Install and set up WooCommerce
WooCommerce is the plugin that turns your WordPress site into a real online store. This guide installs it and walks through the setup wizard so you have a shop ready to receive products and payments.
You should already have WordPress running and be able to log into yourdomain.com/wp-admin. If not, complete Install WordPress first.
Step 1 — Install the WooCommerce plugin
- In your dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
- In the search box (top right), type WooCommerce.
- Find the plugin by Automattic (it has millions of installs) and click Install Now.
- When the button changes to Activate, click it.
WooCommerce is now active. It will usually launch its setup wizard automatically — if it does not, go to WooCommerce → Home and start it from there.
Step 2 — The setup wizard
The wizard asks a series of questions. You can change every answer later under WooCommerce → Settings, so do not worry about getting everything perfect now.
Store details
- Address, country and region — used to calculate tax and shipping. Enter your real business address.
- Currency — the currency your prices are shown in.
- What type of products — choose physical, digital downloads, or both.
Payments
This is how you get paid. WooCommerce will offer to set up the most common options for your country:
- Stripe — accepts credit and debit cards directly on your site. Recommended for most stores.
- PayPal — lets customers pay with a PayPal account or card.
- Cash on delivery / Bank transfer — useful as a backup or in markets where they are common.
You can connect a real payment account now, or skip and do it later under WooCommerce → Settings → Payments. You will need a Stripe or PayPal account (both are free to create) to take live payments.
Shipping
If you sell physical goods, set up at least one shipping zone (for example "Domestic") with a method such as Flat rate or Free shipping. Shipping is explained in more depth in Add products and launch your shop.
Tax (optional)
If you are required to charge sales tax or VAT, enable "Yes, I will be charging sales tax". WooCommerce can calculate standard rates for you. If you are unsure of your obligations, check with an accountant — this is a legal matter, not a technical one.
Step 3 — Understand the new menus
After WooCommerce is active you will see two new items in the left menu:
- WooCommerce — orders, settings, reports, and status. This is your shop's back office.
- Products — where you add and edit everything you sell.
You will also get a Cart, Checkout, My Account and Shop page automatically. WooCommerce creates these for you; you normally do not need to build them by hand.
Step 4 — Choose a theme that fits a shop (optional but recommended)
Your theme controls how your store looks. WordPress ships with a default theme that works with WooCommerce, but you may want one designed for shops:
- Go to Appearance → Themes → Add New.
- Search for a theme that lists WooCommerce support (for example Storefront, the official free WooCommerce theme).
- Click Install, then Activate.
Compatibility note: our Product Filter plugin has special Pro support for the popular XStore theme, and works with standard themes out of the box. Any well-built WooCommerce theme will work with the Rotozoom suite.
Step 5 — Test that the shop works
Before adding your real catalogue, confirm the basics:
- Go to Products → Add New, create one simple test product with a price, and Publish it.
- Visit your Shop page (usually
yourdomain.com/shop) — you should see the product. - Add it to the cart and go to Checkout — the checkout form should appear.
If all three work, your store's foundation is solid. You can delete the test product afterwards.
You now have a working store
WooCommerce is installed and configured. Next you will make your store look professional by choosing a free theme — then fill it with products.