In this comprehensive guide you will learn everything there is to know about how to start a dropshipping store with WooCommerce. By the end of the guide, you will have a clear understanding of how to build a dropshipping business with WooCommerce.
What is WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is essentially a plugin that lets you turn a WordPress powered website into a fully functioning online store. Complete with hundreds of built-in features and optional add-ons, it is extremely flexible, modern and easy to use. It is also completely free, the only cost associated with building a WooCommerce store is the purchase of a domain and hosting, both of which are very cheap and affordable.
What is Dropshipping?
Dropshipping, also known as product sourcing, is a popular e-commerce business model where products are sold online and then purchased directly from a wholesaler, manufacturer, or dropshipping supplier. Instead of buying and storing inventory, products are not purchased until after they have been sold to a consumer. Once an item is sold and then purchased from the supplier, it is shipped directly to the customer on behalf of the dropshipper, usually in plain unbranded packaging.
When we refer to WooCommerce dropshipping, it simply means that you are selling dropship products through a WooCommerce powered store. Any kind of selling products to consumers through WooCommerce and sourcing them directly from a supplier is considered dropshipping.
How to start a successful WooCommerce Dropshipping webshop
Building a dropshipping store with WooCommerce requires some essentials, including a domain name and hosting. While the process can be somewhat complicated for newbies, the end result is worth the learning curve.
1. Choose products to sell
Before you start building your WooCommerce store, the first step is choosing the type of products you want to sell. Start by considering the type of brand you want to become in the long run. It's always best to specialize in a specific niche. Your ultimate goal is to build a brand that becomes a trusted resource within your niche or category. Here are some tips:
- Choose a niche that is not very competitive, but not too small and limited
- Think about the future of your brand and the areas you can expand into later
- Use a keyword suggestion tool like Google Keyword Planner or WordStream
2. Register a domain
Once you've established a name for your business, it's time to register the domain. Essentially, a domain name is the website address where your WooCommerce store will be found. A register domain name can be done at Flexamedia for €8,99
Tip: If the domain name you want is already in use, try adding an abbreviation at the end or use an alternate TLD. For example, if the domain name mywebsite.com is in use, try mywebsite.net or mywebsiteuk.com. However, you should avoid registering a domain name that resembles a domain name already used by another company.
3. Buy a hosting
Every website needs hosting. It's what powers your website. Fortunately, a purchase of a cheap web hosting relatively easy. In most cases, the company you registered your domain name with also offers hosting services. If the price is right it is registering a domain name and buying hosting from the same company is the best option as it keeps things simple.
4. Install WordPress
As soon as you get a domain and hosting, the next step is to install WordPress. This is easy with our one click installer.
5. Install and Configure WooCommerce
The next step is to WooCommerceplugin to install. Just go to the Plugins section of your WordPress dashboard, click Add New and search for the WooCoomerce plugin. Once found, click the Install button next to it.
Immediately after installing the plugin, a pop-up wizard will appear. Follow the simple instructions to set up your store's key features, including payment gateways, company information, and shipping policies.
Tip: After you've completed the wizard, take a moment to familiarize yourself with WooCommerce and its settings, which will appear in your WordPress dashboard after installation.
6. Set up essential pages
After completing the WooCommerce setup wizard, the next step is to create some essential pages for your store. To add a new page, log in to your WordPress dashboard and click Pages > New Page in the menu. Give the page a title and add a paragraph block to the edit area. Here, you can add the page's content and click Publish when you're done.
Tip: Create a page for your shipping and returns policies, as well as a contact page and an about page. Include at least a few paragraphs of content on each page and be sure to describe the important details of your shipping and returns policies. A well-structured policy builds trust with your customers and encourages more orders.
7. Create a menu
Now that you have some pages, it's time to create a menu for them. A menu allows visitors to quickly browse the important pages of your site, as well as product categories.
8. Install other useful plugins
One of the biggest benefits of using WordPress is that you have literally thousands of performance-enhancing plugins at your disposal. A plugin is simply an add-on that enables or enhances certain features of your WordPress website. WooCommerce itself is a plugin, but there are many other plugins you can install. From image zooms to quick checkouts and contact forms, there's a plugin for everything.
Tip: To maintain a fast and efficient website, avoid installing too many plugins. Poorly designed plugins can impact your website's speed. Use only essential plugins that are lightweight and simple.
9. Start listing products
Now that your WooCommere store is up and running, it's time to list products for sale. You can do this manually or using software. When creating listings it is important to make them unique, professional and attractive. While copying your vendor's descriptions is quick and easy, creating your own is the better option. You may also want to vary the main image you use to further differentiate yourself from other competitors.
10. Drive traffic to your store
To generate sales, you need to attract targeted visitors to your store. There are multiple ways to do this with both free and paid techniques. Some of the more effective ways to drive traffic to an online store include:
- Facebook Ads
- Google Ads
- Instagram avertising
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- content marketing