Many people think that the world of digital entrepreneurship is only for the young. But the story of a retired couple shows that it's not age that counts, but attitude . After retiring from the world of work, they didn't turn to boredom or watching TV, but began one of the most creative phases of their lives – online.

The couple had been making their own handicrafts for decades: the wife crocheted and sewed, the husband carved wooden ornaments. After a fair, the sentence that changed everything was said:
“You could sell these online!”

At first, the words WooCommerce, WordPress , plugins, and domains seemed like a foreign language. But they didn't hold back. Step by step, they learned how to build a functioning, automated webshop, where they now sell hundreds of products per month – all while maintaining their passion for craftsmanship and working at their own pace.

Statistics:

According to AARP (USA) 2024 research, the number of digital entrepreneurs over 50 has increased by 35% in the previous 3 years – and WooCommerce is one of the most frequently chosen systems among them because it is flexible, cost-effective, and easy to learn.

This story is not only about how to start an online store, but also about how it's never too late to start something new – even if the technology seems daunting at first. If you have a product, a passion, and a willingness to learn, WooCommerce could be your path to the online space.

The beginnings – Where did the idea come from?

The story started with a completely ordinary passion: the wife has been crocheting since she was young, and the husband has worked in the wood industry for decades, so it was natural that they would seek the joy of creation even in their retirement years. Their special, handmade products quickly found their way to the local community: they became recurring characters in smaller craft fairs, village days, and Advent markets.

Customers not only praised their work, but increasingly asked the same question: “Where can I order this online?”

This sentence was said more than once – and over time it planted a seed. At first, they just waved it off with a smile, as the technology seemed distant and complicated. But the demand was real: some people were interested from other counties, others wanted to take the products abroad as gifts.

At the end of 2023, the decision was made: to have our own web store . Not a large and complicated system, just a simple but stable online store where customers can conveniently browse, order, and even pick up the products in person.

Interesting fact:

According to Google Trends, searches for the terms “handmade webshop” or “handmade shop” increased by 35% in Hungary in 2024. This indicates that the demand for personal, authentic, unique products is also growing in the online space – exactly the kind of products this retired couple made.

Why WooCommerce?

They looked at several platforms during the decision – but they chose WooCommerce:

• low start-up cost ,

• full customization ,

• and that no programming knowledge is required to get started.

The initial idea was not born from a business plan, but from a real customer need. A little drive, a pinch of curiosity, and some courage were enough to turn a hobby into an online business.

First steps in the world of WooCommerce

When the retired couple decided they wanted to sell their handmade products online, their first question was: “How and what should we start with?” They had no web developers or previous experience in the digital world. A friend recommended WordPress + WooCommerce as one of the most cost-effective and flexible solutions.

This choice has become popular worldwide for a reason: According to the latest 2025 data from BuiltWith , WooCommerce is used by more than 4.4 million active web stores worldwide, making it the world's most popular webshop engine .

The initial difficulties

The launch was not smooth. Even the most basic steps were challenging:

• What is a domain and how to register it?

• Which hosting provider should we choose?

• Should we use a free or paid template?

They encountered countless new concepts, but they didn't back down. They started watching YouTube videos, reading blog posts , and even took a short online course for beginners that guided them through the process step by step.

The design: simplicity and functionality

Simplicity and transparency were clearly the main criteria when choosing a template. They wanted a look where:

• products take the lead,

• not distracted by too many graphic elements,

• the purchase process should be fast and smooth.

In the end, they decided on a clean, mobile-friendly WooCommerce template that already included the basic webshop functions: product listing, cart, payment, contact form, and newsletter subscription.

Interesting statistics:

85% of WooCommerce users build their own webshop , at least when starting out, according to a WPForms 2024 survey . The most commonly used learning resources:

1. YouTube videos (67%)

2. Blog articles (54%)

3. Free or cheap online courses (29%)

This also shows that you don't have to be an IT expert to have your own webshop – all you need is enough patience, interest, and a little courage to get started.

The technical settings – What were used?

A webshop is not just about beautiful products and good ideas. Behind the scenes, a well-functioning technical system ensures that visitors can browse, buy, and return with a good experience. For the retired couple, this was unknown territory at first, but with the right choices and a little support, they managed to build a solid foundation for their WooCommerce webshop .

Hosting and domain – simple, fast, reliable

After initial research, they decided on a domestic hosting provider , which proved to be a beneficial choice for several reasons:

• Hungarian-speaking, helpful customer service,

• fast loading time for domestic visitors,

• simple admin interface and automatic WordPress installation.

The latter was particularly important, as they wanted to edit the webshop themselves from day one – without involving a separate developer.

