3 Alternative Methods to Sell Products on WordPress Without Using WooCommerce

Many website owners automatically turn to WooCommerce when they decide to start selling online with WordPress.

However, through extensive experience working with various users, it has become clear that WooCommerce isn't always the optimal choice—particularly for digital creators, those selling downloadable products, or beginners just launching their online presence.

What numerous WordPress users don't realize is that simpler alternatives exist for starting sales without the complexity of a comprehensive e-commerce platform.

After evaluating multiple solutions over time, three reliable approaches have emerged that work exceptionally well for specific business models.

This guide will demonstrate precisely how to conduct sales on WordPress without relying on WooCommerce.

When Should You Consider Selling on WordPress Without WooCommerce?

WooCommerce represents a powerful e-commerce solution that offers free entry, scalability, and flexibility. Nevertheless, it may not be the best option if you don't intend to sell numerous physical items.

For example, if your goal involves selling digital products such as ebooks, audio files, or PDF documents, then Easy Digital Downloads provides a specialized WordPress plugin designed specifically for downloadable products, available with a free version.

Similarly, for subscription-based sales, WP Simple Pay serves as a superior alternative. This tool enables creation of straightforward payment forms with subscription options, management of recurring payments, and cancellation capabilities.

Alternatively, you might want to sell just one or two products on your website. Consider a food blog where you plan to offer a couple of nutritional supplements alongside your content.

In such scenarios, implementing a complex e-commerce platform becomes unnecessary and potentially overwhelming. Instead, you could incorporate a user-friendly payment form using WPForms.

Essential Requirements Before Launching a WordPress Store

Before beginning product sales, you must first establish your website foundation. This process involves purchasing a domain name—the web address where visitors will locate your site, such as www.yourstorename.com.

Next, you'll need to acquire a hosting plan that provides the necessary resources for your website to function on the internet.

Many experienced developers recommend selecting a hosting provider officially endorsed by WordPress.org for optimal compatibility.

Once these elements are in place, proceed with WordPress installation, theme selection, and website customization.

Now let's explore three methods for selling on WordPress without WooCommerce. Use the following links to navigate directly to your preferred approach:

• Method 1: Selling Digital Downloads on WordPress
• Method 2: Selling Subscriptions on WordPress
• Method 3: Selling Limited Physical Products on WordPress
• Additional Resources for WordPress Store Setup

Method 1: How to Sell Digital Downloads on WordPress

This method suits those interested in selling digital goods through WordPress. You'll need Easy Digital Downloads, widely regarded as the premier e-commerce plugin for digital products.

Numerous industry professionals utilize this solution for selling their software products with excellent results.

Step 1: Install and Activate Easy Digital Downloads

Begin by installing and activating the Easy Digital Downloads plugin through your WordPress dashboard.

Step 2: Configure Your Store Settings

After activation, navigate to Downloads » Settings in your WordPress admin panel. Start by entering your business details including name, type, address, city, country, and region. Then select 'Save Changes.'

Next, access the 'Currency' tab to specify the currency accepted in your store.

By default, EDD generates essential pages for your online store. If you prefer to redirect users to previously created pages, switch to the 'Pages' tab.

Here, utilize dropdown menus to assign existing pages for checkout, confirmation, receipts, and other functions.

Now proceed to the 'Payments' tab and select the payment gateways you wish to integrate with your site.

After selection, you'll need to provide your Stripe or PayPal account information to complete the connection. You can then designate a default gateway, configure checkout page options, and establish invoice settings.

Next, access the 'Emails' tab and specify the email address and sender name for customer communications.

Finally, click 'Save Changes' to preserve your configurations. Additional options can be adjusted according to your preferences or left at their default settings.

Step 3: Add Your Digital Product

Navigate to Downloads » Downloads in your WordPress dashboard and select 'Add New.'

This opens the block editor where you should enter a name for your digital product. In the right panel, you can assign categories, add tags, and include product images.

You may also incorporate product descriptions as needed.

Scroll to the 'Download Files' section and specify a file name. Click 'Add New File' to upload your PDF, audio file, or ebook from your computer.

After completing this step, proceed to the 'Pricing Options' section to establish your product price.

Finally, select 'Publish' to save your settings. Repeat this process to add additional products to your online store.

Visit your WordPress site to preview your e-commerce implementation.

Method 2: How to Sell Subscriptions on WordPress

If your business model involves selling subscriptions or personalized services, this approach provides an effective solution.