E-commerce is the trend nowadays. Even well-known brand names sell their products online since most consumers buy from digital stores due to our situation today.
Dropshipping is the perfect option for small entrepreneurs who do not have enough resources to manage an online store and fulfill orders.
These days, one can easily create a dropshipping account from multiple e-commerce solutions that support this business model, like Shopify.
Let’s look further and learn how to dropship on Shopify while weighing the pros and cons of dropshipping.
What Is Shopify Dropshipping?
We know that dropshipping means fulfilling a retail order without the need to keep the products’ inventory, but what is Shopify dropshipping?
Shopify dropshipping is more user-friendly than most platforms. It’s also compatible with different apps specially designed for dropshipping purposes.
It comes with various features that allow you to do things other than sell products, like engaging in marketing, making payments, tracking shipments, and viewing analytics.
It will also teach you how to develop effective strategies to address the abandoned-cart issues for most online stores.
However, all of these features come with a price tag costing $299 a month compared to the basic fee of $29 monthly.
Is Shopify Good for Dropshipping?
Some sellers might ask, “Is Shopify good for dropshipping?” To date, Shopify is one of the biggest e-commerce platforms that fully supports the dropshipping business model.
It’s a popular and favorite platform for most merchants because of its dropshipping-friendly features boosting your online business.
A Shopify account’s variety of features will let you create not just an e-commerce webpage but an online business.
It allows you to set up and design your dropshipping site according to your preferences while helping you market your products and manage your sales.
With all of Shopify’s excellent features, you will not feel overwhelmed with its functions and uses as it gently guides you on how to dropship with Shopify.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Is Shopify Dropshipping Legal?
Is Shopify dropshipping legal? You might be having double thoughts about venturing into e-commerce, especially about legalities.
Ensure the legitimacy of your digital store by learning more about some dropshipping legalities and required paperwork.
These are just tips and suggestions, and we still highly advise that you seek actual legal advice from an attorney.
Shopify is a legitimate e-commerce platform, and dropshipping is a valid business model.
Combining these two means, Shopify dropshipping is a lawful enterprise.
There’s no need for you to get hold of a business license to start an online business on Shopify.
Still, it’s better to obtain one for taxes, liabilities, and legitimacy.
How to Dropship on Shopify
Now that we have confirmed the legitimacy of dropshipping on Shopify, let’s closely examine the Shopify dropship guide and how you can start your business.
Find Your Niche
The first thing you need to do is to find your niche.
What type of products do you want to sell? Who are your target customers?
You will receive numerous suggestions when it comes to choosing a niche.
Some will tell you to focus on your interest and passion for determining what products to sell.
Others will suggest that you look for trendy and profitable products to ensure that you attract customers and make money.
If you can’t decide which one to choose, you can always combine the suggestions and look for products you are passionate about.
- Research Keywords
List product keywords relevant to your chosen product category that potential customers will use when shopping online.
You can use free tools, like Google Keyword Planner, to research the most searched words related to your prospective product.
- Figure Out Product Trends
Combine your keyword data with product trend information to determine if your prospect product is still in demand or not.
For these details, you can try using Google Trends by entering your keywords to see their trends, whether they are still in demand or people are losing interest.
- Check Profitability
After determining the keywords and their popularity, it’s now time to check the item’s profitability since that is your primary purpose of venturing into e-commerce.
For your online store to thrive and make money, you have to look for low-cost but quality products.
Build a Shopify Dropshipping Website
So you have determined your product niche. It’s now time to create your Shopify website.
Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Create a Shopify Account
Before you register to the Shopify website, you must have a specific store name since it’s the initial information you need to provide.
From there, you just need to follow the screen prompt and answer the questions regarding your personal information.
Once you complete filling up the form, you will receive an email confirmation from Shopify with your store URL.
You can bookmark your store address for easier access.
- Add Products
After setting up your account, you will get redirected to your account dashboard, where you can add products, design your store, set up your domain, and a lot more.
It’s best to start adding your products first before designing your store so you can choose your layout based on your added items.
- Write Product Details
Once you have added all your products, go through each item and edit the product information with an appealing description.
Also, don’t forget to add product tags to your listed items for more straightforward classification and organization.
- Arrange Your Collection
Group your products according to how you categorize them, making it easier for your customers to search for the right item.
Design Your Store
After arranging your collection, you can now use your creative juices and design your store.
You can choose a free theme or search Shopify’s marketplace for paid ones.
- Customize Your Site
You can edit the look of your digital store from Shopify’s theme designer page.
You can even upload your store’s logo or additional photos to enhance your site.
Try to play around with the theme designer until you find the right layout, color schemes, checkout page, and more.
- Add Pages
Next is creating pages for your website, such as the about page, FAQs, contact page, shipping, and returns.
You can also update the description, meta title, and other relevant information related to your online store.
- Set Up Page Navigation
After setting up your collection and pages, you can proceed to the navigation settings by choosing what should be showing on the main menu.
