Last updated on February 26th, 2024 at 08:22 am
In today’s article, you will learn more about WordPress eCommerce in South Africa.
You will learn how to create an online store directly on your wordpress website without hiring anyone or touching code.
But before we get into it, why would you care about an online store in South Africa?
According to a Mastercard study, 68% of South African consumers are shopping more online since the start of the pandemic.
But even before Covid disrupted everything, 77% of consumers prefer online shopping in South Africa.
If there is the right time to make money online selling products, it is now.
Table of Contents
How to create an eCommerce website in South Africa
There are three ways you can create an online store;
One, hiring someone to do the design work all for you, do the integrations and content.
This takes less work on your side but drains your pockets.
As such, it is only recommended for people with a web design budget.
The second method is using an online store builder like OLITT.
OLITT gives you access to hundreds of online store templates for free. This means that you do not need any coding or web design knowledge to create an eCommerce website.
This is the best option if you are looking for free web hosting and a domain.
The third method is adding a shop section to an existing wordpress website. And that is what we are going to discuss in detail today.
How to create an eCommerce website on WordPress in South Africa
If you already have an existing wordpress website, the easiest way you can add a shop section is by installing an eCommerce plugin.
An eCommerce plugin is the best option for entrepreneurs who want to start their own online stores in South Africa.
1). WooCommerce in South Africa
If you are looking for a solution that can be easily integrated with your website and makes it more dynamic, then WooCommerce is what you need.
Currently, this plugin has over 5 million downloads on the WordPress repository!
Why use WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is the best for WordPress eCommerce in South Africa.
It allows users to sell products from their WordPress sites.
And control additional functions such as discounts or shipping costs through one interface.
It also has various extensions available with which all sorts of transactions can be handled including coupons, PayPal integration, etc.
These are some reasons why people choose to install Woocommerce on top of their site instead of using different tools like Prestashop or Shopify – they’re all very good, but Woocommerce is the most popular.
Benefits
a). Customization
The most important thing about eCommerce plugins is their ability to customization in accordance with customer needs.
It means that you have full control over how our store looks like including graphics design or color scheme.
So there’s nothing stopping you from creating an individualistic look that would match perfectly with our brand image.
b). Plenty of extensions
In addition, if some features are not enough for you, then there are several extensions that can be installed on your website and WooCommerce will work together with them.
WooCommerce is capable to process payments in two ways – either through PayPal or Stripe service so that it’s more convenient for customers from all over the world.
2). Magento
This is another best plugin for wordpress eCommerce in South Africa.
Magento not only enables you to create an online store and sell products through it but also lets your site visitors buy those products directly on the website because of its integration with PayPal.
That’s why we recommend this plugin for people who want a complete WordPress eCommerce solution in one package!
It doesn’t have any limitations when it comes to customization.
Interface builders allow merchants to design exactly what they need so that their customers can find products quickly and purchase them without hassle.
3). BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a cloud-based eCommerce system that provides everything you need to sell online.
It has an easy installation process, good performance and offers many great features like customer service or the ability to use inventory management software if needed.
You can also get professional advice from their team of specialists!
4). Shopify
Shopify is another one of the best plugins for wordpress eCommerce in South Africa.
Comes with a ton of great features and tools to offer you, like the ability to see your customer’s activity.
- Advanced search
- Product display options
- Customer activity view
You can also get free training from their team of specialists!
How to install eCommerce plugins on wordpress
Once you have decided on the best plugin to use, just head over to your wordpress dashboard>>plugins>>add new.
Then search for the exact plugin you want, install, and activate.
Once you have created your online store, your work is not done.
You need traffic.
How to drive traffic to an eCommerce website in South Africa
Some ways to drive traffic to an online store;
- Gett reviews
- Create informative and unique content that will educate visitors on what the business does.
- Offer coupons or specials in order to attract customers as well as provide personalized customer service.
- Use social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter where users can share links with their friends which may result in more website visits!
Top 10 WooCommerce experts in South Africa
Based on our research, here are the top 10 WooCommerce experts in South Africa as listed across multiple sources:
- Hyperlink InfoSystem (Johannesburg)
- Codeswop (South Africa)
- Refresh Creative Media (South Africa)
- Skyrocket Digital (South Africa)
- GrapeMunch (South Africa)
- Flow Communications (South Africa)
- Fixate (South Africa)
- Lightstack (South Africa)
- Marc D., WooCommerce Developer ($38/hour)
- Collin K., WooCommerce Developer ($38/hour)
Please note that while these lists may not be exhaustive or fully up-to-date, they represent reputable sources providing information on leading WooCommerce professionals and agencies in South Africa.
Rates of the top WooCommerce experts in South Africa
The hourly rates for some of the top WooCommerce experts in South Africa, according to the available search results, include:
- Codeswop: $100 – $149 per hour
- Skyrocket Digital: $50 – $99 per hour
- Lightstack: $50 – $99 per hour]
- LIVEX SOFTWARE: $25 – $49 per hour
These rates are subject to change and should be verified directly with the respective companies before engaging their services.
Keep in mind that there might be additional expert developers who do not explicitly list their rates online.
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