As the most popular site builder in the world, WordPress powers over 43% of all websites globally, including thousands of thriving eCommerce businesses. Its flexibility, scalability, and a large ecosystem of plugins make it the go-to choice for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and plenty of bigger brands, too.

At WPBeginner, we have been helping our readers build eCommerce websites with WordPress for 16+ years. In fact, our main mission is to help bloggers and small businesses achieve their goals using WordPress.

Over the years, we have used WordPress to design almost every type of eCommerce site you can think of. We’ve built traditional online stores for physical products, simple eCommerce sites for digital downloads, membership websites for exclusive online communities, and more.

Plus, we have watched and learned as our partner brands continue to develop and improve their popular eCommerce plugins. These tools include Easy Digital Downloads, WPForms, and WP Simple Pay. We also have extensive experience building WooCommerce stores and using popular platforms like MemberPress.

In this ultimate guide, we will share everything we’ve learned about setting up eCommerce websites in WordPress. From selecting the right tools to making sure your store is secure and optimized, we’ll cover it all. Let’s dive in!

We will cover a lot of different topics in this ultimate guide, so you can use the quick links below to jump to the section you’re interested in:

Why Choose WordPress to Set Up Your eCommerce Store?

When it comes to creating an online store, WordPress.org stands out as the best website builder on the market because it is free, scalable, and beginner-friendly.

There are countless reasons why WordPress is the go-to choice for thousands of eCommerce stores and even big-name brands like Disney Books, Sony Music, and more.

Here’s why we believe WordPress is the perfect platform to set up your eCommerce store.

• Ease of Use: WordPress is known for its beginner-friendly interface. Even if you are not a tech-savvy user, you can easily set up a fully functional store without writing any code. It comes with a built-in block editor, which lets you create your pages and posts using simple blocks. If you are using a block theme, you can even edit your entire site with blocks.
• Highly Customizable: Thanks to a huge library of themes and plugins, WordPress allows you to customize every aspect of your store. Whether you want a sleek, modern design or a vibrant and creative look, you will find endless options to match your vision.
• Powerful eCommerce Plugins: WordPress integrates seamlessly with powerful eCommerce tools like WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, MemberPress, and WP Simple Pay. These plugins make it easy to sell physical products, digital downloads, services, and more.
• Scalability for Long-Term Growth: WordPress grows with your business. Whether you are selling a few items or managing a large catalog, WordPress can handle it. Plus, with the right hosting and plugins, scaling up your store is hassle-free.
• Cost-Effective: Unlike other platforms with rigid pricing plans or transaction fees, WordPress itself is free. While you’ll need to purchase hosting, themes, and plugins, it’s a cost-effective option compared to many all-in-one eCommerce solutions.
• SEO-Friendly: WordPress is built with search engine optimization in mind, making it easier for your store to rank higher in search results. This can help maximize your online reach and boost sales.
• Strong Community Support: We love WordPress’s community. Whether you need troubleshooting tips, design inspiration, or plugin recommendations, there’s always a wealth of resources to guide you.

That’s why we highly recommend choosing WordPress to set up your eCommerce store. It makes it easy to create a professional and scalable online business without going over your budget.

For more details, see our guide on why WordPress is good for eCommerce.

What to Do Before Setting Up Your WordPress eCommerce Store

Before you can set up your eCommerce store with WordPress, you will need to purchase a hosting plan and domain name. Hosting is where all your website data will be stored, while a domain name is your site’s name on the Internet.

This is where your costs will start adding up since a hosting plan can be about $7.99/month, while a domain name will cost you about $14.99/year.

Now, if you plan to sell digital products in your store, we recommend SiteGround’s managed hosting because it comes with a free SSL certificate, Easy Digital Downloads pre-installed, all the optimization features, and a huge 83% discount.

This can save you a lot of money, making it a great option if you are on a tight budget. To get the offer, just click the button below.

However, if you are looking to sell subscription services, a single product, or physical products with WooCommerce, then Bluehost is the better option.

It is a WordPress-recommended hosting company that is offering a generous discount to WPBeginner readers, along with a free domain name and SSL certificate.

Plus, it comes with a special WooCommerce hosting plan that starts at just $6.25/month.

To get a discount, just click the button below:

This will take you to the pricing page to pick a hosting plan.

We recommend the ‘Online Store’ option since you plan on setting up an eCommerce business.

Now, let’s quickly review what the hosting setup process looks like with Bluehost.

After you pick a hosting plan, you will be taken to the next step, where you have to select a domain name for your website. In most cases, we recommend using your company name.

If you are just starting your store, then you can use our WPBeginner Free Business Name Generator to come up with a creative name for your company.

However, keep in mind that sometimes the domain name will already be taken by some other business. In that case, you can add extra keywords or your location to make your domain name stand out.

If that doesn’t work, you can choose a name that reflects something related to your business. Just make sure it’s easy to pronounce and spell. To learn more, see our beginner’s guide on how to choose the best domain name.

Once you select a name, you will be taken to the checkout page. Here, you’ll need to provide your account information, including your business email address, name, country, phone number, and more.

Then, add your payment details to complete the purchase.

After that, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to log in to your Bluehost control panel. This will be your account dashboard, where you will manage your WordPress eCommerce store.

Just a heads up that Bluehost will now automatically install WordPress on your domain name. But if you want to create a new site, you can click the ‘Websites’ tab in the Bluehost dashboard.

Here, simply click the ‘Add Site’ button to get started.

Keep in mind that if you decide to use a different hosting service, then the WordPress installation process will be a bit different. In that case, see our beginner’s guide on how to install WordPress for step-by-step instructions.

What Are You Looking to Sell in Your eCommerce Store?

Before diving into the setup process, it’s important to identify what you plan to sell in your eCommerce store. Understanding your business model and product offerings will help you choose the right tools and strategies to ensure your store is both functional and successful.

Whether you are selling physical products, digital downloads, or services, each type of offering has different requirements and considerations.

For example, if you plan to run a store that sells physical products like clothing, then you will need to set up inventory management, shipping options, and payment gateways that handle physical goods.

WooCommerce is the ideal choice for this. It provides powerful features to manage product variations, stock levels, and shipping rates.

On the other hand, if you want to sell digital downloads like eBooks, software, or music, then Easy Digital Downloads might be better suited for your needs.

As the name suggests, the plugin specializes in digital sales. It offers features like automatic delivery of digital files, licensing management, and discount codes tailored for digital products.

Similarly, if you want to provide services like consulting, personal training, or cleaning, then WP Simple Pay is the better option.

It has an intuitive form builder, premade templates, integration with payment gateways, and the ability to allow subscription-based payments.

When you understand your unique eCommerce products, you can make informed decisions on the tools and features that best suit your needs.

Taking the time to identify these factors upfront ensures your online store is set up for success from the beginning, with everything in place to meet your business goals. This means you won’t have to switch eCommerce plugins midway because you realize you’re not using the right tools to scale your site.

Having said that, let’s take a look at how to set up an eCommerce store in WordPress.

How to Sell Physical Goods in WordPress

If you plan to sell physical products like homemade goods, custom gifts, or even cars, then this section is for you.

To do this, we recommend WooCommerce. In our opinion, it is the best eCommerce plugin for selling physical goods of any kind. Plus, it is completely free, making it a hassle-free solution.

We have been working with WooCommerce for 16+ years to help our readers and clients launch and manage online stores. For more information about our experience with the plugin, see our full WooCommerce review.

