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.