What Online Stores Can be Integrated on WordPress Website?

The Evolution of Online Stores Within WordPress

The evolution of online stores in general, and WordPress integration in particular, has taken several forms. In the beginning, online stores were standalone websites with eCommerce store software. Then came the age of widgets. These are small applications that can be added to a website, usually in the form of interactive gauges, charts, or maps.

The advent of WordPress, and its associated widgets, brought with it a change in philosophy. Instead of adding another standalone website, developers began integrating eCommerce stores into the larger context of WordPress. This change was made possible by the fact that WordPress offered a variety of integrations, from simple RSS feed readers to more advanced shipping calculators and everything in between.

Why Should You Integrate Your Online Store on Your WordPress Website?

There are several advantages to integrating your online store into your WordPress website. To begin with, you get the convenience of a single platform. This means that if your customers make a purchase on one page, that purchase will automatically be reflected on your other pages, such as your product details and reviews.

Another advantage is the fact that your WordPress site will already be equipped with a security layer, known as a ‘wp-security plugin’. This layer offers features such as SSL encryption and Two-Factor Authentication, both of which are invaluable in securing your website from malicious action.

On the flip side, integrating an online store brings with it a number of challenges. To begin with, you will need to ensure that all of the products you offer are accessible via the internet. This means that you either need to host your products on a server that is accessible through the internet, or you need to find a way to integrate a download/purchase link into your product description.

The Types of Products You Can Offer Via your WordPress Website

As we’ve established, to be able to offer your products for purchase via your website, you need to have a way for customers to access these products. Fortunately, WordPress makes this relatively straightforward. Your product listings can be accessed from anywhere within your website, thanks to the RSS feed functionality built into the WordPress core.

This is important because it means that if you decide to integrate an eCommerce store into your WordPress website, you don’t need to limit yourself to selling a single product or service. Instead, you can use your website’s content to promote other product and services you offer, such as fashion, travel, or food. This is one of the primary reasons why WordPress is the platform of choice for so many eCommerce store owners.

The Different Ways You Can Promote Your WordPress Website

Another advantage of having an RSS feed within your WordPress website is that you can promote your content across a variety of platforms. Not only does this mean that your content is discoverable via popular search engines, but it also allows you to create social media platforms for your products.

For instance, if you create a blog post about a product you sell, other bloggers, journalists, and social media users can see and share this content, effectively promoting your website and products in the process.

Where Can I Buy the Products I Promote On My WordPress Website?

Since your products are available for purchase via your RSS feed, you have no limit on the platforms you can use to sell these products. The best news is that merchants, who’ve integrated their online stores with WordPress, have created tools that make the process of setting up shop on any of these platforms, quick and simple.

To take advantage of this functionality, visit one of the many dedicated stores set up for businesses that want to sell their products online.

How Do I Get Started With an eCommerce Store On My WordPress Website?

Now that you have a general idea of the advantages and challenges of integrating your eCommerce store on your WordPress website, it’s time to figure out how to get started. Thankfully, the process of setting up an eCommerce store on your WordPress site, from the purchase of the software to creating a functional store, only takes a few minutes.

The first step is to visit the WordPress directory, which can be accessed from your website’s dashboard. Here, you will see a long list of different applications and services you can install into your site. Select “ecommerce”, and you will see several different store providers, from free to premium, ready to install.

Although you don’t need to buy a premium plan to start an eCommerce store in WordPress, the more expensive the plan, the more features you will have access to. For example, if you choose to install WooCommerce, one of the most popular eCommerce store platforms, you will have access to additional payment methods, shipping classes, and view orders from various perspectives, among other features. The free plan limits you to one product, one category, and one view of orders.

To get started, simply click on the “WooCommerce” link, and you will be brought to the WooCommerce login page. Here, you will need to create a free account, or if you already have a WooCommerce account, you can use this login to access your store’s dashboard. From here, you can see all of the products you can buy from your store, as well as set up payments and shipping methods.

Now that you have your WordPress website, and a functioning eCommerce store within it, it’s time to take advantage of this new found freedom. Explore the options before you make your purchase decision, and enjoy the convenience that is a fully integrated online store!