We also like WooCommerce because it has hundreds of extensions and plugins that you can add to boost your site’s functionality. For example, you can offer discount coupons, send automated emails, and run giveaways.

And when it comes to all the essentials, WooCommerce has got you covered. You’ll have all the settings you need to calculate taxes, set up shipping, connect payment gateways, and more.

The plugin also comes with a super straightforward product builder that you can access directly in your WordPress admin dashboard.

You can add all the necessary details about your physical products, including descriptions, images, and so on.

The ‘Product data’ section allows you to further customize your physical products.

It lets you set prices, add stock-keeping units (SKU), and much more.

For in-depth instructions on how to sell physical products in WordPress, see our beginner’s guide on WooCommerce made simple.

How to Sell Digital Downloads in WordPress

Selling digital downloads can be a highly profitable business idea since overhead costs can be super low.

If you want to sell digital downloads in WordPress, then we recommend Easy Digital Downloads (EDD). It is the best option for selling items like ebooks, PDFs, music, software, plugins, and more.

This eCommerce plugin seamlessly integrates with payment gateways and offers powerful inventory management. It allows you to manage and track product sales easily and set up discount codes and promotions.

Over the years, our partner brands have used Easy Digital Downloads to sell popular plugins like WPForms, MonsterInsights, and Duplicator. They have had great experiences with it.

We have also thoroughly tested Easy Digital downloads ourselves. We love it because it’s super beginner-friendly yet has all the features you need to sell digital products. To learn more, see our full EDD review.

Using the EDD plugin, you can quickly connect to Stripe and other payment gateways.

After that, you can add digital downloads to your site.

Since Easy Digital Downloads integrates directly with the WordPress block editor, the process is super quick and easy.

For more detailed instructions, see our beginner’s guide on how to sell digital downloads in WordPress.

How to Sell Subscriptions in WordPress

If you plan to sell subscriptions or memberships in WordPress, then this method is for you. It is a great way to generate recurring revenue and provide ongoing value to customers.

You can create exclusive sections on your website where only paying members can view premium articles, tutorials, videos, or other valuable resources.

For example, a fitness trainer might restrict subscriber access to workout plans or recorded yoga sessions. Meanwhile, a blogger could monetize in-depth research articles or industry insights for premium members.

To sell subscriptions in WordPress, you’ll need to install and activate MemberPress. In our opinion, it is the best membership plugin available.

We use the tool to create free video courses for our readers and have had a great experience (more about online courses in the next section). To learn more, see our MemberPress review.

With MemberPress, creating subscriptions is a breeze because the membership builder is super intuitive and straightforward.

It lets you configure all the basic details, such as title and description, as well as membership terms like pricing and billing type.

You can even add free trials for your subscriptions.

For more detailed instructions, see our ultimate guide to creating a WordPress membership site.

How to Sell Online Courses in WordPress

If you want to sell online courses in WordPress, then you can follow this method.

Unlike third-party course marketplaces, WordPress gives course creators the freedom to design their sites exactly how they want. That means setting pricing and customizing the learning experience without being limited by external rules or commission fees.

We recommend MemberPress for selling online courses. It is an all-in-one solution with complete course management, lesson plans, subscriptions, access control, payment management, and more.

Once you install the MemberPress Courses add-on, you’ll have everything you need to sell online courses.

The MemberPress Course Builder allows you to build your educational content using blocks, just like with the Gutenberg editor.

This is super convenient since it allows you to design your course curriculum and lessons in one central place.

You can upload images, embed video content, and add text. You can also include downloadable files such as PowerPoint presentations, PDF eBooks, actionable worksheets, checklists, and other course materials.

For more information, see our tutorial on how to create and sell online courses in WordPress.

How to Sell Services in WordPress

If you plan to sell services like personal training, coaching, or cleaning, then we recommend WP Simple Pay. We have tested this Stripe payment plugin firsthand on our demo sites, and we found it to be super user-friendly for selling online without creating an entire online store.

The pre-built templates make it really easy to get started, while the advanced features give you the flexibility to create a seamless checkout experience. To learn more, see our complete WP Simple Pay review.

When it comes to selling services with WP Simple Pay, we like the fact that it supports multiple payment gateways and allows recurring payments. You can also create service tiers, which is super convenient.

For example, if you have a cleaning service, then you can set up a form where users can pay directly. You could offer different tiers like “Bathroom Cleaning” for $50 and “House Cleaning” for $100. Customers can then select the tier they need and pay through the form. You can then send your workers to their location.

After you set up WP Simple Pay’s basic settings, you can use one of the plugin’s pre-built templates to create a form to sell your services.

The nice thing is that there are tons of template options, including payment forms for pool cleaning, laundry services, web development services, walking tours, dance lessons, cleaning services, and more.

Then, you can customize the form using the WP Simple Pay form builder, which is super easy to use. You can give your services a label, set pricing options, and choose a billing period.

Then, you can choose between 13 different payment methods, like credit card, ACH direct debit, Cash App, Alipay, Klarna, and Afterpay.

You can also customize existing form fields or add new ones.

When your form is finished, you can easily add it to your website using the WP Simple Pay block. That means you’ll never have to touch a line of code.

Here’s an example of how your payment form might look on your website.

For more details, see our tutorial on how to accept Stripe payments in WordPress.

How to Sell a Single Product in WordPress

If you want to sell a single product in WordPress, then you don’t need to create a full-blown online store. Instead, you can create a simple payment form with WP Simple Pay.

For instance, if you have a WordPress food blog and just plan to sell your cookbook online, then you can use a payment form to do that.

After you configure WP Simple Pay’s basic settings, you can pick a simple payment form template to help you get started. Then, you can customize it with the form builder.

Since you’re selling a single product, you’ll need to use the ‘One Time’ option when setting the ‘Amount.’

Once you’ve finished setting up your form, you can create a dedicated payment page for it.

WP Simple Pay allows you to do this by checking a box.

It also makes it easy to edit the payment page’s permalink, select a color scheme, show a header image/logo, and more.

For more details, see our beginner’s guide on how to sell a single product in WordPress.

How to Sell Appointments in WordPress

If you are a consultant, freelancer, tour guide, or someone in a profession where you offer services at a specific time, then adding a simple appointment booking form to your website can make life much easier.

It allows clients to quickly choose an appointment time that works for them and pay upfront, streamlining the whole process. From there, you can meet with them online, visit their home for a session, or welcome them to your studio to teach a skill or provide your service.

We recommend WPForms for adding a booking form to WordPress. At WPBeginner, we use it for all our contact forms and annual surveys, and we love it. We’ve always gotten great results, and we especially love that the plugin lets you view all the form entries directly from your dashboard. For more details, see our WPForms review.

The plugin offers numerous premade booking form templates for different use cases, such as hair appointments, tour bookings, dentist appointments, and more. You can select one to help you get started.

The WPForms drag-and-drop builder is also super easy to use. You will see a form preview on the right and form fields on the left.

You can edit, rearrange, and delete these fields as well.

For more details, see our tutorial on how to create a booking form in WordPress.

How to Optimize Your WordPress eCommerce Store for SEO

Now that your eCommerce store is set up, it’s time to optimize it for traffic.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) helps improve your website’s ranking in search results, making it more visible to potential customers. By following SEO best practices, you can drive organic traffic, boost sales, and improve the user experience.

