Add WooCommerce to your site from the Plugins screen, activate it and choose Set up my store to start the guided setup. Answer its questions about your shop, work down the checklist that follows, covering products, payments, design, sales tax and shipping, and you're ready to open once a test order goes through cleanly.
Why a new store opens in Coming soon mode
Start with the part most people don't expect. A shop isn't open to buyers just because the plugin is active and your products are in. It stays in Coming soon mode until you complete the Launch your store task at the end of the checklist.
That task looks for a finished test order, working payment and email notifications, and a decision about whether Coming soon mode should stay on. So plan a test purchase before opening day, not after it.
Planning before you install anything
WordPress itself needs to be running first. Still choosing where the site lives? Our round-up of WordPress hosting is the place to start.
A little preparation makes the wizard quick. Have your shop name decided, know whether you're selling products, services or both, and decide on your store email address.
Think about payments as well. You'll either install a payment provider or switch on offline payment methods, and knowing which you want saves a pause halfway through the checklist.
Gather your first few products too: names, descriptions and photos. Adding them is the first item on the checklist, so having them ready means you're not stuck at the start.
Building the store, from plugin to launch
- Go to Plugins, then Add New, then Search Plugins.
- Search for WooCommerce, then install and activate it.
- Select Set up my store.
- Fill in your store name, what you sell, your location and a store email.
- Add your products.
- Set up payments: install a provider or enable offline methods.
- Customize your store, then Collect sales tax.
- Select your shipping options, if shown.
- Launch your store.
New to plugins? Our guide on adding a plugin to WordPress shows the first two steps in more detail.
You don't have to finish in one sitting. The guided setup can be skipped and picked up later.
Step six is the one with the most choice in it. Set up payments takes you to WooCommerce, then Settings, then Payments. From there you either install a payment provider or switch on offline payment methods, and the providers on offer depend on your country and on what you told the wizard.
Running your test order
Treat the test order as a dress rehearsal. Buy one of your own products the way a customer would, from the shop page through to the confirmation screen, using the payment method you expect most people to choose. Pick the product you expect to sell most, so the test mirrors a typical order.
Then check three things. Did the order arrive in your dashboard? Did the payment come through as expected? Did both you and the buyer receive the email notifications? If any answer is no, fix it now, while the only person affected is you.
Choosing how the store looks
The theme you pick in the wizard sets the starting look and layout of your shop, and you can customise it afterwards. Treat it as a starting point rather than a final decision.
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Our list of themes built for online shops is a good shortlist if you'd rather not start from a blank design.
When the setup doesn't go to plan
The payment provider you wanted isn't listed
Which providers appear depends on your country and on what you entered during setup. Check the location you gave the wizard, then revisit the Payments screen.
Shoppers can't see the store
If shoppers still can't reach it, finish the final checklist task and turn off Coming soon.
There's no shipping step in your checklist
The checklist only shows shipping when it applies, so carry on with the remaining tasks.
You'd rather not take card payments yet
Offline payment methods can be switched on instead of a provider, which suits a soft launch to people you already know.
As of Nov 2026, the setup route above follows WooCommerce's official documentation, so check it when a screen on your version differs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell services as well as physical goods?
Yes. The wizard asks what type of products or services you plan to sell.
Can I change my store details after setup?
Yes. The name, product type, location and email you gave the wizard can all be changed later in WooCommerce settings.
Where do I find the payment settings later?
Go to WooCommerce, then Settings, then Payments, where providers for your store country are listed.
Can I stay hidden while I add more products?
Yes. Nothing forces you live the moment testing passes, so leave Coming soon on until your catalogue is ready.
Do I need WordPress installed before adding WooCommerce?
Yes, it's a WordPress plugin. Many hosting companies offer one-click WordPress installation; otherwise you download WordPress from WordPress.org and install it yourself.
