Do you want to create an online store with WordPress? Then you are not alone. WordPress in combination with WooCommerce hosting is by far the most popular way to start an online store. According to BuiltWith, more than 29% of all online stores worldwide run on WooCommerce. And the great thing is: the software is completely free. In this complete guide we take you step by step through the whole process, from choosing hosting to setting up payment methods and optimizing your online store for search engines.

Why WordPress + WooCommerce?

• Free and open source: both WordPress and WooCommerce are free to download and use. You only pay for hosting and any premium plugins or themes.
• Enormous flexibility: with thousands of plugins and themes you can make your online store exactly the way you want. From a simple store with 10 products to an extensive e-commerce site with thousands of items.
• Full control: unlike hosted platforms such as Shopify, you own your data and your website. You do not depend on the terms or prices of a third party.
• SEO-friendly: WordPress is naturally good for search engines. With plugins such as Yoast SEO you can optimize every product page for Google.
• Large community: millions of users, thousands of tutorials, and an active forum. If you get stuck, you will always find a solution.
• Scalable: WooCommerce grows with your business. From 10 to 100,000 products, the platform can handle it (provided your hosting is powerful enough).

What do you need to get started?

1. Web hosting

Your online store needs a reliable and fast server. Ordinary shared hosting can be enough for a small store, but for the best performance you preferably choose WordPress hosting that is optimized for WooCommerce. At Theory7 we offer special WooCommerce hosting plans that are tailored to the demands of online stores: fast SSD servers, enough memory, and optimized PHP settings.

When choosing hosting for an online store, look out for: SSD storage (faster than traditional disks), at least 256 MB of PHP memory, HTTP/2 support, and a good uptime guarantee. An online store that is offline costs you revenue directly. Also read our guide on choosing online store hosting for more detailed advice.

2. A domain name

You need a professional domain name. Choose a name that is easy to remember, represents your brand, and preferably ends in .nl (for the Dutch market) or .com (for international). Avoid hyphens and numbers, because they make your URL harder to remember and to convey.

3. An SSL certificate

An SSL certificate is mandatory for online stores. It encrypts the connection between your visitor and your server, so sensitive data such as credit card numbers and personal information is secure. Without SSL, browsers show a "Not secure" warning, which immediately drives visitors away. At Theory7 hosting a free SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt) is included.

Step 1: Arrange hosting and a domain

1. Go to Theory7 online store hosting and choose the plan that suits you.
2. Register your desired domain name or link an existing domain.
3. Complete the order. You immediately receive your login details for the control panel.

After purchasing you have access to DirectAdmin, the control panel with which you manage your hosting. From here you can install WordPress, create email addresses, and manage databases.

Step 2: Install WordPress

1. Log in to DirectAdmin (you receive the link by email).
2. Find Softaculous Apps Installer and click WordPress.
3. Click "Install" and fill in the basic details: site name, admin username, and password.
4. Click "Install". Within 1 minute WordPress is installed.

For a more detailed explanation, take a look at our WordPress installation guide. After the installation you can log in to your WordPress dashboard via yourdomain.nl/wp-admin.

Step 3: Install and configure WooCommerce

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
2. Search for "WooCommerce". It is the plugin by Automattic with millions of installations.
3. Click "Install Now" and then "Activate".
4. WooCommerce automatically starts the setup wizard. Follow the steps:
   • Store details: fill in your company name, address, and country (Netherlands).
   • Industry: select the sector you are active in.
   • Product types: choose whether you sell physical products, digital downloads, or services.
   • Business details: how many products you expect to sell.

After the wizard, WooCommerce automatically creates the essential pages: Shop, Cart, Checkout, and My Account. These pages are needed for your online store to function.

Step 4: Choose a theme

Storefront (free)

Storefront is the official WooCommerce theme, made by the WooCommerce team itself. It is lightweight, fast, and perfectly integrated with WooCommerce. The design is minimalist but professional. Ideal as a starting point that you can customize further.

Astra (free + premium)

Astra is one of the most popular WordPress themes, with more than 1 million active installations. The free version already offers many customization options and fast load times. Astra has ready-made starter templates for online stores that you can import with one click. The premium version (around €59/year) offers even more options.

GeneratePress / Kadence

These are other popular and fast themes that work well with WooCommerce. They all offer a good balance between speed, flexibility, and ease of use. Choose the theme you find most attractive and that suits your product category.

To install a theme: go to Appearance > Themes > Add New, search for the theme, and click "Install" and "Activate".

