WooCommerce was launched in 2011 with an intention of providing a shopping cart tool for WordPress users. With some many websites already being powered by WordPress, it made sense to provide an extension for existing websites. Today, WooCommerce is by far the most popular eCommerce solution for WordPress with over 10.2 million downloads around the world. Read our WooCommerce reivew below.
OverviewWooCommerce is a plugin product of WooThemes. It is an open source software solution that can be downloaded for free. Keep in mind though that it will require additional add-ons to meet your needs. Also, WooCommerce works best with a template from WooThemes. To take full advantage of the software, you will need to invest in a WooThemes and several add-ons.
Who is WooCommerce Created For?
WooCommerce is perfect for anyone who has been using WordPress to build websites. If you are already familiar with this platform, you can easily add an eCommerce function to an existing site or quickly create a new site to sell products.
It is also an excellent option for beginners. WordPress is wildly popular because it is easy to learn. If you are just getting started, the best way to learn your way around a dashboard is through WordPress. It sets the standard for other design dashboards. Almost any other program or platform is trying to emulate and improve on what WordPress has already accomplished. Once you learn WordPress, you can reduce the learning curve when it comes to other programs.
Limitations of WooCommerce
Because you are dealing with an open source product, you don’t have to worry about limitations. It is designed to be added to as needed. If you ever come across a limitation, you can simply search through available add-ons and integrate the necessary software. The other good news is that WooCommerce is continually being updated. Developers from across the world are adding features, making improvements and creating solutions to new problems.
Reputation
Sometimes the whole idea of open source products and free downloads can seem deceiving. Sure, you can download it for free, but will it even function without having to spend a bunch of money on add-ons? With WooCommerce, you can expect enough tools to get started on day one. You will want to integrate add-ons as you go, but there is plenty there to launch your site. In this case, you won’t be hit with hidden operating costs before you can even sell your first product.
It is also a good sign that WooCommerce powers over 30% of WordPress sites. With so many users, the software can’t be that bad.
Why Choose WooCommerce?
If you are an experienced WordPress user, then WooCommerce is a great solution for selling products. You can easily extend the functionality of an existing site. There is no need to switch to a new platform and learn your way around a new design dashboard. Those who love WordPress will love WooCommerce.
Key FeaturesFor experts, WooCommerce is hands down the clear choice when shopping for an eCommerce plugin for WordPress. While there are other options on the market, WooCommerce is by far the easiest to implement and operate. Anyone who has managed to put together a WordPress website can easily start using WooCommerce without any problems.
WooCommerce is also unique because it is completely scalable and flexible. It comes out of the box with all the tools you will need, so small businesses won’t have to worry about investing a lot of money in adding a store to their website. The program is also powerful enough to create sophisticated websites for major retailers. WooCommerce can grow adapt with your needs.
When it comes to critiques of WooCommerce, experts are simply quick to warn that WooCommerce is aimed at a very specific audience. The program is best suited to those with an existing WordPress website. Companies who are starting completely from scratch may have better luck with another service.
In addition, it is important to keep in mind that there are costs that can add up. As long as you go in with open eyes, you will be pleased with WooCommerce.
Consumers love WooCommerce. User reviews consistently give WooCommerce a perfect 10. Anyone who loves WordPress and is familiar with the backend will inevitably like WooCommerce as well. Satisfied customers report that the plugin can be seamlessly integrated to turn an existing site instantly into a fully functional online store.
Here are some more specifics on what consumers enjoy about WooCommerce:
It isn’t often that you run across a product that receives perfect scores, especially from consumers.WooCommerce is the exception. It provides an incredibly useful tool for WordPress websites.
Free, open source options can be an ideal solution for some companies, but there are some drawbacks. First and foremost, free doesn’t necessarily mean that there won’t be certain costs involved. While WooCommerce comes with everything, you need to get started the vast majority of users will want to invest in add-ons. These extensions can be expensive and beyond the budget of some small businesses.
The other main disadvantage of working with an open source product is that there is limited customer service. You will be able to visit community forums, but that doesn’t guarantee that you will receive an answer to your question. Users also have the option of submitting a ticket, but again, don’t expect an immediate response.
These complaints against WooCommerce aren’t unique to their product, though. They are simply part of what users can expect when working with an open source product.
Design & CustomizationWooCommerce aims to work with any WordPress theme. You can add the software to an existing site without having to purchase a new theme or make a major design overhaul. That being said, WooCommerce works best with WooThemes. If you want to avoid any potential glitches, it may be best to invest in a compatible theme. You can start with the free Storefront Theme. This option is designed to work as updates are released. Choosing this theme is the easiest way to prevent any design headaches down the road.
