1. Define the job before choosing a product
Clarify whether the project is a publication, service site, membership, catalog, or store. The right stack follows the operating model.
WordPress launch guide
Separate the store launch from the tool shopping.
A WordPress or WooCommerce project is a living system: content, hosting, checkout, updates, customer support, and recovery all matter. Use this checklist before committing to a stack.
Disclosure: this is an independent checklist. No paid affiliate link is active on this page. Product commissions and terms can change; confirm them on the official provider pages.
2. Separate content from commerce
List pages, products, payments, taxes, shipping, email, analytics, and support. Do not call a visual prototype a ready-to-sell store.
3. Plan the maintenance budget
Include hosting, domains, paid extensions, backups, security, transaction fees, support time, and the cost of testing updates.
4. Prove the checkout path
Run a test order in the real environment, verify confirmation emails and fulfillment, and document what happens when payment fails or an order is refunded.
5. Keep ownership portable
Use an account and domain you control, export customer and content data where permitted, and document admin access before launch.