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Transform Your Small Business with Self-Hosted WordPress & WooCommerce

Nick

• 3 min read
Transform Your Small Business with Self-Hosted WordPress & WooCommerce
Photo by Justin Morgan / Unsplash

WordPress is not just a platform for bloggers; it's a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. As of now, WordPress powers an astonishing 43% of the top 10 million websites worldwide. Its flexibility, scalability, and user-friendly interface make it the go-to choice for businesses aiming to establish a robust online presence. Whether you're showcasing products, offering services, or building a community, self-hosted and managed WordPress provides a solid foundation to meet your needs.

Enter WooCommerce: Your Online Store Builder

For small business owners eager to venture into e-commerce, WooCommerce is your ally. This open-source plugin seamlessly integrates with your WordPress site, converting it into a fully functional online store. Imagine being a local artisan with unique handmade crafts; WooCommerce lets you list your products, manage inventory, and process payments—all under one roof. It's designed to accommodate businesses of any size, making it an ideal solution for those starting or scaling up.

Designing Your Dream Site

The aesthetic of your website is crucial. It's the first impression customers get of your brand. WordPress offers various themes to get you started, with the default Twenty Twenty-Four theme providing a clean, responsive design that suits any small business. However, if customization is key, GeneratePress is your ticket to flexibility. It allows for tailored designs that align with your brand identity, offering control over layout, colors, and typography without sacrificing performance.

For those seeking a truly unique identity online, consider a custom WordPress theme. Agencies like Formable specialize in crafting bespoke themes that resonate with your business's vision, ensuring you stand out in the digital landscape.

The Power of Plugins

WordPress's vast library of plugins extends its functionality, allowing you to add features as your business grows. From SEO tools to social media integration, the options are limitless. This ecosystem of plugins ensures that your website can evolve with your business, providing the necessary tools to succeed online.

Embracing Open Source

Choosing WordPress and WooCommerce means joining a thriving community of users and developers. Open-source platforms encourage innovation and collaboration, offering a wealth of resources, support, and updates. This community-driven approach ensures that your business benefits from the collective knowledge and experience of millions.

Your Path to Managed Online Success

Migrating your small business online can seem daunting, but with WordPress and WooCommerce managed hosting from Formable, it's a journey worth embarking on. These platforms provide the tools, flexibility, and community support to turn your online vision into reality. By embracing the power of WordPress and WooCommerce, you're not just building a website; you're opening a doorway to global opportunities, customer engagement, and business growth. Start your online adventure today and watch your small business achieve big dreams.

Formable's WordPress Portainer stack docker-compose.yml

version: '3'

services:
  wp:
    image: wordpress:latest
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - ${WP_PORT}:80
    volumes:
      - type: bind
        source: /home/forge/${WP_DOMAIN}/wp/wp-content
        target: /var/www/html/wp-content
      - type: bind
        source: /home/forge/php/uploads.ini
        target: /usr/local/etc/php/conf.d/uploads.ini

    environment:
      TZ: "America/New_York"
      APACHE_RUN_USER: "#1002" # matches bind user and group on host, forge is always 1002
      APACHE_RUN_GROUP: "#1002"
      WORDPRESS_DB_HOST: db
      WORDPRESS_DB_NAME: "${DB_NAME}"
      WORDPRESS_DB_USER: root
      WORDPRESS_DB_PASSWORD: "${DB_ROOT_PASSWORD}"
      WORDPRESS_TABLE_PREFIX: "${WORDPRESS_TABLE_PREFIX}"
      WORDPRESS_CONFIG_EXTRA: | # define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true);
        define('FS_METHOD', 'direct');
        define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true); 

    depends_on:
      - db
    links:
      - db

  pma:
    image: phpmyadmin:latest
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - ${PMA_PORT}:80
    environment:
      # https://docs.phpmyadmin.net/en/latest/setup.html#docker-environment-variables
      PMA_HOST: db
      PMA_PORT: 3306
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: "${DB_ROOT_PASSWORD}"
      UPLOAD_LIMIT: 100M
      PMA_ABSOLUTE_URI: "${PMA_ABSOLUTE_URI}"
    links:
      - db:db

  db:
    image: mysql:latest
    # platform: linux/x86_64  # Uncomment if your machine is running on arm (ex: Apple Silicon processor)
    restart: unless-stopped
    command: [
        '--default_authentication_plugin=mysql_native_password',
        '--character-set-server=utf8mb4',
        '--collation-server=utf8mb4_unicode_ci'
    ]
    volumes:
      - db_data:/var/lib/mysql
    environment:
      TZ: "America/New_York"
      MYSQL_DATABASE: "${DB_NAME}"
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: "${DB_ROOT_PASSWORD}"

volumes:
  db_data:
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