Applies to every Cmsmart Store (theme versions 2.0.0-2.0.2, parent theme 2.0.0-2.2.0 depending on the store, Cmsmart Stores Blocks 2.1.2-2.1.3), Cmsmart Store Installer 2.0.3 and Cmsmart Product Designer 2.18.3 or 2.18.4 · Updated October 2026. This guide shows how to install a Cmsmart store on WordPress with the current Store Setup installer and the manual upload path, captured on a live install run.

In short

  • Outcome: a live Cmsmart store, picked from the current lineup, running on WooCommerce with a sample catalogue from minute one.
  • How it works: Store Setup downloads a one-file installer that handles WordPress, theme, Cmsmart Product Designer and licence for you, or you upload the theme and plugin zips yourself.
  • What it takes: a WordPress host with PHP 8.3+, an empty database or cPanel token, your Cmsmart licence key, and 10 to 30 minutes.

This guide shows two ways to install a Cmsmart store on WordPress: Store Setup, a one-file installer finishing a WooCommerce store with sample data in about ten minutes, or a manual upload for full control. It is the install hub for every ready-made Cmsmart Store.

What's the cost of a stalled WooCommerce store rollout?

A stuck rollout is rarely a theme bug; it is usually a sequencing or licence mismatch, and every retry costs time meant for products. Cmsmart's Store Setup and manual paths both cut that time to minutes.

The pains that show up before a Cmsmart store goes live:

  • Wrong plan, wrong key. A Fullstore key will not activate Cmsmart B2B Store or Cmsmart Marketplace Store; a Premium (plugin-only) key activates no store.
  • Host requirements nobody checked first. A non-writable folder, or a low PHP version, fails the host check.
  • Wrong upload order. WordPress won't activate a child theme until its Cmsmart Stores parent theme is installed.
  • Stuck on old releases. Moving a 0.4.x Cmsmart Stores site to the current 2.x line is a fresh install, not an upgrade.

What does a finished Cmsmart store look like?

Once Store Setup or the manual upload finishes, a merchant has a complete WooCommerce storefront in the niche they picked, filled with Cmsmart's sample catalogue, with Cmsmart Product Designer installed and the licence key already active.

Example scenario. A merchant opens the Cmsmart dashboard, picks a store, and presses Set Up. Minutes later they have a full storefront, sample products in their niche, and a design tool on every item, so the afternoon goes to their own catalogue, not zip files.

That catalogue is sample data, not a preview: names in a content pack are generic placeholders. Merchants wanting their own branding from day one typically pair the install with Cmsmart's preset installation and demo import service.

How does Cmsmart's dashboard and theme system work?

Cmsmart's install system has three layers: a dashboard that knows your licence and builds the installer, a WordPress parent-and-child theme pair that supplies the storefront, and the separate Cmsmart Product Designer plugin that turns a product into a live customizer.

The pieces behind every Cmsmart store:

  • Cmsmart dashboard. Checks your licence against the store you picked, then builds the installer (Cmsmart Store Installer 2.0.3) or hands you the theme zips.
  • Parent theme — Cmsmart Stores. A WordPress block theme every store builds on, at 2.0.0, 2.1.0 (B2B) or 2.2.0 (Marketplace).
  • Child theme — your store's own. Declares its parent in the stylesheet; current releases run 2.0.0 to 2.0.2.
  • Cmsmart Stores Blocks (2.1.2 or 2.1.3). A companion plugin for the store's Site Editor block patterns.
  • WooCommerce. The cart, checkout and catalog engine every store theme is built around.
  • Cmsmart Product Designer. Turns a product into an on-page customizer and generates a print-ready PDF that matches the order automatically, bundled at 2.18.3 or 2.18.4.

Cmsmart insight: keep the parent theme installed even after you settle on one child store. WordPress uses it for every template the child does not override, so removing "the one you're not using" can break the live child.

Which store should I pick?

