How to add an online store to my blog?
- Written by News Co
Do you own a blog in WordPress? Then you can easily go ahead and introduce an online store into it. Before proceeding, you need to have a clear understanding on how to do it. Then you will be able to easily integrate an online store and make sure that you get maximum results.
Do you need to have an online store paired with the blog?
Online shopping has become the mainstream method of how people purchase goods. Therefore, you don’t need to think twice before you add an online store to the blog. This is a proven method available for you to follow and convert the visitors of your blog into revenue generating customers. It will open up a new channel for you to make revenue out of the blog as well. Hence, you don’t need to worry too much about anything before you go ahead with it. If you are impressed with the idea, keep on reading and we will share the steps that you should follow to get an online store added to the blog.
Steps for adding an online store to the blog
Ensure that your blog is self-hosted
If your blog is not self-hosted, you will not be able to proceed with adding an online store to it. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your blog is self-hosted before you proceed. For the process of adding an online store to the blog, you will need to include a plugin. It will not be possible for you to add plugins if the blog is not self-hosted. Self-hosting a blog is not something difficult to do. That’s because you will need to follow few simple steps to self-host it. For example, you can simply get a hosting space, install WordPress, and migrate the blog.
Web Design Company – Lilo says it is better if you can pick an appropriate host for managing the online store and blog as well. Then you will be able to effectively overcome most of the challenges that would come on your way. For example, you will be able to go ahead and pick a dedicated or VPS hosting space. You should be mindful about the reputation of the hosting provider when you are selecting hosting space as well. It will contribute a lot towards the results that you can get at the end of the day.
Install Woocommerce plugin
Once you are done with self-hosting your website, or if you already have a self-hosted website, you can go ahead and install Woocommerce plugin. This plugin is available for all the WordPress users. Therefore, you can proceed with installing it, without spending any money out of your pocket. Along with the installation of Woocommerce plugin, you can proceed with building that perfect website according to the specific requirements that you have.
There are multiple options available for installing the Woocommerce plugin on your online store. The most convenient method out of them is to download the Woocommerce plugin from their official website. Then you can go to the blog side bar, pick plugins, click on add new and then select upload. You can also search for the Woocommerce plugin from your blog. You will need to search plugins and enter Woocommerce. Once you locate the Woocommerce plugin, you should click on the activate button. This is where you will come across the setup wizard.
You can go through the Woocommerce setup wizard and complete all the basic steps for completing your website. Then you can end up with setting up your online store.
Figure out the products that you want to sell
The next step of setting up the online store of your blog is to figure out the products that you are going to sell through it. You have the freedom to sell any product out of the virtual store. However, it is better if you can pick products that are related to your store for selling. Then you will be able to get the maximum returns out of the audience that you have around your blog.
You can do a market study and figure out what products are highly popular among people. You should equip with a proper plan to fulfill the orders as well. Then you can end up with delivering the best experiences to all the visitors who come to your blog.
Completing the setup of the online store
As the last step, you ill need to complete the setup of the online store in your blog. You will be only doing the basic configurations as you configure Woocommerce. You will need to proceed with doing all the specific changes to it before you can have the online store up and running on the internet.
You will need to get yourself familiar with Woocommerce before you proceed with these steps. There are numerous Woocommerce tutorials available on the internet for you to use. You can take a look at them and get the best results that come on your way. To add new products, you will need to go to products on Woocommerce plugin and then click on add new product. Then you can enter all product related information and add that to the online store.
At the time of adding a new product to the online store, you have the freedom to upload product images, product description, shipping information and prices. If there is a possibility for you to upload digital products, you can go ahead and do that as well.
Then you will need to integrate your Woocommerce store with a payment gateway. You will be able to do that by going for Woocommerce settings. You can include any payment gateway of your choice. You may also include business specific information, so that you can create trust and credibility around the online store.
Final words
Now you are aware about the steps to follow and add an online store to the blog. Make sure that you stick to these steps and get the job done.