You can also choose from a variety of other WooThemes that range from free to a couple of hundred dollars. Keep in mind that this is a one-time fee. If you don’t want to spend money on a theme, you can choose a more affordable option and put time into customizing the details. With WordPress, you have access to and editor, CSS, and HTML. You can make any changes you want if you know how to code.
Pros and Cons of the Design Interface
The WordPress design interface isn’t exactly dragged and drop. However, it is easy to navigate and logically organized. Toolbars and menus make it easy to find your way around and locate tools. Managing the site content and social media accounts it also super easy. Adding text to pages and publishing blog posts is just like operating any word processor. All you have to do it type, format and publish. Widgets allow you to connect your social media accounts and interact with followers. The entire dashboard is pretty straightforward.
For those who haven’t used WordPress before, it will take some time to get used to everything. The latest trend in eCommerce platforms is a drag and drop editor. As mentioned above, WordPress doesn’t quite qualify as drag and drop. There is a little more clicking and navigating involved to add content. Those with absolutely no technical web experience may see this as a drawback. However, it may be worth investing time in learning WordPress to enjoy limitless design freedom.
Photo Galleries
With WordPress, you can build a photo library and easily reuse images. Just drag an image from your computer to the library and upload it to your site when you are ready. You can also easily resize photos and add important SEO tags to maximize the impact of each image.
Mobile and Responsive Themes
If you choose to work with a WooTheme, you can enjoy a site that is mobile friendly for both shoppers and admin users. This allows you to manage your store while on the go. It also means that customers can view your site on any device, which is an essential tool in eCommerce.
Design Services
As an open source product, WooCommerce doesn’t offer any design services. However, you can always hire a WordPress freelance designer to customize your website. Because WordPress is so popular, there will be an overwhelming amount of options when it comes to the web developers. Be sure to do your research, ask for recommendations and take a close look at portfolios.
Features & Tools | Feature | Overview |
| Online Store Setup | All you have to do is download the free software. WooCommerce provides you with enough tools to get started. If you want to customize certain features, you will have to find the right add-ons. The basic setup couldn’t be easier, though. Just a few clicks and your WordPress site will be eCommerce ready. |
| Bandwidth and Storage | This will depend on your hosting service. If you are starting from scratch, registering with a hosting service will be another expense to consider. Be sure to work with your hosting provider to find the right plan to fit your bandwidth and storage needs. |
| Shopping Cart Plugins and Add-ons | The possibilities are limitless. There are plenty of free plugins, and you can shop the extensions marketplace. Search by keyword or browse categories to find the perfect tool. |
| Order Management | Standard order management tools are easy to navigate and provide you with plenty of organizational tools to run your business. |
| Inventory Management | WooCommerce comes standard with basic inventory management tools. You can view stock levels, receive inventory alerts and much more without having to integrate any add-ons. Once you are ready to more sophisticated tools, you can add extensions, but you won’t have to spend a dime to enjoy access to inventory management features. |
| Shipment Tracking | WooCommerce comes standard with basic inventory management tools. You can view stock levels, receive inventory alerts and much more without having to integrate any add-ons. Once you are ready to more sophisticated tools, you can add extensions, but you won’t have to spend a dime to enjoy access to inventory management features. |
| CRM Features | Customers can leave product reviews, and you can easily respond to comments and requests. Once your business grows and is handling a high volume of orders, you may want to integrate a ticket system to handle problems. Otherwise, the standard CRM tools will be enough for small businesses to run smoothly. |
| Templates and Themes | WooCommerce can be installed and used with absolutely any theme. However, your best bet is to go with a WooTheme. As an open source product, new themes are continuously being added. The choices are seemingly limitless. Your choice may come down to a matter of cost. More sophisticated themes will come with a higher price tag. Simple themes will be cheaper, but you can always spruce with up with customized design details. |
| Integrations and Add-ons | With WooCommerce, you can partner with some of the biggest names in shipping, marketing, and payments. You will also enjoy discovering smaller developers who are always working to create new solutions. The extension marketplace allows you to integrate practically any add-on. |
| Mobile eCommerce | WooCommerce and WooThemes are designed to be mobile friendly. You don’t have to worry about creating a separate mobile site. |
| Web Hosting | If you are starting from scratch, you will need to choose your web hosting service. Typically, you can sign up for around $10 per month. You won’t have to worry about maintaining your servers or troubleshooting technical problems. |
| App Store | The app store or extension marketplace is easy to navigate. Search by category or keyword to find the right tools for your site. |