Plugins used – the heart of functionality

One of the biggest advantages of WooCommerce is that it can be extended with almost any functionality – mostly with free or affordable plugins. The couple chose the following key plugins:

✅ WooCommerce explanation + SimplePay payment

The entire webshop interface was now in Hungarian, which was not only more transparent for them, but also instilled trust in customers.
With the SimplePay integration, bank card payments have been made available – which is now a basic expectation. According to the 2024 Mastercard survey, 79% of online shoppers in Hungary prefer bank card payments .

✅ Számlázz.hu integration

Invoices are automatically generated with orders – legally compliant and saving time. The plugin connects WooCommerce with your Számlázz.hu account, so manual invoicing is no longer necessary .

✅ Yoast SEO

Yoast helped me optimize my product pages, categories, and blog posts for search engine optimization.
Thanks to properly specified meta descriptions, headlines, and keywords , organic traffic came from Google after just a few months .

✅ Smush – image optimization

Visual appearance is key for handmade products. Photos, on the other hand, take up a lot of space and slow down the page. Smush automatically optimized the images without losing quality , so the webshop remained fast – which is not a coincidence, since Google’s algorithms are already particularly sensitive to loading speed in 2025 .

Product photos – authentic and human-friendly

The product photos were taken with their own mobile phones , in natural light, in their home environment. They didn't use stock backgrounds or artificial sets – and that was one of the keys to their success.
The photos were honest, authentic, and that's exactly what customers appreciated . The products looked like something any of them could imagine for their own home – not overly photoshopped, sterile catalog photos.

First product uploads and customers

When starting an online store, many people make the mistake of wanting to open with dozens or even hundreds of products – spending months uploading them, while not having a single customer yet. However, the retired couple consciously started with a small offering : they uploaded 10-15 products, each one handmade and unique.

This decision not only saved them time, but also allowed them to gradually and purposefully develop the offering and the structure of the webshop based on feedback from the first customers.

First purchases: familiar circle and personal recommendations

As with many small businesses, the first orders came from family, friends, and acquaintances . However, this was not just a courtesy: the products represented real value, and acquaintances were happy to recommend them to others.

Initial experiences have confirmed that there is a real market for their products , and that they can reach lovers of handmade products not only locally, but also nationally.

Facebook groups: the first “foreign” buyers

Social media was one of the most important channels in the early days. They consciously chose thematic Facebook groups – for example, craft buying communities, home decor inspiration groups, Christmas gift idea pages.

Here, they didn't write intrusive advertisements, but honest posts , behind-the-scenes photos, and work pictures: how each product is made, what inspired them, how they are packaged, and what message they add.

The first “unknown” customer ordered from a small rural town. This moment was a milestone for them: it confirmed that they could reach an audience online who truly valued what they were making .

Continuous improvement: learning from feedback

Based on feedback from customers, they have consciously improved:

• product descriptions (e.g. size, material, use),

• the images (background, scale, detail photos),

• the purchasing process (e.g. post-order emails, packaging communication).

According to a 2024 study by the Baymard Institute, the average cart abandonment rate for online stores is 69.8% —often due to lack of information, uncertainty, or too many steps. This couple’s online store saw this number drop dramatically thanks to their efforts to answer all customer questions in advance on the product page or in the FAQ section.

Customer experience = brand building

For the first 20-30 purchases, a handwritten thank you card was included with each package. This was not only thoughtful, but also a personal experience that many people shared on social media – thus starting word-of-mouth brand awareness .

Community building and brand development

The long-term success of a webshop is determined not only by the quality of the products, but also by customer relationships and community. For the retired couple, this was instinctively clear: they wanted not only to sell, but to connect with those who appreciate handmade products made with love.

Facebook page – a look behind the scenes

The first step towards building a community was to launch a Facebook page . They didn't write classic advertising posts, but showed themselves, the workshop, the process, the "how it's made" moments. This content was not only interesting, but also authentic – and this made them likable.

According to Meta's Q1 2025 statistics, 83% of users trust brands more when they feature real people and real stories . The couple's posts weren't perfectly edited – but that's exactly what they were about: human and honest .

Newsletter – building relationships directly with interested parties

After Facebook , the next step was to launch a simple, weekly email newsletter . The goal was not to push, but to provide value:

• behind-the-scenes stories,

• 1-1 craft tip (e.g. "how to store crocheted decorations after Christmas"),

• seasonal offers, introduction of new products.

The language of the letters was direct and friendly – as if they were written by an acquaintance. They were not sent en masse, but started with a small list, and the number of subscribers gradually grew .

An interesting fact : the average newsletter open rate for small webshops ranges from 38–45% , compared to an average of 15–20% for large brands, according to MailerLite's 2024 e-commerce report. Personalisation is key here.

From customer to follower, from follower to regular customer

Throughout their history, a large portion of their customers have become repeat customers . This is not only due to the quality of their products, but also to the relationships they have continuously cultivated:

• personal messages,

• thank you emails and handwritten cards,

• periodic surprises, coupons for loyal customers.

