Creating an online store might sound complicated, but with WordPress and WooCommerce, it’s surprisingly manageable—even for beginners. Whether you’re selling physical products, digital downloads, or services, this guide will help you get started clearly and practically.
1. Start Locally: Set Up WordPress on Your Computer
Before going live, it’s a good idea to build your website locally on your computer, which allows you to test everything in a safe, private environment—no need to purchase a domain or hosting right away.
If you’re new to this, we’ve already covered the complete process in our guide on how to use WordPress locally. Once your local WordPress site is up and running, you’re ready to install WooCommerce and start building your online store.
2. Installing and Setting Up WooCommerce
To install WooCommerce:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard
- Click Plugins > Add New
- Search for “WooCommerce“
- Click Install Now, then Activate
Once activated, WooCommerce launches a setup wizard which will walk you through:
- Setting your store’s location
- Choosing currency and units
- Enabling tax options
- Selecting payment methods (like PayPal or Stripe)
- Setting basic shipping rules
You can skip or return to these steps later if you’re experimenting for now. You can find detailed setup instructions in the official WooCommerce documentation.
3. Adding Your First Product
With WooCommerce set up, it’s time to add your first product:
- Go to Products > Add New
- Enter a product name and description
- Set a price under the”Product Data” section
- Upload images in the “Product Image” and “Gallery” sections
- Add tags or categories if needed
WooCommerce supports simple, grouped, variable, and digital products. To start, try adding a simple physical product to get familiar with the interface.
4. Choose a Theme That Works Well with WooCommerce
Your theme controls how your store looks and functions. Not all WordPress themes are WooCommerce-optimized, so it’s necessary to pick one that’s fast, responsive, and customizable.
One good option is Neve, a lightweight theme that’s fully compatible with WooCommerce and Elementor. We’ve written a detailed review of it here:
👉 Neve Theme Review: A Lightweight, Customizable Choice for WordPress
Neve is lightweight, fast-loading, and easy to configure, making it ideal for beginners.
5. Customize Your Store with Elementor (Optional but Useful)
Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin that makes designing your site easier—especially if you’re not comfortable with code.
You can install Elementor from the plugin directory, just like WooCommerce. Once active, you’ll be able to design your pages visually, including your homepage, product pages, and about section.
Neve works seamlessly with Elementor, giving you complete design control.
6. Configure Payments and Shipping
Your next step is to ensure customers can buy your products and have them delivered. In WooCommerce > Settings, head to:
- Payments – Enable and configure gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or bank transfer
- Shipping – Set up shipping zones (e.g., local, national, international) and add flat rates or free shipping options
WooCommerce makes this process beginner-friendly, but each gateway may have its setup process, such as API keys or business account verification.
7. Test Everything Before You Launch
Before going live, you’ll want to test your entire setup:
- Place a test order using sandbox or test mode
- View your site on mobile and tablet screens
- Navigate through the complete shopping and checkout process as if you were a customer
Doing all of this locally helps you catch errors without affecting real customers.
You can also refer back to your local setup guide if you’re unsure how to safely test features before publishing.
8. Optional: Move to a Live Website
Once your store is ready, you’ll need to take it online, which involves:
- Buying a domain name from a provider like Namecheap or GoDaddy
- Getting a hosting plan (SiteGround and Bluehost are beginner-friendly options)
- Using a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration to move your local site to your live server
Many hosting providers also offer one-click WordPress installation, making the transition smoother.
9. Final Thoughts
Building an online store doesn’t require coding skills or a big budget. With WordPress, WooCommerce, and the right theme, you can create a professional eCommerce site step by step—even if you’re just getting started.
Begin locally to stay in control and learn without pressure. Choose flexible tools like Neve and Elementor to help your store look and perform well. And when you’re ready, moving online is just a few steps away.
Ready to start building? Head over to our local WordPress setup guide and take your first step today.