When it comes to successfully setting up an online store, selecting the right ecommerce platform and plugins is essential.
WordPress is a popular choice for those wanting to launch their own virtual shop, but with so many ecommerce plugins available in its library, how do you decide which one(s) are best suited for your website?
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at nine of the top and discuss what makes them great choices for anyone hoping to get their business off the ground.
What to Do Before Picking a Plugin to Activate Ecommerce for WordPress
If you’re looking to set up an ecommerce store on WordPress, then you’ll likely want to find a plugin that helps you do so.
But with such a huge range of options available, it can be hard to know which one to choose. That’s why it’s important that before you pick a plugin and activate ecommerce for WordPress, there are certain steps you should take first.
The most important step is to determine exactly what type of functionality your store requires and look for plugins that provide the features necessary for your specific needs.
Different plugins offer different solutions, and some may provide solutions that do not help with the basic requirements of your store.
Make sure you research each plugin thoroughly and read any customer reviews so that you’re aware of any potential issues or limitations.
Once you have identified the right plugin for your store, it’s time to consider the installation process.
Installing a plugin can be tricky at times and if it does not work correctly after installation, then this could cause problems for your ecommerce business down the line.
Therefore, ensure that you check the instructions provided with the plugin carefully before beginning the installation process, as well as following any additional instructions from the developer if applicable. Also make sure to back up any existing code or content prior to installing anything new.
Another key consideration when picking a plugin is compatibility with other plugins and themes installed on your WordPress site – as multiple plugins can sometimes conflict with each other causing errors on your site or break certain features of your ecommerce store.
It’s also crucial to ensure compatibility between different versions of WordPress as updates are frequently released which may cause incompatibility issues in older version plugins or themes unless updated accordingly.
Finally, security is also something very important when it comes to having an ecommerce website running on WordPress, so spending time checking out the security measures included in each plugin is essential before proceeding with activation and implementation of any solution (and keep those measures up-to-date).
Once everything checks out from a security perspective, proceed with confidence knowing that all these necessary steps were taken -– giving yourself peace of mind should something go wrong down the line due to an unsecure environment or broken functionality resulting from incompatible design elements or code elements being present within or outside of Plugin’s main feature set!
1. A performance WordPress web host.
A performance WordPress web host is an important factor for any business, especially when launching an ecommerce store.
Using a highly specialized WordPress hosting solution can make the difference between success and failure in online sales.
When selecting a web hosting solution for your WordPress ecommerce store, there are a few points to consider.
The most important factor to consider is the speed of the server. This is because the faster pages load, the more likely it is that customers will stay on your website and make purchases.
Additionally, search engine such as Google rank websites with fast loading times higher than those that are slow.
One way to ensure your website loads quickly is by using a content delivery network (CDN).
A CDN stores copies of static content around the world so they can be delivered faster to customers in different locations.
To get the most out of this technology, it’s important to choose a web hosting provider that offers integrated CDN services or provides access to third-party CDNs like Cloudflare or MaxCDN.
Security must also be prioritized when selecting a web host for an ecommerce store. A reliable host should offer strong security features such as daily malware scans and server-level firewalls.
Additionally, look for hosts that embrace new technologies like HTTP/2 and SSL encryption which adds another layer of security and helps protect customer information from being intercepted by hackers.
It’s also important for any ecommerce website to have uptime guarantees so customers don’t experience unexpected downtime that could cause them to leave without making a purchase.
Look for hosts that provide 99% uptime guarantees or even better if possible as this will ensure customers have access to your site whenever they need it which will help keep them engaged with your brand in the long run.
Choosing a quality web host is essential when setting up an ecommerce store on WordPress and there are many options available depending on budget and needs.
Be sure to compare several hosting providers before making a decision as each one may offer different features critical for running successful ecommerce sites such as CDN integration, secure servers, high speed loading times, and uptime guarantees
2. An SSL certificate.
An SSL certificate is an essential security measure for any ecommerce website that uses WordPress.
It’s a must-have when it comes to protecting the sensitive data that is transacted on these sites, such as customer credit card numbers and other personal information.
An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a type of digital security protocol used by websites to ensure secure communication between them and their visitors, as well as its server and web browsers.
