How To Create A WooCommerce Dropshipping Website Using WordPress

Do you know that the global dropshipping market is projected to reach $931.9 Billion by 2030??

The eCommerce industry has experienced significant changes over the last few years. With 33% of the world population shopping online and 52% of online shoppers looking to purchase products internationally,? there is no better time to tap into dropshipping than now.?

Dropshipping is a form of ecommerce where you don’t have to worry about warehousing, inventory, or shipping your products directly to your consumers.? To set up your dropshipping business, you need to create a dropshipping website that is likened to a physical store where your buyers can access your products.?

In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps on how to create WooCommerce dropshipping using WordPress.?

Let’s get started!

Why WordPress for Dropshipping?

WordPress is the most popularly used content management system (CMS) in the world accounting for over 43% of the websites.??

• It is a popular free multi-purpose CMS with several add-on plugins and a WooCommerce platform that makes automating your dropshipping process easier.??
• Building your dropshipping website with WordPress's easy-to-use interface makes it easy to integrate plugins and tools making your dropshipping website run more efficiently and automated.

• Wordpress is SEO-friendly enhancing better search engine visibility and organic traffic for your dropshipping sites.?
• WordPress has a vast and active support community that provides you with ongoing support, updates, and all the resources you need to develop, troubleshoot, and enhance your website.?

Building a WordPress dropshipping website allows you to leverage the robust features WordPress offers giving you a solid and scalable foundation for your dropshipping business.?

Steps to Create a WooCommerce WordPress Dropshipping Website

Let's examine the 10 steps to create a WooCommerce WordPress dropshipping website.

Step 1: Choose a Niche

The first step to starting a dropshipping business is to choose a niche. A common error people make when they start dropshipping is not specifying the niche to operate. You should avoid this mistake to build a successful dropshipping business.?

Having a niche will guide you in choosing the right products and better streamline your target market. Conduct market research and opt for a niche that aligns with your interest. Streamlining your products within a profitable dropshipping niche is a great way to start your successful dropshipping journey.?

Step 2: Choose a Domain Name

Now that you have a niche, the next thing is to pick a domain name for your dropshipping store. A domain name serves as your store's address. Just like an address that would guide buyers to a physical store, a domain name is an address through which your buyers can access your dropshipping store.?

The best thing to do when searching for a domain name is to brainstorm ideas. Idealize names that align with your niche and are easy for your target audience to resonate with.?

Once you have a few ideas, make use of domain search engines to check the availability. When choosing your domain name, remember to choose a name that aligns with your niche.?

Once you pick a domain name, secure it through a registrar like Namecheap or Godaddy.?

Step 3: Get a Web Hosting Account

A good hosting provider is essential to start dropshipping with WordPress. When considering a hosting provider, you should focus on providers that enable you to streamline and automate your WooCommerce dropship website.???

Some good ecommerce hosting providers include;?

• Bluehost:: It is a good option for building your dropshipping website. Bluehost uses WordPress and WooCommerce and offers options for all budgets.?
• Godaddy: This is a big player in the hosting space offering different package options based on your dropshipping store needs.
• Hostgator: Hostgator is another hosting solution for your dropshipping website. It offers different packages to access different features based on your needs.?
• Dreamhost: This is also a recommended hosting provider for integrating WordPress and WooCommerce into your dropshipping store.

Step 4: Install WordPress And WooCommerce?

With your domain and hosting up, the next thing to do is to install WordPress on your website host.? Some host providers offer WordPress installation in their packages and it's available through a one-click installation option. However, if yours doesn't, you can manually install WordPress.??

Once WordPress is installed, the next thing is to install WooCommerce dropshipping plugin. To do this;

• Log in to your WordPress dashboard?
• Click on the Plugins tab on the left-hand menu?
• Click on the Add New button at the top of the page?
• Search for WooCommerce in the search bar and click on the Install Now button next to the WooCommerce plugin?
• Once the plugin has been downloaded and installed, click the Activate button to activate the plugin.?

Once you have activated the plugin, follow the WooCommerce setup wizard prompt to configure the plugin for your store options such as payment gateways, shipping, and others.?

Step 5: Select a WordPress Theme

Now that WordPress is up, the next step is to choose a theme. The appearance of your website is important to your dropshipping business. A well-developed theme will not only make your business stand out but also improve your dropship store performance.

WordPress offers diverse options to cater to your needs.? However, ensure you select a theme that is compatible with WooCommerce. Here are some picks to consider for WooCommerce dropshipping themes.?

• Astra: this is a powerful lightweight theme designed specially to boost your sales and increase conversions. It is highly customizable offering a variety of pre-built templates for easy integration?
• Flatsome: This is a highly responsive theme perfect for a professional and unique dropship store. It is light and easy to customize with a built-in page builder.?

