Website builders have become fairly commonplace in recent years, but Shopify is an excellent option for dropshipping. Its advantages can be summarised in three ways: it is simple to use, powerful, and dropshipping-friendly.
It can be used by almost anyone because of its graphic user interface and pre-built templates and blocks for site construction. You don’t need to learn coding or design to move things around; simply drag and drop them where you want them.
Still, the Shopify dropshipping model continues to mystify many people. That’s why we put together this detailed Shopify dropshipping guide for you. We’ll go over everything you need to know about Shopify dropshipping, including how to start a Shopify store from scratch, what strategies to use to become a successful drop shipper, and last but not least, a complete Shopify practical video tutorial to help you get started.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Have a look at what this guide entails
What is Shopify?
Shopify is a full-featured e-commerce platform that allows you to start, grow, and manage a business.
- Create and personalise your own online store.
- Sell in multiple places, including web, social media, mobile, brick-and-mortar locations, online marketplaces, and pop-up shops
- Maintain control over products, inventory, payments, and shipping.
You won’t have to worry about upgrading or maintaining software or web servers because Shopify is completely cloud-based and hosted. This allows you to access and manage your business from any location with an internet connection.
Shopify’s core focus is on quick and easy site creation, it also has a robust app store with which you can extend functionality. Add-on features cover a wide range of topics and cover everything a dropshipper needs, from merchandise sources to payment processing and shipping.
What is Dropshipping?
In layman’s terms, dropshipping is a retail method in which the seller is not required to physically handle the products or fulfill the shipment to the customers.
The most notable distinction between dropshipping and traditional retail is that in drop shipping, the seller does not maintain their own inventory. In order to fulfill orders, the merchant instead buys inventory from a third party–usually a dropshipping wholesaler or manufacturer–as needed.
Features and benefits of dropshipping
Low initial startup costs
A dropshipping business usually has low startup costs. Inventory, warehousing, research and development, and retail space are all free of charge. This allows you to concentrate your efforts on marketing and providing a positive customer experience. Because of the low start-up costs, there is more competition. When there’s more competition, you’ll get fewer orders and have to lower your prices to stay competitive.
Easy to start
Dropshipping is appealing because it is relatively simple to set up. You only need to choose products, find a place to sell and market them, and then get a customer to place an order in the beginning. Your supplier takes care of the rest after you’ve made a sale.
Because it’s so simple to start a dropshipping business, there’s a lot of competition. Since businesses compete to have the lowest price, more competition usually means lower profit margins.
No inventory on hand
When you don’t need to order and stock inventory yourself, you save on warehousing costs and can start selling products right away. You won’t have to set up accounts with warehouses or decide how your products will be packaged. All of the storage and packaging is handled by the suppliers.
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A wide range of products
You can add thousands of products to your store by using dropshipping services like Oberlo. Your product line refers to the products you choose to sell. When you have a large product selection, it’s simple to change your product line at any time, allowing you to respond quickly to market trends and customer feedback.
No shipping problems
Shipping can be a difficult aspect of running a business. You can save a lot more time by using a supplier instead of shipping products yourself. You can also take advantage of shipping discounts negotiated by your suppliers with shipping carriers.
What Is Shopify Dropshipping?
It’s the process of selling products via dropshipping using the Shopify eCommerce platform. To get started with Shopify dropshipping, the merchant must first sign up for Shopify, then use some dropshipping apps and strategies.
How to build your Shopify store from scratch
In this section, we will start the foundations of building your Shopify store. It may sound difficult, but with the right tools it becomes much more manageable, and with no single line of code.
1] Register for a Shopify Account
Registering for Shopify is so simple. All you’ll need is an email address (Visit Shopify).
It is completely free to create a Shopify account. You only need an email address to confirm your account, and then you can sign on. There is no need to fill out a credit card or other payment method form. Shopify provides a 14-day free trial to all new users.
