HOW TO DROPSHIP ON SHOPIFY

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Ecommerce SEO Services and have developed comprehensive guidance on How to Dropship on Shopify.

Dropshipping has become one of the most popular ways to start an eCommerce business because it allows you to sell products without holding any stock. Shopify makes it simple to launch a dropshipping store, connect with suppliers, and start selling to customers worldwide.

This article explains how to set up a dropshipping business on Shopify step by step, from choosing products to managing orders and building long-term success.

What Is Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a retail model where you sell products through your online store, but the supplier handles storage, packaging, and shipping directly to your customers. This means you don’t need to buy stock upfront or manage inventory yourself.

You act as the middleman between the customer and the supplier. When someone places an order on your Shopify store, you purchase the item from your supplier at a lower price, and they ship it directly to the customer. The difference between your selling price and the supplier’s cost is your profit.

Step 1: Create a Shopify Account

Start by signing up for Shopify. Go to the Shopify website and select a plan that suits your needs. You can begin with the free trial to explore the platform.

Once your account is set up, you’ll access your Shopify dashboard, where you can customise your store, add products, and manage orders.

Step 2: Choose a Niche

Selecting the right niche is crucial for dropshipping success. Your niche determines what products you’ll sell and who your target customers are.

Choose a niche that is profitable, has steady demand, and interests you personally. Popular dropshipping niches include:

  • Home decor and accessories

  • Fitness and wellness products

  • Tech gadgets and accessories

  • Beauty and skincare

  • Pet supplies

  • Fashion and lifestyle items

Research trends using tools like Google Trends and check competitors’ pricing to ensure you can offer competitive products.

Step 3: Find Reliable Suppliers

Your supplier is the backbone of your dropshipping business, so choose carefully. Reliable suppliers ensure fast shipping, quality products, and smooth customer service.

You can connect suppliers directly through Shopify apps such as:

  • DSers (AliExpress Official Partner): Ideal for sourcing affordable products from global suppliers.

  • Spocket: Offers higher-quality suppliers based in the UK, EU, and US for faster delivery.

  • Modalyst: Connects you with branded suppliers and private label opportunities.

Once connected, you can import products into your Shopify store with just a few clicks.

Step 4: Add Products to Your Store

After selecting products, import them into your Shopify dashboard. You can edit product titles, descriptions, prices, and images to match your brand’s tone and SEO strategy.

Key tips for product listings:

  • Use clear, descriptive titles with relevant keywords.

  • Write detailed descriptions that highlight benefits and uses.

  • Optimise product images for fast loading speeds.

  • Set competitive prices that include profit margins and shipping costs.

Step 5: Customise Your Shopify Store

Your store design should be simple, professional, and trustworthy. Choose a clean theme that complements your niche and is mobile-friendly.

To customise your store:

  1. Go to “Online Store” > “Themes” in your dashboard.

  2. Browse free or paid themes and click “Customise.”

  3. Add your logo, brand colours, and fonts.

  4. Create essential pages such as Home, About, Contact, and FAQs.

Make sure your navigation is straightforward and that checkout pages are easy to use. A smooth user experience increases conversions.

Step 6: Set Up Payment and Shipping

Shopify supports various payment gateways, including Shopify Payments, PayPal, and Stripe. Set up at least one option that suits your target market.

For shipping, most dropshippers let suppliers handle fulfilment. However, it’s important to configure your shipping settings so customers understand delivery times and costs. Clearly state estimated delivery times on your product pages, especially if you’re working with overseas suppliers.

Step 7: Test Your Store

Before launching publicly, test your store to ensure everything works properly. Place a test order to check:

  • The checkout process.

  • Payment gateway functionality.

  • Email notifications.

  • Automatic order fulfilment with your supplier.

This step ensures customers enjoy a seamless experience from browsing to delivery.

Step 8: Launch and Market Your Store

Once everything is ready, it’s time to start promoting your Shopify dropshipping business. Marketing is where most dropshippers focus their time, as it drives traffic and sales.

Effective strategies include:

  • Search engine optimisation (SEO): Optimise product titles, descriptions, and blogs to attract organic traffic.

  • Paid advertising: Use Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, or Google Shopping campaigns to reach targeted audiences.

  • Email marketing: Build a subscriber list to send product updates and promotions.

  • Social media marketing: Share engaging posts and videos to build brand awareness.

  • Influencer collaborations: Partner with influencers who can promote your products to niche audiences.

Consistency and testing are key to finding what works best for your audience.

Step 9: Manage Orders and Customer Service

When a customer places an order, Shopify automatically forwards the order details to your supplier for fulfilment. The supplier then ships the product directly to the customer.

You should monitor order status, update customers with tracking information, and respond promptly to any inquiries. Excellent customer service builds trust and encourages repeat purchases.

Always track supplier performance—if delivery times or quality become unreliable, switch suppliers immediately to maintain your store’s reputation.

Step 10: Optimise and Scale Your Business

As your store grows, use analytics to track performance and identify best-selling products. Shopify provides detailed reports on sales, traffic, and customer behaviour.

You can scale by:

  • Expanding your product range.

  • Testing new suppliers and regions.

  • Automating tasks like email marketing and fulfilment.

  • Investing in retargeting ads to re-engage visitors.

Continuous optimisation helps you maintain profitability and long-term growth.

Common Dropshipping Mistakes to Avoid

  • Choosing suppliers without verifying quality or delivery speed.

  • Setting unrealistic profit margins.

  • Ignoring customer feedback.

  • Using poor-quality product descriptions or images.

  • Failing to market consistently.

Avoiding these pitfalls keeps your business sustainable and your brand reputation strong.

Expert Advice from Lillian Purge

  1. Focus on niche clarity. Build authority by targeting a specific market segment.

  2. Prioritise SEO early. Optimised listings reduce reliance on paid ads.

  3. Deliver transparency. Be upfront about shipping times to manage expectations.

  4. Test suppliers. Order samples to verify quality before listing products.

  5. Reinvest profits. Use early earnings to enhance marketing and automation tools.

Dropshipping on Shopify offers a low-risk, high-potential entry into eCommerce. With the right suppliers, marketing strategy, and customer focus, you can build a profitable store that grows steadily and sustainably.

We have also written in depth articles on How to do SEO on Shopify and How to Fulfill Orders on Shopify as well as our Shopify Hub to give you further guidance.