WooCommerce Review: Pros and Cons of the Ecommerce Plugin
Are you looking for the best ecommerce plugin for your WordPress site to help you start an online store? Based on our extensive review of the Best WordPress Plugins, WooCommerce consistently ranks as the top ecommerce option.
But, is WooCommerce good? WooCommerce is an open-source plugin that easily integrates with WordPress. You can easily install WooCommerce to support your site’s ecommerce functionality. If you want to create and operate a successful ecommerce business, WooCommerce in WordPress may provide a powerful combination for your online store.
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WooCommerce Plugin Review - Summary
In a nutshell, WooCommerce is an ideal plugin for websites built on the WordPress platform. It’s easy to use, integrates seamlessly with WordPress, and has great extensions available.
Although WordPress may not be a dedicated ecommerce platform, small business owners can easily run a well-designed, fully functional online store when they combine it with the WooCommerce plugin.
Pros
- It’s versatile and easy to use.
- It works with WordPress.
- It has great extensions.
- It provides expert support from experienced developers.
- It’s functional, yet stylish.
Cons
- Its updates don’t always function well with WordPress.
- Users must take responsibility for updates and maintenance because it’s self-hosted.
- Users must know at least a little bit about WordPress in order to reap its full potential.
- While WooCommerce is free, users must still cover the cost of their site’s web hosting, development, and maintenance.
WooCommerce Compared To Other Ecommerce Options
WordPress ranks sixth in TRUiC’s Best Website Builder guide because it isn’t the best ecommerce solution for every type of small business. But, for websites built on the WordPress platform, the WooCommerce plugin remains the obvious choice.
Get Started With WooCommerce
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WooCommerce Pricing
Currently, you can use the basic version of the WooCommerce plugin for free. But, you’ll need to purchase additional plugins or add-ons if you want extra functionality. Those supplementary plugins and add-ons generally only become crucial when an online business expands exponentially, which often renders their extra cost a tiny part of doing business on a larger scale.
Importantly, you’ll also need a domain name and a web hosting service in order to start your online store. Annual domain name registration costs about $12 while web hosting typically ranges from $5 to $25 per month.
While all WordPress themes can work with the WooCommerce plugin, some already include full WooCommerce support and premade templates. Our guide to the Best WordPress Themes — all of which offer WooCommerce compatibility — also provides details about some of the best plugins to consider if you want to extend WooCommerce’s functionality.
To learn more, read our guides on:
How Simple Is the WooCommerce Plugin?
While WooCommerce is one of the most sophisticated and inclusive ecommerce solutions, most people find it pretty easy to use. If you know anything about WordPress, you should easily figure out how to use this plugin to optimize your website. But, even if you don’t know WordPress, you’ll still be able to quickly find your way around.
To start your own ecommerce site with WordPress and WooCommerce, you only need to register a domain name, choose a web host, install Wordpress on your web host, and then install and activate the WooCommerce plugin.
WooCommerce Functionality
The WooCommerce plugin not only provides practical functionality, but also stylish themes. Similar to WordPress themes, WooCommerce themes can transform an online store with a customized, visually striking appearance as well as additional features.
When choosing a WooCommerce theme, remember to consider these factors:
- Update Frequency: A theme with more recent updates will offer increased security and functionality.
- User Ratings: Positive reviews generally indicate a theme works well for most online stores — not just those created by professional web developers or technical geniuses.
- Specific Functionality: Every industry and business has different needs. Think carefully about your online store’s specific needs and then choose a theme that addresses them.
While many WordPress themes already support WooCommerce, WooCommerce themes specifically focus on ecommerce so may suit you better. Some are free, but the premium themes offer more features for a price.
WooCommerce Flexibility and Expandability
WooCommerce doesn’t stand alone, though, because you can use a wide variety of add-ons to expand your online store’s functionality and optimize the user experience. These range from extensions that allow users to create wish lists or specify an order delivery date, for example, to those that translate key elements of your site so it can reach an international audience.
Extensions come with two main benefits:
- They add powerful features to address an online store’s specific needs.
- They’re really easy to set up.
Cost is the only potential downside of WooCommerce extensions. While some are free and many others have reasonable prices, others can be expensive.
The WooCommerce plugin not only has extensions that maximize its functionality, but it also works well with other plugins designed for WordPress sites.
Key plugins you might need include those that actively drive traffic to your site and support search engine optimization (SEO).
For more information, read our guides on How To Drive Traffic To Your Website and How To Improve SEO.
WooCommerce Support
Unsure of how to set up or customize your WooCommerce shop? Consult a WooExpert for assistance.
WooCommerce selects, vets, and verifies these experts only after working with them on client projects or during exchanges in the larger WooCommerce community. You can find them listed in a directory on the WooCommerce website.
WooCommerce Alternatives
If you’re still unsure whether or not WooCommerce is right for you, check out our Best Website Builder Review to see if there’s a tool that’ll better suit your needs.
 |
Best Website Builders |
|---|---|
GoDaddy
4.7/5 |
Best Website Builder Overall
|
Web.com
4.5/5 |
|
Squarespace
4.4/5 |
|
|
Wix
4.4/5 |
|
Shopify 4.3/5 |
Best for Ecommerce
|
WordPress 4.1/5 |
|
Final Thoughts
The WooCommerce plugin’s excellent ecommerce features far outweigh its minor disadvantages. If you want to start an online store or expand your existing store’s capabilities, WooCommerce can help you make your shop an online success.
As ecommerce business owners focus on managing their merchandise and running their online stores, WooCommerce can help them improve their store performance and sales potential.
Considered the most popular ecommerce plugin, WooCommerce currently supports 28 percent of all online stores. Its range of features, extensions, and customizations make selling physical, digital, or affiliate products on WordPress not only possible, but also easy.
Who Shouldn't Use This Tool?
- Non-ecommerce businesses
- Marketing agencies
- Businesses not built on WordPress
Who Should Use This Tool?
- Small ecommerce businesses
- Small businesses and artists who want to sell products online
- Small drop-shipping businesses
Try WooCommerce
With an Envato Creative Subscription. you have access to support, WooCommerce stores and WooCommerce plugins. Get started building your online store with WooCommerce through Envato!
