Writing.Com 101

Writing.Com Shops are virtual storefronts created by fellow members. This option is available for members with a Premium membership or above to create and showcase their products. However, please note that everyone is able to purchase items from any of the shops.

Shops can be accessed by clicking on the Shop link within the left navigation under the Writing.Com logo. You have your pick of either visiting The WdC Shop, Writing.Com's official store, or clicking on Member Shops to see the products and services other members have to offer.

What sort of things can I buy?
There is no limit to what can be purchased in the stores. At the WdC Shop, you can buy various items ranging from paid memberships to "Gift Points" . There are also official WdC gear (tee-shirts and hoodies), paper weights, pens, mugs, journals, stationery, games and much more.

Visiting the members shops, you're likely to see virtual images for sale (these are usually used for signatures or banners), published e-books or hard copy editions, editorial services, review packages or even web page design services.

What payment options do I have?
The convenience of purchasing an item from a virtual store is the availability of different options for payment. Whenever you buy an item, you are given the following options at checkout:


However, this all depends on the shop owner's policies. Some shops require you only pay via Gift Points, while others give all three options listed above. Be sure to read the store's requirements before making a purchase.

How do I navigate my way within a shop?
This, again, depends on the shop. When clicking on a link – or entering a storefront – most have welcome images and information on what it has to offer. To actually find the products available for sale, these items are organized on the left side of the page, where you can either Shop by Category or Shop by Brand. Click on the links to see what each has to offer, and if any catches your attention, follow the directions set by the shop owner to purchase the item(s). If you find yourself having problems checking out or have queries about a particular product, it's always wise to send an email to the shop owner for more information.

What do these other links mean?

The other links in the left navigation panel :


How do I create my own shop?
To create a shop item, you must have a Premium membership   or above to access this feature. Use WritingML and images from your portfolio to spice up your pages. Although it's not a must to have some knowledge of HTML, it does help to make your storefront look more inviting to visiting members.1

For more information about how to create a shop including little tricks and tips on making it a success, please check out:
"Create/Edit a Shop"  and "Manage a Shop" .