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If you’re a craft enthusiast or an artisan in the Philippines, the idea of turning your passion into a business has probably crossed your mind. WooCommerce, a powerful and customizable eCommerce platform, is one of the best tools available to help you build an online store that sells your handmade products. Whether you create beautiful jewelry, intricate crochet pieces, or wellness products, setting up your shop on WooCommerce in 2025 can help you reach a broader audience and grow your business.
This guide walks you through the essential steps to get your handmade shop up and running on WooCommerce, covering ever++++++++++++++++++++++ything from choosing a domain name to optimizing your store for success.

Step 1: Choose Your Domain Name and Hosting Provider
Your domain name is your online identity. It’s essential to choose a name that’s memorable, relevant to your handmade business, and easy to spell. Once you have a domain in mind, the next step is to select a hosting provider.
WooCommerce works seamlessly with WordPress, so it’s best to choose a hosting provider that offers WordPress hosting. Some popular hosting providers include Bluehost, SiteGround, Weebly, HostGator and even Z.com. Many of these providers offer one-click installations of WordPress and WooCommerce, making the setup process even easier.
Tips for choosing a domain name:
- Keep it short and simple
- Use relevant keywords (e.g., “handmade,” “crafts,” “wellness”)
- Ensure it’s easy to remember and type
- Avoid special characters and numbers
Once you have your domain and hosting ready, install WordPress and WooCommerce. Most hosting providers offer simple instructions on how to do this, and you’ll be up and running in no time.
Step 2: Install and Set Up WooCommerce
Once WordPress is installed, head to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New. Search for “WooCommerce” and click Install Now and Activate.
After WooCommerce is activated, you’ll be guided through the setup process. This includes important configurations like setting up your store’s location, currency (Philippine Peso, in most cases), shipping options, and payment gateways.
Here are some key things to set up:
- Store Details: Enter your shop’s physical address (if applicable), or use your location in the Philippines for tax purposes.
- Currency Settings: Choose PHP (Philippine Peso) for your local currency if you’re selling primarily to Filipino customers.
- Payment Gateways: Choose your payment methods. WooCommerce integrates with popular options like PayPal, Stripe, or direct bank transfers. If you’re targeting local customers, you might also want to set up GCash or PayMaya.
- Shipping Settings: Set your shipping zones and rates. You can offer free shipping, flat-rate shipping, or even charge per weight for your handmade items.
Step 3: Choose a Theme That Suits Your Handmade Brand
One of the best parts about WooCommerce is the ability to customize your store to reflect your brand. WordPress offers a variety of themes that work perfectly with WooCommerce. You can choose a theme that highlights the unique qualities of your handmade goods while making it easy for customers to browse and shop.
Some themes cater specifically to eCommerce stores, and WooCommerce itself comes with a free theme called Storefront, which is a great starting point. However, if you want something more specific to crafts or wellness, look into premium themes on marketplaces like ThemeForest.
When choosing a theme, consider:
- Design flexibility: Can you easily customize colors, fonts, and layouts?
- Mobile responsiveness: Your site should look great on smartphones since many Filipino customers shop online via mobile.
- User experience: Is the navigation easy and intuitive? Customers should be able to find what they need with minimal clicks.
Step 4: Add Your Handmade Products
Now comes the exciting part — adding your handmade creations to your WooCommerce shop! When adding products, you’ll want to showcase them with beautiful photos and detailed descriptions to entice potential buyers.
Head over to Products > Add New from your WordPress dashboard to start adding your items.
Important elements to include:
- Product Title: Use descriptive and enticing names (e.g., “Handmade Coconut Oil Soap”).
- Product Description: Describe the materials, craftsmanship, and benefits of your product. Be specific about dimensions, ingredients (if applicable), and any special features. Highlight the uniqueness of handmade items — people love stories behind the craft!
- Product Categories and Tags: Organize your products into relevant categories like “Jewelry,” “Crochet,” or “Wellness” to make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
- Product Images: Use high-quality photos from multiple angles. Consider lifestyle shots that show how your products are used, as well as close-ups to capture fine details. Customers need to “feel” your handmade products through the screen.
- Pricing: Set a price that reflects the value of your craftsmanship while remaining competitive. Don’t forget to account for costs like materials, labor, and shipping.
Step 5: Customize Your Shop’s Functionality
WooCommerce offers a wide range of plugins and extensions to enhance your store’s functionality. Depending on your needs, you can install plugins that allow for additional features such as:
- Inventory management: Keep track of your stock levels automatically.
- Customer reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews, which can increase your credibility.
- SEO optimization: Use plugins like Yoast SEO to help improve your search engine ranking.
- Shipping calculators: Provide real-time shipping rates to your customers.
- Email marketing integrations: Connect with platforms like Mailchimp to keep in touch with your customers.
If you’re offering local delivery in the Philippines, you can install plugins to streamline this process as well.
Step 6: Set Up Payment Gateways for Filipino Customers
WooCommerce integrates seamlessly with a variety of payment gateways. For businesses in the Philippines, offering local payment options like GCash, PayMaya, or bank deposits will make the checkout process easier for your customers.
You can easily integrate these payment methods using third-party plugins. Be sure to test each payment gateway to ensure it’s functioning correctly before launching your store.
Step 7: Launch and Promote Your WooCommerce Store
Once your store is set up and running, it’s time to spread the word! There are plenty of ways to promote your handmade business online:
- Social Media: Use Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to showcase your products and share behind-the-scenes content. These platforms are very popular in the Philippines and can help you reach a wider audience.
- Email Marketing: Build an email list of interested customers and send them updates on new products, promotions, or exclusive offers.
- SEO: Optimize your store for search engines so people can find your shop when searching for handmade items in the Philippines. Use relevant keywords in your product descriptions, titles, and blog posts.
Consider running promotions or offering limited-time discounts when you launch to attract your first set of customers.
Step 8: Monitor and Improve Your Store
After launching your WooCommerce shop, it’s important to monitor its performance. WooCommerce has built-in analytics that can show you which products are selling well, how much traffic your store is getting, and which payment methods are most popular.
By continuously reviewing this data, you can make informed decisions to improve your store. For example, you might identify popular product categories to expand or adjust your shipping settings to reduce cart abandonment.
Final Thoughts
Setting up a handmade shop on WooCommerce in 2025 is an exciting journey. With the right steps, you can turn your passion for crafting or wellness into a successful online business. Whether you’re based in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao, or anywhere in the Philippines, WooCommerce provides the tools you need to create a thriving store that reaches customers both locally and globally.
Need help setting up your WooCommerce store? I specialize in creating beautiful, functional stores for handmade and craft businesses. Contact us today for professional setup services, and let’s get your shop online and selling in no time!