In addition to your email address, you will need to provide a name when registering. During the free trial period, this name will be used to generate your store URL.
After that, Shopify will require your name and other information in order to process payments. Don’t stress about filling out the form; it’s a simple one.
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The 4 best sites for picking a Shopify store name
If you haven’t decided on a name for your Shopify store yet, these websites will assist you in coming up with great business name ideas for free.
- Oberlo Business Name Generator
- Namelix: Business Name Generator
- Business Name Generator
- Shopify Business Name Generator
After you’ve signed up for a free trial and chosen an appropriate name for your Shopify store, watch this video to follow the further mandatory steps:
Your Shopify account will be active once you’ve completed these steps. Then, in order to launch your Shopify dropshipping account, we’ll need to configure the settings.
2] Install Dropshipping Apps
You will be taken to your store dashboard once you have completed the registration process. You can now start adding products to your website. Here’s where Shopify Apps, one of the platform’s best features for dropshipping, come in.
Shopify can be a one-stop-shop for new drop shippers. The first thing you’ll need to do is go to the Shopify Apps page. To get started, go to Apps and then ‘Visit the Shopify App Store.’ Once you’ve arrived, search for Oberlo or GlowRoad.
Dropshipping platforms such as Oberlo and GlowRoad make it simple to find and add dropshipping products to your store. After you’ve completed the installation, you can begin exploring the products available.
You can also use Spocket and AliExpress, which are both dropshipping platforms available on the Shopify app store.
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3] You can also try other dropshipping apps.
Oberlo and GlowRoad are two drop-shipping apps that you can use. It has a large product catalogue and more features than we’ve discussed so far. There are a few more things you can try, so take a look at this list:
- Spocket
Spocket is a dropshipping app that works with international suppliers. However, it is more well-known in the United States and Europe. The app is packed with features and offers dropshippers a diverse selection of products to choose from. You can even specialise in niche areas like high-discount items or more by customizing your product views beyond category. Spocket users can also take advantage of their customer support services, which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Key Features of Spocket
- Real-time product tracking
- Auto inventory updates
- Solid discount / wholesale pricing
- Easy fulfilment
- Sample orders
AliExpress
AliExpress claims to have profit margins of up to 2,000% for drop-shippers. Despite being based in China, it has expanded internationally and now ships all over the world. Using their Shopify app is incredibly simple, and it gives your customers access to their extensive product catalog from anywhere.
Key Features of AliExpress
- Auto shipment tracking
- Bundle products for sale
- Choice of supplier
- Product editing
- Sell with multiple stores
4] Optimizing Your Shopify Account’s Settings
At this point in our Shopify dropshipping guide, we’ll go over the settings of your newly created Shopify account. This step is essential so you can receive money from your customers, create your store policies, and establish your shipping rates.
Payment Information
Add a payment option to your Shopify dropshipping store first. This is an important step because, without it, you won’t be able to accept payments from customers. However, in order to set up payment, you must first apply for a payment gateway.
Payment gateways
A payment gateway is software that helps online retailers by facilitating, processing, and/or authorizing banking or credit card information. It assists in ensuring that the customer has sufficient funds to pay for the product, allowing you, the store owner, to receive payment. Payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe are well-known in the e-commerce world.
You must have at least one payment gateway in your store in order to accept payments from your customers. Customers will not be able to purchase products from you unless you have it.
Now that you get to know, why the payment gateway is the most important part of Shopify store setup, watch this video till the end to know:
- Different types of payment gateways?
- Which payment gateway to select?
- What mandatory documents do you need to apply for this process?
- How to apply and set up a payment gateway?
To integrate a payment gateway with your Shopify store, go to the “Settings” page in Shopify. Then, on the left, select the “Payments” tab and enter your payment information.
Legal Policies
When you’re launching your own Shopify dropshipping store, make sure you’ve set up the necessary store policies. For your store, you can create a standard privacy policy, refund policy, and terms and conditions. You can also use the “Create Your Template” option to generate standardised legal policies automatically.