Step 5: Add products

1. Go to Products > Add New.
2. Fill in the product name. Choose a clear, descriptive name.
3. Write an extensive product description. This is important for both customers and SEO.
4. Set the price (regular price and optionally a sale price).
5. Upload product images. Use several high-quality photos. The first image becomes the main photo.
6. Choose a product category (e.g. "Clothing", "Electronics", "Books").
7. Optionally set up variations (size, color, etc.). This can be done via the "Variable product" tab.
8. Configure stock via the "Inventory" tab. Set the quantity and whether you want to sell while supplies last.
9. Click "Publish".

Tip: invest in good product photos. Research shows that 75% of online shoppers consider product photos the most important purchase criterion. Use a white background, consistent dimensions, and show the product from multiple angles.

Step 6: Set up payment methods

iDEAL

iDEAL is by far the most popular payment method in the Netherlands. More than 70% of all online payments go via iDEAL. To accept iDEAL you need a Payment Service Provider (PSP). Popular options are:

• Mollie: the most popular PSP for Dutch online stores. Simple integration with WooCommerce via a free plugin. Transaction fees: €0.29 per iDEAL payment. No monthly costs.
• MultiSafepay: another popular Dutch alternative with comparable rates.
• Stripe: an international PSP that also supports iDEAL. Popular with businesses that also sell internationally.

Credit card

For international customers, credit card payment is essential. Mollie and Stripe both support Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. The transaction fees are around 1.8% + €0.25 per payment.

PayPal

PayPal is one of the most used payment methods worldwide. WooCommerce has a PayPal integration by default. The costs are around 2.9% + €0.35 per transaction, which is relatively expensive, but many customers appreciate the extra protection PayPal offers.

Other methods

Also consider: Bancontact (for Belgian customers), SOFORT (for German customers), and Apple Pay/Google Pay for mobile buyers. With a PSP such as Mollie you can offer all these methods with one integration.

Step 7: Configure shipping

1. Shipping zones: create zones for different regions (e.g. "Netherlands", "Belgium", "EU", "Rest of the world").
2. Shipping methods: choose per zone which methods are available: flat rate, free shipping (above a certain amount), or calculated based on weight.
3. Shipping costs: set rates per zone. Many Dutch online stores offer free shipping above a threshold amount (e.g. €50), which encourages higher orders.

Popular carriers in the Netherlands:

• PostNL: the standard for Dutch online stores. Offers business rates from around €4.50 per parcel.
• DHL: a popular alternative, especially for heavier parcels. Offers a competitive rate.
• DPD: a good option for Benelux shipments.

There are WooCommerce plugins available that automatically generate shipping labels and send track-and-trace codes to customers. The "PostNL for WooCommerce" plugin is a popular choice.

Step 8: Set up the SEO basics

1. Install Yoast SEO: this plugin helps you optimize every page and product for search engines.
2. Optimize product titles: use descriptive titles with relevant keywords (e.g. "Blue woolen scarf, handmade" instead of "Scarf 001").
3. Write unique product descriptions: never copy texts from the manufacturer. Google penalizes duplicate content.
4. Optimize images: use descriptive file names (blue-woolen-scarf.jpg) and alt texts.
5. Set up nice URLs: go to Settings > Permalinks and choose "Post name". Your products then get URLs such as yourshop.nl/product/blue-woolen-scarf/.
6. Create category pages: well-organized categories help both visitors and Google.

Essential plugins for your online store

• WooCommerce PDF Invoices & Packing Slips: automatically generates invoices and packing slips with every order. Required for Dutch online stores (legal invoice requirements).
• WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache: speeds up your online store by caching pages.
• Wordfence Security: protects your online store against hackers, brute force attacks, and malware.
• UpdraftPlus: makes automatic backups of your online store. Essential to prevent data loss.
• MonsterInsights: links Google Analytics to your online store so you can track visitor statistics.
• YITH WooCommerce Wishlist: lets customers create a wishlist, which increases repeat purchases.

Cost indication: what does a WordPress online store cost?

Component	Cost	Type
WordPress software	€0	One-time
WooCommerce plugin	€0	One-time
Hosting (Theory7)	From ~€5/month	Monthly
Domain name (.nl)	~€10-15/year	Yearly
SSL certificate	€0 (included)	-
Premium theme (optional)	€0-€59/year	Yearly
Mollie transaction fees	€0.29/transaction	Per payment
Premium plugins (optional)	€0-€100/year	Yearly

Total: you can run a professional online store for less than €10 per month in fixed costs (hosting + domain). Compare that with Shopify (from €36/month) or Lightspeed (from €59/month) and the advantage is clear. The only variable costs are the transaction fees per payment, which are comparable across every solution.

