How to Install WordPress and WooCommerce: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why WordPress + WooCommerce?

WordPress is the world’s most popular CMS (Content Management System), powering over 40% of all websites. Combined with WooCommerce, the free and open-source eCommerce plugin, it becomes a powerful platform that allows anyone to create a customizable online store.

WooCommerce offers:

Free installation with flexibility to scale.
Full ownership of your store and customer data.
Extensive plugins for payments, shipping, and marketing.
Support for international sales with multiple currencies and languages.

If you’re ready to start your own online store, let’s walk through the installation process step by step.

Step 1: Choose a Hosting Provider and Domain

Before installing WordPress, you need:

A domain name (e.g., yourstore.com).
A hosting plan – recommended to choose WordPress-optimized hosting for speed and security.

Popular hosting providers for WooCommerce include:

Bluehost
SiteGround
Hostinger
WP Engine

When signing up, you can usually register your domain at the same time.

Step 2: Install WordPress

Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation. After installation, you can log in to your WordPress dashboard via:

From here, you’ll manage your website, including themes, plugins, and store settings.

Step 3: Install the WooCommerce Plugin

To add eCommerce functionality:

Go to your WordPress Dashboard → Plugins → Add New.
Search for “WooCommerce.”
Click Install Now, then Activate.

WooCommerce will automatically launch a Setup Wizard to guide you through initial settings.

Step 4: Configure Your Store

The Setup Wizard will ask for basic information such as:

Store address (country, city, postal code).
Currency you want to sell in.
Product types (physical goods, digital downloads, services).
Business category and size (for analytics and recommendations).

This step ensures WooCommerce adapts to your business needs.

Step 5: Choose and Customize a Theme

WooCommerce works with most WordPress themes, but using a WooCommerce-compatible theme is recommended.

Free and premium options include:

Storefront (official WooCommerce theme).
Astra (lightweight, customizable).
Flatsome (popular premium option).

You can customize the theme via:
Dashboard → Appearance → Customize.

Step 6: Set Up Payment Gateways

WooCommerce supports multiple payment gateways out of the box, such as:

PayPal
Stripe
Direct bank transfer
Cash on delivery

To configure:
Dashboard → WooCommerce → Settings → Payments

For international selling, PayPal is one of the most trusted and widely accepted gateways.

Step 7: Configure Shipping

If you sell physical products, you need to set up shipping:

Define shipping zones (domestic, international).
Add shipping methods (flat rate, free shipping, real-time carrier rates).
Connect with logistics plugins (DHL, UPS, FedEx).

Step 8: Add Products

Go to Products → Add New to upload your first items. Include:

Product name & description.
Images & galleries.
Pricing (regular and discounted).
Inventory settings (SKU, stock levels).
Shipping information (weight, dimensions).

Step 9: Install Essential Plugins

To enhance your store’s performance, consider installing:

Yoast SEO (for search engine optimization).
WooCommerce Multilingual & Multi-Currency (for international sales).
Mailchimp for WooCommerce (for email marketing).
Jetpack (for security and analytics).

Step 10: Test Your Store

Before launching, always:

Place a test order to check payment and shipping settings.
Review mobile responsiveness.
Check site speed and fix any performance issues.

Conclusion

Setting up WordPress + WooCommerce is a straightforward process that gives you full control over your online store. With the right hosting, theme, and plugins, you can create a professional eCommerce site tailored to your business.

For Vietnamese businesses aiming to sell internationally, WooCommerce provides the flexibility and scalability needed to compete globally — as long as you pair it with the right payment gateway, shipping partners, and marketing strategy.

Agenda