For example, you can find relevant keywords for your products and add them to your product titles and descriptions. Similarly, you can use internal linking to connect related products, categories, and blog posts, making it easier for both users and search engines to navigate your site.

You can also create short, descriptive URLs that include relevant keywords, helping search engines better understand your content. However, following these SEO practices alone won’t guarantee high rankings, and they can be quite time-consuming.

That’s where All in One SEO comes in.

It’s the best WordPress SEO plugin on the market, used by over 3 million websites. AIOSEO takes care of everything for you, providing all the essential features in one place and ensuring you get the traffic your store deserves.

Over the past couple of years, we’ve used this tool on WPBeginner to improve our site’s SEO, and we’ve since noticed better search results and increased traffic. For details, see our full All in One SEO review.

The plugin has features like an on-page SEO checklist, XML sitemaps, a broken link checker, and a schema generator.

It even offers built-in WooCommerce SEO tools, including dynamic optimizations, individual product page optimizations, breadcrumbs, product image SEO, and other features to bring more organic traffic to your online store.

Plus, we really appreciate how AIOSEO lets you add GTIN, ISBN & MPN schema for your products to help them rank higher in the search results. This in turn, can boost your online sales.

Other than that, AIOSEO uses AI to create attractive meta descriptions and headlines for your articles and product pages to help get more clicks.

It also lets you add Facebook and X (Twitter) cards to your product pages to improve visibility and engagement on the social media platforms.

When you add these social media cards, your product pages are displayed more attractively when shared, with rich media such as images, product descriptions, and pricing details.

This can significantly boost clicks, encourage shares, and ultimately drive more traffic to your eCommerce store.

For more tips and tricks, you may want to see our ultimate WordPress SEO guide or our WooCommerce SEO guide.

How to Improve Your eCommerce Store’s Security

Once you’ve optimized your store for SEO, it’s important to focus on securing it to protect sensitive customer information, maintain trust, and comply with regulations.

You can start by ensuring that your eCommerce platform, themes, and plugins are always up to date. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software, so keeping everything current is a simple yet important step.

Then, we recommend enforcing strong password policies for both your customers and admins. You can encourage the use of complex passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an additional layer of security.

For details, see our tutorial on how to add two-factor authentication in WordPress.

It’s also a good idea to create regular data backups. This way, you can restore your eCommerce store in case of a breach or data loss.

For this, you can use Duplicator, which is the best WordPress backup plugin in our opinion. Several of our partner brands use it to regularly back up their eCommerce websites, and they’ve had great experiences with it.

We like Duplicator because it is really beginner-friendly. It allows you to create automatic and scheduled site backups and even helps with site migration.

If you need help, you can also see our tutorial on how to create a backup in WordPress.

All these eCommerce maintenance and security tips can help protect your website. However, to block malicious traffic, scan for malware, and view detailed reports on potential threats, you will need a dedicated security tool.

We recommend Cloudflare because it is the best security solution on the market. Its powerful firewall protects your site from malicious viruses, prevents DDoS attacks, and has a browser integrity check.

Plus, Cloudflare has the best CDN (Content Delivery Network) that caches static content across multiple servers worldwide, improving page load times. You can also optimize your images for reduced bandwidth, add page rules, and use fast DNS services.

Over the years, we have started using Cloudflare to protect our site, and we’ve noticed significant improvements in page load times and improved security at WPBeginner.

To learn more, check out our article on the best eCommerce security tips.

That said, if dealing with regular security tasks seems like too much work, then you can opt for WPBeginner’s Website Maintenance Services instead.

Our team has 16+ years of experience in WordPress and has helped over 100,000 users improve their online stores.

We can find and fix any malware or errors in your store, scan for security threats, run cloud backups, and provide 24/7 support. We will also monitor your online store’s uptime to make sure it is available to potential customers.

This way, you won’t have to worry about site security and can focus on growing your website. For details, see our WPBeginner Pro Services page.

Bonus: Improve Site Speed for Your WordPress eCommerce Store

When running an eCommerce store, one of the most important factors is site speed.

A fast-loading website directly impacts the user experience, which is essential for converting visitors into customers. Shoppers expect quick, seamless checkout experiences, and a slow site can cause frustration or cause them to abandon their carts and move on to a competitor.

Plus, faster load times contribute to better SEO rankings. Google has made site speed a ranking factor, meaning that slower sites are less likely to appear at the top of search results.

Here are some proven tips that can help you optimize your eCommerce site for speed:

• Optimize Images: Images are often the main cause of slow-loading websites. To improve site speed, compress and resize your images without sacrificing quality. Tools like Adobe Photoshop and TinyPNG can help automate this process, ensuring your images load quickly while still looking sharp.
• Use Caching Plugin: A caching plugin can significantly speed up your site by storing static versions of your pages and serving them to visitors rather than generating the page from scratch with each new request. Plugins like WP Rocket can reduce server load, improve page load times, and create a smoother browsing experience for your users.
• Use Lazy Loading: Lazy loading allows images and other media elements to load only when they come into view as the user scrolls down the page. This reduces the initial load time of your pages and improves overall performance.
• Use Themes Optimized for Speed: You should opt for themes that are built for performance, such as GeneratePress, or page builders like SeedProd, which is known for its lightweight, fast-loading design.
• Optimize Database: Over time, your WordPress database can store unnecessary data, such as post revisions, spam comments, and unused plugin data. Cleaning up your database can help improve site performance. Plugins like WP-Optimize can help you with that.
• Keep Your WordPress Site Updated: Ensuring that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are always up to date is essential for both security and speed. New updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes that can make your site faster.

Focusing on these tips can ensure that your eCommerce store is not only fast but also provides a great user experience, boosting conversions and improving search engine rankings.

For more tips, see our guide on how to boost WooCommerce performance or how to speed up your eCommerce website.

Frequently Asked Questions: Setting Up WordPress eCommerce Stores

Here are some frequently asked questions about eCommerce store setup.

Do I need coding skills to create a WordPress eCommerce store?

No, you don’t need coding skills to create a WordPress eCommerce store. WordPress is designed to be user-friendly, and plugins like WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, and WPForms make it easy to set up your store with just a few clicks.

Can I customize the design of my WordPress eCommerce store?

Yes, you can fully customize the design of your WordPress eCommerce store. WordPress offers thousands of themes that cater to different industries, many of which are specifically designed for eCommerce. These themes are easy to customize, allowing you to change layouts, colors, fonts, and more to match your brand.

Additionally, you can use SeedProd, which is the best WordPress theme builder on the market. It has a drag-and-drop interface and premade templates for creating a completely custom theme for your store.

For details, see our tutorial on how to create a custom theme in WordPress.

What are some tips to drive traffic to my WordPress eCommerce store?

Once your eCommerce store is set up, attracting traffic becomes your next priority. To help you get started, here are some proven tips and strategies:

• Optimize for SEO: Boost your store’s visibility in search engines by using an SEO plugin like All in One SEO. It helps you optimize product pages, meta descriptions, and keywords.
• Use Social Media: Social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter) are great for promoting your products, sharing updates, and running engaging campaigns. Social media can drive significant traffic by connecting you directly with your audience.
• Start a Blog: Creating a blog with valuable content related to your niche can establish authority and attract organic visitors.
• Run Email Campaigns: Use email marketing to stay connected with your audience. Send product updates, special discounts, and newsletters to encourage repeat visits and conversions.
• Invest in Paid Ads: Platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to target specific users and bring in traffic quickly. Paid ads can be a great way to reach new customers and scale your efforts.

