Mastering Online Sales: 3 Proven Strategies to Sell a Single Product with WordPress

Selling a single product is ideal for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs who specialize in a limited range of physical or digital products. However, many business owners may feel unsure about how to begin.

We have been operating our own online stores for many years and have tested various eCommerce platforms throughout our experience.

Our experience indicates that the most effective way to sell a single product online is by utilizing plugins such as WooCommerce, Easy Digital Downloads, and WP Simple Pay.

In this article, we will guide you on how to successfully sell a single product online using WordPress.

Why Choose WordPress for Selling a Single Product Online?

Establishing a single-product online store is simpler to manage because you won’t need to track inventory for multiple items, update web pages for each product, or create complex business processes for handling various products.

Selling a single product online is also more cost-effective. You won’t require extensive resources to launch and maintain your online store. For instance, you can opt for an affordable and dependable WordPress hosting plan to set up your eCommerce website.

Concentrating on a single product establishes your expertise in a specific niche. This focus allows you to better meet your audience’s needs and enhance your product. Additionally, it enables the creation of targeted marketing campaigns that drive conversions.

Now, let’s explore various methods to sell a single product online using WordPress.

We will discuss three strategies, and you can click the link below to navigate to any section:

Method 1: Sell a Single Product with Shipping through WooCommerce

WooCommerce is the leading eCommerce platform globally, utilized by millions of businesses, both small and large. It was designed as an extension of WordPress, enabling users to sell products and services online effortlessly.

WooCommerce is an ideal solution for selling physical products online, especially if you need shipping options. The platform is feature-rich and compatible with various WordPress plugins and tools.

We have extensively tested WooCommerce and found it to be extremely user-friendly for beginners. For comprehensive insights, check out our detailed WooCommerce review.

To begin, you will need a WordPress hosting provider, a domain name, and an SSL certificate to ensure security.

A web hosting service stores all your website files and data. A domain name serves as your website’s address on the internet (for example, CanadaCreate.com). An SSL certificate protects your website and enables secure online payment processing.

You can follow our detailed guide on WooCommerce to select the right hosting provider and successfully install WooCommerce on your WordPress site.

Here is a simple overview of the essential steps to create a single product store using WooCommerce.

Configuring Payment Options in WooCommerce

After signing up for a hosting plan and installing WooCommerce on your WordPress site, you can proceed to add payment options.

Navigate to theWooCommerce » Settingssection in the WordPress admin dashboard. Then, select the ‘Payments’ tab.

You can now configure various payment gateways to facilitate online transactions.

For instance, you can integrate payment options like Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, direct bank transfer, and more.

Setting Up Shipping Zones in Your WooCommerce Store

With WooCommerce, you can create multiple shipping zones for your single-product store.

Simply navigate toWooCommerce » Settingsin your WordPress dashboard and select the ‘Shipping’ tab.

Next, click on the ‘Shipping zones’ option under the Shipping tab, and then click ‘Add shipping zone.’

You can then input the details for the shipping zone, including a name, regions, and shipping methods.

WooCommerce provides three types of shipping methods.

For example, you can offer free shipping, set a flat rate, or provide local pickup options.

For this tutorial, we will select the ‘Flat rate’ option.

Enter the necessary details and then click the ‘Save Changes’ button.

You can repeat this process to include as many shipping regions as you need.

Next, return to the Shipping Zones section in the WooCommerce Shipping settings, where you will find the details of your various shipping regions.

Choose and Personalize a WooCommerce Theme

The next step involves selecting a theme for your one-product eCommerce store.

The great news is that you can choose from a variety of free and premium themes. However, selecting the right theme can be challenging, so we’ve curated a list of the best WooCommerce themes for you.

If you need further assistance in choosing a theme, please refer to our guide on nine important factors to consider when selecting the ideal WordPress theme.

Additionally, there are numerous WordPress theme and landing page builders, such as SeedProd, that you can use to create a customized eCommerce store.

You can select a template, customize it using the drag-and-drop feature, add WooCommerce blocks, and more, all without needing to edit any code.

For more information, please check our guide on how to create a custom WordPress theme without any coding skills.

Adding Your Product to WooCommerce

Next, you can add your single product to your WooCommerce store.

Simply navigate to Products » Add NewBegin by accessing the WordPress dashboard. Here, you can input your product’s title and description.

Next, scroll down to the ‘Product Data’ section.

In this section, you can set the price, sale price, shipping fees, manage inventory, and more.

Then, upload product images using the panel on the right.

WooCommerce allows you to create a product gallery in addition to the main product image.

After adding your images, simply publish your product.

You can now visit your website to see your single product WooCommerce store in action.

Method 2: Selling a Single Digital Product with Easy Digital Downloads

This approach is ideal for selling digital products such as ebooks, digital art, illustrations, software, music, or online courses.

The most effective way to sell a single digital product is by using Easy Digital Downloads (EDD), a well-known eCommerce platform designed for selling digital goods effortlessly.

Many of our partner brands utilize EDD to sell their plugins and report a highly positive experience. Check out our comprehensive EDD review for more details.

Begin by installing and activating the Easy Digital Downloads plugin. If you require assistance, refer to our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.

Once activated, navigate to Downloads » Settings in your WordPress dashboard to configure your store’s base location.

Configuring Payment Gateways in Easy Digital Downloads

Next, you will need to integrate payment gateways into your Easy Digital Downloads store.

To begin, go to the Payments » Gateways section on the Easy Digital Downloads settings page.

Easy Digital Downloads is compatible with popular online payment methods, including Stripe, PayPal, Amazon, and others.

You can easily choose which payment options to display on your single product store.

Keep in mind that you must individually connect each payment method to your website.