Every ready-made Cmsmart Store, grouped by business type; see the current lineup on cmsmart.net for anything added since this guide was updated.
StoreFor whomLinks
Print shops
Cmsmart Print Shop StorePrint shops selling cards, flyers & marketing printSetup guide
Cmsmart Boxed StorePrint shops with a large catalogueSetup guide
Cmsmart Boxed 2 StoreCards & flyers for business buyersSetup guide
Cmsmart Parallax StorePrint shops selling cards & marketing printSetup guide
Cmsmart Printing StoreGeneral print shops (cards to labels)Setup guide
Cmsmart Left Navigation StorePrint shops wanting a bold, image-led layoutSetup guide
Cmsmart Slider StorePrint shops selling posters & bannersSetup guide
Cmsmart Sticker & Label StoreCustom stickers, labels & buttonsSetup guide
Cmsmart Poster & Canvas StorePosters, canvas prints & wall artSetup guide
Apparel & gifts
Cmsmart T-Shirt StoreT-shirt & print-on-demand apparel brandsSetup guide
Cmsmart Gift StorePersonalised gifts: mugs, cushions, wall artSetup guide
Cmsmart Mug StorePersonalised mug & drinkware shopsSetup guide
Cmsmart Phone Case StoreCustom phone case printersSetup guide
Cmsmart Custom Apparel StoreCustom tees, hoodies & team wearSetup guide
Cmsmart Boutique StoreMade-to-order women's apparel boutiquesSetup guide
Cmsmart Streetwear StoreStreetwear brands & clothing labelsSetup guide
Cmsmart Tote Bag StoreCustom tote & drawstring bag printersSetup guide
Cmsmart Jewelry StoreEngraved, personalised jewelry makersSetup guide
Niche builders
Cmsmart 3D Print Store3D printing studios & print bureausSetup guide
Cmsmart Photobook StorePhoto books & albumsSetup guide
Cmsmart Bike Builder StoreBike shops selling build-to-order bikesSetup guide
B2B & Marketplace
Cmsmart B2B StoreWholesale buyers, company accounts & reordersSetup guide
Cmsmart Marketplace StoreMulti-vendor, made-to-order marketplacesSetup guide

A B2B key also activates every Fullstore store, a Marketplace key activates every store. Current plan names are on Cmsmart's pricing page.

The store catalogue in the Cmsmart dashboard before you install a Cmsmart store on WordPress
The store catalogue in the Cmsmart dashboard: pick a store and press Set Up.

What's the business value of getting the rollout right?

Picking the right store and path the first time means spending setup hours on products and branding, not re-downloading zips, decoding a licence error, or rebuilding a store never meant to upgrade.

Install value
BenefitHow it shows up in your businessKPI to track
Faster time-to-first-productA full storefront and catalogue exist before you touch WooCommerce's product screenDays from signup to first live product
Fewer support round-tripsRight plan, right upload order, avoids the two most common activation errorsInstall-related tickets per launch
Niche fit from day onePicking the right store from the current lineup avoids a theme switch laterStore or theme changes per launch
Design tool ready immediatelyProduct Designer installs and licenses in the same flowShare of SKUs with design enabled at launch

A simple way to size the time saved: hours per failed install, times installs per month, times your hourly cost. For an agency running several client installs a month, that adds up fast.

How do you install a Cmsmart store on WordPress?

Run Store Setup from the Cmsmart dashboard, which builds a one-file installer that handles WordPress, theme, plugin and licence steps for you, or upload the parent theme, child theme, Blocks and Product Designer yourself through WordPress's upload screens.

Before you start

  • PHP 8.3 or greater, WordPress's own recommendation.
  • WooCommerce, already installed for manual (Store Setup installs it for you); see WooCommerce's requirements.
  • Write access to an empty folder (Store Setup) or WordPress admin access (manual).
  • Your Cmsmart licence key under Commerce > Your Licenses, matching the plan for your store.

Back up first. Both paths are safe on a fresh install, but if your site has content already, back it up before uploading anything; cheaper to undo than to debug live.

