This article shows you how to add an online shop to your WordPress website using the WooCommerce plugin.
Step 1: Install WooCommerce
Log into your WordPress admin dashboard and click "Plugins" in the left menu. Click "Add New" at the top of the page.
Type "WooCommerce" in the search box. Look for the plugin by "Automattic" - it will have millions of active installations. Click "Install Now" then "Activate".
Step 2: Run the Setup Wizard
WooCommerce will automatically start its setup wizard. Fill in your shop details:
- Where is your store based? Select Ireland
- What industry are you in? Choose the option that best matches your business
- What type of products will you sell? Pick physical products, digital products, or both
- Business details: Add your business name and address
The wizard will ask about payment methods. For Irish businesses, we recommend:
- Stripe (accepts cards and digital wallets)
- PayPal
- Bank transfer for larger purchases
You can skip the marketing extensions for now - you can add these later if needed.
Step 3: Add Your First Product
Click "Products" in your WordPress menu, then "Add New".
Fill in the basic details:
- Product name: What customers will see
- Product description: Full details about the item
- Short description: Brief summary that appears on shop pages
- Price: Include VAT if your business is VAT registered
In the "Product Data" section, choose "Simple product" for most physical items. Set your price in the "General" tab.
For the "Shipping" tab, add the weight and dimensions. This helps calculate accurate shipping costs.
Add product photos using the "Set featured image" button and the "Product gallery" section. Good photos are essential for online sales.
Step 4: Set Up Shipping
Go to "WooCommerce" > "Settings" > "Shipping". Click on "Shipping zones".
Create a shipping zone for Ireland:
- Click "Add shipping zone"
- Name it "Ireland"
- Add "Ireland" to the zone regions
- Click "Add shipping method" and choose "Flat rate"
- Set your standard shipping cost
Repeat this process for other countries you want to ship to, or select "Rest of the World" for international orders.
Step 5: Configure Tax Settings
If your business is VAT registered, go to "WooCommerce" > "Settings" > "Tax".
Check "Enable tax rates and calculations". Click "Standard rates" and add:
- Country: IE (Ireland)
- Rate: 23 (for standard VAT rate)
- Tax name: VAT
Tick "Shipping" if you charge VAT on shipping costs.
Step 6: Create Essential Pages
WooCommerce creates shop pages automatically, but you should customise them. The key pages are:
- Shop (displays all products)
- Cart (shows items before checkout)
- Checkout (where customers pay)
- My Account (customer login area)
You can edit these like any other WordPress page.
If you're still stuck with your eCommerce setup, contact Web60 support through your portal and we'll help you get your online shop running.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to register for VAT to sell online?
A: You need to register for VAT if your annual turnover exceeds €37,500. Contact Revenue or an accountant for advice specific to your business.
Q: Can I sell digital products like PDFs or courses?
A: Yes, WooCommerce handles digital products. When adding a product, check "Virtual" and "Downloadable" in the Product Data section.
Q: How do I add more payment methods?
A: Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments. You can enable additional methods or install plugins for specific payment providers.
Q: Can I offer discount codes to customers?
A: Yes, go to Marketing > Coupons in your WordPress dashboard. You can create percentage discounts, fixed amounts, or free shipping coupons.
Q: How do I manage my orders?
A: Click "WooCommerce" > "Orders" in your WordPress dashboard. Here you can view, process, and update the status of customer orders.
Q: What happens when someone places an order?
A: You'll receive an email notification with the order details. The customer gets a confirmation email and account details if they created an account.
Q: Can I import lots of products at once?
A: Yes, go to Tools > Import in WordPress and select "WooCommerce products (CSV)". You can download a sample CSV file to see the required format.
Last updated: 1 March 2026