Normally, when you enable user registration they log-in using a standard wp-admin form and are redirected to the admin panel (with fewer visible elements etc.) The thing is that this panel is difficult to redesign to mach your website’s graphics, it has a ton of unuseful elements, e.g. choosing the color of the panel, etc.

In WooCommerce developers took a much simpler way that doesn’t confuse visitors. Here, they aren’t made to use a different panel and they only get the things they really want and need. By displaying they account info directly on site you don’t need to go through the hassle of adjusting the looks of it to match your layout, etc.

I’m not saying that custom post types/taxonomies aren’t good. Quite the contrary in fact. I’m just saying that in the case of user account the path chosen by the plugin’s authors was much simpler and more hassel-free than using standard WP solutions.

I’ve been looking into WP e-Commerce plugins, and eShop was one of my favorites so far – until I’ve read the Rich’s response. Now I’m not sure. He’s not doing himself and his product a favor by demonstrating such impatience with the opinions of others. People might conclude that’s what awaits them with support if they bring up uncomfortable issues.

To me, it is crucial that a complex plugin like an e-commerce type relies on standard WP API, because that’s the only way to ensure interoperability with other useful plugins. Regard this I was a bit surprised to read

Talking about user accounts it has to be noted that unlike most of other WordPress solutions in WooCommerce it is not based on the admin panel. Instead, it is built in the shop and can also be accessed directly from there. I don’t need to tell you what advantages it brings.

This sounds as if WooCommerce has its own user management separate from that of WordPress. Hence the WP API’s for user management do not apply, and it can’t be combined w/ plugins who utilize that API in beneficial ways. If so, I don’t see an advantage there. Care to elaobrate?

The same is true for custom post types and taxonomies vs separately managed product data and categories. Do you have insights to these aspects of WooCommerce?

Thanks, and thank for a great post.