As a Transformation Specialist, I’m sure you’re aware that your income can be fickle at times.
Even monetized YouTubers with huge followings complain that they have significant ups and downs with their income.
The secret to combating this “feast or famine” situation is to diversify.
Just like in the stock market, you can’t put all your eggs in one basket.
To create a steady stream of uninterrupted income, you need to have several different ways to make money.
One surefire way to keep the money flowing is to add an ecommerce store to your website.
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you;
- The tools you need
- How to set them up
- Where to find products
- How to start selling and get paid
I know this is an extensive guide, I created a PDF download for you.
Step 1: Your ecommerce tools
These tools are free, for the most part.
Below are the exact tools you’ll need to create your ecommerce store.
- WordPress: the operating system (FREE)
- OceanWP: the theme (FREE)
- Elementor: page builder (FREE and Pro version)
- Canva: graphics creation (FREE and Pro version)
- Printful: items to sell (FREE)
- Hosting: the place your website lives (PAID)
- WooCommerce: the store engine (FREE)
- Payment Gateways: Stripe and Paypal – how you get paid
If you already have a WordPress website, all you need to do is go to the “Plugins” tab and search for each of the plugins I listed.
If you’re starting from scratch or don’t have WordPress, you’ll need to sign up with a host and install WordPress.
Then you can continue to Step 2.
Step 2: Setting up your online store
After you’ve installed Elementor, WooCommerce, and Printful, you’ll need to decide what you’re going to sell and how you will lay it out to look inviting.
Elementor is free. You can do a lot with the FREE version. However, the Pro version gives you access to more templates and functionality.
You should definitely consider upgrading because gives you the ability to set up your store exactly as you want it to look. Instead of being constrained by the pre-set designs in WooCommerce.
Using the “Theme Builder,” which is only available in Elementor Pro, you have the ability to create your own theme, the way you want it to look.
Your online store layout
Go to Elementor>Theme Builder
Once the window opens, click to Add NEW Product Archive
Choose from the library of templates.
Choose the settings and loook you want.
Choose the display conditions.
Now, you’ll need to go into Printful to look at the different products they offer for customization and sale.
What would your audience absolutely love?
What would they purchase to support you?
There are tried and true, “can’t go wrong” T-shirts and coffee mugs. However, they also have unique items like jewelry pieces, flip-flops, phone cases, and so much more!
Start with 10 items. You don’t have to stick with that, but it will give you an idea of what sells and what doesn’t.
Creating your Products
Use Canva to create the designs that you’ll use to customize your products.
The Free version of Canva is awesome.
I used it for years.
I stepped up to the Pro version when I realized what I was missing and how I could use it to compliment my design work. Plus, with the Pro version, you have so much more EVERYTHING to choose from.
Get Canva Pro free for 30 days using this link.
You can create your design images using Canva. Then download them with a transparent background, so you can place them anywhere on any product.
Install and set up Printful, if you haven’t already.
Once installed, go to the File Library to upload your design(s).
Create a new folder to hold your designs and keep things organized.
Select a category from which to choose a product.
Choose a product template for your first design.
Place your design on the product.
Create the template. Set the name and make any other needed changes.
Save and Add to your store.
Make any needed adjustments to the mockup.
Items like cups are tricky, so you will need to pay attention to your graphic placement.
Choose the mock-ups to display on your website.
Create the details for purchasing your product.
Don’t rely on what’s there already, add some of your own spark.
Finally, set up the product’s price.
Here is where you choose how much commission you want to make.
The thing that I love about Printful is that you can get paid immediately when you sell.
No waiting 30, 60, or even 90 days for payments.
Here’s how to connect Printful to your ecommerce store.
Connect Printful to your WooCommerce store
Let’s go through the WooCommerce set up and finish the connection to Printful.
Install WooCommerce, if you haven’t already.
WooCommerce makes it super easy to set up.
Follow the screens and fill in the information as needed.
After you complete the setup, go into shipping and enable shipping with Printful.
WooCommerce is a real store, on your website.
You sell, you get paid.
Since Printful is integrated into your website, your audience doesn’t leave your site during the purchasing process.
Set up your payment gateway
You’re almost done!
Now, its time to set up your payment gateway so you can sell and get paid.
Stripe and Paypal are your best options, in my opinion.
Because they:
- keep people on your website
- are used and trusted globally
- don’t have a monthly fee
The main difference is that Paypal pays you immediately and Stripe holds your money for 7 days.
You can start with either or both.
People love options, especially when they’re opening their wallets.
Step 3: Promoting your online store
You’re all set.
Your store is designed, set up and ready for payment, and stocked with products.
What’s next?
Getting traffic to buy from you.
Don’t let all your hard work go to waste by not promoting.
When people see the awesome products you’ve presented very nicely and professionally to them, for them.
They will eventually purchase.
You may need to prime them a bit though.
You can do this with contests and give-aways.
Using RafflePress, you can create and run different contests at regular intervals.
Your prize can be one of your products. Think of it as an advertising cost.
And of course, you’ll need graphics. For this you can always use Canva.
However, sometimes you need some design ideas and templates beyond what Canva offers.
For that, you can turn to Adobe Stock photos.
They have thousands of stock photos, including culturally- and ethnically-focused photos and graphics. They also have graphic templates you can download and use.
Some templates require Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, others can be used “out of the box.” It depends on your level or designability.
Either way, you WILL need graphics to help you promote your store and your product images.
There you have it. Your complete guide to add an ecommerce store to your website.