Cmsmart Store Installer 2.0.3 host check showing PHP 8.3.36, memory and disk space before install
The installer's host check: PHP version, extensions, memory, disk space, a writable folder and HTTPS confirmed before Store Setup touches your site.

Set up with Store Setup (recommended)

  1. In the dashboard, go to Stores > Store Setup, choose your store, and press Continue.
  2. On Where to install, choose Download installer file (about 10 minutes) over the manual option.
  3. On Connection, note the installer carries your key and store inside it, works for 7 days, at most 3 installs.
  4. On Your store, set a store name and admin email; sample data stays on for a full launch catalogue.
  5. On Review & install, check the details, then press Install my store to download the PHP file.
  6. Upload that file to an empty folder on your host and open its link; it opens on a Start screen asking for a database (or cPanel token) and an admin email.
  7. Press Start, then walk Check host, Database, and Your store (admin name, email, generated password).
  8. Press Install my store; it downloads files, installs plugins and themes, and imports the demo content.
  9. On Done, you land on "Your store is ready," logged in, installer deleted, licence key active.
  10. For Cmsmart Marketplace Store, demo sellers keep populating in the background briefly once the plan is active.
Store Setup step 1, Choose your store, with Cmsmart Gift Store selected
Store Setup step 1: pick the store that matches your business from the current lineup, the Cmsmart Gift Store is selected here.
Store Setup step 2, Where to install, Download installer file versus Theme files manual
Step 2: choose Download installer file for the automated path, or Theme files (manual) to upload everything yourself.
Store Setup step 5, Review and install, before downloading the installer file
Step 5: review the store, address, licence key and sample-data setting, then press Install my store.
Cmsmart Store Installer 2.0.3 start screen, Let's set up your Cmsmart Print Shop Store
On your host: the one-file installer's Start screen lists what you need before you press Start.
Installer Your store step with admin user name and generated password fields
The Your store step creates your WordPress admin account; your licence key is applied automatically at the end.
Installer Done screen, Your store is ready, with View your store and Open your dashboard links
Done: the installer deletes itself, your licence key is active, and the store is ready to view or edit.
Cmsmart dashboard Your store is live screen with View store and Open admin buttons
Back in the dashboard, the same install shows as live, with a link to load the real demo pictures once you are on a paid plan.

Install the theme files manually

  1. In the dashboard, open Theme files & changelog and download the parent theme zip and your store's child theme zip.
  2. In wp-admin: Appearance > Themes > Add New Theme > Upload Theme, choose the parent zip, click Install Now, but do not activate it yet.
  3. Once it shows "Theme installed successfully," upload the child theme zip the same way; WordPress installs it once the parent is present.
  4. Open Themes, click Activate on the child theme, and confirm it shows active next to the parent.
  5. Under Plugins > Add New Plugin > Upload Plugin, install and activate Cmsmart Stores Blocks, then Cmsmart Product Designer the same way.
  6. Open Tools > Cmsmart Stores demo content, choose your content pack zip, tick Import full sample data, press Import, then use Load demo images.
  7. In WooCommerce > Settings > Site visibility, switch from "Coming soon" to Live.
WordPress Upload Theme screen with the Cmsmart Stores parent theme zip selected for manual install
Manual install, step 1: upload the Cmsmart Stores parent theme zip first, before any child theme.
WordPress Themes screen with a Cmsmart Store child theme active next to its Cmsmart Stores parent theme
Once the parent is installed, the child theme activates and both appear on the Themes screen.
Manually installed Cmsmart Print Shop Store storefront home page with sample catalogue, desktop view
The result of the manual path on desktop: a live storefront built from the uploaded theme files and sample catalogue.
The same Cmsmart store storefront home page on a mobile phone screen
The same storefront on a phone: every Cmsmart Stores child theme is responsive out of the box, no extra setup needed.