Tips for a successful online store

Speed is crucial

An online store that takes longer than 3 seconds to load loses up to 53% of mobile visitors. Choose fast hosting, use a lightweight theme, optimize images, and activate caching. Theory7 WooCommerce hosting is specifically optimized for fast load times.

Mobile-first design

More than 60% of online shopping traffic comes from mobile devices. Make sure your online store looks good and works smoothly on smartphones and tablets. All recommended themes are responsive, but always test on various devices yourself.

Building trust

Online shoppers are cautious. Build trust with: a clear return policy, contact details (phone number, email, address), customer reviews, an SSL certificate (the green padlock), and well-known payment methods. Also consider a quality mark such as Thuiswinkel Waarborg or WebwinkelKeur.

Legal requirements

As a Dutch online store you are legally required to have: terms and conditions, a privacy statement, a cookie notice, a return policy (14 days cooling-off period), and a Chamber of Commerce number and VAT number on your website. Do not take any risks with this, because fines can add up considerably.

Frequently asked questions about a WordPress online store

Is WordPress suitable for a large online store?

Yes, WooCommerce can handle thousands of products and hundreds of orders per day. For very large online stores (more than 10,000 products) you do need more powerful hosting, such as a VPS or dedicated server.

Do I need technical knowledge?

Basic knowledge is enough. WordPress and WooCommerce are designed for non-technical users. Anyone can learn installation, configuration, and product management. For advanced customizations you can optionally hire a developer.

Can I switch from WooCommerce to another platform later?

Yes, WooCommerce offers export functions for products and orders. Switching does take time and effort. The advantage of WordPress is that you own all your data, so you are not locked into the platform.

Which payment method is most important for a Dutch online store?

iDEAL is absolutely number one. More than 70% of Dutch online payments go via iDEAL. In addition, add credit card and PayPal for international customers. With Mollie as your PSP you have these three plus many other methods available.

How much does it cost to have an online store built?

A professional web design agency quickly charges €2,000-€10,000 for a WooCommerce online store, depending on complexity and customization. By doing it yourself with the steps in this guide you save thousands of euros. You can always hire a professional later for specific customizations.

Is WooCommerce safe for payments?

Yes, provided you use SSL and process payments via a certified PSP such as Mollie or Stripe. The payment details of customers are not stored on your server but processed by the PSP. This is safer than handling credit card details yourself.

Creating an online store with WordPress and WooCommerce is achievable for everyone. The software is free, the startup costs are low, and the possibilities are endless. With a good hosting plan from Theory7 WooCommerce hosting, a professional theme, and the right plugins, you can have a working online store within a day.

Start small, test everything thoroughly, and expand as your customer base grows. Your WordPress online store grows with your ambitions, from your first order to your thousandth. Good luck with your online adventure!

Do you need help setting it up? Our team is happy to help. And do not forget to also read our guide on choosing WordPress hosting for more tips about the ideal hosting setup for your online store.

Creating an online store with WordPress: frequently asked questions

Is WordPress suitable for large online stores?

Yes, WordPress with WooCommerce can handle online stores with thousands of products, provided the hosting is powerful enough. For online stores with more than 5,000 products or high visitor numbers we recommend a VPS hosting plan. In addition, optimize your database regularly and use a caching plugin to keep load times acceptable.

Which payment methods should I offer?

For the Dutch market, iDEAL, credit card, and PayPal are the most important payment methods. iDEAL is by far the most popular method with more than 60% of all online payments. Also add Bancontact if you sell to Belgian customers, and consider pay-later via Klarna or Riverty for higher conversions. WooCommerce supports all these methods via payment plugins such as Mollie or Stripe.

How much does a WordPress online store cost per year?

Cost item	Budget	Professional
Hosting	€60-120/year	€180-480/year
Domain name	€10-15/year	€10-15/year
SSL certificate	Free	Free
Premium theme	€0-60 one-time	€60-200 one-time
Essential plugins	€0-100/year	€200-500/year
Payment provider	Transaction fees	Transaction fees
Total year 1	€70-300	€450-1200

Also take a look at our extensive guide on WooCommerce costs for a detailed cost overview.

Creating an online store with WordPress: maintenance and updates

Creating an online store with WordPress: getting started

Sources and references

• WooCommerce, official documentation (woocommerce.com)
• Let's Encrypt, free SSL certificates (letsencrypt.org)
• Wordfence, WordPress Security Report (wordfence.com)
• BuiltWith, Web Technology Usage (builtwith.com)
• Thuiswinkel Waarborg, quality mark for online stores (thuiswinkel.org)
• Chamber of Commerce (kvk.nl)