Strategy for a webshop – oppinions and crash course needed

  • AlexStarbuck

    (@astrbac)


    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hello,

    I need some help with deciding on a strategy for setting up a webshop for a jewelry brand. The dilemma is:

    a WP website with links to a Shopify webshop
    OR
    a complete WP site/shop

    Done so far:
    – domain bought, web hosting set up
    – wordpress installed
    – main plugins set up (contact form, instagram, twitter)
    – mock up content created and uploaded

    Now we need to decide on a design template and this is where confusion begins. I understand that we need a plugin for the back-end (admin panel) which administers the shop (products, orders, cart…) but I suppose we also need a design template for the front-end (what the customer sees)?

    1. Do these two things usually come as a package? I am currently checking Themeforest in the WP commerce category, is that what I need?

    2. When the back end is set up, we will also need a payment gateway (PayPal preferred). Is this part of the plugin/shopping cart or is it something that integrates separately?

    We currently have a Shopify account which is still not actively in use; I’m wondering if we should create a website on WP and link that to the Shopify shop (confusing for the customer but probably more secure) OR get deep into the pitts and do it all on WP?

    MANY thanks to all of you who will take your time and guide me through this.
    Cheers!

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Andrew Nevins

    (@anevins)

    WCLDN 2018 Contributor | Volunteer support

    10 years, 1 month ago

    Example:

    You’re using the Twenty Fourteen theme.

    You download the WooCommerce plugin: http://wordpress.org/plugins/woocommerce/

    The WooCommerce plugin will work on the Twenty Fourteen theme. The WooCommerce plugin has template files to help the theme, what ever it may be, to comply with it.

    So, yes if you use a e-commerce plugin its e-commerce templates are likely to be bundled within it. Otherwise it just wouldn’t work for everyone if they’re using different themes.

    However we can only speak for plugins that are distributed on WordPress.org. For plugins distributed elsewhere you need to talk to those plugins’ vendors.

    Andrew Nevins

    (@anevins)

    WCLDN 2018 Contributor | Volunteer support

    10 years, 1 month ago

    If you do want use a commercial theme, my personal recommendation is WooThemes because of the support that comes with their service: http://woothemes.com/

    Thread Starter AlexStarbuck

    (@astrbac)

    10 years, 1 month ago

    A-ha, now I understand. I basically need to:

    1. install wordpress
    2. install ecommerce plugin which extends the WP “backend” functionality
    3. apply the design theme which is designed with the chosen plugin in mind, so that I got the correct “front end” to displat the products and functions needed for shopping process (sign in, payment gateway, etc.)

    I am interested in this particular theme from Envato
    http://themeforest.net/item/the-retailer-retina-responsive-woocommerce-theme/4287447

    which supports the WooCommerce plug in. What I can’t yet figure out is if it will support other plugin if I decide to change (for example Open Cart) and is the basic free WooCommerce plugin enough to sell simple, unique products without any customization or recurring payments options?

    Thank you very much for your effort!
    Alex

    Andrew Nevins

    (@anevins)

    WCLDN 2018 Contributor | Volunteer support

    10 years, 1 month ago

    simple, unique products without any customization

    or recurring payments options

    Could you explain further what you mean by these?

    …WooCommerce works as-is without customisations.

    Thread Starter AlexStarbuck

    (@astrbac)

    10 years, 1 month ago

    Sorry, my bad.

    What I meant to say is this:

    1. simple website with the ability of selling the products online (necklaces and bracelets)
    2. mostly one off items (handmade and unique) so customers cannot chose variations of the product and then click add to cart/purchase; they can purchase them as they are
    3. options of tracking the shipments not needed (for now at least)

    I wish to avoid purchasing woo extensions (I know there are quite a few) but Id like to get it rolling without increases in budget and stick to basics untill we see if it will work.

    Cheers!

    Jeff Matson

    (@jeffmatson)

    10 years, 1 month ago

    OpenCart is a completely different CMS so it will not work with that same theme. The theme is made for WordPress so it will only work with WordPress.

    The WooCommerce plugin will be enough for plenty of simple products. If you’re looking for recurring subscriptions, WooThemes (The creators of WooCommerce) have an extension that should get it up and running for you:

    http://www.woothemes.com/products/woocommerce-subscriptions/

    While I can’t say for certain that your theme will operate exactly how you want it to, I have a good feeling that it will be just fine. In the worst case scenario, you can always use the theme as a starting point and make customizations as you need to.

    Andrew Nevins

    (@anevins)

    WCLDN 2018 Contributor | Volunteer support

    10 years, 1 month ago

    1. simple website with the ability of selling the products online (necklaces and bracelets)

    Yes WooCommerce can do that.

    2. mostly one off items (handmade and unique) so customers cannot chose variations of the product and then click add to cart/purchase; they can purchase them as they are

    Not sure what you mean, if you just mean can WooCommerce handle non-variant products, as in products without variations, then yes it can do that.

    3. options of tracking the shipments not needed (for now at least)

    Possibly, for the specifics of what you want check the plugin’s settings when you install the plugin.

    Jeff Matson

    (@jeffmatson)

    10 years, 1 month ago

    Shipment tracking can also be done via a WooCommerce extension as well. Check this out:

    http://www.woothemes.com/products/shipment-tracking/

    Thread Starter AlexStarbuck

    (@astrbac)

    10 years, 1 month ago

    Shipment tracking can also be done via a WooCommerce extension as well. Check this out:

    http://www.woothemes.com/products/shipment-tracking/

    I understand but were in Croatia 🙂 so aint no Croatian post in there 😉

    Thanks guys, thank you all. I have decided to try woo and opencart side by side and will decide on one of them for sure. eCommerce is a lot clearer to me now

    Cheers!

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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