Are you considering opening your online store using WordPress and WooCommerce? You’re not alone, and you’re not behind. DJ-Extensions’ solid themes, professional services, and plug-and-play themes give you all you need to sell online fast. Whether you’re a small business or a growing eCommerce venture, we’ve covered everything from installation to success.
Let’s move into the five essentials for smartly opening your WooCommerce store.
Start with a Solid Foundation: WordPress + WooCommerce
Every successful online eCommerce site is built on a solid foundation, and for the million-plus online companies, that is WordPress coupled with the WooCommerce plugin. These two provide everything you need to start and nurture your online business.
WordPress is your site’s bedrock. It is a robust content management system (CMS) that is simple to use and flexible and boasts a vast plugin base. You can create and edit pages, blog posts, media, and site settings willy-nilly, even if you’re not a programmer.
WooCommerce, the top-selling WordPress eCommerce plugin, transforms your website into a full-blown online store. It has built-in support for inventory management, multiple payment processors, shipping and tax calculations, and the capability to offer discount codes or promotions. Its modularity lets you scale with your business, adding new capabilities through extensions or third-party solutions.
WordPress and WooCommerce build a stable, extendable, and SEO-friendly setup that gives you complete control of your store and the ability to turn it into whatever you require. Whatever physical products, downloads, or subscription products you sell, this setup is an ideal foundation for any serious online entrepreneur.
Find the Perfect Theme
Design matters a lot. Your website must make that first impression to be trusted and represent your brand. Our YOOtheme-based eCommerce themes are the epitome of success. They are not just well-designed but also functional. Built to fit perfectly with WooCommerce, our themes are UX-optimized, mobile-friendly, and lightning-fast.
Browse through our top-selling ready-to-use solutions:
- DJ-BeOrganic: For well-being and cosmetic brands.
- DJ-EcoFood: For the eco-products and organic food stores.
- DJ-Electronics: Perfect for tech and electronics shops.
- DJ-FashionStore: Great for accessories and fashion sites.
Each theme includes layouts, sample data, and essential plugins for a quick launch.
Skip the Hassle with Our Quickstart Packages
If you want to get your store online fast, our Quickstart installations are the way to go. These are full website backups, pre-configured to mirror our demo sites, including sample products, menus, layouts, and more. Install and replace content, and you’re ready to sell.
You’ll save hours of setup time and avoid tech headaches. It’s genuinely eCommerce made simple.
What is WordPress Quickstart?
The Quickstart package is a demo backup (.zip file) taken from our demo server. It includes WordPress and is installed like a typical backup created with Akeeba Backup. Once installed, your site will look exactly like our demo pages.
You won’t need to set everything up from scratch – the installation is straightforward and takes only a few minutes.
The WordPress Quickstart package includes:
- All WordPress core files,
- All of our plugins used on the demo site (excluding Yootheme PRO, which must be purchased separately),
- Sample data (including settings, extensions, content, etc.),
- Pre-installed and configured template styles.
How to Install the WordPress Quickstart? Step-by-Step Guide
1. Uploading the Quickstart Package
First, you need to transfer the Quickstart package to your server. If your hosting provider allows server-side extraction, you can save time by uploading the entire compressed .zip file directly to your hosting space and extracting it. Unzip the package on your computer if that option isn’t available and upload the extracted files manually via FTP (such as FileZilla).
2. Creating a New Database
Before installation, WordPress needs a dedicated MySQL database.
If you’re using a cPanel hosting account, open the MySQL Database Wizard and follow the steps to create:
- A database name
- A database user
- A password for that user
- Remember to write this information down; you’ll need it during installation.
If your host doesn’t offer cPanel, ask their support team to create a new MySQL database or provide guidance.
3. Running the Installation
Now, it’s time to launch the installation wizard. Open your browser and enter your website’s URL followed by /qickstart.php (e.g., www.yoursite.com/qickstart.php). This will start the Akeeba Kickstart installer. Quickstart is a site backup made with Akeeba Backup, so you’re restoring a prebuilt demo site.
4. Using Akeeba Kickstart – Restoring the Site
Once the Kickstart interface loads, click Start to begin the extraction. The archive will unpack all files directly onto your server. After extraction, click “Run the Installer” to begin the setup process.
5. Pre-installation Check
The installer will check the server environment to ensure everything meets WordPress requirements. If there are issues, correct them manually or contact your host for help. Once all is good, click “Next” to proceed.
6. Database Configuration
Fill in your database details:
- Database Type: leave the default
- Database Server Hostname: usually localhost, unless your host uses a different address
- User Name: the database username you created earlier
- Password: the password for the above user
- Database Name: the exact name of your new database
- Table Prefix: choose a custom prefix (e.g., demo_), remember to end it with an underscore
Click “Next” to continue.
7. Site Configuration
Now it’s time to define some basic details for your new WordPress site:
- Site Name
- Site Email Address
- Sender Name for outgoing emails
- Super User Email Address
- Most importantly, set a strong admin password for your WordPress dashboard.
Once everything is filled out, click “Next”.
8. Wrapping Up Installation
You’re almost done! You might now open two browser tabs, one for Akeeba and one for the installer. Go ahead and close the current (installer) tab. Return to the Kickstart tab and click “Clean Up” to remove leftover installation files and secure your site.
9. Visit Your New Website
Click “Visit your site’s front end” to check it out. You’ll notice that the site is live, but the design isn’t fully styled yet; there is one last section left.
Setting Up the Theme & Final Touches
1. Log in to the Admin Dashboard
Go to your site’s backend by typing /wp-admin at the end of your domain (e.g., www.yoursite.com/wp-admin). Log in with the admin credentials you set during installation.
2. Install the Theme
Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New.
Click Upload Theme and choose the YOOtheme Pro Page Builder file you downloaded from https://yootheme.com/page-builder.
Once uploaded, activate the theme.
3. Activate the Child Theme
Still in the Appearance > Themes section:
Locate the YOOtheme Child Theme
Click Activate to apply it.
4. Customize the Site
Now that your theme is active:
Go to Appearance > Customize
You’ll see your site styled just like the demo. Looking good!
5. Add the Product Search to Your Header
To enhance usability, add a search bar for products:
Navigate to Appearance > Widgets.
Find the Header section.
Add the Product Search widget to that area.
Your visitors can easily find products right from the top of the page.
And you’re done! Your site is fully set up with demo content, design, and search functionality, ready for customization and launch.
6. Tap into Your Website’s Complete Potential with Custom WordPress Development
Every company is different, so why settle for a generic solution? Off-the-shelf themes and plugins can get you started, but they can only take you so far in creating a truly bespoke experience. That’s where our custom WordPress development services enter the picture. Whether you require a custom plugin developed from scratch, a custom API integration implemented, or a fully tailored theme that reflects your brand essence, our WordPress experts are poised to turn it into reality.
From function optimized for performance to pixel-perfect design, we excel at:
- Custom plugin and theme development
- Integration of third-party tools and platforms (CRMs, payment gateways, ERPs, etc.)
- Complete website redesigns or migrations from other systems to WordPress
We don’t tweak templates; we develop custom WordPress solutions that are scalable, secure, and built to grow with your company. Every line of code is written with your goals in mind.
Summary
Opening a successful WooCommerce store requires more than uploading products; it requires the right tools, careful planning, and a well-specified strategy. Everything matters, from choosing a good theme and plugins to ensuring smooth performance and user experience. Whether you’re using a quickstart package or building from scratch, the goal is to create a store that looks great, runs smoothly, and converts visitors into loyal customers. With the proper setup and support, your WooCommerce shop is ready to stand out and grow.