How to Sell on WordPress With WooCommerce: Costs and Step-by-Step Setup (2026)
Free Online Selling Course, Lesson 44 · Module 8: Build Your Own Store · See all lessons
If you already have a WordPress website, or you want full control over your store, WooCommerce lets you turn WordPress into an online shop. It is the free eCommerce plugin from WooCommerce, and you can sell physical products, digital downloads, and more.
Here is the part beginners misunderstand: WooCommerce itself is free, but your store is not. You need hosting and a domain, you pay payment processing fees on each sale, and many stores add paid extensions later, which WooCommerce bills yearly. The upside is there is no monthly platform fee like Shopify’s, and you own everything.
This lesson walks you through setting up a WooCommerce store step by step, what it really costs, and how WooPayments fees work in the US. Everything comes from WooCommerce’s own documentation, checked in October 2026.
How Do You Sell on WordPress With WooCommerce?
Get WordPress hosting, install WordPress, then go to Dashboard, Plugins, Add New, search for “WooCommerce,” and install and activate it. Follow the Setup Wizard to add your store details, pick a theme (WooCommerce recommends its free Storefront theme), set up payments such as WooPayments, add your products, and place a test order. WooPayments has no monthly fee and charges 2.9% + $0.30 per US card payment.
How Much Does a WooCommerce Store Cost?
| Cost | What WooCommerce says |
|---|---|
| WooCommerce plugin | Free (you can start a store for free and scale up) |
| WordPress software | Free from WordPress.org |
| Hosting | You need a host; many offer one-click WordPress installs |
| Theme | Free themes available; Storefront is free; premium themes cost extra |
| Extensions | Optional; each is a subscription billed annually |
| Payments (WooPayments, US cards) | 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, no setup or monthly fee for online payments |
Extra WooPayments fees for US stores:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| International card | +1.5% |
| Currency conversion | +1% |
| Dispute | $15.00 |
| In-person card payments | 2.7% + $0.10 |
Compare it with Shopify: our free WooCommerce vs Shopify cost calculator compares your monthly costs on both.
How to Set Up WooCommerce Step by Step
Step 1: Choose Hosting
WooCommerce’s getting started guide begins with hosting. You can use a host from WooCommerce’s recommended hosting page, or any host that runs WordPress. Many hosts have one-click WordPress installation.
Step 2: Install WordPress
If your host does not install it for you, download WordPress from WordPress.org and follow the WordPress installation instructions.
Step 3: Install and Activate WooCommerce
From your WordPress dashboard:
- Go to Dashboard, Plugins, Add New.
- Search for “WooCommerce.”
- Click Install, then Activate.
(You can also download the plugin zip and upload it under Plugins, Add New, Upload.)
Step 4: Follow the Setup Wizard
When you activate WooCommerce, a Setup Wizard opens. WooCommerce strongly advises following it, because it takes you through the initial setup of your store.
Step 5: Pick a Theme
Your theme sets the look and layout of your store. WooCommerce recommends Storefront and its child themes because they are built for WooCommerce, and Storefront is free. Other WooCommerce-compatible themes also work.
Step 6: Set Up Payments
WooPayments is WooCommerce’s built-in payment option. WooCommerce says it uses pay-as-you-go pricing with no setup fees, no monthly fees for online payments, and no hidden charges; fees come out of each payment. For US stores, card payments cost 2.9% + $0.30.
Step 7: Add Products
Add your products with titles, descriptions, photos, and prices. WooCommerce can sell physical products and digital downloads.
Step 8: Add Extensions Only When You Need Them
WooCommerce sells extensions for subscriptions, bookings, memberships, shipping, and more. Each is a yearly subscription. Start without them and add only what you need.
Step 9: Test, Then Launch
Place a test order to check checkout, emails, taxes, and shipping before you share your store.
WooCommerce vs Shopify
| WooCommerce | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | Free plugin | From $39/month in the US ($29 yearly) |
| Hosting | You arrange it | Included |
| Card fees (US) | 2.9% + $0.30 with WooPayments | 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic |
| Control | Full control of your site and data | Hosted platform |
| Setup effort | More hands-on | Simpler |
If you prefer a hosted, simpler setup, see how to start a shopify store.
Common Mistakes With WooCommerce
Thinking it is completely free. Hosting, a domain, and payment fees still cost money.
Installing too many plugins. Add extensions only when you need them.
Skipping the Setup Wizard. It handles the key store settings.
Choosing cheap hosting for a busy store. Your host affects speed and reliability.
No test order. Always test checkout before launch.
Key Takeaways
- WooCommerce is a free plugin that turns WordPress into a store.
- You still pay for hosting, a domain, payment fees, and any extensions.
- Install it from Plugins, Add New, then follow the Setup Wizard.
- WooCommerce recommends the free Storefront theme.
- WooPayments charges 2.9% + $0.30 per US card payment, with no monthly fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WooCommerce really free?
The plugin is free, and WooCommerce says you can start a store for free. You still need hosting and a domain, and you pay payment fees and any paid extensions.
How much does WooPayments charge in the US?
2.9% + $0.30 per card payment, plus 1.5% for international cards and 1% for currency conversion. Disputes cost $15.
Is WooCommerce cheaper than Shopify?
It can be, because there is no monthly platform fee. But you pay for hosting and possibly extensions, so compare your real costs with our calculator.
Can I sell digital products with WooCommerce?
Yes. WooCommerce can sell digital downloads as well as physical products.
Final Thoughts
WooCommerce is a great choice if you want full control and already like WordPress. Get good hosting, install WooCommerce, follow the Setup Wizard, use a free theme to start, and add paid extensions only when your store needs them.
Next, see how to start a shopify store, or explore the free online selling course.
You finished: Free Online Selling Course, Lesson 44
Keep going step by step. Each lesson builds on the last one.
