WooCommerce has become one of the most popular platforms to set up an online store. But, why has it become so popular? One of many reasons for the popularity of the platform is that it is a free, open-source platform, just as WordPress is. However, as to be expected, you will still incur a few expenses required to run your online store. Before you stop reading and start your search for an alternative platform, know that the price of running a WooCommerce store, similar to running a WordPress website, is customizable. That’s right, you decide how much you want to invest, and you can start small and then grow as you go.
Set WooCommerce Costs
- Domain and Hosting Expenses
To begin, you will need to set up or use your existing WordPress site and add WooCommerce as your chosen eCommerce plugin. To allow your WooCommerce plugin to operate on your site, you will need to select a domain host. If you already have a WordPress website, you will not incur additional expenses. This is as simple as selecting the best-suited host for your needs and paying for the associated fees.
When selecting your host, be sure to do your research. The cost of hosting can be anything between $4 and $5,000 a month. Shocked? We know… it’s a large range. The good news is that you can scale your hosting plan as you grow, and a lower-priced hosting plan should suffice.
So, you’ve chosen your host, what’s next? You will need to register and purchase your domain name. Similarly to your host’s pricing, you will likely get a discount for payments made upfront for extended periods or a discount on the initial cost which will then increase progressively. Depending on the host you select, you may be able to purchase your domain through them. Alternatively, you can do this through registrars such as GoDaddy.
Now, let’s get to the cost of things. This is largely dependent on the hosts and domain registrars that you choose to use. Registration of your domain should cost $16 a year, however, this can be much more expensive should you register with a private seller. Hosting costs come out to an average of $130 a year.
Optional Costs
1. WooCommerce Themes
To those of you that are using WordPress for the first time, take a moment to explore the free themes on offer. Not only are the options endless but, there are also several themes that have been specifically optimized for plugins such as WooCommerce. We recommend using WordPress’ free Storefront theme.
The storefront can be easily customized, to suit your needs, through the WordPress Customizer. A benefit of using WordPress and WooCommerce is that should you experience any issues, they both have very efficient support teams and meetups that are always willing to help.
[links to FB groups]
Of course, paid themes have their benefits too. Why would you consider paying up to $100 a year for a theme when you have access to free ones?
Benefits of paid themes:Â
• Differentiates your site from the rest
• Updates frequently
• Has a variety of functions that free sites don’t have access to
• Typically offer customer support if you have issues
WooCommerce Store Management Fees
You’ve got a domain, a site host, and a WooCommerce plugin… Great! But, how are your customers going to pay for and receive their purchases? You may need a few more tools to get all setup.
A. Payment
The number one priority for payment online is the security of your consumer’s details. If you can’t assure your customers that their details and money are safe, your likely going to miss out on a lot of sales! Thankfully, WooCommerce is highly compatible and will function with all of the most popular, and safe, payment plugins.
The payment for each plugin varies, however, if you are looking at affordable platforms, we recommend using PayPal. When payment is being made, your consumer will be redirected to the PayPal site where they can make payment with their credit card or account. PayPal does not charge a monthly fee but rather deducts 30cents and 2.9% of each payment made through its platform. Should you decide to accept credit card payments through your site, update to PayPal Pro. In addition to the standard cost of use for PayPal, you will need to pay $30 a month.
Alternatively, you could make use of Stripe or Authorize.net of which both cost the same as PayPal per payment, however, Authorize.net costs an additional $25 per month.
B. Shipping
When it comes to shipping, WooCommerce offers three variations of shipment choices:
* Local Pickups,
* Free shipping, or
* Flat rate shipping.
Alternatively, WooCommerce offers a free shipping extension that connects directly to USPS. Could it possibly get any better? Yes, yes it can. You can save time and money by using this extension! It allows you to print your shipping labels directly from your WordPress dashboard.
Should you require a more advanced shipment option, take a look at these alternative plugins:
* ShipStation Integration at $10 and up
* Table Rate Shipping at less than $110
* Distance Rate Shipping at less than $80.
WooCommerce Development Fees
If shop development isn’t your strong point or you find particular aspects of setting up your shop challenging, you may consider hiring a developer. Private developers will likely charge per hour and can cost anything from $10 per hour and more. If you would like a developer to design your shop from the very beginning, WooCommerce offers a list of professionals that are highly proficient in WordPress and WooCommerce. Getting your online shop developed by a professional from scratch can cost anywhere from $500 up to $15,000, with most being around $2,000 to $5,000
Keep in mind that every plugin will add costs to your online shop. Therefore, the more you customize, the more you will spend.
WooCommerce Cost Summary
Hosting: $4 – $5,000 per month (most around $10/month)
Domain Registration: $16 a year
Themes: $0 – $100 a year
PayPal: 30cents + 2.9% of each payment
PayPal Pro: 30cents + 2.9% of each payment + $30 per month
Shipping Management: $0 – $110 per year
Developer: $10 and more per hour or up to $15000 for the full development of your online shop (most costing $2,000 to $5,000 for a full site)
