When you're ready to build your dropshipping business, it may be difficult to decide where to start. Shopify and Oberlo have a variety of features, but you don't need to set up everything to start selling your products.
You can focus on a basic store setup to launch your store and invest your time into marketing and getting sales. You can use the following checklist to set up the essential settings for your dropshipping store.
On this page:
1. Sign up to Shopify
To build and run an online store, you need a Shopify account. Go to www.Shopify.com and sign up. Shopify offers a 14-day free trial and three subscription plans from $29.00 USD per month.
2. Install Oberlo app to your Shopify store
To run a dropshipping business, you need an Oberlo account. Install the Oberlo app to your Shopify store from the Shopify App Store. Oberlo offers a forever free plan.
3. Install the Oberlo Chrome extension
Install the Oberlo Chrome extension to simplify the process of adding products and processing orders. The extension is available only on a computer and the Google Chrome browser. Learn more about the Oberlo Chrome extension (OCE)
4. Explore products and choose what to sell
Go to www.aliExpress.com and look for products to sell. Think about your possible target audience, target countries, and product prices to make a profit. It’s best to start with just a few products (5-10) in your store to focus on marketing and selling them. Product research is a very important to building a successful dropshipping business, make sure to dedicate enough time for this step.
5. Change your store currency
Before you add products to your online store, you have to decide on the currency you want to show your product prices. To optimize your customer experience, set your store currency based on the country of your target customer. For example, if you are based in Canada and planning to sell products to the United States, then having the USD currency will ensure a smooth transaction for your customers. Learn more about changing your store's currency.
6. Create product listings for your online store
When you find the products you want to sell, then add them to the Import List in Oberlo. Customize your product listing information such as title, description, and images set prices, and import them to your Shopify store.
7. Choose a store theme
Choose and install a theme to your Shopify store to make your online store appealing to your target audience. A theme is a template that determines the way that your online store looks and feels.
8. Buy a custom domain
Buy a custom domain from Shopify. A custom domain is optional, but it strengthens your brand and adds credibility to your business in the eyes of your customers.
9. Select store language
Select your online store’s language. You may consider setting your store in the English language or choose a language based on your target audience if you think this will increase customer’s intention to shop from you and you will be able to manage the store in a different language.
10. Create essential store pages
Create the essential pages about your store’s policies and contact information. These pages help to build your brand and story, increase your customer confidence to shop, and minimize support tickets.
About Us page
Contact Us page
Legal pages (refunds policy, shipping policy, privacy policy, terms of service)
11. Add store navigation
Adjust menu items or add new ones to your online store. Menu items are links to products, collections, webpages, blog posts, policies, or other websites. Menu items are important for your customers to easily navigate through your store.
12. Customize store design
Customize your store’s layout, colors, typography to make it feel unique. Tell your story through your online store and brand.
13. Add a payment gateway
Add a payment gateway to your online store. A payment gateway is a service that processes your customer payments and deposits them into your bank account.
14. Disable automatic order fulfillment
You need to disable automatic order fulfillment and set it to manual in Shopify. Otherwise, you won't be able to purchase products from suppliers in Oberlo.
15. Set up shipping settings
Set up your Shopify shipping settings to be free for your customers. In dropshipping, the shipping fee is usually added to the product price.
16. Select a Shopify subscription plan
When you're ready to launch your store, you need to select a Shopify subscription plan (from 29 USD/month). You won't be charged until your Shopify trial ends.
17. Remove storefront password
Remove the password from your online store, so that your customers can access it.
18. Make a test purchase on your store
To make sure that your checkout process and settings work properly, you can place a test order. This also helps you to see the process from your customers` perspective.
When you're done with the checklist, then it’s time to focus on marketing your online store. Check out the Oberlo blog for resources on marketing.