WooCommerce turns your WordPress site into a full-featured online store. This guide walks you through the entire setup process from installation to your first sale.
Step 1: Install WooCommerce
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for WooCommerce
- Click Install Now, then Activate
- The WooCommerce Setup Wizard will launch automatically
Step 2: Run the Setup Wizard
The wizard guides you through essential settings:
Store Details
- Enter your store address, country, and currency
- This determines default tax rates and shipping zones
Industry
- Select your industry (fashion, electronics, food, etc.)
- WooCommerce uses this to suggest relevant features
Product Types
- Physical products: Items you ship to customers
- Digital products: Downloads like eBooks, software, music
- Subscriptions: Recurring billing (requires WooCommerce Subscriptions extension)
Business Details
- Enter approximate number of products you plan to sell
- Choose whether you are already selling elsewhere
Theme
- Select a WooCommerce-compatible theme or keep your current one
- Recommended: Storefront (free, built by WooCommerce team)
Step 3: Add Your First Product
Go to Products > Add New:
Simple Product
- Enter the Product name and Description
- Set the Regular price and optional Sale price
- Under Inventory, enter the SKU and Stock quantity
- Under Shipping, enter Weight and Dimensions
- Add a Product image and optional Gallery images
- Assign a Product category
- Click Publish
Variable Product (Size/Color Options)
- Change product type to Variable product
- Go to the Attributes tab
- Add attributes like Size (S, M, L, XL) and Color (Red, Blue, Black)
- Check Used for variations
- Go to the Variations tab
- Click Generate variations
- Set price, stock, and images for each variation
Step 4: Configure Payment Gateways
Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments:
Stripe (Recommended)
- Install the WooCommerce Stripe Payment Gateway plugin
- Click Set up next to Stripe
- Click Connect with Stripe and follow the onboarding flow
- Enable Test mode to test payments before going live
- Test with card number: 4242 4242 4242 4242, any future expiry, any CVC
PayPal
- Install WooCommerce PayPal Payments
- Connect your PayPal business account
- Enable PayPal and Pay Later options
Always test your checkout in Test mode before accepting real payments.
Step 5: Configure Shipping
Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping:
Add a Shipping Zone
- Click Add shipping zone
- Name it (e.g., "United States")
- Select the region(s)
- Add shipping methods:
- Flat rate: Fixed cost per order (e.g., $5.99)
- Free shipping: Set a minimum order amount (e.g., free over $50)
- Local pickup: Free, customer collects in person
Example Setup
| Zone | Method | Cost | |---|---|---| | United States | Flat rate | $5.99 | | United States | Free shipping | Orders over $50 | | Europe | Flat rate | $14.99 | | Rest of World | Flat rate | $24.99 |
Step 6: Configure Taxes
Go to WooCommerce > Settings > General and check Enable tax rates and calculations.
Then go to the Tax tab:
- Choose whether prices are entered with or without tax
- Under Standard rates, add your tax rates: | Country | State | Rate | Name | |---|---|---|---| | US | CA | 7.2500 | CA Tax | | US | NY | 8.0000 | NY Tax | | US | TX | 6.2500 | TX Tax |
- For automatic tax calculation, install the WooCommerce Tax extension (free)
Post-Setup Checklist
- Permalinks: Go to Settings > Permalinks and select Post name for clean URLs
- SSL Certificate: Ensure your site uses HTTPS (free with BearHost)
- Test order: Place a test order through the complete checkout flow
- Email templates: Customise under WooCommerce > Settings > Emails
- Legal pages: Create Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, and Refund Policy pages. Link them in WooCommerce > Settings > Advanced
- Inventory management: Enable stock management under Products > Settings > Inventory
- Analytics: Check WooCommerce > Analytics for sales and order reports
Need Help?
If you encounter issues during WooCommerce setup, contact BearHost support. Our team can help with plugin conflicts, payment gateway configuration, and performance optimisation for your store.