To create an ecommerce platform with WordPress, start by choosing a domain and selecting a WooCommerce hosting plan, like those offered by Bluehost. Their hosting packages are specifically tailored for eCommerce, including essential features like secure payment gateways, product review collection and discount code creation.  

Related: View our recommended WooCommerce hosting plans 

Once you’ve registered your domain and hosting, Bluehost guides you through the setup with their easy-to-use tools. After installing WordPress, choose a customizable theme that works with WooCommerce to design your store. Themes like Divi or Jevelin offer flexibility and mobile responsiveness, making them ideal for showcasing a wide range of products.  

Bluehost’s integration with WooCommerce ensures seamless performance for those looking to sell online, whether it’s fashion, tech or other products. You can also explore customization options, such as product filters, AJAX-powered searches and sleek design modules, which enhance the customer experience.  

Choosing the right WordPress eCommerce plugins   

To build a successful eCommerce store on WordPress, selecting the right plugins is essential. Along with themes and core functionality, essential eCommerce plugins for WordPress help expand your site’s capabilities.  

Here are some of the most popular options to consider:  

• eCommerce-related plugins for WordPress cover everything from complete eCommerce solutions to individual tools like shopping carts and payment portals.  
• One of the most well-known plugins is WooCommerce, which powers over 9.2% of all websites. It seamlessly integrates with any WordPress site, offering a wide range of eCommerce features.  
• WooCommerce is free to use with the basics included and a premium version is available with advanced tools and dedicated support for WordPress users.  
• While WooCommerce is the top choice, other plugins like WP eCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads offer alternatives. Each can cater to different needs, whether to sell online digital goods or create subscription services. 

When choosing your plugins, consider your product type, hosting and the features that best suit your business goals.  

Add security features for your WordPress eCommerce website  

Every eCommerce business handles sensitive customer data such as identity, location and payment information, making data protection a top priority.  

Businesses must ensure that their customers are aware of the data they share online. So, it is imperative to secure such data from theft and hacking. Implementing robust security measures is critical to ensure your WordPress eCommerce site is safe for both you and your customers.  

Your WordPress eCommerce solution already includes essential tools for securing payment details and safely storing credit card information. In addition, most website hosting services offer basic security features, but relying solely on these isn’t enough.  

Some additional steps to protect customer data further and ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR include  

• An SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate is crucial. It encrypts data transferred between your site and customers, indicated by the HTTPS in your URL. SSL not only protects sensitive information but also boosts your site’s SEO ranking. Keeping your WordPress site, themes and eCommerce plugins updated is equally important, as updates often address security vulnerabilities.  
• For additional protection, you should consider enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) and using a secure payment gateway. Regularly scan your website for spyware, malware and perform regular security audits to identify and fix potential threats early. You can build a strong defense against cyberattacks while maintaining customer trust and safeguarding your online business by implementing these best practices.  

Final thoughts

When it comes to building a secure and efficient online store, WordPress for eCommerce offers unmatched flexibility and scalability. By installing the right plugins and security features, create a seamless shopping experience for your customers. Whether you’re just starting out or expanding your business, choosing a reliable hosting provider like Bluehost ensures your website runs smoothly and securely.  

Ready to take your eCommerce store to the next level? Explore Bluehost’s optimized WordPress hosting solutions today and start building your secure, high-performing online store with ease.  

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