Imagine how you want your customers to explore your website and what should be readily visible for them.
- Edit General Preferences
This page is your Shopify website’s backend, where you can modify your page’s title and meta description.
You also have the option to add your Facebook pixel and Google Analytics code on this page.
Add a Domain
Once you complete your store set up, you can make it look more appealing and professional by adding a domain name instead of the default URL.
You have three options to choose from when trying to add a domain with Shopify.
The first is by connecting a third-party with Shopify if you have an existing one.
The second is transferring a domain to your Shopify. Make sure to check with the other provider for guidelines or restrictions.
Lastly, you can purchase a new customized domain through Shopify with prices starting from 11 USD yearly.
Set Up Payment Options
Now we come to payment settings. You will find that PayPal and Shopify Payments are the default options.
However, you can still choose to set up other payment providers or different paying modes under the Payment Providers page.
Shopify can transfer the funds to your bank account if you have completed the setup process and provided the necessary information.
You will receive an email notification from PayPal after you receive the payment so you can set up your merchant account.
Check Out Shopify Dropshipping Apps
You are almost done with setting up your Shopify website.
Go to the Shopify app store and check out some dropshipping apps that you can add to your page.
- AliExpress Dropshipping
This Shopify app lets you import the products from their platform, so you post them on your website.
Pricing and stock level are updated continuously through its auto-updating system.
The company handles order fulfillment.
It has varying pricing systems: $5 a month for imports up to 5,000 products; $10 monthly for imports of up to 10,000 items from Alibaba, other marketplaces, and AliExpress.
Imports of up to 20,000 products from Amazon, AliExpress, Alibaba, eBay, and more are charged $20 per month.
- MODALYST: Dropship Name Brands
This Shopify dropshipping app specializing in name brands offers a vast array of branded products and less known suppliers.
It has four significant marketplaces: Name Brands, Independent Brands, trendy, Affordable Products, and Low-Cost Goods.
They offer product name and description editing and customization.
- Oberlo
Oberlo is a dropshipping app owned by Shopify where you can find plenty of product choices to sell in your online store.
Oberlo will fulfill all orders for their products, giving you more freedom to focus on managing your store.
You can edit product descriptions, images, and names through Oberlo’s product customization feature.
Keeping tabs on all your orders is more efficient through the shipment tracking feature of Oberlo.
The app is free for websites with 500 or lesser products, reaching 50 orders every month.
Accounts with 10,000 products and can market up to 500 monthly sales need to pay $29.99 per month.
According to Shopify dropshipping guides, you have to pay $79.90 a month if your website has more than 30,000 products and endless sales.
- Printful: Printful & Warehousing
This dropshipping solution is specific for businesses offering print-on-demand products like apparel, mugs, or posters using their original designs.
It has no upfront monthly fees, and all orders are fulfilled by Printful hence no inventory costs.
Pricing also varies depending on the item. They also offer photography services, capturing pro-grade photos for uploading on your website.
Choose a Paid Shopify Paid Plan
Shopify offers a 14-day free trial allowing you to explore its features.
However, you can only sell products from your store after choosing a paid plan.
How Much Does It Cost to Dropship on Shopify
You don’t have to pay anything if you want to launch your online store.
Oberlo’s starter plan is free, while Shopify has a free 14-day trial subscription that will give you enough time to set up your account.
If you want to start selling your products, you need to upgrade your account with the following charges: $29 monthly for the Basic Shopify subscription, $14 annual domain fee, plus $29.90 a month for Basic Plan for Oberlo.
Thus, you need to pay an initial of $72.90 for the upgraded dropshipping account, plus an additional $58.90 a month for Shopify and Oberlo subscriptions.
How Profitable Is Shopify Dropshipping?
Some successful dropshippers earn as much as $100,000 in a year after building a brand and having the right suppliers.
One great example was how Becky Beach started with her online boutique dropshipping business.
Using her innate talent and acquired knowledge, she was able to grow and expand her business.
Printful, one of the dropshipping apps on Shopify, checked on Prinstant Replays, an online store with Shopify and Printful accounts.
They sell printed shirts and posters with classic sports play designs.
The company said that it never experienced any losses since it started with its dropshipping businesses.
According to studies, Shopify has over a million merchants to date. It has reached its first billionth order during the second quarter of 2018.
China still has the most Shopify users, making it the third most famous dropshipping company at present.
New entrepreneurs have a big chance of succeeding in this business model as long as they follow the Shopify dropship guide we have discussed.
How to Dropship With Shopify: The Conclusion
Knowing how to dropship on Shopify and having a successful enterprise are two different things.
It’s easy to create and launch a Shopify website, but it’s a bit challenging to maintain regular traffic.
You must have a good working relationship with your suppliers to ensure smooth transactions at all times.
If you are not aware of the comprehensive Shopify dropshipping guide we have discussed, you might get overwhelmed when issues arrive.
Kickstart your dropshipping business through the help of Shopify.