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Start a Dropshipping Business with WordPress on a Budget

Start a Dropshipping Business with WordPress on a Budget

Achieving your dropshipping business goals is more affordable than ever with the WordPress WooCommerce Spocket plug-in.

Planning on starting your own business or working on a side hustle to generate some additional income? eCommerce is the way to go. 

However, not everyone has the startup capital needed to build a traditional eCommerce business. That’s where dropshipping could be ideal.

And even though you may be unfamiliar with dropshipping, chances are you’ve already bought a product online from a store that uses this relatively new but increasingly popular business model.

But remember, there is no reward without an element of risk. And dropshipping does present plenty of challenges of its own. That said, dropshipping has substantially lower risk than the standard retailing business model given its low overheads. But, there are some costs associated with dropshipping.

So, if you’re curious about the how-tos of starting a dropshipping business, in this guide we’ll take you through the process of launching your WordPress WooCommerce eStore. We’ll also explain how to and why you should integrate Spocket as well as the costs you’ll incur. Read on to learn more.

What is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a little different to the standard retailing model we’re all so familiar with. It’s a kind of order fulfillment service that allows a retailer to sell products online with the key difference being that with dropshipping you don’t actually have to keep the products you sell stock. Alternatively, the retailer purchases products as and when needed. These are bought from a dropshipping supplier (aka a wholesaler or manufacturer) who will then ship them directly to the customer.

The main difference between dropshipping and traditional retailing is: the retailer doesn’t need to stock or even own any of the products listed for sale on their eCommerce platform. Instead, the retailer is the middleman between the customer and the wholesaler or manufacturer.  

Retailers can also automate most of the process using tools. For example, Spark Shipping, an eCommerce automation solution, can allow you to automatically upload products and inventory, send orders, and receive tracking updates. This streamlines and simplifies the eCommerce process further. 

What is WordPress WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin. It helps to simplify the process of running an online store and can help you ensure that your eCommerce site is a resounding success. 

There are many reasons to choose WordPress WooCommerce. Not only can you integrate your Spocket account to maintain your access to high-quality dropshipping suppliers, you can also import new products with ease through ecommerce integration. Want to know more about how Spocket and WordPress WooCommerce can help you succeed? Read on.

The Benefits of WordPress WooCommerce

With so many benefits to the WordPress WooCommerce platform, we felt it necessary to take you through some of the key perks that can help you hit the ground running. Scroll on to unveil our favourite highlights.

Seamless WordPress integration

Whether you’re already using WordPress for your website; have used it in a past job role; or have merely heard about WordPress from your friends and colleagues, there’s no denying that it’s one of the most user-friendly platforms around. Well, WooCommerce is trusted by WordPress and the two integrate seamlessly. Add in the benefits that Spocket boasts and you’ve got yourself that winning combination that’s going to be very difficult to beat.

WooCommerce will transform your WordPress website into an eCommerce store in a few short minutes. Simply install WooCommerce as a plugin, and you’ll be able to start selling immediately. And the benefits of this integration don’t stop there. You’ll be able to manage products, track orders, and keep an eye on all the running aspects of your new eCommerce platform from your WordPress dashboard.

Existing WordPress users will no longer have to juggle multiple platforms. Instead, WooCommerce will modify your existing WordPress site changing it into a fully functional eCommerce platform. And if you’re yet to interact with WordPress, now is the best time to consider the switch. 

Cost-effective 

The WordPress WooCommerce platform offers a cost-efficient solution for your eCommerce store. WooCommerce actually offers a pile of free features that can be used to build and manage your new eStore.

Plus its versatility is sure to please entrepreneurs, digital nomads and freelancers alike. Start out with the basic features free of charge. And then, as your business grows you can choose to integrate premium add-ons that will further enhance your store’s functionality and improve UX as and when you like. This will ensure that you only ever spend on key features to your success.

Unlike the majority of other eCommerce plugins that come complete with pricey monthly subscriptions, WooCommerce enables you to set up a high-quality eCommerce site completely free of charge. You will however need a WordPress subscription to implement the use of this powerful pair. This is available from free up to around $45 per month depending on which subscription level you choose. 

Customize your eCommerce store

To grow and retain a loyal customer base, branding is essential. And your platform should reflect your brand’s core values and be visually appealing to your target audience. The key to the success of your platform is a seamless combination of function and captivation. And WooCommerce can help you achieve just that!

WooCommerce offers a plethora of customizable options to ensure that you have access to the tools you need to design your store exactly how you’ve envisioned it. You’ll also have access to thousands of WordPress themes too. This means that in just a few quick clicks, you can redesign your eCommerce platform to reflect your brand perfectly. And that’s only the beginning of your customization journey.

