How to Dropship on Shopify: 12 Easy Steps

When you don’t have coding skills, a big budget for inventory, or the time for shipping hassles, starting a profitable online store can seem daunting. Don’t worry! With Shopify dropshipping, it’s much easier than you think!

Shopify’s ecommerce platform handles all the details for dropshippers. You can set up your online store, manage products, and process customer orders without spending a lot of money.

In this article, we’ll walk you through launching your own Shopify dropshipping store step-by-step. Once you’re done, you’ll have a clear path to starting a successful Shopify dropshipping business.

Let’s get started building your Shopify dropshipping store!

What is Shopify Dropshipping?

Shopify is a robust e-commerce platform that lets you manage your own online store. For physical stores, it offers point-of-sale (POS) software and lets you sell physical and digital products.

Dropshipping with Shopify is a low-risk way to start an ecommerce business. Dropshipping lets you sell physical products without dealing with manufacturing, warehousing, or shipping. You’re in the sales business, not manufacturing or storing products.

With Shopify, you can order products from a third-party wholesaler when a customer makes a purchase. The wholesaler ships it directly to the customer. This means you don’t need to worry about inventory or storage – you just provide products as customers order them.

Here’s an example: Say you sell smartphone accessories in your Shopify store. You come across a stylish phone case on your supplier’s website priced at $10. You decide to list it in your store for $25. When a customer purchases the phone case, you simply place an order with your supplier and provide the necessary customer details. The supplier then handles the rest, shipping the phone case directly to your customer with your brand’s name on it. It’s that straightforward!

With this approach, you’ll save money and eliminate excess inventory. All you need is an internet connection and a device, making it a great way to start a Shopify side hustle.

Learn more: How to Make Money Dropshipping

How to Get Started with Shopify Dropshipping

Step 1: Choose Your Dropshipping Business Idea

The first step in Shopify dropshipping is to come up with a great business idea. You’d think about location, competition, and trends like you would when opening a retail store. To start dropshipping, you have to find a niche – a specific market segment with shared interests.

You can start by making a list of things you’re passionate about, whether it’s calligraphy, custom apparel, or any other niche. Use tools like social media, Google Search, and Google Trends are good for gauging consumer interest in products related to your chosen niche.

Apart from that, you may check out your competitors within your chosen niche. Analyze the types of products and designs they offer to find opportunities to differentiate your product line.

Here are some profitable dropship product ideas that are in high demand:

  • Smart plugs
  • Security cameras
  • Smart light bulbs
  • Portable projectors
  • Wireless chargers
  • Yoga mats
  • Massage guns

For more ideas, you might check out our list of the best dropshipping products

2. Create a Shopify account

To create a Shopify account, follow these steps:

  1. Go to shopify.com and click on “Start Free Trial”.
  2. Enter your email address, choose a password, and enter the name you want for your store. This will become your primary domain initially (e.g. yourstore.myshopify.com). Make a note of this, as you’ll need it to log into your store.
  3. Answer the questions about your business type, current revenue, etc. This helps Shopify recommend the appropriate plan for you.
  4. Enter your billing and address information to complete sign up.

If you’re ready to choose a pricing plan for your Shopify dropshipping business, here are your options:

  • Basic Plan: It’s the most budget-friendly option, providing basic reporting features and support for two staff accounts. Perfect for beginners.
  • Advanced Plan: If your business is more advanced, go for the Advanced plan. It includes a custom report builder and allows up to 15 staff accounts, making it suitable for larger, well-established businesses.

Choose the plan that suits your current needs and budget, and you’ll be well on your way to running a successful dropshipping business with Shopify!

Step 3: Choose a Name for Your Shopify Store

Now that you’ve signed up for your Shopify account, it’s time to pick a standout name for your dropshipping business. A good name can help your brand shine and be remembered. Here are some simple tips:

  • Use Relevant Keywords: Include words that relate to your products. It can improve your store’s visibility online.
  • Find Inspiration from Other Brands: Check out successful brands in your niche or similar areas. See what works and inspires you.
  • Make it Easy to Remember and Say: Choose a name that people can easily recall and pronounce. Avoid long and complicated names.
  • Check Domain Name Availability: Make sure the web address (domain name) that matches your business name is available. This keeps your online branding consistent.
  • Try Business Name Generators: There are online tools that can help generate name ideas.
  • Use AI Tools like ChatGPT: ChatGPT can be a fantastic resource. It can suggest creative names that fit your brand.

