WooCommerce is a free eCommerce plugin which integrates seamlessly with WordPress, the software that runs 26% of the web. WooCommerce is ideal for small to medium size businesses, giving the essential features needed to set up an eCommerce site. For businesses who already have a WordPress site, learning to use the WooCommerce plugin will be a natural progression.
WooCommerce eCommerce Plans, Pricing and Features
The WooCommerce plugin allows users to build a professional online store at no cost. However, businesses will need to pay for hosting, a domain, perhaps a theme and other plugins and extensions.
To see how they compare, have a look at: UK Merchant Account and Debit Card Processing Fee Comparison.
WooCommerce Features
- Complete and unrestricted customisation
- Regularly audited by Sucuri
- Seamlessly integrates commerce with content
- Modular system – add on what you need
- More than 400 official extensions
- Large selection of themes
- Built-in blogging
- Embed products, checkout and more on any page
- Categories, tags and attributes make products easier to find
- Product ratings and reviews
- Customise for your location
- Product sorting and filtering
- Unlimited images and galleries
- Unlimited products
Sell Any Product, Any Time
- Physical or digital products, or both
- Link to affiliate products
- Unlimited variations (colour, size etc)
- Import and export products using a CSV file
- Built-in payment processing from leading providers
- Shipping options
- Shipping rates
- Free shipping
- Geo-location support
- Tax options
Manage Orders and Customers
- Customer accounts and guest checkout
- One-click refunds
- Inventory management
- Order management
- Email templates
- Add shop managers
Optimise your Store
- Search Engine Optimisation
- Coupons
- Show related products
- Highlight important products throughout your store
- In depth reporting
- Add sales and order info to your WordPress dashboard
Other WooCommerce Products and Services
- Storefront
- WooSlider
- Sensei
- Sensei Extensions
Company Background
The idea behind WooCommerce began in 2007, with three WordPress enthusiasts from different countries who shared ideas through emails – Mark, Magnus and Adii. Although the trio launched WooThemes in 2008, they didn’t actually meet until April 2009.
WooCommerce was launched in September 2011, just after the company had released their 100th theme. By 2014, 4 million businesses had downloaded the product. Within two years, this figure had increased to 7 million, with a 37% market share of all online stores. As of 2017, WooCommerce powers over 600,000 websites that sell products online.
The company’s headquarters are in Cape Town with offices and developers dotted around the globe. WooCommerce believes in giving back to local communities and supports the Nelson Mandel Children’s Fund, Westlake United Church Trust, African Tails and the Grow Academy in South Africa.
WooCommerce Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Increases customer interaction and loyalty
- Converts purchases into reviews
- Excellent product for small to medium businesses
Cons:
- Needs more features
- Lack of customer service
- Poor for mobile devices
- Disappointment with paid features
Website: www.woocommerce.com
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