Getting Started · 02
System requirements & compatibility.
Everything your WordPress installation needs before running ShopThePost Free or ShopThePost Pro, plus the integrations that are optional rather than required.
Minimum requirements
What you need before installation.
ShopThePost is a WordPress plugin and must be installed on a self-hosted WordPress installation where you have permission to install plugins.
WordPress
6.0+ShopThePost requires WordPress 6.0 or newer. Keeping WordPress updated is strongly recommended.
PHP
7.4+The plugin requires PHP 7.4 or newer. Your hosting provider controls the PHP version used by WordPress.
Use a currently maintained WordPress version and a currently supported PHP release whenever your hosting environment allows it. The minimum versions above describe the plugin requirement, not a recommendation to remain on older software.
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is optional.
ShopThePost does not require WooCommerce simply to create a shoppable feed.
You need WooCommerce only when you want ShopThePost to search your WooCommerce catalogue and connect a product tag directly to a WooCommerce product.
| Use case | WooCommerce required? | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| WooCommerce store products | Yes | Search your WordPress WooCommerce catalogue and attach the selected product to a ShopThePost tag. |
| Affiliate links | No | Add the external product information and destination URL directly in ShopThePost. |
| External shop links | No | Link a tag to a valid external HTTP or HTTPS product URL. |
| Mixed WooCommerce + affiliate feed | WooCommerce for store products | WooCommerce products and external recommendations can be used within the same ShopThePost workflow. |
Browser compatibility
Use a modern browser.
ShopThePost relies on standard modern browser capabilities for responsive layouts, media playback and its interactive frontend. The plugin documentation does not declare support for obsolete browsers.
For administration and testing, use a current version of a major browser such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
Browser autoplay policies may affect video playback behavior. Browsers commonly restrict autoplay with sound, so frontend behavior can differ depending on the visitor’s browser settings and device.
Page builders
ShopThePost does not depend on Elementor.
The frontend is inserted through WordPress shortcodes. This means ShopThePost can be used anywhere your WordPress setup supports shortcode output.
Media requirements
Images and videos should live in WordPress.
ShopThePost validates media against WordPress Media Library attachments and checks that the selected attachment has an appropriate image or video MIME type.
For the most reliable experience, upload the image or video through WordPress rather than trying to reference arbitrary remote media as the primary ShopThePost post media.
Video files
Whether a specific video format can be uploaded and played also depends on WordPress, your server configuration and browser support.
Hosting
Your hosting still matters.
ShopThePost itself does not require a particular hosting provider, but WordPress must be able to perform normal plugin, media and database operations.
ShopThePost Pro
Pro requires a valid license.
ShopThePost Pro uses Freemius for licensing and the Pro update infrastructure. An internet connection is therefore required when the plugin needs to communicate with Freemius for licensing-related operations.
ShopThePost’s public frontend content and your WordPress content remain part of your own WordPress installation. Licensing is used to control access to the Pro product and premium functionality.
Caching & optimization
Clear caches after plugin changes.
WordPress caching, hosting-level caching, CDN caching and JavaScript optimization can cause an older ShopThePost script or stylesheet to remain visible after an update.
If the plugin behaves differently immediately after an update, clear the relevant caches before troubleshooting the plugin itself.
Update → clear WordPress cache → clear hosting/CDN cache → refresh the browser → retest the issue.
Before you install