Step 6: Install Essential Dropshipping Plugin

With your dropshipping store almost done, you need to install essential WooCommerce dropshipping plugins to better automate your dropship store. Spocket is a crucial plugin to add to your WooCommerce dropship store. Spocket is integrated with all major ecommerce platforms allowing you to source the best products from diverse WooCommerce dropshipping suppliers worldwide. The plugin is integrated with diverse tools that ease your dropshipping business and scalability.?

To install the Spocket plugin, on your WordPress WooCommerce dropshipping site;?

• Click on this link to download Spocket?
• Log in to your WordPress account?
• Select Plugins and click Add? New?
• Select Upload Plugins and add the zip file you downloaded?
• Select Activate Plugin
• After activating, click on Spocket in the left-hand toolbar?
• Now click on Connect to Spocket to set up a new Spocket account?
• If you already have a Spocket account, click on Connect with Auth key?

With the above steps, you will be able to add the Spocket plugin to your WooCommerce dropship store.?

Step 7: Import Products to Your Store

Once you have connected your WooCommerce to Spocket, the next step is to import products to your store. It takes only a few clicks to import and add products to your store via Spocket. Spocket is designed to open you to different dropshipping suppliers. You can also filter products by cost, vendor, and shipping.?

Since you already have a niche, searching for product categories to add to your stores will be much easier.?

Once you have decided on the product to add to your store;

• Hover on the Product Listing and click Add to Import List?
• Go to the Import List page on the left-hand side to view the selected product?
• Customize the product listing before pushing it to the store?
• Click on Push to Store to add the product to your store?
• Go to your Product List page and click View Listing to view the item in your store.?

Step 8: Organize Your Products

Now that you have imported your products, you need to organize them to ease your buyers’ purchase process. Sorting your products into categories makes it easier for your customers to scan through your product page and find specific products quickly.?

• Go to your WordPress dashboard?
• Select Products from the left-hand toolbar?
• Click on Categories?
• In the left half of the screen, you will see an Add New Category section?
• Enter the name of the category and fill in other details such as slug, description, display type, and thumbnail?
• Click Add New Product Category.?

You can categorize your products based on the types; such as home appliances, laptops, and female wear, to smoothen your buyers’ search.?

Step 9: Create Other Pages and Contents

With your dropshipping store almost ready to be launched, you need to create other web pages to improve the visual appeal. Your dropshipping website should have relevant web pages that tell customers more about you and your store.?

• Homepage: Creating a visually appealing home page can be likened to an office reception. It should tell the customers vital information about your products and services such as your top products, discounts, or other unique benefits you offer.?
• About page: this page tells your customers about your business story, vision, and mission. If you have information you want the customer to know about your store, here is the page to share it. An about?
• Contact page: as a business, the need for your customers to reach you might arise. Having a contact page eases the process by which your customers can reach you either to make a complaint or inquire about a product. This page should have a contact form, your email address, a customer service phone number, and links to your social media profile.?
• FAQ Page: are there customer queries you don’t want to repeatedly respond to? An FAQs page will include answers to common questions your customers might have as regards a product, your shipping process, and policies.?

With WordPress visual block editor, you can create the relevant web pages required to make your store great.?

Step 10: Choose A Payment Gateway

A payment gateway helps to streamline your payments. Choosing a WooCommerce compatible payment gateway eases your payment structure while supporting different payment options.?

Wocommerce payment helps you to create simple and secure checkout options for your customers. This helps you run and manage your payments all in one place.??

Step 11: Launch Your Dropshipping Store

Yes!!?

You just completed setting up your WooCommerce dropshipping store. All you need to do is to launch your store by spreading the word and attracting customers.?

You can make use of social media platforms, social media ads, and search engine ads to generate customers for your store. Showcasing some of your products via your social media platforms or through social media influencers is a way to generate traffic to your store. YOu can also make use of paid traffic on search engines to get more customers to your store.?

Wrap Up

You have learned the 11 steps to setting up your dropshipping website using WordPress. These steps will help to streamline the process of starting your dropshipping business with a WooCommerce dropshipping website.?

FAQs

Which is better, Shopify or WooCommerce?

Both have their pros and cons. WooCommerce offers more flexibility and lower cost while Shopify is more user-friendly.?

Is WooCommerce free?

WooCommerce is free to download and use for your dropship store. However, you might incur some costs using related services such as plugins and extension?

Can I use WordPress without WooCommerce?

Yes. Although WooCommerce is a popular choice for dropshipping websites, there are alternative plugins to use instead of WooCommerce.?

How to create a dropshipping website?

To create a dropshipping website, choose a hosting provider, install WordPress, and add WooCommerce plugins. Set up the website by adding a theme and installing essential plugins.?

Can I use my website as my registered business name?

Your business name might differ from your website name. However, make sure your website name is easy to resonate with.

How much is needed to start a dropshipping business?

Due to the business model, dropshipping requires low startup capital However, some minor investment is needed to boost your marketing and customer support.?

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