For more tips, see our guide on ways to increase your site traffic in WordPress.

What should I do if I can’t set up my eCommerce store?

If setting up your eCommerce store feels overwhelming, then WPBeginner’s Website Design Services can help. Our team takes care of everything, including hosting, domain setup, website design, SEO, and more.

With over a decade of experience in WordPress, we ensure your store is professionally designed, fully functional, and tailored to your needs.

We can handle the technical details so you can focus on growing your business. In just a few days, we will bring your vision to life and set you up for success. Plus, we offer affordable pricing, so you won’t have to worry much about the cost if you are just starting out.

To learn more, see our WPBeginner Pro Services page.

Related Guides: WordPress eCommerce Store Setup

We hope this article helped you learn how to set up your WordPress eCommerce store. You may also be interested in these related eCommerce guides:

• The Ultimate eCommerce Launch Checklist for WordPress
• How To Properly Set Up eCommerce Tracking In WordPress
• How Much Do eCommerce Websites Cost? (Real Numbers)
• Best WordPress eCommerce Website Examples (+ Design Tips)
• How to Sell on WordPress Without WooCommerce
• How to Setup B2B eCommerce in WordPress – Beginner’s Guide
• Best Homemade Things to Make and Sell Online (Expert Pick)
• eCommerce Price Model — How to Easily Price a Product
• How to Hire the Best WordPress eCommerce Developers (Expert Tips)

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post WordPress eCommerce Setup Guide for Beginners (7 Product Types) first appeared on WPBeginner.

A well-thought-out pricing model not only affects your profits but also shapes how customers see your product, helps you stay competitive, and supports long-term growth.

Whether you are selling physical goods, digital downloads, or subscription-based services, choosing the right price can be challenging.

At WPBeginner, we have over a decade of experience successfully selling top-rated plugins like WPForms, MonsterInsights, and OptinMonster. This extensive experience has given us deep insights into product pricing, including which pricing models work best for different types of tools and how to use them to grow a business.

In this article, we will walk you through proven pricing strategies, explain how to price a product effectively, and share insights to make sure your products attract customers without hurting your profit margins.

We will cover a few different topics in this guide, and you can use the quick links below to jump to the one you want to read about:

What Is an eCommerce Pricing Model?

An eCommerce pricing model is a strategy that business owners use to decide how much to charge for their products or services in an online store.

It acts as a guideline for setting prices by considering key factors like production costs, market demand, competition, and the perceived value of your product.

Choosing the right eCommerce price model can help you scale your business, boost profits, attract new customers, and stay competitive in the market. It’s an essential step when setting up your eCommerce store.

Unlike relying on guesswork or personal intuition, a structured pricing model makes sure that your prices are fair when considering your costs and market conditions. It provides valuable insights into customer behavior and willingness to pay, which can improve sales and customer satisfaction.

Additionally, using a pricing model promotes consistency, making it easier to adjust your prices as your business grows or the market evolves.

Overall, a strategic eCommerce pricing model reduces the risks of overpricing or underpricing, helping you boost revenue and build a sustainable, long-term business.

Types of eCommerce Price Models

Here is a list of some common eCommerce pricing models that are used by successful brands and businesses online.

Cost-Plus Pricing Model

The cost-plus pricing model is one of the simplest and most popular pricing strategies used by eCommerce businesses.

In this model, the price of a product is set by calculating the total cost of producing it and adding a fixed markup to ensure a profit.

The total cost includes direct expenses like manufacturing, shipping, and raw materials, along with indirect costs such as overhead. The markup is usually a percentage of the total cost, making sure the business makes a profit on each sale.

For instance, if you are selling clothes and it costs you about $25 to manufacture a T-shirt, you can set its price at $30, and you will make a profit of $5.

One of the main advantages of the cost-plus pricing model is its simplicity. Since it’s based on actual costs, it’s easy to calculate and implement, making it a popular choice for beginners who are just opening an online store.

Value-Based Pricing Model

In the value-based pricing model, the price of a product is determined based on its perceived value to the customer rather than the cost of production.

Here, businesses focus on what customers are willing to pay for the benefits their product provides.

A popular example of the value-based pricing model is Apple products, such as the iPhone, iPad, and MacBook. They are priced based on the perceived value they offer to customers rather than just the cost of production.

However, businesses must invest time in learning what their target audience values most and how they view the product’s worth. Additionally, strong customer loyalty is essential for this model to work effectively.

Competitor-Based Pricing Model

In this eCommerce pricing strategy, businesses set their prices based on what their competitors are charging for similar products.

After research, businesses can choose to match, slightly undercut, or price higher than competitors depending on their position in the market and the value they offer.

For example, if you research the most popular contact form plugins on the market, you’ll notice that most pricing plans start at $30–$60. This is an example of competitor-based pricing, as all of them are offering similar products at similar prices.

However, this model also has some downsides. It doesn’t consider the unique value your product might offer, and it can lead to constantly lowering prices to beat competitors.

This reduces profit margins and makes it harder to stand out.

Dynamic Pricing Model

The dynamic pricing model is a strategy where the price of a product changes based on factors like demand, time, or market conditions.

This model allows businesses to adjust their prices in real-time to maximize profits. For example, prices might be higher during peak demand times, like holidays or special events, and lower when demand is slower.

Even so, we don’t like that this model requires constant monitoring to ensure the right prices are set at the right time, which can be tiresome.

Dynamic pricing is commonly used in industries like travel, hospitality, and eCommerce, where prices can fluctuate based on supply and demand.

For example, you have probably noticed that hotel prices in places like Bali are higher during peak season and lower in the off-season when there’s less tourism.

Freemium Pricing Model

The freemium pricing model offers a basic version of a product or service for free while charging for premium or advanced features. This strategy allows businesses to attract a larger user base by giving away the core functionality for free and encouraging users to upgrade to paid plans for more advanced features or better performance.

It’s commonly used in software, plugins, and online services.

Over the years, we have used this model to price products like PushEngage, Duplicator, and MonsterInsights. We offer a free version of each product, and you can upgrade to the pro version if you want more features.

Bundle Pricing Model

The bundle pricing model involves offering multiple products or services together as a package at a lower price than if they were purchased individually. This encourages customers to buy more by giving a discount for buying in bulk.

It is often used by online stores to increase sales, clear out slow-moving inventory, promote related products, or boost revenue during the holiday season.

For instance, Smash Balloon offers an all-access bundle deal at a better price than buying each plugin separately.

This helps them boost sales and gives customers a feeling of getting more value for their money.

Tiered Pricing Model

The tiered pricing model is when a business offers various levels of a product or service, each at a different price with different features. Each level is meant for different customer needs or budgets.

For example, a membership website might offer three plans: a basic plan with limited access, a mid-tier plan with more content or benefits, and a premium plan with full access to everything. This way, customers can choose the plan that best fits what they need and are willing to pay for.

As customers’ needs grow, they may upgrade to a higher tier to access more features, which can increase revenue for your business over time.

Tiered pricing is commonly used in subscription-based services and membership sites.

Psychological Pricing Model

The psychological pricing model uses pricing tricks to influence customers and make products seem more affordable or valuable. The idea is to set prices that trigger emotional responses and encourage a purchase.

