Create a WooCommerce Shop Page: Beginner’s Guide
Step 1: Install and Activate WooCommerce
1.1 Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
Open your web browser and navigate to your WordPress website’s login page, typically found at yourdomain.com/wp-admin. Enter your username and password into the respective fields and click the “Log In” button to access your WordPress administrative dashboard.
1.2 Install the WooCommerce Plugin
Once logged in, hover over “Plugins” in the left-hand navigation menu and click on “Add New.” In the search bar located on the top right of the “Add Plugins” page, type “WooCommerce” and press Enter. Locate the “WooCommerce” plugin by Automattic in the search results and click the “Install Now” button. After the installation is complete, the button will change to “Activate.” Click “Activate” to enable the plugin on your site.
Step 2: Configure WooCommerce Basic Settings
2.1 Run the WooCommerce Setup Wizard
Immediately after activating WooCommerce, you’ll likely be presented with the WooCommerce Setup Wizard. It’s highly recommended to run this wizard as it streamlines the initial configuration. Click “Let’s Go!” or “Run the Setup Wizard” to begin. If you accidentally close the wizard, you can manually trigger it by going to “WooCommerce” > “Home” in your dashboard and looking for a prompt to start the setup.
2.2 Set Up Your Store Location and Currency
During the setup wizard, you’ll be prompted to enter your store’s location (country and state/region) and the currency you’ll be using for your products. Accurately select these details from the dropdown menus. For example, if you’re in the United States and selling in US Dollars, select “United States” and “United States (US) dollar ($).” This information is crucial for tax calculations and payment gateway configurations. Continue through the wizard, providing details about your industry, product types, and initial business details as prompted.
Step 3: Create Your Shop Page
3.1 Navigate to Pages > Add New
In your WordPress dashboard, hover over “Pages” in the left-hand navigation menu and click on “Add New.” This will open the WordPress block editor, allowing you to create a new page.
3.2 Publish Your New Shop Page
On the new page editor, enter a clear and descriptive title for your shop page, such as “Shop,” “Our Products,” or “Store.” You do not need to add any content to the main body of this page; WooCommerce will automatically populate it with your products once assigned. After entering the title, click the “Publish” button located in the top right corner of the editor. Confirm the publication by clicking “Publish” again in the pop-up window. Make a note of the page title you’ve used.
Step 4: Assign the Shop Page in WooCommerce Settings
4.1 Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products
From your WordPress dashboard, hover over “WooCommerce” in the left-hand menu and click on “Settings.” Once on the WooCommerce Settings page, click on the “Products” tab at the top of the settings interface.
4.2 Select Your Shop Page
Within the “Products” tab, ensure you are on the “General” sub-tab. You will see a setting labeled “Shop page.” Click on the dropdown menu next to this label. From the list of your existing pages, select the page you created in Step 3 (e.g., “Shop”). After selecting your page, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Save changes” button to apply your new settings. Your WooCommerce shop page is now configured and ready to display your products.
FAQs
Q: My shop page is blank after setting it up. What’s wrong?
A: A blank shop page typically means you haven’t added any products to your WooCommerce store yet. The shop page acts as a display for your products. You need to go to “Products” > “Add New” in your WordPress dashboard to start adding products. Once products are published, they will automatically appear on your assigned shop page.
Q: Can I use an existing page as my shop page?
A: Yes, you can. While it’s recommended to create a dedicated page for clarity, you can assign any existing WordPress page as your shop page by selecting it in “WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Shop page” dropdown. Be aware that any content you manually added to that page will be overridden or displayed above the WooCommerce product grid.
Q: How do I change the layout or appearance of my shop page?
A: The layout and appearance of your shop page are primarily controlled by your active WordPress theme. Many themes offer specific customization options for WooCommerce shop pages through the WordPress Customizer (“Appearance > Customize”). Look for sections related to “WooCommerce,” “Shop,” or “Product Archives” within your theme’s customizer settings. For more advanced changes, you might need to use custom CSS or a page builder plugin.
Q: What if I don’t see the WooCommerce Setup Wizard after activation?
A: If the setup wizard doesn’t automatically launch, you can usually find a prompt to start it on the WooCommerce “Home” dashboard, typically found under “WooCommerce > Home” in your WordPress admin menu. Look for a banner or section that says “Welcome to WooCommerce” or “Run the setup wizard.” If you still can’t find it, you can manually configure settings via “WooCommerce > Settings,” though the wizard simplifies the initial process.
