WooCommerce

WooCommerce is an open-source ecommerce platform built specifically for WordPress, designed to give merchants and developers complete control over their online stores. Unlike many proprietary systems that lock users into predefined workflows, WooCommerce allows store owners to customize every aspect of their selling experience — from checkout flows and payment gateways to data ownership and hosting environments. It is used by over four million online stores worldwide, ranging from small artisan shops to large enterprise operations requiring complex integrations. At its core, WooCommerce transforms any WordPress website into a fully functional online store. Merchants can sell physical products, digital downloads, subscriptions, memberships, bookable services, and even customized items. The system supports unlimited product variations, inventory tracking, stock management, and real-time updates. Shipping options are flexible: flat rates, free shipping, table rates based on weight or destination, and live carrier rates from providers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS can be configured. Tax calculations can be automated based on store location and customer address, including support for VAT and other regional taxes. Payment processing is one of WooCommerce’s strongest areas. It supports over 100 payment gateways out of the box, including credit cards via Stripe or PayPal, direct bank transfers, checks, cash on delivery, and popular regional methods such as Klarna, Afterpay, and Alipay. For stores with higher transaction volumes, WooCommerce Payments provides a built-in solution that simplifies reconciliation and reduces third-party fees. The checkout experience can be fully customized — merchants can add fields, rearrange steps, or implement one-page checkout to minimize abandonmen