A common example is pricing something at $9.99 instead of $10.00. Customers often see the price as closer to $9, even though it’s only a one-cent difference. This small change can make the product seem like a better deal, even if the difference is minimal.

Another example of psychological pricing is offering a “premium” version of a product at a higher price, which makes the regular version look more affordable. This is often done in online stores to persuade customers to buy.

The goal of psychological pricing is to make the price feel just right for the customer’s mindset, encouraging them to make a purchase without feeling like they are spending too much.

This model is often used alongside other pricing strategies, like cost-plus or value-based pricing, to make your product seem more affordable.

Effective Tips for Pricing Your eCommerce Products

Pricing an eCommerce product can be tricky because it is more than just picking a reasonable number. It involves understanding your costs, market, and customers’ willingness to pay.

Here are some effective tips that can help you choose the right price for your eCommerce products:

• Understand Your Costs: Before setting any price, you will need to calculate all costs involved in producing and selling the product. This includes manufacturing, shipping, marketing, and platform fees. Knowing your costs helps ensure that you are not underpricing and losing money.
• Know Your Market and Competitors: It is crucial to research your competitors to see how they price similar products. If you plan to use the competitor-based pricing model, then you will want to stay competitive without overpricing or undervaluing your product. Make sure to consider any unique features or benefits your product offers compared to others.
• Consider Customer Perception: You need to research and understand how much customers are willing to pay based on the perceived value of your product. For this, we recommend doing customer surveys to find out what your target audience values the most.
• Test Different Prices: You can run A/B tests with different price points and strategies to see which one performs best on your online store.
• Offer Discounts: If you are just starting your store, it’s a great idea to offer discount coupons to motivate customers to buy more, increasing your average order value. This is an effective strategy for both bundle pricing and tiered pricing.
• Seasonal Trends: Remember to adjust your pricing during certain times of the year, like holiday sales or seasonal promotions. For example, you can lower product prices during Christmas to increase conversions.

By combining these tips, you will be able to price your products accurately and grow your business.

How to Price a Product in WooCommerce

If you are selling physical products in WooCommerce, the first step is to choose a pricing model that aligns with your business needs. For most online stores, we recommend cost-plus pricing because it’s beginner-friendly and ensures your costs are covered while leaving room for profitability.

However, if your store operates in a competitive market, such as clothing, cosmetics, or home decor, then competitor-based pricing is the way to go. On the other hand, you can consider a value-based pricing model for selling premium or unique items.

To determine which model is best for you, start by calculating all costs involved in creating your product. Next, research similar products in the market to understand how competitors are pricing their items and use analytics tools to monitor your sales performance.

Once you have chosen the right model, it’s time to price your product in WooCommerce. For this, visit the Products » Add New Product page from the WordPress dashboard.

Once there, add a name, description, and images for your item according to your liking.

After that, scroll down to the Product Data section where you can add the determined price for your item in the ‘Regular Price’ section.

If you want to offer discounts, enter the discounted price in the ‘Sale Price’ field. You can also schedule the sale to start and end on specific dates by clicking the ‘Schedule’ link.

Once you are done, just scroll back to the top and click the ‘Publish’ button to store your settings. For more details on building your store, see our complete WooCommerce guide.

You can now visit your website to see the product live.

How to Price a Product in Easy Digital Downloads

When selling digital products with Easy Digital Downloads, the right pricing model can significantly affect your revenue.

For instance, value-based pricing is an excellent choice for selling digital goods like software, plugins, or eBooks because it emphasizes the perceived value of your product to customers.

Freemium pricing is also a proven strategy, where you offer a basic version for free and encourage users to upgrade to a premium version with additional features. On the other hand, tiered pricing is a great fit if you offer multiple versions of software, with each level unlocking new features or capabilities.

Over the years, we’ve successfully used both freemium and tiered pricing strategies to sell our plugins, and the results have been outstanding. These models have allowed us to cater to a wide range of users, from those seeking basic functionality to people needing advanced features.

However, before you select a strategy, you must understand your target customers and their willingness to pay for your product. You can use surveys or customer feedback for that. We also recommend clearly communicating the unique benefits of your product on your website to justify its price.

That said, to add a product price in Easy Digital Downloads, you need to visit the Downloads page and click the ‘Add New’ button.

This will open the block editor, where you can add a name, description, and image for your digital item.

Next, scroll down to the “Download Files” section and upload the file you want to sell from your computer. You can also give the file a name to help customers identify it.

Then, move to the ‘Download Details’ section, where you can add a price for your product.

You can also add variable pricing by checking the box at the top. This will allow you to set different pricing tiers based on the product’s features or versions.

However, if you choose this option, then you must scroll back to the ‘Download Files’ section and upload additional files that correspond to each pricing tier.

Once uploaded, you can assign each file to the appropriate tier using the dropdown menu.

For example, if one file contains the first 10 chapters of your eBook, then you can select the corresponding price tier and name it accordingly, such as ‘Chapters 1-10.’ This allows you to offer different levels of access or content based on the customer’s chosen price tier.

Finally, click the ‘Publish’ button at the top to store your settings. To learn more, see our tutorial on how to sell digital downloads in WordPress.

You can now visit your website to see the product in action.

How to Price a Product in MemberPress

When pricing subscriptions or memberships in MemberPress, we recommend choosing the tiered, freemium, or usage-based pricing structures.

Tiered pricing allows you to offer different membership levels with varying benefits, which can appeal to a wide range of users. For example, you might have a basic, premium, and elite subscription, each offering additional features or content.

The freemium model lets you offer free access to basic features with the option to upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced options. This model can help attract a large user base and convert some of them into paying members.

Similarly, usage-based pricing charges users based on the frequency or volume of use, ideal for services like SaaS platforms.

Each of these models has its benefits depending on your product and audience, and MemberPress makes it easy to implement them.

To add a pricing plan, you need to head to the MemberPress » Memberships page and click the ‘Add New’ button.

This will open a new screen where you can add a name and description for the membership plan. Then, add a price in the ‘Membership Terms’ section.

If you want to accept one-time payments from customers, then you can just click the ‘Publish’ button.

However, to accept recurring payments for the membership, choose the ‘Recurring’ option as the billing type.

This will open some extra settings where you can choose the billing interval for your membership plan from the dropdown menu. This is how often your members will be charged.

You can also offer a free trial by checking the ‘Trial Period’ box. After that, you can specify the duration of the trial.

Finally, click the ‘Publish’ button to store your changes. You can now repeat the process to add other subscription or membership plans to your website.

For more details, see our tutorial on how to accept recurring payments in WordPress.

Here’s a preview of the membership plan in action.

Bonus: Simplify Calculations for Custom Products With WPForms

Pricing can be challenging for custom products. Unlike standard products with set prices, custom items often have to factor in each order’s unique specifications.

For instance, if you sell custom t-shirts where customers can choose the design, fabric, and other features, it’s impossible to list a fixed price for each item ahead of time.

In these cases, a pricing calculator becomes essential to give shoppers an estimate before they decide to make a purchase.

This calculator will allow customers to enter their preferences and get an immediate price estimate based on their selections. Customers can select the fabric, color, size, and additional customizations, and the form will automatically generate an estimated cost based on these options.

So, if you plan to sell custom products, we recommend adding a cost calculator with WPForms. It is the best calculator plugin on the market, and it comes with a drag-and-drop builder and 2000+ premade templates, including a shipping cost calculator, instant estimate calculator, dynamic pricing calculator, and more.