What to do in your first hour

  • Set your logo and home template in Appearance > Editor before you touch products.
  • Walk through the customisation guide for recommended plugins and Site Editor changes.
  • Remove sample orders, customers and reviews from Cmsmart > Store Setup before you go live.
  • On a paid plan, load real demo pictures from Cmsmart > Store Setup > Load demo images.

Troubleshooting

Wrong plan. The dashboard shows This key does not activate this store for a Fullstore key on Cmsmart B2B Store or Cmsmart Marketplace Store, or Premium is the plugin plan — stores need Fullstore for a plugin-only key. Download the theme files free and add the right key later.

A red item on the host check. Usually a non-writable folder; set its permission to 755 and press Check again.

A second browser tab shows the install running. You opened the link twice; finish in the first tab.

"The parent theme is missing" (manual). Install the Cmsmart Stores parent theme before the child.

Moving on from 0.4.x. The current stores are a fresh install, not an upgrade: export content, install fresh, bring the catalogue back in.

Installer host check failing on a read-only folder with a red Folder permission error
A red item stops the install, here a folder permission issue, fixed by setting it back to 755 and checking again.

Can Cmsmart customize or build more than the base package?

Store Setup and the manual path both give you a working storefront with a sample catalogue; Cmsmart builds everything past that as custom development for merchants who want their own brand, catalogue and integrations in place from day one.

What we build on top of a fresh Cmsmart store, project by project:

  • Preset install and demo import, done for you. We install the store and replace the sample catalogue with products shaped to your business. See Cmsmart Store preset installation & demo import.
  • Brand styling. Site Editor templates, colors and typography matched to your brand.
  • Catalog and pricing migration. Products and price-matrix rules from an existing store or platform.
  • Product designer configuration. Design areas, print options and output settings for your range.
  • B2B and marketplace operations. Company accounts, approvals and vendor onboarding.
  • ERP and POS integration. Connecting orders and inventory to the systems you run on.

Delivery: discovery, solution design, build sprints, QA, launch, support. See Cmsmart ecommerce projects.

Get my Cmsmart store installed and branded

Why Cmsmart for your store rollout?

Cmsmart has built WooCommerce storefronts and the Cmsmart Product Designer plugin since 2012 as a Netbase JSC division. The Store Setup installer, the parent/child theme system and the designer plugin all come from that same team, built to activate together.

Cmsmart has delivered 6,300+ client projects and runs 1,800+ live stores in 80+ countries, rated 4.2 on Trustpilot:

"The plugin used is really top, time saving and complete features. ultra easy installation and configuration. And even when I needed specific development in relation to my theme, Andrea from customer service was very competent and fast. I recommend!" — Adrien Darmon, Trustpilot review

Related reading: the Cmsmart Product Designer plugin page, our web-to-print solutions hub, and the plugin's installation and activation guide. New to the plugin? Try the free lite version, or browse every Cmsmart Store first. Need a hand? Our store setup services cover preset install through to full custom builds.

Frequently asked questions

How long does installing a Cmsmart store take?

About 10 minutes with Store Setup once your licence key and database or cPanel token are ready; the manual path is closer to 30 minutes.

Do I need a licence key to install a store?

No. Download the theme files free and install with no key; the store stays gated until a trial or paid key activates it. A free 30-day trial unlocks every Fullstore store, no card required.

What happens to the sample data when I go live?

Remove sample products, orders and reviews from Cmsmart > Store Setup; on the manual path that is Tools > Cmsmart Stores demo content.

Can I switch which store or child theme is active later?

Yes, within the same family: upload and activate the new child theme on the shared parent. Cmsmart B2B Store and Cmsmart Marketplace Store use their own parent theme, so treat those as separate installs.

Does Store Setup work for Cmsmart B2B Store and Cmsmart Marketplace Store too?

Yes, the same flow applies; only the licence plan differs, and a Marketplace store's demo sellers keep populating briefly after the done screen.

Where can I see the full, current list of Cmsmart Stores?

Cmsmart's products page always lists the current lineup with live demos, since new stores are added over time and a fixed list here would go stale. Each store's own page states the plan it needs and its current version.