Wordpress is a powerful and very popular blogging script that is easy to use and maintain. It's well coded flexibility allows for many uses beyond blogging including content management, social networking, directories and portal sites. Have you ever given thought to using Wordpress as an e-commerce site though?

Using the WP e-Commerce plug-in you can transform Wordpress from a mild-mannered blog into a full featured e-commerce site. Features include multiple shipping and payment methods, tax zone management, shipping estimates and product attributes. Payment options supported include Google Checkout, Paypal and Authorize.net. WP e-Commerce also uses a nice one-page checkout system that smooths the checkout process out for your customers and increases conversion rate.

With Wordpress as the foundation of your e-commerce site you will enjoy all the benefits of one of the most powerful content management systems in existence. It's update feature and very intelligent administration panel give you the ability to easily add plug-ins and themes to customize your e-commerce site.

Add widgets to your side bar or other areas in your theme. Add social networking features, user profiles and even forums and classifieds to your e-commerce site to help draw traffic and incoming links. Most hosting providers allow you to easily install Wordpress with one or two clicks. From there, Wordpress gives you the ability to add most plug-ins and themes easily through search features in the administration panel.

Another benefit that WP e-Commerce gives you for your internet store-front is simplicity. Many e-commerce scripts can be over the top and cumbersome for the typical internet store-front. Often they require too much customization and configuration to be practical. With Wordpress and WP e-Commerce configuration is fairly straight forward and customization is easy through the use of a robust Wordpress theme system.

Have a little e-commerce project that you've been considering? Get web hosting and give Wordpress a shot. You might find that an exceptional blogging platform can be a great e-commerce platform too!