Running an online store is all about creating a smooth, enjoyable experience for your customers — and that starts with making sure your products are easy to find and visually appealing. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by organising your products by brand. In WooCommerce, a brand is simply a label that groups products from the same manufacturer or designer. Think of it like shopping in a clothing store where you can instantly browse sections for Nike, Adidas, or Levi’s. This not only makes navigation easier but also builds trust and reassures shoppers about product quality and authenticity. For customers who are loyal to certain names, being able to filter and view products by brand can make all the difference between a quick purchase and leaving your site.
In this guide, we’ll be working with the Reign WordPress theme, a clean, fast, and highly customizable theme that integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce. It’s designed to present your products — and their brands — in a way that’s modern, professional, and easy to navigate. Whether you’re launching a new store or upgrading an existing one, the combination of WooCommerce’s powerful eCommerce features and Reign’s stylish design will help you create a brand-focused shopping experience that keeps customers coming back for more.
Things You Need Before Getting Started
- A domain name and hosting: This is like your store’s address and the place where all your site files live. Go for a hosting service that’s fast, reliable, and secure.
- WordPress installed: Since WooCommerce works as a plugin for WordPress, you’ll need to have WordPress already installed on your hosting. If you haven’t done this yet, follow a simple WordPress installation guide.
- Reign theme and WooCommerce plugin: You can get the Reign theme from Wbcom Designs, and WooCommerce is available for free in the WordPress plugin directory.
Installing the Reign Theme
- Think of the theme as your store’s outfit — it sets the style, vibe, and first impression. Installing Reign is super easy:
- Head to your WordPress Dashboard and go to Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme.
- Click Choose File, pick the reign.zip file, and hit Install Now.
- Once it’s installed, click Activate to make it live.
- You’ll get suggestions for a few helpful plugins — go ahead and install/activate them for extra features.
Installing the WooCommerce Plugin
4. Installing the WooCommerce Plugin
To add full eCommerce functionality to your WordPress site, you’ll need to install and set up the WooCommerce plugin. Here’s how:
- Go to Your Dashboard: From your WordPress admin panel, navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for WooCommerce: In the search bar, type “WooCommerce”, then click Install Now.
- Activate the Plugin: Once installed, click Activate to enable it on your site.
- Follow the Setup Wizard: WooCommerce will guide you through a step-by-step setup process, where you’ll enter:
- Store Details – Such as your store name, address, and business type.
- Currency & Payment Preferences – Select your preferred currency and payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, or bank transfer.
- Shipping Zones & Delivery Settings – Configure where you ship to, delivery costs, and any restrictions.
Understanding Product Brands in WooCommerce
By default, WooCommerce organises products using categories and tags, but adding brands can give your store a professional edge and make shopping easier for customers:
- Categories: Broad product groupings (e.g., Men’s Clothing).
- Tags: Descriptive attributes that help with search (e.g., summer, cotton).
- Brands: Identify the product’s maker or source (e.g., Levi’s), helping build trust and brand recognition.
Using brands alongside categories and tags creates a richer, more organised shopping experience.
