Installing WordPress and Setting Up WooCommerce

Now that you have your domain name and hosting set up, it is time to build the foundation of your jewelry website.

This step might sound technical, but it is actually pretty straightforward. Most modern hosting services make it possible to install WordPress in just a few minutes. For this guide, we will use Namecheap EasyWP to walk through the process, then explore the dashboard and install WooCommerce so your site is ready to start selling.

Watch the Installation Walkthrough

If this is your first time setting up WordPress, the easiest way to follow along is to watch the video below. In this walkthrough, we show exactly how to install WordPress using Namecheap EasyWP and how to get your site ready for WooCommerce.

You can watch the video first and then follow the written steps below as a reference.

Install WordPress Using Namecheap EasyWP

If you are using Namecheap EasyWP hosting, WordPress installation is extremely simple because WordPress is already built into the hosting package.

Instead of uploading files or manually configuring software, EasyWP creates a ready-to-use WordPress site during setup.

Setting Up Your WordPress Site

1. Log in to your Namecheap account.
2. Click Apps in your dashboard.
3. Click on the EasyWP application..
4. If this is your first time setting up the hosting, click on New Website to be guided through creating your WordPress site.
5. Enter the name of your website.
6. Choose the domain name you want to connect to the site.
7. Create your WordPress admin username and password.
8. Click Create WordPress Site.
   
   

Within a minute or two, your WordPress website will be ready.

EasyWP automatically installs WordPress and prepares your hosting environment so everything is ready to go.

Connecting Your Domain to EasyWP

If your domain was purchased through Namecheap, connecting it to EasyWP is very straightforward.

Inside the EasyWP dashboard, you will see an option to connect your domain. Select the domain you want to use and confirm the connection.

Once this step is complete, visitors will be able to reach your website using your domain name.

At this point, the main technical setup for your website is finished.

Accessing Your WordPress Dashboard

Once your WordPress site is created, you can log in to your dashboard directly from the EasyWP panel.

1. Go to your EasyWP dashboard inside Namecheap.
   

2. Click WP Admin.
   
   

This opens the WordPress control panel, where you will manage your website.

Your login page will also typically be located at:

yourdomain.com/wp-admin

This is the area where you will install plugins, create pages, add products, and manage your shop.

Understanding the WordPress Dashboard

When you log in to WordPress for the first time, you will see the dashboard. This is the control center for your entire website.

On the left side, you will see a menu with several sections.

Some of the most important ones include:

Posts

Posts are used for blog articles. This is where the blog section of your website will live.

Pages

Pages are the main sections of your website, such as your home page, about page, and contact page.

Appearance

This section controls your website design and theme.

Plugins

Plugins add new features to your website. WooCommerce will be one of these plugins.

Settings

This section allows you to adjust important site settings like your website title, time zone, and permalink structure.

At first the dashboard can feel like a lot, but you will only use a few sections regularly.

Install WooCommerce

WooCommerce is the plugin that turns your WordPress website into an online store.

It allows you to create product listings, accept payments, manage orders, and configure shipping.

If you did not choose to install WooCommerce during your WordPress setup, you can install WooCommerce at any time by following the instructions outlined below.

Installing WooCommerce

1. In the WordPress dashboard, click Plugins.
   
   

2. Click Add New Plugin.
   
   

3. Search for WooCommerce.
   
   

4. Click Install Now.
   
   

5. Click Activate.
   
   

Once activated, WooCommerce will launch a setup wizard to help configure your store.

Run the WooCommerce Setup Wizard

The setup wizard asks a few basic questions so WooCommerce can configure your shop correctly.

Store Details

Enter your business address and choose your store currency.

Industry

Select the option that best describes your store. Jewelry sellers will typically choose retail or handmade goods.

Product Types

Most jewelers only need to select physical products.

Payments

WooCommerce may recommend payment providers like Stripe or PayPal. You can connect these now or set them up later.

Shipping

You can configure shipping zones and rates later as well, so do not worry about getting everything perfect during this step.

Create Your First Test Product

Before moving on to design and layout, it is helpful to create a simple test product so you can see how your shop works.

1. Click Products in the WordPress dashboard.
   

2. Click Add New.
   

3. Enter a product name.
   

4. Add a description.
   

5. Upload an image.
   

6. Enter a price.
   

7. Click Publish.
   
   

You now have your first product listing.

Quick Setup Checklist

If you want a quick reference while setting up your website, use this checklist.

✔ Install WordPress using Namecheap EasyWP
✔ Log in to your WordPress dashboard
✔ Install the WooCommerce plugin
✔ Run the WooCommerce setup wizard
✔ Confirm your store location and currency settings
✔ Review product and inventory settings
✔ Create a test product to confirm your store works

Once these steps are complete, your website will have the core structure needed to start building your online jewelry shop.

A Tip for Jewelers Selling One-of-a-Kind Pieces

If you sell one-of-a-kind jewelry, WooCommerce works especially well because you can simply set the inventory quantity to one item.

Once the piece sells, WooCommerce automatically marks it as sold out.

This makes it very easy to manage small batch collections or unique handmade work.

What Comes Next

At this point, you have the basic structure of your website in place.

You have installed WordPress, set up WooCommerce, and created the foundation of your online store.

The next step is making your website look polished and professional.

In the next post we will talk about choosing a theme that works well for jewelry websites, including how to avoid themes that slow down your site or break your shop layout.