he trend of online shopping has leapt to new heights, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Online businesses have received a warm response and are reaping the benefits to survive in the long run.
Several industry giants have managed to reach the pinnacle of success, but nothing can get lost in the maze. If you want to learn more, check out this article on how to create an online store with WordPress.
You can also start your own online e-commerce store using WordPress. Statistics show that the e-commerce industry will account for 6.7% of retail sales by 2025.
Although it is not an easy thing to do, execute and manage, it is one of the most flexible solutions. So here is a detailed explanation of how to build an e-commerce website step by step .
What is WordPress?
WordPress is an open source CMS and content management system, or a website creation tool, based on the programming languages PHP and MySQL.
With this software, you canBuild and edit your website, no coding skills are required at all. When it comes to content management, millions of publishers, writers, and bloggers around the world use this platform to build a strong online presence.
The latest statistics from 2020 mention that WordPress powers about 35% of the websites on the internet, with CMS websites scoring nearly 60%. More than 400 million people visit WordPress every month.
1. Choose a domain hosting provider and name
Build aE-commerce websiteOn WordPress, the most important thing is to choose a good name for your domain name. You will have to type this name on the address bar of your browser to access your website. Later on, this will serve as the final address of your website.
You should pay close attentionDomain name. It should be professional while also conveying a message about your upcoming business.
In addition, you willRequires a hosting provider, hosting websites on the internet. That’s why you need a dedicated provider that will ensure your website loads faster and runs smoothly without any downtime.
You will have two options – cheap shared hosting and expensive dedicated hosting dedicated to your website. You can choose based on your control, storage, speed, and bandwidth requirements.
2. Install WordPress
After providing all the required login information, you have to log in to your WordPress account. The dashboard will appear. However, the installation can be done in two ways –
• One-click installation – This is the easiest and most recommended option. You have to go to your hosting dashboard and click on the “Install WordPress” button. The host should support MySQL v5.6+, PHP 7, HTTPS, and even MariaDB v10.0+.
• Manual Installation – Here you have to manually set up the server and then installWordPress Platformand configure it. Next, you will need an FTP client to set up your database through phpMyAdmin or cPanel. Then you will have access to the web server. However, this option is only for advanced users.
3. WordPress Security
forComplete and enhanced securityIn a payment gateway you should always getSSL CertificateThis will ensure the security of ongoing payment data between the server and the user.
Nearly 70% of the world’s websites are powered by WordPress, which provides undisputed security to its users and customers.
WordPress has gained the largest market share, although this success makes it an easy target for hackers. Therefore, the protection measures taken should be very strong.
WordPress follows the CIA methodology, which includes:
- Confidentiality Agreement – Only a few users should have login privileges. Minimal access means greater security.
- Integrity – The website should contain all accurate information. The front-end and back-end should be protected from third-party interference. Filtering of code or data is also required.
- Availability – WordPress themes and plugins should be updated. Automated backups should be performed daily.
4. Choose an eCommerce plugin
There are several types ofeCommerce pluginsAvailable, allowing you to sell products directly from your website. You can choose from any of the valid options –
- WooCommerce – Almost 30% of online websites use WooCommerce. The backend helps you organize your product pages seamlessly and customize your shopping cart and checkout pages.
- Chatty– Chat with your visitors through their favorite messaging channels. This will help you improve your customer service and establish seamless communication with them.
- WP eCommerce – This popular and stable website plugin has extraordinary inventory management options and data reporting capabilities. It is free and comes with enhanced features.
- Easy Digital Downloads – This platform is designed for digital sales of products and services. With EDD you can create offers and discounts, track them, and sell them. In this way, you can also sell software licenses.
5. Install plugins
You have to install the right plugins through the WordPress backend. Choose the plugins effectively and keep in mind the ideal requirements of your business website.