We have used WPForms to create all kinds of forms for our websites, and it has consistently delivered great results. To learn more, see our WPForms review.

The plugin even features an AI builder that lets you type in a prompt describing the kind of cost calculator you need for your website, and the AI will create it for you automatically.

For instance, to create a cost calculator for a custom product, you can use the following prompt:

Create a cost calculator form for a custom product where customers can get an immediate price estimate. The form should include the following fields:

A dropdown for selecting the fabric type (e.g., Cotton, Polyester, Silk) with different price points.

A color selector with no additional cost.

A dropdown for size options (e.g., Small, Medium, Large), each with a different base price.

Checkboxes for additional customizations (e.g., Add a logo, Custom text) with fixed extra costs.

A quantity field to calculate the total price based on the selected options and the number of items.

Include real-time price calculation and display the total price dynamically at the bottom of the form.

WPForms’ AI Builder will then generate a form for you.

If you are satisfied, just click the ‘Use This Form’ button to launch it in the form builder.

Once there, you can easily edit, rearrange, or delete form fields to suit your needs. The AI will have already added the calculation fields for you, so you don’t need to worry about setting those up yourself.

Finally, just click the ‘Save’ button at the top to store your settings.

You can now add the product cost calculator to your website with the WPForms block.

To learn more, see our beginner’s guide on how to create a custom calculator in WordPress.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pricing Products

Here are some questions that are frequently asked by our readers about pricing an eCommerce product:

How can I test and adjust my pricing strategy?

To test and adjust your pricing strategy, you can start by experimenting with different price points to see how they affect your sales.

One common method is A/B testing, where you offer the same product at different prices to separate groups of customers and compare the results. You can also use tools like MonsterInsights to track changes in conversion rates and customer behavior after adjusting your prices.

We also recommend paying attention to customer feedback and analyzing your competitors’ pricing strategies. You can then adjust your product prices based on factors like demand, market trends, and how your customers perceive your product.

How can I choose the best pricing model for my products?

Choosing the right eCommerce pricing model depends on several factors, including your product type, business goals, market conditions, and customer preferences.

For instance, if you sell products similar to your competition, then competitor-based pricing might be suitable. If you offer premium or unique items like homemade products, value-based pricing could help you capture higher margins.

However, if you are looking for a simpler approach, then cost-plus pricing ensures you cover your costs while earning a profit. You can also experiment with a combination of models to see what works best for your specific market.​

Can I change my pricing model later?

Yes, pricing models can evolve as your business grows or as market conditions change.

For example, you might start with cost-plus pricing when you are testing your product and later switch to value-based pricing as you better understand your customers’ willingness to pay.

Even so, we recommend clearly communicating any changes to your pricing plan with your customers to avoid confusion or frustration.

Is psychological pricing always effective?

Psychological pricing, like ending prices at .99, is widely used and can improve sales by making prices feel more affordable.

However, its effectiveness depends on your target audience and the type of product you sell. For high-end luxury products, this tactic may not work well, as customers might perceive prices like $999.99 as less premium.

That is why we recommend using psychological pricing with caution and considering your target audience before making any changes.​

We hope this article helped you learn how to easily price an eCommerce product. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide on how to choose the best products to sell online and our top picks for profitable eCommerce business ideas for WordPress.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post eCommerce Price Model — How to Easily Price a Product first appeared on WPBeginner.

With WordPress, you can use customizable plugins like WooCommerce and Wholesale Suite to create a tailored experience for your customers. From secure payment gateways to managing bulk orders, WordPress offers the functionality and flexibility you need for B2B transactions.

Over the past decade, we have built numerous WordPress sites, including eCommerce stores and blogs. This hands-on experience has given us a deep understanding of the platform’s scalability for creating online stores.

We’ve also extensively tested popular tools like WooCommerce and Wholesale Suite and have written plenty of articles about using them. To put it simply, we’re super familiar with these WordPress tools, and we’re confident we can guide you through the process of using them to build a B2B store.

In this article, we’ll walk you through every step. Along the way, we’ll help you get the most out of your B2B store in WordPress.

What is a B2B WordPress eCommerce Store?

A B2B WordPress eCommerce store is an online shop that specifically caters to businesses rather than individual consumers.

For instance, a luxury wholesale retailer might sell bulk orders of clothing to smaller boutiques. Or, a local flower shop might start selling their bouquets online in bulk for corporate events.

B2B eCommerce sites often have more complex product catalogs and advanced features tailored to business customers. Plus, they need to be able to process much larger transactions.

If you already sell wholesale products to individuals, then opening a B2B eCommerce store can be a great way to increase revenue.

You can expand your market and give businesses an easy way to browse, choose, and buy your products online. It streamlines sales processes without the need for physical storefronts or additional sales staff.

What’s more, it’s a cost-effective solution that lets you reach customers globally. As your business grows, you can scale operations to handle higher demand without paying major overhead costs.

Having said that, let’s look at all the steps to set up a B2B eCommerce store in WordPress. Here’s a quick overview of what we’ll be going over in this tutorial:

Now, let’s get to it!

Step 1: Choose a Website Builder

The first step is choosing a website builder.

We recommend WordPress for building your B2B eCommerce store because it is the best website builder. WordPress is free, customizable, and flexible. It is also used by over 43% of websites on the internet.

However, before making your choice, you should know that there are two types of WordPress available: WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

To put it simply, WordPress.com is a managed hosting provider that allows you to use the core WordPress software but with limitations. You can pick between free or paid plans to use it.

Meanwhile, WordPress.org is completely free and gives you full control of the core software, so you can modify and extend it exactly as you like. But you’ll need to choose a web host to use alongside it to get the necessary resources to put your site online.

To learn more, see our comparison of WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

That said, if you want to build a B2B site, we strongly recommend WordPress.org because it is free and can easily integrate with plugins like WooCommerce and Wholesale Suite, which make it easy to set up your online store.

For in-depth details, see our complete WordPress.org review.

Step 2: Purchase a Hosting Plan and Domain

To start building your business on WordPress, you will first need to purchase a hosting plan and domain name.

A web hosting provider gives your site the server space and resources it needs to be online. Meanwhile, a domain is your website’s name on the internet, like www.wholesaleproducts.com.

Even though WordPress itself is free, this is where your costs will start adding up. A domain name can cost you about $14.99/year, and hosting costs start from around $7.99/month. This can be a bit expensive if you have a small budget or are just starting out.

Thankfully, Bluehost is offering a generous discount to WPBeginner readers, along with a free domain name and SSL certificate.

Bluehost is an official WordPress-recommended hosting partner and one of the most reliable platforms for purchasing a hosting plan.

To get the discount, just click the button below.

This will direct you to the Bluehost website, where you will need to click the ‘Get Started Now’ button.

You will now be taken to the pricing page to pick a hosting plan.

We recommend choosing the ‘Online Store’ plan since you will be setting up a B2B store.

Once you make your choice, you will be taken to the next step, which is to select a domain name for your website. In most cases, we recommend using your company name.

If you are just starting out, then you can use our WPBeginner Free Business Name Generator to come up with your company’s name.

However, keep in mind that sometimes the domain name will already be taken by some other business.

In that case, you can try adding extra keywords or your location to make your domain name stand out. For instance, instead of www.wholesaleproducts.com, you could use www.wholesaleproductsohio.com (though this may be a bit too long).

