Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the essential steps of installing and configuring WooCommerce on a WordPress site. By following the instructions, you'll be able to lay the groundwork for your online store and start selling products.

You will learn how to:
- Install WooCommerce.
- Configure settings for your online store.
- Add products to your store.

Prerequisites:
- A WordPress website.
- Admin access to the WordPress dashboard.
- Basic knowledge of WordPress.

Step-by-Step Guide

Installing WooCommerce

1. Log into your WordPress admin area.
2. Navigate to "Plugins" > "Add New".
3. In the search box, type "WooCommerce" and press Enter.
4. Click "Install Now" on the WooCommerce plugin, and then click "Activate".

Configuring WooCommerce

After activation, WooCommerce will launch a setup wizard to help you configure your store.

1. Store Details: Enter your store's location, currency, and type of products you plan to sell.
2. Payment: Choose your payment methods. WooCommerce supports both online and offline payments.
3. Shipping: Set your shipping zones and rates.
4. Recommend: WooCommerce will suggest some additional plugins. Choose based on your needs.
5. Activate: Connect your store to Jetpack for additional features.

Adding Products

1. Go to "Products" > "Add New".
2. Enter the product name and description.
3. Set the product price, and add any additional details like SKU, stock status, etc.
4. Add a product image and gallery images if needed.
5. Click "Publish" to make the product live.

Code Examples

Though most of WooCommerce setup can be done through the WordPress dashboard, sometimes you might need to add custom code. Here are a couple of examples:

Example 1: Add a custom message to the "Thank you" page.

// Add the code to your theme's functions.php file
add_action( 'woocommerce_thankyou', 'custom_thankyou_message' );
function custom_thankyou_message( $order_id ) {
    echo '<p>Thanks for your order! We appreciate your business.</p>';
}

Example 2: Change the number of products displayed per page.

// Add the code to your theme's functions.php file
add_filter( 'loop_shop_per_page', 'custom_products_per_page', 20 );
function custom_products_per_page( $cols ) {
    // Change the number 10 to the number of products you want to display
    return 10;
}

Summary

In this tutorial, you've learned how to install WooCommerce, configure your store settings, and add products. Next, you can explore more about managing orders, customizing your store's look, or integrating with other services.

Additional Resources:
- WooCommerce Documentation
- WordPress Codex

Practice Exercises

1. Install a WooCommerce-ready theme and customize it to match your brand.
2. Add a few more products to your store, with different types (simple, variable, etc.).
3. Install a payment gateway plugin and configure it.

Tip: Don't rush. Take your time to understand each step and how it contributes to your online store's functionality. Keep exploring and experimenting with different settings and options.