12 Dec 2023
WooCommerce is indeed one of the most popular and widely used webshop plugins for WordPress, and it has gained its reputation for being a powerful and versatile solution for creating online stores. Here are some key points about WooCommerce:
What is WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is a webshop plugin for WordPress that is available for free. It allows users to turn their WordPress websites into fully functional online stores. Due to its popularity, there are numerous plugins available that further extend the functionalities of WooCommerce.
How to Install WooCommerce
You can find WooCommerce in the plugin database of WordPress, or you can download it from the official WooCommerce website. Installing WooCommerce is a straightforward process, but it requires proper configuration after installation.
Keeping WooCommerce Secure
While WooCommerce itself is a stable plugin for building webshops, it is essential to keep your WordPress website secure to prevent potential hacks. If your WordPress website gets hacked, a hacker can manipulate your WooCommerce webshop in various ways, such as stealing user information or adding their own products to your shop.
The downside of using free webshop software like WooCommerce is that anyone can download it and explore potential vulnerabilities to exploit or inject malicious code. Therefore, it is crucial to have robust security measures in place on your website.
A reliable security plugin, such as iThemes Security PRO, can help protect your website by blocking suspicious injections, blocking users or bots after a certain number of login attempts, preventing hacking attempts, hiding your WordPress admin panel, and keeping track of server activities.
WooCommerce and SSL
WooCommerce supports various Payment Gateways, which are payment methods that allow buyers to pay easily through your website using options like PayPal or iDeal. However, these payment gateways involve the transmission of critical customer data through your website to the bank.
To ensure that this sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands, it is crucial to set up an SSL certificate. With an SSL certificate, your website will have an HTTPS link that securely encrypts the data before sending it over the internet. Even if intercepted by cybercriminals, the information remains encrypted and unreadable.
A Solid Start with WooCommerce
Before adding products and launching your webshop online, it is essential to set up WooCommerce securely. Just like you wouldn’t open a physical store without securing the backdoor, ensuring proper security measures for your online store is equally crucial.
By taking the necessary security precautions and using WooCommerce responsibly, you can have a solid foundation for building a successful and secure webshop on your WordPress website.