For instance, if you choose Stripe, go to the ‘Stripe’ tab in the Payment settings page. Click the ‘Connect with Stripe’ button and follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Add Your Digital Product Using Easy Digital Downloads

Once you have set up Easy Digital Downloads, you can create your first digital product.

Simply navigate toDownloads » Add Newin your WordPress admin panel to begin. Here, you can enter a name and description for your product.

You can also upload an image, add tags, and select categories using the block panel on the right.

Next, scroll down to the ‘Download Files’ section, enter a name for your file, click the ‘Add New File’ button, and upload the PDF, audio file, or ebook from your computer.

Once that’s completed, scroll down to the ‘Pricing Options’ section to set a price for your product.

Then, you can publish your digital product.

Now, visit your WordPress website to see your single digital product live.

For more information, please check our comprehensive guide on selling digital downloads with WordPress.

Method 3: Selling a Single Product or Service with WP Simple Pay

Are you providing any kind of online service or product and looking to accept payments from your clients and customers?

The simplest way to achieve this is by using WP Simple Pay, the top WordPress Stripe plugin that allows you to accept one-time and recurring payments without the need for an eCommerce store.

During our review, we found that it also offers pre-designed templates, spam protection, and a user-friendly form builder. For more details, check out our comprehensive WP Simple Pay review.

How to Set Up WP Simple Pay in WordPress

First, you need to install and activate the WP Simple Pay plugin. If you require assistance, please refer to our guide on installing a WordPress plugin.

After activation, you will see the WP Simple Pay setup wizard. Click the ‘Let’s Get Started’ button to proceed.

Next, enter your license key and click the ‘Activate and Continue’ button.

You can find your license key in the account area of WP Simple Pay.

Then, you need to connect your Stripe account to the plugin. If you don’t have a Stripe account, don’t worry; the setup wizard will guide you through creating a new account.

Click the ‘Connect with Stripe’ button to proceed.

After connecting Stripe with WP Simple Pay, the next step is to set up your email notifications.

You can enable options to send payment receipts to customers, notify them of upcoming invoices, and alert them about payment confirmations.

Once you have completed this, click the ‘Save and Continue’ button.

The final step in the setup process is to create a payment form. Click the ‘Create a Payment Form’ button to begin.

Creating a Payment Form for Selling a Service or Product

Next, select a form template.

WP Simple Pay provides various templates that you can use for the online service you wish to sell.

For this example, we will use the ‘Business Consultation Fee Payment Form’ template.

After selecting a template, you can customize the payment form.

In the General settings, you can rename the form, add a description, and choose whether to display the form on-site or redirect to the Stripe checkout page, among other options.

Next, switch to the ‘Payment’ tab.

Scroll down to the Price Options section and enter the price for your single online service or product.

The plugin allows you to accept a one-time payment or set up a subscription. If you opt for the ‘Subscription’ option, you can specify the Billing Period.

Next, scroll down to select the Payment Methods you want to offer your customers. Options include credit/debit cards, ACH direct debit, Alipay, and more.

After that, switch to the ‘Form Fields’ tab.

In this section, you can modify the existing form fields, add new ones, and rearrange their order by simply dragging and dropping.

WP Simple Pay also allows you to create a dedicated payment page for selling a single service or product.

Navigate to the ‘Payment Page’ tab and enable the dedicated payment page option. Then, edit the page’s permalink, choose a color scheme, add a header image or logo, and more.

Once you have finished, you can publish your payment form.

The ‘Publish’ button can be found in the panel on the right.

You have successfully created a payment form for selling a single product or service.

Simply visit your website to see the dedicated page featuring the payment form in action.

You can also embed the payment form anywhere on your site, whether on a page or in a post.

Navigate to the WordPress content editor and insert a WP Simple Pay block. Then, choose your payment form from the dropdown menu.

Next, publish or update your page or post to make the changes live.

Alternative Approach: Utilize WPForms for Selling a Single Product

An additional method to sell a single product or service online without the need for a shopping cart or an eCommerce platform is by using WPForms.

WPForms is the leading form plugin for WordPress, featuring a wide range of templates and functionalities.

At CanadaCreate, we have successfully used it to create contact forms and conduct annual surveys. For more information, check out our in-depth WPForms review.

The plugin also integrates with popular payment gateways such as Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and others.

Simply select a form template, customize the fields, enable payment options, and start accepting online payments for your products or services.

For further information, refer to our guide on creating an online order form in WordPress.

Common Questions About Selling a Single Product Online

Here are some frequently asked questions from our readers regarding the sale of a single product online:

What is the best platform for selling a single product?

The ideal platform for selling a single product varies based on the type of product. For physical items that need shipping and inventory management, WooCommerce is the leading choice, offering extensive flexibility.

If you’re selling a digital product such as an eBook or software, Easy Digital Downloads is specifically designed for that purpose.

For services or straightforward payment collection without the need for a full shopping cart, WP Simple Pay is a fantastic, lightweight option.

What are effective ways to promote my single-product store?

Effective promotion is essential for driving sales. Begin by optimizing your website for search engines with a plugin like All in One SEO to attract organic traffic.

Creating an email list using a tool like OptinMonster is also a powerful strategy for engaging potential customers. Additionally, leverage social media marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising to expand your reach.

Is it possible to sell a subscription box as a single product?

Yes, definitely. A subscription box is an excellent example of a single-product business model that generates recurring revenue. You can easily set this up using WooCommerce with its subscriptions extension or WP Simple Pay, which supports recurring payments right out of the box.

Begin your journey by checking out our tutorial on selling subscription boxes using WordPress.

We trust this article has equipped you with the knowledge to sell a single product online using WordPress. You might also find our guide on launching an online store or our comprehensive WordPress eCommerce setup guide helpful.

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