This ensures that data transmitted over the internet is kept safe from malicious parties who may attempt to intercept or steal it.
Installing an SSL certificate onto your WordPress ecommerce website can help protect your customers against cyber criminals, as it encrypts their data and makes sure only legitimate parties can access it.
Without a valid SSL certificate, hackers can easily gain access to this sensitive information and use it for nefarious purposes, such as stealing financial information or identity theft.
Additionally, having an SSL certificate can also help boost search engine rankings because Google prioritizes sites with this type of protection over those without it.
There are several different types of SSL certificates available, including domain-validation (DV), organization validation (OV), extended validation (EV), and wildcard certificates.
DV certificates are the most basic option; they simply verify the ownership of a domain name but don’t provide additional encryption beyond that.
OV and EV certificates offer more advanced levels of authentication, which can give customers added confidence when entering sensitive information on your site.
Finally, a wildcard gives you the ability to cover all subdomains under one single certificate so you don’t need multiple certificates for each individual subdomain you want to protect.
When choosing an SSL certificate for your WordPress ecommerce site, make sure you select one from a reputable provider that offers good customer service and technical support in case there are any issues with installation or troubleshooting down the line.
Additionally, be sure to check what encryption methods are available with each type of certificate; some may offer higher levels of encryption than others depending on your needs.
Finally, be aware of any hidden fees associated with getting an SSL certificate – some providers will charge extra for setup or renewal costs after a certain period of time has passed.
Overall, installing an SSL certificate before picking a plugin to activate ecommerce for WordPress should be at the top of your checklist when setting up this type of website due to its wide range of benefits from enhancing security protocols to improving search engine performance.
Just make sure you research all options thoroughly before making your decision so you choose one that meets both your budget constraints in addition to providing strong protection against malicious attacks online.
What & Where Will You be Selling?
When deciding to activate ecommerce for WordPress, it is important to consider what and where you will be selling. Knowing the answer to this question will help you determine which plugin would best fit your needs.
The first part of this question requires that you identify the type of products or services that you are planning on selling through your website.
This could include physical products (clothing, homeware, etc.), digital downloads (ebooks, music, software), services, courses, or combinations of these.
Once you’ve identified the type of items you’d like to sell, it is time to decide where exactly you want to sell them.
If you are looking for a comprehensive solution for online sales across multiple channels such as mobile apps and online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, then it’s likely that an all-in-one ecommerce platform is the way forward.
Popular options include Shopify and BigCommerce, both of which offer easy integration with WordPress so that customers can seamlessly transition between your site and the storefront.
However, if you just want to start selling on your own website or blog without investing in a larger platform right away, then using a plugin such as WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads might be more suitable.
No matter what plugins or platforms you choose for activating ecommerce with WordPress, there are some core features that should always be considered.
These features usually includes:
- shopping cart functionality allowing customers to add multiple items at once;
- payment processing capabilities such as PayPal integration;
- tax calculation tools;
- shipping rate calculators;
- product management system;
- invoicing capabilities;
- and customer relationship management (CRM) functionality.
Finally, it’s important to bear in mind that different plugins offer different levels of customization – from basic themes with limited customizations available to more advanced platforms with extensive design options – so make sure that the plugin or platform chosen meets all your needs in terms of customization before activating it on your WordPress site.
Quick Links:
- What Is Ecommerce?
- Understanding the Different Types of Ecommerce Business Models
- How to Choose the Best Ecommerce Platform for Startups?
- What You Need to Know About Securing Your Ecommerce?
Conclusion: How to Pick WordPress Ecommerce Plugins in 2024
Choosing the right ecommerce plugin for your WordPress site can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.
With the nine plugins highlighted in this article, you have plenty of great options to consider that will meet whatever needs you may have.
From stand-alone shopping carts that help you build an online store from scratch to plugins that can help you add only specific functionalities you need, these top choices provide something for everyone.
Whether you want a simple and straightforward solution or an advanced system with plenty of features and customizability, these nine WordPress ecommerce plugins offer enough choices that any business should be able to find the perfect fit.
Affordable and easy-to-install, taking advantage of one of these tools is the simplest path to success as your ecommerce venture grows and matures.
