WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that adds online store
functionality to your website. In this lesson, you will learn
how to install WooCommerce, complete its initial setup and
prepare your store for products and orders.
Learning Objective:
Install and activate WooCommerce, configure basic store details,
understand the setup wizard, review essential settings and
prepare a test store.
1. Requirements Before Installation
Before installing WooCommerce, make sure your WordPress website
is working correctly and your hosting environment meets the
current requirements.
Technical Requirements
A working WordPress website.
Hosting that meets WooCommerce requirements.
A compatible PHP and database environment.
A compatible WordPress theme.
HTTPS enabled for a live store.
A recent website backup.
Store Information
Store name and business details.
Store location and currency.
Product information and prices.
Shipping or digital delivery plans.
Payment method requirements.
Contact and customer support details.
2. Step 1: Open the WordPress Dashboard
Login Instructions
Open your WordPress website's login page.
Enter your administrator username or email.
Enter your password.
Click Log In.
Wait for the WordPress dashboard to open.
For a local development website, the login address
depends on your local server and WordPress folder.
3. Step 2: Install the WooCommerce Plugin
WordPress allows you to install plugins through its dashboard.
Use the official plugin directory or another trusted installation
method.
Installation Procedure
In the dashboard, open Plugins → Add New Plugin.
Enter WooCommerce in the search box.
Find the official WooCommerce plugin.
Review the plugin information and compatibility details.
Click Install Now.
Wait for the installation to finish.
Click Activate.
After activation, WooCommerce may display a setup wizard
or setup prompts. The available screens can vary by version.
4. Step 3: Complete the Initial Store Setup
WooCommerce may guide you through initial store configuration.
Enter accurate information and review each setting before saving.
Setting
Example
Purpose
Store Name
Soopro Online Store
Identifies the store.
Country / Region
India
Helps configure regional store settings.
Address
Your business address
Supports relevant tax, shipping and business configuration.
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Displays product prices in the selected currency.
Product Type
Physical or digital products
Helps identify your store's selling requirements.
Important:
These are example values. Use your actual business details.
Currency and location settings should be selected carefully,
particularly before accepting real orders.
5. Step 4: Review the WooCommerce Dashboard
After installation, WooCommerce adds store management tools
to the WordPress dashboard.
WooCommerce
Manage store settings, orders, analytics and
other available store functions.
Products
Add products, edit prices, upload images and
organize product categories.
Orders
Review customer orders and manage their processing
status when orders exist.
Settings
Configure general store details, products, tax,
shipping, payments and advanced options.
6. Step 5: Configure General Settings
Open WooCommerce → Settings → General to review
the store's general configuration. Menu labels can vary slightly
between versions.
General Settings Checklist
Confirm the store address.
Choose the appropriate selling locations.
Configure shipping locations if relevant.
Select the store currency.
Review the currency position and number formatting.
Save the settings and check the storefront.
7. Step 6: Configure Product Settings
WooCommerce provides product settings for inventory, downloadable
products and other store behavior.
Product Settings to Review
Inventory: Configure stock management when needed.
Downloads: Review file delivery and download permissions for digital products.
Measurements: Select appropriate weight and dimension units.
Product display: Review the way products appear in your store.
Options differ depending on the product type, extensions
and WooCommerce version.
8. Step 7: Configure Payment Methods
A payment gateway or payment method lets customers pay for
orders. WooCommerce supports payment options through its built-in
methods and compatible extensions.
Payment Configuration
Open WooCommerce → Settings → Payments.
Review the payment methods available for your store.
Choose a suitable method for your business.
Install a trusted gateway extension if required.
Configure the provider's required credentials securely.
Use test mode when the provider supports it.
Place a test order and verify the payment result.
Never paste live payment secrets into public code or
share them with others. Do not accept real payments until
payment confirmation, checkout and order processing have
been tested.
9. Step 8: Configure Shipping
Physical products may require shipping zones, methods and rates.
Digital or virtual products generally do not need physical shipping.
Example Shipping Configuration
Open WooCommerce → Settings → Shipping.
Create a shipping zone for the regions you serve.
Add a suitable shipping method.
Configure rates or conditions.
Save the settings.
Test the checkout using an address in the selected zone.
Available shipping methods and options depend on your
configuration and installed extensions.
10. Step 9: Check the Store Pages
WooCommerce creates or assigns essential store pages during
setup. Verify that the correct pages are available and assigned.
Page
Purpose
Shop
Displays products for customers to browse.
Cart
Displays items selected by the customer.
Checkout
Collects order details and provides the payment process.
My Account
Provides supported customer account and order functions.
11. Step 10: Add Your First Test Product
Create a Sample Product
Open Products → Add New Product.
Enter the product name: Computer Keyboard.
Add a clear product description.
Enter a sample regular price.
Upload a suitable product image.
Select or create a product category.
Review inventory and shipping details if applicable.
Publish the product on your test website.
Open the product page and verify the display.
You can remove the sample product after completing the
practice exercise.
12. Common Installation Problems
Problem
Possible Solution
Plugin installation fails
Check hosting requirements, available disk space and file permissions.
WooCommerce activation error
Check PHP compatibility and the WordPress error log.
Shop page is missing
Review WooCommerce page settings and page assignments.
Payment method is unavailable
Review the gateway extension, store location and provider requirements.
Shipping does not appear
Check the customer's address, shipping zone and enabled methods.
Website displays an error
Check logs, plugin compatibility and the hosting environment; restore a backup if necessary.
13. Practical Assignment
Activity: Install and Configure WooCommerce
Complete the following tasks on a test WordPress website:
Install and activate WooCommerce.
Complete the initial store setup.
Set the correct store currency and location.
Review the general and product settings.
Check the Shop, Cart, Checkout and My Account pages.
Add a sample Computer Keyboard product.
Review the payment settings without exposing live credentials.
Check shipping settings if you sell physical products.
Record any installation errors and how you resolved them.
Use a test website for practice. Before launching a live
store, verify HTTPS, backups, payment confirmation,
checkout, order notifications and applicable store policies.
Lesson Summary
WooCommerce adds online store features to WordPress.
Install it through Plugins → Add New Plugin.
Complete the initial setup and configure general store settings.
Review payment methods and shipping options as needed.
Check the Shop, Cart, Checkout and My Account pages.
Add a sample product to test the storefront.
Test your store carefully before accepting real orders.