If that doesn’t work out, you can always pick a domain name that reflects something related to your business. Just make sure it’s easy to pronounce and spell.

For more ideas, see our beginner’s guide on how to choose the best domain name.

After choosing a name, just click on the ‘Next’ button to continue.

You will now be asked to provide your account information, including your business email address, name, country, phone number, and more.

After that, add your payment details to complete the purchase.

You will then get a confirmation email with information on how to log in to your Bluehost control panel. This will be your account dashboard where you will manage your B2B WordPress eCommerce store.

Step 3: Create a WordPress Website

If you just signed up for web hosting using our Bluehost link above, then they will automatically install WordPress on your domain name.

However, to create the WordPress site, you need to click the ‘Websites’ tab in the Bluehost dashboard. Once you are there, select the ‘Add Site’ button.

This will take you to a new page where you have to choose a site type.

To create a completely new website, you need to select the ‘Install WordPress’ option. However, to migrate an existing site to a different domain name, you can choose the ‘Transfer an existing WordPress’ option.

After that, click the ‘Continue’ button to move on.

Then, add a site name that matches your B2B eCommerce store.

After that, click the ‘Continue’ button.

Bluehost will now ask you to connect to a domain name for your website.

However, if you haven’t bought a domain yet, then simply choose the ‘Use a temporary domain’ option and click ‘Continue.’

Bluehost will now start setting up your WordPress site, which can take a few minutes.

Once that is done, you will be redirected to the ‘Websites’ tab, where you can find your new site. Here, just click the ‘Edit Site’ button to log in to your WordPress admin area.

You can also log in to the dashboard by going to yoursite.com/wp-admin/ in your web browser.

Step 4: Choose and Customize Your WordPress Theme

A WordPress theme is a professionally designed template that determines what the front end of your website looks like.

The great thing about WordPress themes is that they can provide you with a solid foundation for your website’s design. That way, you don’t have to start from scratch. Plus, you can customize any theme.

Once you install WordPress and visit your site, you will notice it has a default theme installed:

This is simply a generic option that WordPress changes every year.

We recommend replacing it with a theme that matches your niche and branding to create a better user experience and support a strong online presence.

To get started, you may want to search for a commercial theme in the WordPress theme directory.

You can try a keyword related to your niche. To refine your search, you can use the filters for ‘Layout,’ ‘Features,’ and Subjects.’

You may also want to check out our list of the best WooCommerce themes, which includes tons of excellent options for eCommerce sites.

All that said, if you are looking to create a fully customizable theme for your B2B store, then we recommend SeedProd.

It is the best WordPress theme builder on the market, letting you create a theme without using any code. It even comes with multiple WooCommerce store templates and additional blocks to set up your business in a few minutes.

For more information, see our full SeedProd review.

Upon plugin activation, simply visit the SeedProd » Theme Builder page from the WordPress dashboard and click on the ‘Theme Template Kits’ button.

This will take you to a new screen where you can browse through various premade theme templates. You can even use the WooCommerce filter to find themes specifically designed for online stores.

Whether you’re setting up a store for pottery, flowers, or electronics, you will find templates suited for your B2B needs. This makes it easier to launch your eCommerce site efficiently.

Once you find a theme, simply click on it to launch it. SeedProd will now create all the page templates you need for your store and open the home page in the drag-and-drop builder.

You can then drag and drop any block you want from the column on the left into the page preview. To learn more, see our tutorial on how to create a custom theme in WordPress.

Once you are done, just click the ‘Save’ button at the top.

If you decide to use a different theme for your eCommerce store, then see our guide on how to install a WordPress theme.

After installation, you can visit the Appearance » Customize page from the WordPress dashboard after activation. This will open the theme customizer.

Here, you can change the theme settings according to your liking.

Keep in mind that this only works for classic themes.

On the other hand, if you are using a block theme, then you will need to go to Appearance » Editor in the left-hand menu of your WordPress dashboard.

This will open the full site editor, where you can use blocks to customize your entire theme.

When you are done, just click the ‘Save’ button to store your settings.

For more information, check out our complete beginner’s guide on how to customize your WordPress theme.

Step 5: Create a Home Page And Navigation Menu

Once you’ve customized your theme, it’s time to set up the home page for your B2B store.

This page will be visitors’ introduction to your website, so you’ll want to make sure it makes an impression. For detailed instructions, see our tutorial on how to create a custom home page in WordPress.

After you have finished designing, you need to set the page as your home page. To do this, visit the Settings » Reading page in your WordPress dashboard.

In the ‘Your homepage displays’ section, select ‘A static page.’ Then, open the ‘Homepage’ dropdown and choose the page you want to use.

Finally, don’t forget to click the ‘Save Changes’ button at the bottom to store your settings.

Now, you need to create pages on your website where you will be showcasing your products, displaying customer reviews, collecting payment information, and more. For details, see our tutorial on how to create a page in WordPress.

Once you do that, you’ll also need to add a navigation menu with links to these pages. This will make it easier for visitors to browse your website.

To start building your navigation menu, go to Appearance » Menus in your WordPress dashboard and expand the ‘Pages’ tab on the left.

Now, check all the pages that you want to add to your navigation menu and click the ‘Add to Menu’ button.

After that, click the ‘Save Menu’ button to store your settings.

However, keep in mind that this only works if you are using a classic theme.

If you are using a block theme, then head over to the Appearance » Editor page from the WordPress dashboard.

This will open the full site editor, where you’ll need to choose the ‘Navigation’ tab.

This will open a list of all the navigation menu items in your left-hand menu.

Here, go ahead and click the three-dot icon. This will open a dropdown menu where you can click the ‘Edit’ option.

The full site editor will now open with your navigation menu selected. You should see your navigation menu settings opened up in the block panel on the right.

Click the ‘+’ button while the navigation block is selected, and type the page name that you want to add. Once the results appear in the dropdown, simply select the correct page from the list.

Finally, click the ‘Publish’ button at the top to store your settings. For more instructions, see our beginner’s guide on how to create a navigation menu in WordPress.

Step 6: Set Up Your eCommerce Plugin

To start selling wholesale products on your WordPress site, you will need WooCommerce. This popular eCommerce plugin can easily integrate with Wholesale Suite to create a B2B store.

First, you need to install and activate the free WooCommerce plugin. For details, see our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, the WooCommerce setup wizard will open on your screen. You can start by typing the name of your store.

Next, you will have to select an industry. For example, if you plan to sell furniture in bulk, then you can simply pick the ‘Home, furniture, and garden’ option from the dropdown menu.

After that, select your store’s location and click the ‘Continue’ button below.

You will then see a list of free plugins that will give your site additional features.

Go ahead and select the options you’d like to add, and click the ‘Continue’ button.

WooCommerce will now set up your store for you. Once that is done, it is time to add a shipping method for your wholesale products.

This is a crucial step for B2B stores because you don’t want to end up getting an order in a region that would be too expensive to ship a bulk number of products to.

To set up your B2B shipping, go to the WooCommerce » Settings page from the WordPress dashboard and switch to the ‘Shipping tab. You will notice that a shipping zone has already been added to the list.

Simply click the ‘Edit’ link under the ‘Zone name’ to start configuring the settings.

This will open a new page where you can change the ‘Zone name’ to anything you like.

You can add as many ‘Zone regions’ as you want from the dropdown menu by choosing areas, cities, or countries where you want to deliver your products.