To do this step: Go to Shopify’s Settings then click Legal.
5] Shopify Plans & Pricing: How Much Does This Cost?
The cost of Shopify varies depending on your store’s requirements. Many drop shippers can probably get by with the $29 per month Basic Shopify plan. If your store expands and you find yourself in need of more features, it’s time to upgrade.
Watch this video to purchase the right plan and set up the billing process for your Shopify store easily.
6] Designing Your Shopify Dropshipping Store
In this section of our Shopify dropshipping guide, we’ll go over the importance of design for your eCommerce store, as well as some key points for you to consider.
The design of your Shopify dropshipping store is extremely important because it will determine how you present your store and brand.
When it comes to design, there are two major factors to consider when creating a Shopify dropshipping store: your theme and your logo.
7] Choosing a Shopify Theme
An aesthetically pleasing theme for an eCommerce store is just as important as an enticing shop window for a brick and mortar store. It is the first impression of your e-commerce business in front of potential customers.
Go to the online store, then select a theme.
Shopify comes with a built-in theme store where you can find a wide range of themes. There are both free and paid options available. Take a look around and decide on the best theme for your store based on your budget. If you’re just starting out, we recommend going with a free theme.
7 important considerations to make before selecting your Shopify theme:
- Make sure your Shopify theme looks familiar to customers.
- Check out how your products appear in the Shopify theme.
- Look for lightweight Shopify themes.
- Select a Shopify theme that is SEO-friendly.
- Select a theme based on your available resources.
- Choose a website template that is mobile-friendly.
- Look up reviews to help you decide on a Shopify theme.
Learn how to choose the right theme and customize it the way you want.
8] Creating a Logo for Your Store
The logo for your Shopify dropshipping store will help your customers remember your brand. Consider how you want your logo to appear and how it will blend in with the rest of the design of your store.
You can use graphic design software like Photoshop or Canva. You can also get high-quality graphic designs for a reasonable price from freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
Your store will start to take shape once you’ve decided on a theme and a logo.
9] Search for Products You Want
You can easily select the products you want using GlowRoad’s dropshipping apps. To begin, select the category you want to look through. Then, hover over the item you want to import and select “Add to import list.”
Click “Import List” once you’ve added all of the items you want. You can then personalize the descriptions, categories, and other details.
10] Import Selected Products to Your Website
After choosing a winning product and selecting the option to “Add to Import List,” now fill in the required product information and click “Publish to Store”. Repeat this for all of the products you chose earlier.
Watch this Shopify dropshipping step-by-step practical tutorial video (beginner to advanced level) which will help to kick your successful Shopify dropshipping journey.
Strategies to become a successful dropshipper
Inspired and ready to start your own eCommerce business? To become a successful Shopify drop shipper, you’ll need to master six key elements.
Specialization
Almost every successful dropshipping business we’ve come across has one thing in common: it focuses on a specific product or niche.
The more specialized a store is, the more successful it is.
You don’t have to just sell backpacks. For example: Sell backpacks designed for around-the-world travellers obsessed with lightweight gear also. Or don’t just sell security camera equipment, focus on security systems for gas stations also.
Specializing allows you to communicate with your customers more effectively, stand out from the competition more easily, and compete against a smaller field.
Add value
The most important success factor is having a solid plan for how you can add value to your customers. This is important for any business, but it’s especially important in the world of dropshipping, where you’ll be competing with other shops selling similar products.
It’s easy to believe you’re selling customers a product when you’re dropshipping. But successful small merchants understand that it’s not only the product they offer—they’re selling insights, information, and solutions. You may consider yourself an e-commerce retailer, but you’re also in the information industry.
If you can’t add value through good advice and information, the only thing left to compete on is price. This has proven to be a successful strategy for Walmart.