| Blogging | When it comes to blogging, WordPress is king. Publishing posts couldn’t be easier. |
| SEO and Marketing | WordPress and WooCommerce offer plenty of marketing tools right out of the box. You will be prompted to add tags and meta descriptions before you publish content. The developers have made the entire process dummy proof. There are also plenty of free plugins that you can download to help with SEO efforts. |
| Newsletters | You can build email lists and send newsletters using your choice of add-ons. This is a function you will have to add, but it only takes a few minutes, and you can get started for free. |
| Security Features | Again, security features will depend on which hosting service you choose. When you visit the WooCommerce site, you can compare different services. SiteGround and BlueHost both offered an SSL certificate and dedicated IP address. |
| PCI Certification | Any payment gateway that you add to your eCommerce site will be PCI certified and compliant. |
| Content Creation | This is where WooCommerce and WordPress shine and stand out above the rest. WordPress has built an empire by making content creation as easy as possible. WooCommerce has built on this foundation by allowing you to add products and shopping carts with equal ease. |
| Gift Certificates | Creating coupons, discount codes and selling gift certificates just takes a few clicks. |
| Payment Options | WooCommerce comes with five available payment gateways. If you want to add a particular service, you will have to invest in an add-on. Other platforms offer hundreds of gateways, but you have to pay a monthly fee. Having access to five popular options is pretty impressive considering they are all free. |
| Tax and Shipping Calculators | These fees can be automatically calculated without having to integrate an add-on. |
| Reports | Basic inventory and order management tools allow you to monitor your store and get an overview of performance. If you want truly detailed and thorough reporting, you may wish to shop for add-ons. |
| Site Statistics | If you aren’t happy with the site statistics provided by WooCommerce, you can easily integrate Google Analytics. All you have to do it copy and paste a snippet of code. |
Plans & Pricing Free . . . Sort of. Anyone can download WooCommerce for free. However, there can be some additional fees involved. If you already have a WordPress site up and running, you won’t have to worry about purchasing a domain and hosting plan. These should already be in place.
The costs associated with WooCommerce come from buying a theme and add-ons. While the software comes ready to use, chances are, you will want to add functionality to your site as you grow. These costs can add up.
Also, you will probably want to purchase a WooTheme. Most available themes top out at a price of $139. This is another possible cost to take into consideration.
While free may not be the most accurate way to describe WooCommerce, it doesn’t have as many hidden costs as other open source options. You can pretty easily estimate how much it will cost to get a site up and to run.
Overall, WooCommerce is the best value available. You can create a fully customized and functional site with little overhead cost.
Customer Support Because WooCommerce is an open source platform, it doesn’t offer your typical customer support system. Instead of contacting the company, you will be direct to support forums and knowledge bases. Essentially, you will have to network with the user community to solve problems. While this may sound daunting, there are plenty of reliable resources including:
You may not be able to call or chat with a representative; you will have access to an active community of users who can help. Also, most of your questions and concerns can be answered through the FAQ and other documentation pages.
Ease of Use If you have been running a WordPress site, then the transition to WooCommerce will be smooth. On the other hand, those with no WordPress experience will suffer a bit of a learning curve.
When it comes to customizable web design that is free of limitation, WordPress is a cut above the rest. It may not be as user-friendly as some of its drag and drop competitors, but mastering the software is well worth the effort.
WooCommerce is certainly accessible to beginners, but best suited to those with some WordPress experience. You don’t have to be fluent in coding or a design expert to create a professional site that will attract customers.
Widgets, plugins, and extensions will allow you to customize your site in just about every way. Realistically, learning WordPress and mastering WooCommerce won’t take much longer than it would on any other platform. Once you get the hang of it, you will enjoy unmatched design freedom.
Conclusion Should You Choose WooCommerce Plugin for WordPress to Build Your Online Store?
An open source option certainly isn’t for everyone. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the limited customer support.
If you are new to web design and want access to experts that can guide you step-by-step, then choose a platform with a subscription plan and dedicated support department is the best option for you. For those who feel comfortable problem solving and troubleshooting, limited customer support won’t be an issue.
WooCommerce is an excellent choice for anyone who has been running a WordPress site. The software is the easiest and most cost-effective way to turn your website into a store. Essentially, all you have to do is download a plugin, and you can start selling products and making money.
You won’t have to worry about starting with a new platform and migrating your site. Everything you need to get started is available in the free version, and you can integrate add-ons as you grow and needs change.
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