Next, you can add shipping methods by clicking the ‘Add shipping method’ button.

A prompt will now appear on your screen. From here, you can select flat rate, free shipping, or local pickup as your method. You can also add all of them if you want.

Once you are done, click the ‘Add shipping method’ button.

The plugin will now add your chosen shipping method to the shipping zone.

However, to further configure its settings, you can click the ‘Edit’ link under the method.

This will open another prompt where you must choose the tax status and shipping cost.

Finally, click the ‘Save changes’ button to store your settings. You will now be taken back to the ‘Shipping Zone’ page, where you have to click the ‘Save Changes’ button again.

Next, you have to set up a payment method to accept online payments in your eCommerce store.

First, head over to the WooCommerce » Settings page and switch to the ‘Payments’ tab.

This will open a list of different payment methods and payment gateways that you can use with WooCommerce.

Simply click the ‘Finish set up’ button for the payment method that you want to enable.

Now, simply follow the on-screen instructions to set up the payment method of your choice.

Once you are done, click the ‘Save Changes’ button to store your settings.

These are just some of the most essential settings for online stores. For more detailed instructions, see our complete WooCommerce guide.

Step 7: Set Up the Wholesale Suite Plugin

Now that you have set up your eCommerce plugin, it is time to convert your website into a B2B business.

We recommend using the Wholesale Suite plugin to do this because it offers everything you need to manage wholesale products and customers. It’s also highly user-friendly.

We’ve tried and tested this tool ourselves and loved it. For more details, check out our full Wholesale Suite review.

First, you need to install and activate the Wholesale Suite plugin. For step by step instructions, see our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Upon activation, visit the Wholesale » Settings page from the WordPress dashboard menu and switch to the ‘General’ tab.

From here, you can set a default minimum order quantity and order subtotal that users must meet to place an order for wholesale products.

You can also choose to show wholesale products only to wholesale customers, hide quantity discount tables, display coupons, allow backdoors, and more. Once you are done, click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

Next, switch to the ‘Price’ tab. Here, you can check the ‘Hide Retail Price’ option if you only want to cater to wholesale customers.

Then, you can add placement text for cart and price buttons and click ‘Save Changes.’

After that, switch to the ‘Tax’ tab and check the ‘Tax Exemption’ box if you don’t want to apply taxes for wholesale products. Keep in mind that this feature will only be available in the pro plan.

You can also set the pricing display on the front page to show either the default WooCommerce price, include tax in the displayed price, or exclude tax based on your preference.

You can now configure the other settings according to your liking or leave them as they are. Finally, click the ‘Save Changes’ button to store your settings.

Now, head over to the WooCommerce » Add New page from the WordPress dashboard to add your first B2B product. First, you need to add a name, description, and image for your product.

If you only want your wholesale customers to view this item, then you can do that by choosing the ‘Wholesale Customer’ user role from the ‘Restrict To Wholesale Roles’ dropdown menu on the right.

This user role is automatically created by the Wholesale Suite plugin upon activation.

Then, scroll down to the ‘Product Data’ section. 

Open the ‘Discount Type’ dropdown in the ‘Wholesale Prices’ section. Here, you can choose to offer wholesale customers a fixed discount or a percentage discount.

Keep in mind that if you choose ‘Percentage,’ then you need to type an amount into the ‘Discount (%)’ field. Wholesale Suite will then work out the price and show the value in US dollars.

Otherwise, if you’ve chosen ‘Fixed,’ then fill in the ‘Wholesale Price ($)’ and ‘Wholesale Sale Price ($)’ fields. If you want to sell the product in retail as well, you can add the ‘Regular Price’ and ‘Sale Price’ at the top.

Then, scroll down to the ‘Wholesale Minimum Order Quantity’ section.

You can now add the minimum number of items a customer must purchase in order to unlock wholesale pricing.

Finally, click the ‘Publish’ button at the top to store your settings. You can now visit your WordPress site to see your first wholesale product in action.

For more instructions, see our tutorial on how to add wholesale pricing in WooCommerce.

Step 8: Add a Wholesale Order Form in WordPress

Once you have added all your wholesale products, it’s a good idea to add a wholesale order form. This will allow users to order multiple products in bulk with a single form.

To do this, you will need to use the Wholesale Order Form plugin, which is a part of the Wholesale Suite.

To get started, head over to the Wholesale » Order Forms page in your WordPress admin dashboard and click the ‘Add Form’ button.

This will take you to the form editor, where you need to add a name for the form.

Then, scroll down to the ‘Order Form Table’ section, where you will see a list of your store’s most popular products and their pricing.

You can also drag and drop modules from the ‘Edit Form’ tab on the right panel to your form’s footer. This includes the search input, category filter, add selected products to cart, cart subtotal, and more.

These elements are useful if you have a long list of products, which can help users find what they’re looking for or see the total cost at the top or bottom of the order form.

After that, you can add table elements like stock amount, SKU, description, and product category to your order form.

These elements can provide extra information to users before they decide to add an item to their online shopping cart.

Next, switch to the ‘Settings’ tab in the right column. Here, you can choose to hide the form title, select product sorting order, allow lazy loading for form products, exclude or include specific categories, and so much more.

For more detailed instructions, see our tutorial on how to create a wholesale order form.

When you’re ready, scroll back to the top and click the ‘Publish’ button to store your settings.

Once you do that, a new shortcode field will appear right next to the order form name. Go ahead and copy this shortcode.

Then, open the page or post where you want to add your wholesale order form and click the ‘+’ button at the top.

Next, find and add the shortcode block to your page and paste the copied shortcode into it.

After that, click the ‘Publish’ or ‘Update’ button to save your changes.

You can now visit your WordPress site to view the wholesale order form in action.

And that’s it! Your WordPress B2B store should now be up and running with all the essential elements.

Bonus Tools to Improve Your B2B WordPress eCommerce Store

Now that your B2B eCommerce store has been set up, here is a list of some amazing plugins that can improve your site’s functionality.

These tools can optimize your site to boost conversions, attract visitors, and make your business more successful.

• MonsterInsights: This analytics solution helps you track visitor behavior, enabling you to optimize your store strategy based on real data.
• WPForms: A user-friendly form builder that allows you to create various forms, such as contact and registration forms, to engage customers effectively.
• Wholesale Payments: A part of the Wholesale Suite, this premium plugin lets you create custom payment plans, automate invoice management, and add secure payment methods.
• RafflePress: An excellent giveaway plugin that lets you host contests, helping you grow your audience and promote your products.
• Duplicator: A reliable plugin for creating complete website backups, ensuring your data is safe and easily recoverable in case of a cyber emergency.
• OptinMonster: A powerful lead generation tool that helps you create popups, sliders, and banners to increase signups and conversions.
• LiveChat: This customer service tool allows you to create chatbots, build a knowledge base, and streamline support processes for better customer engagement.
• AffiliateWP: Perfect for managing an affiliate program, this tool helps you track referrals, manage payouts, and grow your sales through partnerships.
• TrustPulse: This plugin uses social proof to improve conversions by showing real-time notifications of customer actions on your site.

We hope this article helped you learn how to easily set up B2B eCommerce in WordPress. You may also want to see our beginner’s guide on how to add a currency converter in WordPress and our list of some impressive eCommerce statistics that you won’t believe.

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The post How to Setup B2B eCommerce in WordPress – Beginner’s Guide first appeared on WPBeginner.