What are beginner-friendly apps for finding quality travel products?

[AshleyRomero]

I am very new to shopify and I really would appreciate any advice.. I am super confused as to how the apps work. I have downloaded apps and then uninstalled them because I wasn't sure about how the process was etc. From my perspective, it's almost like you have to have a 3rd party app as well like AliExpress and then it links to DS? I'm really not sure of that whole ordeal but it's very confusing to me. To me it doesn't make any sense at the moment because for each app you have to pay monthly (after the free trial of course). It just doesn't seem right to pay for 2 -3-4 different apps plus shopify as well when just starting out. Does anyone know of a good app for travel products/accessories? That is what my niche is.. Everything portable and helpful. 

I am also confused about the shipping rates and taxes. I am so sorry if this post seems silly.. I have been in nursing my whole life and so everything else is super new to me AND I haven't been tech savvy since AOL days lol!! Anyways.. Any helpful insights are very highly appreciated! Thank you in advance

[BrewBrains]

Hi @AshleyRomero ,

It is normal to feel overwhelmed at first, especially if you're new to e-commerce and technology in general. Here are some insights and tips that might help you navigate Shopify more effectively:

Understanding Shopify Apps

• Purpose of Apps: Shopify apps are third-party tools that extend the functionality of your store. They can help with various aspects such as marketing, sales, customer service, and more.
• Free vs Paid: Many apps offer a free trial period, allowing you to test them out before committing to a paid plan. It's common to start with free apps and then upgrade to paid ones as your store grows and your needs evolve.
• App Selection: When choosing apps, focus on those that directly address your business needs. For travel products/accessories, you might look for apps related to inventory management, shipping, customer reviews, and marketing.

Shipping Rates and Taxes

• Shipping Rates: Shopify allows you to set up shipping zones and rates based on factors like weight, destination, and shipping carrier. You can offer flat-rate shipping, free shipping for certain orders, or carrier-calculated rates.
• Taxes: Shopify automatically calculates taxes based on your store's location and the customer's location. You can also configure tax settings for different regions or countries where you do business.

Shopify apps are essential because they provide numerous features that aren't included in Shopify itself, and they help overcome various limitations of Shopify.

If you have any queries or need any help regarding Shopify, feel free to reach out.

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[AshleyRomero]

Thank you so much for the advice! 

[Imogen]

Hi there, @AshleyRomero. Thanks for taking the time to reach out to the Shopify Community Forums with your questions! My name is Imogen. It's good to meet you!

Based on your post, it sounds like you're just starting out, and you were looking to dabble in dropshipping for your business! This is a good idea - as dropshipping is a very low cost way to get started quickly with an online store! These apps that you've mentioned (DSers and AliExpress) are all apps that play a role in the process of dropshipping! I remember what it was like when I was first setting up a dropshipping business - it can be a challenge for the first time! Thankfully, Shopify has loads of resources to help smooth out the process to make it as simple as possible! We actually have a guide on how to build a dropshipping business available for free here! Once you've discovered the dropshipping service you want to use, be it DSers or someone different, they have their own help centers and support teams available to assist you whenever you have questions about getting them set up for use with Shopify! This is good information to have as each dropshipping service is different, and may do things differently than the others.

When it comes to shipping rates and taxes, Shopify provides you the tools to easily set these things up, so you can be sure you're charging what you want for shipping, and are collecting what you need for taxes! Shopify Support Staff aren't tax experts (so you'll want to consult a local authority on taxes to understand your obligations) but we have resources to help you get things set up as needed!

In regards to shipping, it's likely that the dropshipping service you're using will import a 'location' into our Shop that acts as the primary shipping location for your store. All of your dropshipping products will be assigned to this location. Once that has been established, you can create shipping rates for your shipping profile that houses these products! Many folks offer free shipping as a value proposition for their customers, for example, because they know that shipping times may be long depending on the location of the customer.

I hope you find this information helpful! Let us know if you have any additional questions!