9 tips for selling your product WordPress

So, you've decided that you want to start selling your WordPress plugin or WordPress theme independently. You may already have products listed in WordPress directories, but now you want total control over your distribution channels (a chance to go beyond the clutter, and allow users to focus on the benefits of using your product).

Let's be the first to congratulate you on your foray into entrepreneurship!

At this point, most (or all) work is finished in terms of development. You have your demonstration products, your documentation and your license; you have regular scheduled updates and a customer support system in place. Now it's time to think about marketing.

Fortunately, you have a product launch date in mind. You will also need an e-commerce solution. Will you sell a single product? Do you plan to sell more in the future? What about the logo? Do you have business cards? Have you thought about how you are going to officially launch your WordPress product?

While there is a lot to consider, launching a WordPress product is nowhere near as difficult as it sounds. Here we've put together some tips and tools to help you get started. But first, let's discuss the sales logistics.

But before you start, take the time to take a look at How to install a WordPress theme, How many plugins to install on WordPress.

Then let's get to work!

Choosing an E-commerce platform

Choose an e-commerce platform

Before you start to strategize your launch, you will need to understand how you are going to sell your WordPress plugin or WordPress theme. That implies the choice and integration of an e-commerce solution for your website.

There are a number of suppliers to choose from. Before weighing your options, WooCommerce might be the first one that comes to mind, due to its strong integration with most WordPress themes. However, it's an inexpensive alternative that gives you the support and customization you need to get started. your plugin ou a business WordPress theme.

Why Choose Shopify

If you haven't heard of it yet, Shopify is a leader in eCommerce software. They power more than 300.000 stores worldwide (And web). One of the most compelling reasons to choose Shopify is the 24 / 7 support they offer customers.

Shopify also offers documentation to help you personalize your experience throughout the process, and has a support network of always active merchants looking to connect with other entrepreneurs to share their experience.

You can even find a new customer throughout this process. The program " Shopify Partner Helps Shopify developers, app developers, marketing geniuses, and WordPress developers grow their businesses. It's a robust ecosystem for new connections that could benefit if your product or store is found.

Shopify WordPress Plugin vs. Shopify Storefront

You will notice that Shopify has two options for setting up e-commerce functionalities on your website: download the WordPress Shopify plugin, or set up a Shopify store.

Whichever one you choose, it's totally dependent on your e-commerce goals. For example, the WordPress Shopify plugin is perfect if you intend to sell a few products on your existing web pages or blog. It uses the backend of Shopify to produce snippets that can be placed anywhere on your website.

These snippets are completely customizable, and have everything you'll need to get started sell your products WordPress online. This includes buy buttons, a shopping cart, and secure payment methods. If you decide to go this route, you'll need to purchase a " Shopify Lite "(which costs 9 $ / month).

If you have more important plans for your business, a Shopify store might be the most appropriate solution. Again, a Shopify store is completely customizable, can easily be integrated with desirable sales channels like Facebook, and has the ability to track sales and growing trends (all you need to start your new business) . This route requires you to buy a subscription " Basic Shopify "(which costs 29 $ / month).

In the end, Shopify has products for businesses of all sizes (the one you decide to implement for the launch of your WordPress product depends on the number of products you want to sell, and the speed with which you want to ramp up).

Prepare for a successful launch

Now that you have understood what you are selling and how you are going to sell, it is time to consider branding. The brand and product names should be chosen by the company, but here are a few things to help you sort everything out, before your product launch:

1 - Positioning of your brand

What sets your business and products apart from your competitors? What makes your WordPress theme unique from other products in the same category? What do you offer your customers that others don't?

Answering these questions not only lets you know the position of your brand, but provides a solid foundation for all components of your brand.

2 - Create a logo

You should put a lot of effort into designing your logo; after all, it's the visual representation of your brand. But we understand that it can be difficult to budget for a logo.

When you build a business for yourself (or with a small team), sometimes you will resort to free tools available to you like Shopify's logo builder, this resource will do the trick, and until you start generating the income, you need to create something true for your brand and positioning.

Once you've started your business, you might even consider outsourcing your logo to a partner like Shopify or Expert.

3 - Business cards

Now that you're selling your own WordPress products, it's important to think about visibility. One of the most crucial marketing tools to increase awareness around your brand and business are visit cards. They're affordable and create a meeting point between you and potential clients or other developers, and it's a great way to get yourself recognized at industry events like on WordCamps.

4 - Be present on social networks

If you haven't already, make sure register your brand as a user on all social media that you’ll use to interact with your audience (and boost the reception of your WordPress product launch).

Consider creating a brand account on the following social networks:

Other social media channels, like Google+, Pinterest, or Tumblr, should only be considered if you've done your research and know your audience will use them. You can add these social media in the future to adapt your strategy.

