How I Created SkyShoppe.in: A WordPress Multisite for Local Businesses

Creating SkyShoppe.in was an exhilarating experience to build out a WordPress Multisite platform focusing on empowering small and medium businesses across India. I wanted to create a space for the local shop owners, to have a place to sell their products and represent themselves online. I will share here the steps through which I translated this project from idea to reality

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The Concept: Empowering Local Shops

The idea behind SkyShoppe.in was simple: allow small business owners to have their own customizable online store without the technical complexities of building a website from scratch. Each store would have its own subdirectory (e.g., skyshoppe.in/paatikadai), making it easy for shop owners to manage their products and for customers to find local businesses.

Step 1: Setting Up WordPress Multisite

1. SkyShoppe is built on top of WordPress Multisite. in. Here’s how I set it up:
2. Pick a Hosting Plan: I used a hosting provider that is designed with WordPress Multisite in mind. Selecting a plan that offered the highest inode limits and scalability was key.
3. Install WordPress After configuring your domain skyshoppe. installed WordPress with a single click using the installer the hosting provider offered.
4. WordPress Multisite: How to Enable MultisiteWordPress Multisite: How to Enable Multisite
5. I edited the wp-config. php file by adding:
6. define(‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true);

After refreshing the admin dashboard, I followed the instructions to set up Multisite either as subdomains or subdirectories. For SkyShoppe.in, I chose subdirectories.

7. Network Setup: Once Multisite was enabled, I configured the network settings in the WordPress admin panel to manage all the subsites efficiently.

Step 2: Customizing the Platform

With Multisite ready, the next step was to make SkyShoppe.in functional and user-friendly.

1. Choosing Themes and Plugins:
   • Theme: I selected a versatile eCommerce theme compatible with WooCommerce to ensure each store looked professional.
   • Plugins:
     • WooCommerce: For managing products, orders, and payments.
     • Multisite Enhancements: To improve the Multisite admin experience.
     • Advanced Custom Fields: For adding custom fields to shop pages.
     • SEO Plugins: To optimize each shop for local search visibility.
2. Creating Subsites: Each new shop owner is provided with their own subsite (e.g., skyshoppe.in/paatikadai). The Multisite dashboard allows me to create new sites easily, preloading them with essential plugins and a default template.
3. Custom Domain Mapping: For shop owners who prefer a custom domain (e.g., paatikadai.com), I enabled domain mapping. This ensures that businesses can maintain their unique brand identity.

Step 3: Adding AI-Powered Features

To make SkyShoppe.in stand out, I integrated AI features:

1. GPS-Based Shop Suggestions: Using AI and location services, the homepage displays nearby shops based on the user’s GPS location. This helps customers discover local businesses effortlessly.
2. Category-Based Filtering: Users can search for shops by category (e.g., groceries, clothing, electronics), making it easy to find what they need.

Step 4: Streamlining Daily Operations

To ensure smooth daily operations for shop owners and customers:

1. Order Management: WooCommerce’s built-in tools allow shop owners to manage inventory, process payments, and track orders efficiently.
2. Delivery Integration: I’m working on integrating GPS tracking for daily deliveries, ensuring customers can track their orders in real time.
3. Training for Shop Owners: I’ve created video tutorials and documentation to help shop owners manage their sites independently.

Step 5: Promoting SkyShoppe.in

To create excitement and awareness about SkyShoppe.in, I’m posting daily content for 15 days, highlighting the platform’s features and benefits for local businesses. Social media campaigns, blogs, and YouTube videos are driving traffic to the platform.

Conclusion

Creating SkyShoppe.in was an exciting experience for me. By providing constant support for the local business shops and Proper Promotion will increase the visibility of skyshoppe.in