Industry: Digital Downloads / Ecommerce
Services Delivered: WooCommerce recovery, theme rebuild, payment integration, email setup, client training
From Abandoned Build to Functional Storefront
This project began with a rescue mission. The client had commissioned a simple digital download store from another developer, only to be left with a broken WordPress site and no further communication. With the site offline and incomplete, they approached me to assess the situation and get things working.
What They Needed
- A fully functioning ecommerce store for downloadable products
- Category-based navigation and simple product structure
- Working PayPal and cryptocurrency payments
- Clean, maintainable code without reliance on missing plugins
- Guidance and support to take over site management going forward
How I Helped
Repaired and Recovered the Site
The original site was based on WordPress and WooCommerce but was unusable due to a broken theme and missing plugin dependencies. I accessed the hosting panel, diagnosed the issue, and recovered the backend. With the problematic theme reliant on a premium plugin the client didn’t own, I replaced it with a lightweight alternative and matched the colour scheme and layout.
Structured the Store
I created a clear product structure with 8 categories (as requested), each initially populated with 4–5 sample products pulled from the client’s PLR reseller account. The products were configured as downloadable ZIP files with simple pricing and metadata.
Integrated Payment Options
I set up PayPal and Stripe payments, tested the flows, and helped the client switch to a PayPal business account. I also handled the later-stage connection of the new PayPal plugin, including resolving issues with the standard method and switching to the newer PayPal Payments extension.
Set Up Domain Email & Contact Page
Using the client’s Namecheap hosting, I created a domain mailbox and configured it as a catch-all address. This allowed the client to link PayPal and other services without using personal email. I also built a simple Contact page wired to the new inbox.
Ongoing Guidance
Beyond the technical work, I provided recommendations on backup strategy, automatic updates, and options for future subscriptions (the client was interested in offering timed access to all downloads via membership). I also offered simple styling tweaks — such as font adjustments — to ensure the final site felt aligned with the client’s vision.
Results
- A working ecommerce store, with a clean admin interface and downloadable products
- Secure PayPal and Stripe payments, ready for business
- A maintainable setup, free of legacy code or missing dependencies
- A domain email address and working contact form
- Ongoing flexibility for future subscriptions and scaling
A full recovery and rebuild of a broken WooCommerce site left unfinished by a previous developer. I restored functionality, swapped out a broken theme, populated the store with downloadable products, and set up PayPal and Stripe — resulting in a clean, reliable ecommerce platform the client could easily run and grow from.