Steps to Set Up an e-Commerce Store on WordPress
WordPress is assumed as a full-fledged content management system. This CMS is being used to create e-Commerce stores for start-up and small businesses with a restricted budget. Online stores based on WordPress CMS are technically less complicated, easy to operate and demands minimal investment.
1) Create a website development plan
Creating an online store is a serious undertaking. You can’t start creating the site without having a well-planned strategy and site creation plan in advance. You need to conduct market research & find out the competition by your competitors in the market, main keywords that can represent your business to the targeted audience.
2) Perform the grassroots work
Create an e-Commerce website with WordPress CMS, you need to select the necessary items in advance and perform some preliminary work. Here are some important tasks that should be done before the start of wordpress website:
i) Necessary WordPress Plugins: You should choose some basic & needed plugins for wordpress e-Commerce website like wooCommerce, All in One SEO Pack, Wordfence Security and Social Share WordPress Plugin
ii) Keyword Research and Content gather: Research and find keywords for your e-Commerce website. You also need to arrange error-free and unique content for your e-Commerce website & its optimization.
iii) Selection of a WordPress Theme: Research and find a perfect theme for the e-Commerce website. WordPress themes are available in free and premium versions. You can choose according to your budget and needs.
iv) Selection of Website Building tools: Research and find good website building tools to speed up your e-Commerce website creation work.
v) Selection of a Hosting Server: Research and find a good hosting server to keep your site live 247365.
3) Domain registration
Domain is the address of your site on the website. People search your brand with your site name. So, you must register a domain name cautiously. Your domain name should be short, simple and easily understandable. If possible try to book a domain name with .com TLD.
4) WordPress installation
Go to website wordPress.org to start the WordPress installation process. Once the installation process is done, store the installed files in a separate folder.
5) Upload the files to the server
Choose a hosting service that supports MySQL & PHP. It also include a free SSL certificate, access to the server’s control panel or FTP. Upload the downloaded file to the website server either cpanel or FTP. You need to create database as it is required to install wordpress.
6) Theme uploading & customization
You need to take care of the website design very seriously. Just upload the chosen theme to the site and customize it according to your needs. Also focus on color pattern, CTA, forms, newsletter subscription form, site loading speed, performance on different devices, cross-browser compatibility, payment gateway, shopping cart, navigation and links to social media pages etc. Maintain a uniform color scheme across the website.
7) Create necessary pages
Now need to create the necessary pages on your website. There are some basic pages every e-Commerce website should have:
i) Informative Homepage: Main page of the site should be simple and easy to use. You must explain what your site sells and how it differs from its competitors. Your homepage should tell who you are and what your business is all about.
ii) About us: An Introduction to your company, its business activities, mission and goals.
iii) Terms of Use: Mention all terms and conditions you want to be followed by the visitors.
iv) Privacy policy: Mention how you collect, store, use and protect customer data.
v) Replacement Policy: Based on this policy, visitors will deal with you & buy your products. Keep everything transparent for all.
8) Implement important SEO elements on the site
Implement SEO elements to the site to make it SEO-friendly and help digital marketing professionals in promotional campaigns.
i) Content Modification: Unique content is one of the main important components of a healthy and high performing website. Search engine will rank your page higher if you have unique, valuable content that effectively addresses customer’s need and helps them find the desired products and services. So, write and use unique product descriptions for all pages. Add metadata for all important pages on your site.
ii) Placement of Keywords: Always keep in mind that keywords are directly related to SEO. Distribute keywords appropriately on your website to help it rank in the SERPs of different search engines.
iii) Make URLs more readable: Always keep in mind that Search Engine Optimization and customer-friendly URLs are a very important part of the online store promotion process. So, edit default URLs and make them more user-friendly.
iv) Image Optimization: Images are abundantly used in e-Commerce business as users view product images carefully before purchasing. So, click images and add ALT Attributes to images while uploading them on the site.
9) Check your site for technical errors
Technical errors are possible when websites are created. Different types of technical errors on your site not only affect its performance on the web. Ask for help from professional WordPress developers in this assignment as they can easily explore all possible website errors and fix the problem sooner rather than later.
10) Launch your wordPress e-Commerce website
WordPress based e-Commerce website is ready. Just launch it for users and start selling your products to customers.
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