1) Add a Simple Product
Go to WordPress Dashboard → Products → Add New
Enter product details:
Title: Product name (e.g., “Classic T-Shirt”)
Description: Main product description (appears on product page)
Short Description: Appears near the product title and price
Set product categories and tags in the right sidebar (helps organize products)
Upload Product Image (main image) and optional Product Gallery images
Product Data → Simple Product
In the Product Data box:
General: Set Regular Price (and optional Sale Price)
Inventory: Manage stock (SKU, stock quantity, stock status)
Shipping: Add weight, dimensions, shipping class
Linked Products: Upsells & Cross-sells (optional)
Attributes: Add product info like material or brand (optional for simple products)
Click Publish or Update to update or to make the product live.
2) Add a Variable Product
Use variable products when an item has options (size, color, style) with different stock or prices.
Go to Products → Add New
Enter product title, description, categories, tags, and images (as the simple product)
In the Product Data box, select Variable Product from the dropdown
Step A: Create Attributes
Go to Product Data → Attributes
Add new attribute (e.g., Size, Color)
Enter values separated by “|” (e.g., Small | Medium | Large)
Check Used for variations
Save attributes
Step B: Create Variations
Go to Product Data → Variations
From the dropdown, choose Add variation → Create variations from all attributes
WooCommerce generates all combinations (e.g., Small–Red, Medium–Red, Large–Red, etc.)
For each variation:
Set Regular Price (required) and Sale Price (optional)
Manage Stock (optional per variation)
Add Variation Image if needed
Set Shipping details if different per variation
Step C: Save & Publish
Click Save Changes
Click Publish or Update to update or to make the product live.
3) Common Troubleshooting & Tips
Variations not showing? Make sure attributes are marked as “Used for variations.”
Price missing? Each variation needs its own price.
Image confusion? Assign variation images so customers see the correct option selected.
4) Short FAQs
Q: Can I convert a Simple Product to a Variable Product later?
A: Yes. Change the Product Data dropdown to Variable Product and set up attributes/variations.
Q: Do I need separate products for colors and sizes?
A: No. Use a Variable Product to manage them under one listing.
Q: Can I bulk-edit prices for variations?
A: Yes. Use the “Bulk actions” menu in the Variations tab.