For a great name for your dropshipping business, consider ChatGPT’s AI capabilities. It can assist in brainstorming and help you find a name that represents your brand and sticks in people’s minds.

Step 4: Connect Your Domain

Time to give your Shopify store a proper web address! This step is all about boosting your online presence. Having your unique domain, like ‘flexfitgear.com,’ is much better than ‘flexfitgear.myshopify.com.’

Why? Well, it lets you brand your store and gives you a leg up in search engine rankings (SEO). It also makes your business look professional and trustworthy.

You can buy a domain on GoDaddy or a similar service at about $10 to $20. Just make sure your chosen domain follows Shopify’s rules and guidelines.

After that, you can connect it to your Shopify store. 

Step 5: Design Your Store’s Logo

Your store’s logo is what people will remember, so let’s create a great one. 

Think about how you want your logo to look and how it fits into your store’s style.

You don’t need to be a design pro. Shopify has a free online logo maker that helps you create your logo in just a few minutes. Play with fonts, colors, icons, and placement until you love it.

If you want more control, try graphic design software like Photoshop or Canvas.

If you’d rather not do it yourself, you can find skilled graphic designers on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr without breaking the bank.

Once your logo and store theme are set, your store will really start taking shape!

Step 6: Choose a Shopify Store Theme

Your Shopify store’s appearance matters, just like your logo. It should match your niche and make it easy for customers to shop. A responsive, mobile-friendly theme can turn visitors into buyers, boosting your sales.

The good news is Shopify offers over 100 professionally designed themes, and many of them are free! So, you can start with a free theme and upgrade later if needed.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Explore Themes: Visit the Shopify Theme Store and click “Explore Themes.”

  2. Find Free Themes: To see the free ones, click “Sort” on the right and choose “Price: Low to High.”

  3. Try a Theme: Pick a theme you like and click “Try Theme.”

  4. Select Your Store: Choose the Shopify store where you want to use the theme.

  5. Make It Live: In the theme library, select the new theme and click “Publish.”

That’s it! Your store will now have a fresh look with the new “Dawn” theme.

Step 7: Set Up Dropshipping Automation

Now that you’ve selected your store’s theme, it’s time to simplify your business tasks. We’ll use a dropshipping automation tool to do this. With these tools, you can replace manual work and streamline your daily operations.

Shopify has a tool called DSers that lets you connect with suppliers. You can think of DSers as a marketplace that simplifies finding products to sell online. With just one click, you can add profitable products from global dropshipping suppliers to your store whether you’re into electronics, fashion, toys, or other hot items.

DSers handles everything from packaging, shipping, and inventory management for you, so you don’t have to worry about it. And the best part? You don’t have to pay anything to get started.

Dsers uses AliExpress for finding and adding products to your store. From the DSers product page, you can find out more about product quality, shipping times, or evaluate suppliers.

When you click on a supplier’s link, you’ll go to their AliExpress page, where you can see reviews, top-selling products, etc.

Remember: If your supplier is in China, sell quality products from DSers that offer ePacket shipping. Shipping items from China to the US, UK, and Canada is fast and cost-effective with ePacket. Instead of waiting months, your customers will only have to wait up to two weeks, and shipping is just a couple dollars. You’ll get more satisfied customers and faster deliveries.

Step 8: Import Products to Your Shopify Dropshipping Store

To import products from your supplier on AliExpress to DSers, follow these steps:

  1. Click on “DSers – My Products” and select “Import Shopify product.”
  2. Your newly created item will appear on the list. To import it into DSers, click on the right side.
  3. The item will now be available in your “My Products” section. Next, you can link it to AliExpress vendors so that DSers users can order this item on your behalf.

DSers Import List is a convenient feature that allows you to keep track of all the items you import from your suppliers for your online e-commerce business. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Go to “DSers” and select “Import List.”
  2. On the Product Card of the product you want to modify, click the “Edit” button. This will open a pop-up where you can make changes to the product information.

