Re: Dropshipping integration

Is using dropshipping apps mandatory for Shopify members?

Kc1983
Tourist
3 0 1

I noticed that there are apps like DSers which integrate with AliExpress. My question is, are you required to use these apps when you become a paying Shopify member and you do dropshipping? Or can you bypass them and just manually list your products from whichever dropshipping store you want and then process your own orders? 

Replies 7 (7)

JoesIdeas
Shopify Partner
2475 228 666

You can do anything you want. Those apps just help people that don't have dropshipping connections.

 

I recommend 100% forming relationships with actual dropshipping partners, the companies / manufacturers that make the products, ideally in the same country you're selling in. I've tried both and while aliexpress type dropshipping is super easy and gives you access to tons of products, the shipping takes a long time you don't have much control over the product. Working with actual dropshipping suppliers is much better and can lead to nice long term relationships and even customizations.

 

The basic flow:

1) Establish a relationship with your dropshipper (find them, share your company info / vision and why you'd be a good seller, then agree on pricing / product listing).

2) List the products

3) When new orders come in, follow the procedure you agreed on with your dropshipper (could be sending them an email or csv, or entering the order into their system, or connecting to their system with an app)

4) Pay them. This depends on the supplier. I've worked with suppliers that charge on a weekly basis, monthly basis, and immediate basis (before shipping). It's up to you and the company to agree how you'd like.

 

The dropshipper sends the product to the customer, and the tracking to you so you can update the shopify order to notify the customer the order has shipped.

 

If you need a tool to help automate some of that (notifying dropshipper via email / csv when orders with their products come in, allowing them to update tracking), check out Order Automator we have a lot of people using this app for dropshipping assistance related to order management.

• Creator of Order Automator [auto tag, fulfill, connect FBA, daily jobs]
• Co-Creator of Product Automator [suite of features for products / collections]
• Shopify developer for 10+ years, store owner for 7 years
• Blog: Shopify Tips, Guides, and Automation Tactics
Kc1983
Tourist
3 0 1

That is really helpful, thank you! My goal is to use dropshipping as a platform to "test the waters" and then eventually I want to source and brand my own products. Do you have any recommendations for dropshipping companies in Canada or US that handle fishing/outdoors activities?

JoesIdeas
Shopify Partner
2475 228 666

Nice that's a good move. I know a guy that did that to find what products were popular, then eventually switched to his own branded stuff and built a whole brand.

 

I haven't done dropshipping in a few years, I don't have any recommendations on specific suppliers, the way I found mine were either by googling and pitching companies I thought would be a great fit, and on occasion by introduction through friends or a random meeting at a bar one time.

 

The only thing I would say is make sure you have a solid plan and either a website or a nice slideshow to show why you're worth their time. I used to own a brand and we worked with some dropshippers, and some of them wouldn't sell hardly anything so it was a losing relationship, that taught us to filter applicants better, and if we were unsure we would just give them a discount of like 20% or something for them to test the waters, then they would just buy off our website with their discount code. That might be a good way for you to pitch companies that aren't interested in bring you on fully into their system.

 

It'll take some time to get dialed in but it's doable. Good luck!

• Creator of Order Automator [auto tag, fulfill, connect FBA, daily jobs]
• Co-Creator of Product Automator [suite of features for products / collections]
• Shopify developer for 10+ years, store owner for 7 years
• Blog: Shopify Tips, Guides, and Automation Tactics

Victor
Shopify Staff
2611 236 565

Hi @Kc1983,

 

@JoesIdeas has provided some fantastic advice below but I just wanted to confirm that no, you are not required to use DSers or any dropshipping app if you do not wish to. Dropshipping apps are designed to help merchants import products into their store and place orders with suppliers, but they are not mandatory in order to run a dropshipping store on Shopify.

 

I'd recommend checking out our Ultimate Guide to Dropshipping to learn more about this method of selling and how you can make a success of your online dropshipping store on Shopify.

Victor | Social Care @ Shopify 
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Kc1983
Tourist
3 0 1

Guys, how would it work in regards to currency? I'm in Canada, but I hope to get some American customers as well. When they go to my store, would they see the prices in USD? Would I get paid in CAD if the customer is in the USA? 

Victor
Shopify Staff
2611 236 565

Hi @Kc1983,

 

If you're using Shopify Payments to accept payments from customers, and use Shopify Markets to set up an active market for the United States, then you can allow American customers to view your product prices and pay for their orders in USD. If you're selling to both Canada and the United States, you can use our pricing in local currencies feature to set prices for both markets, payable in either CAD or USD.

 

You can link a Canadian bank account to your Shopify Payments account and receive payments in CAD even when US-based customers pay in USD. It's also possible to add international domains to your store using Shopify Markets (e.g. having a .ca domain for Canadian customers and a .com address for American ones), as well as setting up localization and translation options for the different markets that you sell to.

 

I hope this helps but please let me know if you have further questions.

Victor | Social Care @ Shopify 
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 - Was your question answered? Mark it as an Accepted Solution
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TeamBlanka
Excursionist
77 0 7

Hi @Kc1983 ,

 

Definitely not a requirement to use those apps/extensions. I know you're looking to create your own brand under the fishing/outdoor niche but just in case in the future you want to build your own cosmetic/beauty brand, check us out at Blanka - Private Label Beauty.

 

We can help you build your own brand and we also offer dropshipping even though we are a direct supplier/manufacturer.

 

Reach out to us at hello@blankabrand.com if you'd be interested. Thanks! 🙂