WooCommerce Store Setup Checklist for New Business Owners

You picked WooCommerce. Good choice. Now comes setup. Skip something here and it'll bite you after launch.

This checklist makes sure you're ready.

Before You Launch

Get Basics Working

• [ ] Buy your domain
• [ ] Get hosting set up
• [ ] Install WordPress and WooCommerce
• [ ] Install SSL certificate (security)
• [ ] Pick www or non-www and stay consistent
• [ ] Set timezone
• [ ] Automate backups weekly

Configure WooCommerce

• [ ] Go to WooCommerce > Settings
• [ ] Set your currency
• [ ] Set country and region
• [ ] Turn off comments (you're not a blog)
• [ ] Add business info (name, address, phone)

Load Your Products

• [ ] Create categories
• [ ] Create attributes (size, color, etc.)
• [ ] Upload 25-50 core products
• [ ] Write product descriptions (200 words, include keywords)
• [ ] Add quality product images (white background best)
• [ ] Set prices
• [ ] Set tax status
• [ ] Set weights and dimensions for shipping
• [ ] Turn on product reviews
• [ ] Cross-sell related items

Payments

• [ ] Create Stripe account
• [ ] Connect Stripe to WooCommerce
• [ ] Test a $0.01 payment
• [ ] Add PayPal or other options
• [ ] Set fraud prevention
• [ ] Test confirmation emails send

Shipping

• [ ] Decide how you're shipping (flat rate, zones, etc.)
• [ ] Set up shipping zones if needed
• [ ] Configure shipping rates
• [ ] Test checkout calculations
• [ ] Set tax rules by location
• [ ] Write your refund policy

Checkout

• [ ] Review checkout page (keep it simple, few fields)
• [ ] Only ask for what you need
• [ ] Allow guest checkout
• [ ] Set up coupon codes
• [ ] Test checkout end-to-end
• [ ] Verify order confirmation emails work
• [ ] Test on phones (this matters most)

Legal Stuff

• [ ] Write Privacy Policy
• [ ] Write Terms of Service
• [ ] Write Return/Refund Policy
• [ ] Write Shipping Policy
• [ ] Link them in footer
• [ ] Check GDPR if selling to EU
• [ ] Add cookie consent if needed

Protect Your Site

• [ ] Install Wordfence or similar security plugin
• [ ] Turn on two-factor authentication
• [ ] Block direct file editing
• [ ] Hide WordPress version
• [ ] Use strong passwords
• [ ] Delete unnecessary user accounts
• [ ] Turn on HTTPS everywhere
• [ ] Scan with security tool

SEO

• [ ] Install Yoast or Rank Math
• [ ] Connect Google Search Console
• [ ] Connect Google Analytics 4
• [ ] Write meta descriptions
• [ ] Generate XML sitemap
• [ ] Verify Search Console
• [ ] Check page speed (aim for 3 seconds or less)
• [ ] Compress images
• [ ] Add breadcrumb and product schema

Speed

• [ ] Install caching plugin
• [ ] Enable Gzip compression
• [ ] Minify CSS and JavaScript
• [ ] Add a CDN
• [ ] Optimize database
• [ ] Check Google PageSpeed Insights
• [ ] Fix slow pages

Test Everything

• [ ] Test on phones, tablets, desktops
• [ ] Check all links work
• [ ] Test in Chrome, Safari, Firefox
• [ ] Test payments with test card
• [ ] Test shipping math
• [ ] Test tax calculations
• [ ] Test coupons
• [ ] Test product search and filters
• [ ] Test account creation
• [ ] Test password reset
• [ ] Check images display
• [ ] Proofread everything

First 30 Days After Launch

Watch and Fix

• [ ] Monitor analytics
• [ ] Check emails are going out
• [ ] Read customer feedback
• [ ] Monitor uptime and performance
• [ ] Check error logs
• [ ] Reply to customers fast

Promote

• [ ] Set up Google Ads tracking
• [ ] Create email signup
• [ ] Connect email service
• [ ] Post on social media
• [ ] Tell people you launched
• [ ] Build your email list
• [ ] Start blogging with keywords

Run It

• [ ] Add customer reviews
• [ ] Track inventory
• [ ] Watch what sells
• [ ] Fix underperformers
• [ ] Answer customer questions in FAQ
• [ ] Update WordPress weekly
• [ ] Update plugins
• [ ] Verify backups work

Don't Miss These

1. Too many products at launch: Start with 25-50 core items.

1. Weak product descriptions: Write 200 words with keywords and benefits.

1. Bad photos: Quality images on white background. Photos drive sales.

1. Confusing checkout: Every field you ask for loses conversions. Keep it short.

1. Slow site: Kills sales. Target under 3 seconds.

1. Ignore mobile: 70% of shoppers use phones. Make it work.

1. Skip legal pages: Privacy, terms, and returns are required.

1. Broken emails: Customers need order confirmation. Bad setup angers people.

1. Complex shipping: Simple flat rate converts better than complex zones.

1. Don't test first: Place one test order before launch. Catch 90% of problems.

Tools to Get

• Email (Mailchimp, ConvertKit)
• Analytics (Google Analytics 4)
• Images (Canva)
• SEO (Yoast or Rank Math)
• Backups (UpdraftPlus)
• Security (Wordfence)

Timeline

• Setup: 1-2 days
• Add products: 3-7 days
• Configuration: 2-3 days
• Testing: 1-2 days
• Total: 1-2 weeks

Go Live

Use this checklist. Your site will run smoothly, turn visitors into buyers, not frustrate people.

Build your store and follow this checklist.