Focus on marketing and SEO strategies
The ability to drive traffic to your new site comes close to adding value as a key success factor. Lack of traffic to a website is the most common problem and cause of frustration for new eCommerce merchants. Too many merchants spend months perfecting their site only to launch it to an audience that has no idea it exists.
Marketing and traffic generation are critical to your business’s success, but they’re difficult to implement well, especially if you’re starting out on a small budget. You must take personal responsibility for improving your SEO, marketing, outreach, and guest-blogging abilities.
This is especially important in the first six to twelve months when no one knows who you are. Following the launch of your website, you must devote at least 75% of your time to marketing, SEO, and traffic generation for at least four to six months—yes, four to six months. Once you’ve laid a solid marketing foundation, you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your hard work.
Make an informed decision based on your research, but don’t let small decisions paralyze you.
If you’re new to marketing or SEO, the resources and blogs listed below can help you get started:
SEO Resources and Tools
- Moz. One of the most well-known SEO communities on the internet is Moz. For those who are just getting started with SEO, the beginner’s guide to SEO is a great resource.
- Search Engine Land: Search Engine Land is a website dedicated to search engines. This SEO blog is extremely active, with dozens of new posts every day.
- SEOBook: A well-known SEO blog with a paid private community for SEO experts
- Brainlabs. This SEO and marketing firm has an excellent blog as well as a number of high-quality training courses and tutorials, many of which are available for free.
Marketing resources
- HubSpot blog. Everything you need to know about inbound marketing, from email traffic to social media tips, you will get on the Hubspot blog.
- Seth Godin’s blog. It provides excellent high-level marketing and audience-building advice.
- Copyblogger. Content marketing tips with an emphasis on writing effective, compelling copywriting.
- Mixergy. Interviews with successful technology and online entrepreneurs. Although it is not solely focused on marketing, it contains a wealth of useful information for aspiring entrepreneurs, including marketing and early-stage advice.
Resources for eCommerce marketing
- Shopify blog: A comprehensive e-commerce blog with regular posts on how to market and promote your online store effectively.
- EcommerceFuel: How to start, grow, and market an online store, according to an active e-commerce entrepreneur. Written specifically for small business owners and store owners,
Provide exceptional service.
The Internet has always been a fairly transparent place, but with the recent rise of social media, your company’s reputation has become even more important to your online success. If you don’t treat your customers well, they’ll tell everyone—including many potential customers—about it.
When fulfillment issues go awry, dropshipping merchants’ biggest customer service risk is having tunnel vision on per-order profits and losses.
The best form of marketing is having happy and satisfied customers, and it’s true for all businesses. It’s far easier to sell to an existing customer than to persuade a new prospect to buy a product. By providing excellent service, you can build a business where regular customers generate the majority of your revenue.
Customer service is important for the success of your dropshipping business, so make it a priority from the start.
Don’t get hung up on the small stuff.
Success will not be determined by your company name, logo, theme, or email marketing service. But the things that matter a lot to making your business successful are: marketing, adding value, specializing, outstanding customer service, and a long-term commitment.
Building a dropshipping business is similar to building anything else worthwhile; it necessitates a significant amount of time and effort. People, for some reason, believe that with a few months of part-time effort, they can build a passive six-figure income through dropshipping. That’s just not how things work.
It will take at least a year to build a business that generates an average full-time income. It’s also significant to understand that the first few months are the most challenging. You’ll struggle with doubts, run into issues with your website, and most likely have a website that generates no sales. Understand that this is completely normal.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were any successful dropshipping businesses.
If you mentally prepare for a challenging start and don’t expect to get rich overnight, you’ll be more likely to stick with your business until it becomes a success.
Get Ready Your First Sale
It’s now time to start making sales and generating revenue with your Shopify dropshipping store. Because it’s unlikely that simply launching your store will result in a large volume of traffic, we recommend that you use marketing campaigns to attract more potential customers. Watch this Shopify dropshipping step-by-step practical tutorial video (from beginner to advanced level) which will help to kick your successful Shopify dropshipping journey.
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