People were not just buying a product, they were identifying with a brand that represented value .

A brand name is born – personal and memorable

With the growing awareness, the need for a real brand name arose. They wanted a name that would simultaneously:

• refers to craftsmanship,

• related to their story,

• can be remembered well.

This is how their own brand was born, with a simple logo and unique packaging . This unified not only the webshop, but also social media communication, customer experience, and branding.

Community building was not just a marketing tool for them, it became the soul of the webshop . Behind the brand were real people, real values, and real stories – and this is a real competitive advantage in today's stereotypical, over-digitalized world.

Results and lessons learned – What can someone who sets out achieve?

When this retired couple launched their WooCommerce-powered webshop, their goal wasn't to get rich quick , but to provide value – something they made with their own hands, with heart and passion. The motivation came from within, and that's what made their brand authentic and lovable.

Stable, sustainable income – without external help

The first few months were spent learning and fine-tuning. They didn’t buy traffic, they didn’t pay advertising agencies – they built at their own pace, step by step . As a result:

• After about 6 months, the webshop generated a stable net income of HUF 200–300 thousand per month ,

• the vast majority of products were orders placed by returning customers or based on recommendations,

• The operation became 100% sustainable: the revenue covered the cost of materials, packaging, storage space, and even smaller amounts spent on advertising.

It wasn't a multi-level success, but for a retired couple it meant freedom, respect, and community recognition .

Lessons learned – what others can learn from them

✅ 1. It's never too late to start

Online entrepreneurship is not just for twenty-somethings. The digital world can be learned, and age is no barrier – in fact, life experience is often an advantage.
According to a 2024 study by Etsy, 41% of sellers over 50 made their first online sale in less than 1 year – and most of them had no prior web experience.

✅ 2. Customer relationships are the greatest value

Most online stores make the mistake of forgetting that customers are people. The couple carefully wrapped each package with a handwritten message. They regularly answered questions and engaged in active dialogue with their customers , not only generating sales but also building a community.

✅ 3. The technique can be learned by going step by step

No one is born a WooCommerce expert. They didn't know what a plugin or SEO was either. But with 1-2 hours of study per day, YouTube videos, and blog articles, they built up the knowledge that was enough for a functional and well-managed webshop.

As they put it:

"It's okay to go slowly. The important thing is to move forward and follow our own path."

Summary – what does this mean in practice?

• Time commitment : 10–15 hours per week

• Starting capital : approx. 50–70 thousand HUF (domain, hosting, template, raw materials)

• Monthly operating costs : approx. HUF 5–10 thousand

• Income : 200–300 thousand HUF per month after 6 months

• Value : stable, privately owned brand with real customer relationships

Their story highlights a simple but often underestimated truth: success is not necessarily about size or speed, but about commitment, honesty, and value creation . And that’s what truly stands the test of time – whether you start at 20 or 70.

Who might this story inspire?

This story is much more than just a presentation of a retired couple's webshop. It's a real-life example of how you can create value from any situation in life, without any technical training – and in an online, ever-growing market.

For those who feel left behind in the digital world

It doesn't matter how old you are or how much computer experience you've had. Technology can be learned. Today's WooCommerce and WordPress-based systems don't require programming knowledge , just curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn.

According to a recent Eurostat survey (2024), 47% of Europeans over 55 are already active internet users, and 12% regularly shop online – a number that is growing dynamically every year. More and more people are becoming not only consumers, but also creators of the online space .

For artisans, local manufacturers

If you make anything by hand – crocheted products, ceramics, wood products, scented candles, jam – this story can show you the way . The local market is often limited, but online you can reach customers you would never meet in person.

The demand is real: searches for the keywords “handmade” and “unique gift” are increasing year after year. According to Google Trends, by the end of 2024, there were 18% more searches for these keywords than the previous year.

For those who would like to build something with a small budget but a big heart

You don't have to start with millions. The example of the retired couple also shows that a gradually built WooCommerce webshop with low start-up costs can be stable and successful .
You don't need a professional photographer, expensive advertising, or a developer to get started – a good idea, a real product, and consistent work are worth much more .

And most importantly, people don't just buy products, they buy stories. If you have a story to tell, if you have passion and are willing to learn, then you're ready to go.

This story could be about you . Whether you're about to retire or just starting your first business, WooCommerce and the digital world are not for everyone – you just have to take the first step.

And if you feel like you need help with this, you've come to the right place – we'll help you get started, step by step .

Your opinion matters!

While reading this story, perhaps you too have had the thought:
“Maybe I could try it too?”

Whether you're just getting started with WooCommerce or you've already started but are stuck somewhere, don't feel alone. Most people go through the same steps : choosing a hosting provider, payment solutions, product uploads, marketing – and everyone faces questions.

We'll help you get started too.

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Did you know?

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