You can also push products from your import list to your Shopify storefront. Here’s how:

  1. Go to “DSers” and select “Import List.”
  2. To push a single product, hover over its Product Card and click the “Push” button.
  3. To bulk push items, check the boxes next to the products on the Product Card, and then click the “Push to Shopify” button.
  4. A pop-up will appear where you can choose the retailer you want to send the merchandise to.
  5. Confirm your selection by clicking the “PUSH TO SHOPIFY” button.

Step 9: Customize Your Shopify Store Homepage

The homepage of your dropshipping site is the first thing visitors see, and it plays a crucial role in ensuring that they have a positive experience. You can make it stand out and work effectively by following these tips:

  • Use High-Quality Images: Show off your products with high-resolution images from your suppliers. High-quality visuals grab attention and make your products look their best.
  • Edit Images: Optimise your images using editing tools. You can crop, resize, adjust colors, and add branding elements to make them visually appealing.
  • Keep Text Minimal: Don’t overload your homepage with text. Keep it concise and to the point, focusing on communicating the value of your products.
  • Organize with Categories and Links: Make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for by organizing products into clear categories and adding links. This user-friendly setup boosts conversion rates.
  • Personalize Your Theme: Shopify lets you customize your store’s theme to match your brand. Choose a theme that fits your brand’s message and style, then tweak it to make it look great and user-friendly.

Here’s how to customise your homepage:

  1. Go to your Shopify dashboard and click “Online Store,” then select “Themes.”
  2. Click “Customize” to edit your homepage.
  3. Stick to your brand’s primary colors for a consistent look.
  4. Create an announcement bar at the top of the homepage to highlight special offers.
  5. Add your brand logo to the top by selecting “Edit your logo in theme settings.”
  6. Put your brand message on the background image. Click “Text” below the image banner and replace the text with your brand message.
  7. Keep adding sections to display your products, blog posts, and more.

Step 10: Optimize Your Settings

In this step, we’ll fine-tune your Shopify account settings to streamline the operations for your dropshipping store. 

Let’s start with setting up payments:

  1. Go to your Shopify Settings.
  2. Click on the “Payments” tab on the left.
  3. Add your payment details.

We strongly recommend adding a PayPal account. If you don’t have one, don’t worry – signing up is a straightforward process. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, you can easily get started. For more payment options, check out our article on PayPal and other gateways.

Now, it’s time to create store policies:

  1. Go to your Shopify settings.
  2. Click on the “Checkout” tab.
  3. Scroll down to find the sections for privacy policy, refund policy, and terms and conditions.
  4. Click the “Generate” button for each policy, and you’re all set.

Clear shipping rates are a must. We recommend offering free shipping – it’s the simplest and most attractive option. You can include your shipping costs in the product prices and promote “FREE SHIPPING!” to attract customers. For example, if you plan to sell a $20 t-shirt, raise the price to $25 and provide free shipping.

You can simplify your shipping zones for a better customer experience:

  1. Remove all domestic shipping zones.
  2. Add “Free International Shipping” to the Rest of the World section.
  3. Choose “Rate: Free Shipping Rate.”

Step 11: Launch Your Shopify Dropshipping Store

You’ve done all the groundwork, and now it’s time to launch your Shopify dropshipping store.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to your Shopify admin dashboard.
  2. Click on the “Sales Channels” tab.
  3. Select “Add an online store.”

That’s it! Your online store is now live and ready for action. Congratulations!

Step 12: Market Your Dropshipping Store

Now that your dropshipping store is up and running, let’s focus on getting the word out and attracting customers. Here are some effective marketing strategies to consider:

1. Paid Ads (Facebook and Google)

To promote your dropshipping products, consider two effective advertising strategies:

  • Facebook Ads for Impulse Buying: Invest in Facebook ads to tap into people’s impulse buying tendencies. This platform offers scalability and allows you to create appealing ad campaigns that can reach a broad audience.
  • Google Shopping Ads for Targeted Keywords: Explore Google Shopping Ads to target specific long-tail keywords where shoppers are more likely to make purchases. With Google Ads, you only pay when people click on your ads.