Access a myriad of user-friendly plugins too including advanced shipping options; payment gateways; and hundreds more. You’ll be spoilt for choice with all the different plugins on offer. And every one of them has been developed to make your business run more efficiently.

Security and reliability

With eCommerce, security is absolutely essential. Your customers will need to enter both their personal and sensitive data. And they expect you to safeguard that data to the extreme. Well, you can rely on WooCommerce and its sturdy security measures. It will safeguard your site along with any data from potential threats 24/7.

Given that it runs through WordPress, WooCommerce is subject to consistent security updates, and meticulous code reviews, and has a dedicated team of experts working 24/7 to protect the solidity of the platform. What’s more, there are several specialized security plugins that you can choose to add-on. These add an additional layer of security, which will in turn grant you peace of mind and reassure your customers that your eCommerce platform is a safe and secure online shopping destination.

It offers powerful analytics and SEO tools

eCommerce is also about understanding your customers. And WooCommerce comes with built-in analytics tools that give you the customer insight you need. It allows you to observe how they behave and interact with your store which will give you a clearer picture of your store’s performance. 

WooCommerce can generate sales reports and customer statistics so that you have the info you need to make informed decisions and implement business strategies more effectively.  

And if your store is optimized effectively, potential customers should be able to find your store via a search engine efficiently. But, what is optimization and how do you implement it? Well, luckily WooCommerce comes pre-programmed with search engine optimization tools!

With WooCommerce’s SEO capabilities, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of an optimized eStore with little effort. The platform has been built to follow best SEO practices. This enables you to optimize product pages, use high-volume keywords, and rank higher in search engine results.

And higher SERPs leads to more traffic which generally means more sales. And we all know what more sales means! 

Spocket integration

When it comes to dropshipping, Spocket is ahead of the pack. And so, if you’re interested in launching dropshipping business via the WordPress WooCommerce platform, be sure to sign up to Spocket too.

The key to running any successful dropshipping business is being picky about which suppliers you partner with. And with Spocket, you won’t need to be the picky one. The Spocket platform has a direct connection with WordPress WooCommerce. And this connection enables dropshipping businesses to find reliable suppliers that will ship products directly to their customers. And Spocket happens to be extremely proud of its rigorous supplier screening process. 

Spocket only partners with the highest-quality suppliers. And only those that meet its strict standards will be approved as a partner. What’s more, many of Spocket’s rivals aren’t quite as rigorous in their partner selection process. 

Spocket has a strict verification process. And each would-be supplier must tick every box prior to being approved as a dropshipping partner.

Here is a brief summary of the expected standards a supplier must meet before receiving approval to supply for Spocket dropshipping eCommerce entrepreneurs:

  • A supplier’s products must be high-quality and meet both EU and US standards
  • A supplier must have a good reputation
  • A supplier must be able to provide fast shipping and tracking information
  • A supplier’s products must be competitively priced
  • A supplier is required to maintain an order success rate of 95%
  • A supplier are required to answer any order inquiries 24-48 hours after shipment

And only once a supplier has successfully proven themselves across all of the outlined criteria above will they be approved. These requirements are in place to protect those businesses using Spocket. They mean only high-quality products are sold to their customers and will also help to minimize potential eCommerce problems.

How do you start a dropshipping business with WordPress WooCommerce?

To get said up and ready to sell using WordPress WooCommerce, follow the simple steps outlined below:

  1. Start by building a website with WordPress and then install WooCommerce.
  2. Purchase an SSL certificate
  3. Choose a theme and design your site
  4. Sign up for Spocket to find trending products and reliable dropshipping partners
  5. Import your products from Spocket to your store

And that’s it. You’ll be good to go!

However, you will also need to learn how to drive traffic to your dropshipping store. Creating a blog, posting videos on social media, and running PPC ads are great ways to quickly start making sales. For more information, please see this article on how to drive traffic to your dropshipping store.

So, why should I start a dropshipping business with WordPress WooCommerce?

WordPress WooCommerce boasts many features so let’s take a moment to recap some of the key benefits:

  • WordPress Integration
  • Cost-effective
  • Customization 
  • Reliable security measures
  • Analytical tools
  • SEO tools
  • Spocket integration 

So, whether you’re a small business owner or a budding entrepreneur, WooCommerce is a great idea. Create a website that fits flawlessly with your brand, is alluring to your customers, and will increase brand awareness.

Saasland
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