5 - Messaging

Consistency is important, especially when it comes to how you define marketing for your WordPress theme or plugin. Ray Sylvester, Content Specialist at RocketCode, has 6 tips for crafting copywriting that converts. Use them to create unified messaging for your social media channels, email marketing, press missions, and any other means of communication about the launch of your product.

Launch day: a success

Launch day is the most crucial point in your journey from developer to business person. This is the day when you can finally release your plugin or a WordPress theme, and get real customer feedback on your product, define a pricing model, and positioning.

You have your brand name, your logo and your business cards. You have intensified your social accounts in preparation for the launch. You have your e-commerce solution integrated into your existing website, and you have tested the buying process to make sure everything is going well from the user's perspective.

In other words, it's time to go!

Here are some tips that will allow you to effectively launch your product.

1. Promote your product

Bloggers and Tech Journalists can be a great outreach asset for your product. If you've never written to this kind of person before, here are some tips:

Do your research - Scrutinize a list of bloggers and journalists who write about WordPress themes, plugins, website design with WordPress, or web development. You can easily find this information by looking at their Twitter or LinkedIn accounts. Those bloggers who cover different topics are less likely to provide cover for your launch.
Customize - Once you have your list, take a look at the articles already written by each author. This will give you an idea of what people will need.
Be concise - Make sure you are clear and concise about what you are talking about. You must first gauge whether there is any interest in your story. Remember, no journalist wants to have an email that describes a product in 10 paragraphs, so you need to provide most of the information to your customers.

2. Promotional codes

If you wanted to create a Shopify store, you will be able to create discount codes. Use these codes to promote your WordPress theme or plugin, and attract customers to download your product at a premium price - exclusive to your launch.

3. Essential emails

Le Marketing by email is an important tactic for stimulating an audience during your launch. It's inexpensive and far-reaching, especially if you already have a mailing list of contacts and previous clients.

Here are four emails you should have created before launch:

Order confirmation - You must tarnish your customers when an order has been confirmed.
Shopping Cart - You must allow customers, who do not complete their transaction, that they can complete their purchase. It will also be an opportunity to offer a promo code to encourage conversions.
Information letter - Have a newsletter formatted with all the news and updates around your product, as well as news on the relevant industry. Allows you to establish yourself as a thought leader and directing them to other important resources that may be of interest to them (Will give them reasons to check your newsletter every mois). Keeping in touch with your customers is an excellent communication tool.
Updates - Create a template that you will want your updates to be based on. This will make it easier to send a little comment after an update has been made.

See our article on How to configure deliveries on WooCommerce

4. Open channels to receive notifications

You must be receptive to user feedback, and let your customers see it! After all, the more comments you have, the more you adjust your product. Additionally, posting positive reviews on your website can encourage potential customers to complete their purchase.

Who knows, if you are always receptive to feedback and improvement of your product, you can even create brand advocates who will use your product as a springboard for all their future projects.

Congratulations!

Discover also some premium WordPress plugins

You can use other WordPress plugins to enhance your blog or online store website.

We offer you here some premium WordPress plugins that will help you do that.

1. WooCommerce Flash Sale Countdown

Using the premium WordPress WooCommerce Flash Sale Countdown plugin on your products will help you significantly increase the purchase of its latest. You will have the possibility to add products or selected categories to your flash sales.

It is perfect for Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaigns and can be used with many free and premium WordPress themes.

Download | Demo | Web hosting

2. WooCommerce Donation

Accept through this extension donations on your WooCommerce website with amounts specified by customers. They will be able to give as much as they want. Each donation can be presented like any regular WooCommerce product.

If the customer skips the cart page or goes directly to the checkout without donating, a link will appear above the checkout page so that they can donate.

Each step of using WooCommerce Donation is explained in a documentation with screenshots. Just activate the plugin and you will find the "Add donation" field on the cart.

Download | Demo | Web hosting

3. Woocommerce Products Badge Management

This WooCommerce plugin sets badges for your products. You will have the opportunity to create unlimited types of badges for individual products, for those belonging to several categories, to the whole website and more.

You will also be able to use badge templates or create your own. It is versatile and very easy to use.

Download | Demo | Web hosting

Recommended Resources

Find out about other recommended resources to help you build and manage your website.

Conclusion

Here ! That's all for this tutorial, I hope it will give you effective advice on how to sell your WordPress product. Do not hesitate to share with your friends on your favorite social networks.

However, you can also consult our resources, if you need more elements to carry out your projects of creation of Internet sites, by consulting our guide on WordPress blog creation.

If you have suggestions or remarks, leave them in our section Comments.

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9 tips for selling your product WordPress