Google Ads provides various ad options, each serving a unique purpose for your dropshipping business. The key is to match the right Google Ad type with your specific audience and marketing goals.

Other the other hand, Facebook Ads offers detailed ad targeting options. This is particularly valuable for promoting less common products that might not meet Google Ads’ keyword criteria. You can effectively reach a niche audience with Facebook Ads.

Learn more: How to Run Facebook Ads for Dropshipping Business

2. Influencer Marketing

If you’re on a tight budget, consider using influencer marketing for your dropshipping store. It’s affordable and helps build trust with your audience. You can arrange a deal where influencers earn a commission based on the sales they bring in, benefiting both you and them.

Influencer traffic comes from people with a significant following, usually because of their personality rather than a brand. This approach works well because people trust individuals more than brands.

Typically, influencers are offered a 5-10% commission on all sales they generate. In return, they create videos or content featuring your products and consistently mention your brand. This works best when the influencer hasn’t promoted other products to their audience before. This makes your product stand out because their audience hasn’t seen many promotions. 

3. Content Marketing 

Content marketing for dropshipping means creating useful content to grow your website’s traffic and brand. The success of content marketing hinges on producing content that provides value to your target audience. This content can take various forms, including blog posts, videos, infographics, and podcasts.

The content should be informative, entertaining, or otherwise beneficial to your potential customers. For example, if you’re dropshipping fitness equipment, you might create content about workout routines, nutrition tips, or product reviews.

A blog is a common platform for content marketing. By starting a niche blog related to your dropshipping products or industry, you can regularly publish articles that address the interests and pain points of your target audience. This not only helps with SEO (Search Engine Optimization) but also positions your brand as an authority in your niche.

4. Email Marketing

Email marketing is one of the best strategies used to promote dropshipping products, engage with customers, and drive sales.

One of the primary goals of email marketing is to encourage previous customers to make repeat purchases. You can do this by sending targeted emails that showcase new products, offer discounts or promotions, or provide content that’s relevant to your customers’ interests.

With Shopify Inbox, you can easily create and send emails, manage subscriber lists, and track the performance of email campaigns.

Is Dropshipping With Shopify Worth It?

Dropshipping with Shopify can be a promising venture, but it’s essential to understand both the advantages and challenges. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if it’s right for you:

Advantages:

  • Easy Setup: Shopify makes it simple to launch an online store and start dropshipping, even for beginners.
  • Low Initial Investment: You don’t need to purchase inventory upfront, reducing your initial costs.
  • Wide Product Selection: Access to a vast range of products to sell from various suppliers.
  • Flexibility: You can run your business from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Scalability: Easy to scale up as your business grows.

Challenges:

  1. Intense Competition: The ease of entry leads to fierce competition, potentially resulting in lower profit margins as competitors undercut prices.

  2. Inventory Control: You have no control over inventory levels, which can lead to issues when suppliers run out of stock or sell to other stores.

  3. Shipping Complexity: Managing multiple suppliers can result in varying shipping costs, potentially making products less profitable. Customers ordering from different suppliers can increase shipping expenses.

  4. Customer Support: Order fulfillment and shipping issues can lead to customer complaints and support challenges, even though you don’t have direct control over these aspects.

Dropshipping with Shopify can be profitable, but it requires careful planning and research. To succeed, begin by understanding your market and creating a solid business strategy. Despite the challenges, a well-run Shopify dropshipping business can be both profitable and sustainable.

Conclusion

Whether you’re new to entrepreneurship or have some experience, dropshipping is a great way to sell online with low risk and minimal upfront costs. It’s an excellent choice for those entering e-commerce without the headaches of inventory management or a substantial initial investment.

When it comes to dropshipping, Shopify is the top choice. It’s an easy-to-use, all-in-one platform that seamlessly integrates with various accounting software for smooth financial management.

Setting up your Shopify store is simple – all you need to do is create an account, configure your store, and connect with suppliers.

A little research at the beginning will set you on the path to success, and soon, you’ll be ready to thrive in the world of dropshipping.

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