How to Start Dropshipping on the Shopify Store with AliExpress

This guide introduces you to launching a dropshipping business on Shopify using AliExpress, enabling you to sell products online without holding inventory. Learn how to seamlessly connect with suppliers, manage sales, and scale your business effectively.

1. What is AliExpress Dropshipping to Shopify?

AliExpress dropshipping to Shopify is a simple way to sell products online without owning any inventory. You pick products from AliExpress and list them on your Shopify store, and when a customer buys, the supplier ships the product directly to them. This method saves you from the risks and costs of holding stock.

With this model, you handle the sales and marketing while your supplier manages product quality and shipping. It’s an easy start for new entrepreneurs, allowing you to grow your business without dealing with physical products.

2. Pros and cons of AliExpress Dropshipping to Shopify

Pros:

• Wide selection of products: AliExpress offers a diverse range of low-cost products which can be shipped globally.
• Low startup costs: Starting a dropshipping business on Shopify with AliExpress requires minimal initial investment.
• No inventory needed: You avoid the costs and logistics associated with storing and managing inventory.
• Scalability: Easily test and add new products without financial risk, allowing for flexible business growth.
• Global shipping: Suppliers on AliExpress typically offer shipping options to customers worldwide, expanding your market reach.
• Automated tools: Various Shopify apps automate the process of finding suppliers and importing products, simplifying operations.
• Customer reach: Utilizing Shopify and AliExpress allows you to target customers across different regions without additional setup.
• Marketing leverage: You can focus more on marketing and customer service as product handling is managed by suppliers.

Cons:

• Long shipping times: Products shipped from China can take several weeks to arrive, which may frustrate customers.
• No bundled shipping: If a customer orders multiple items, they may arrive separately as suppliers ship orders individually.
• Quality control issues: Since suppliers handle the products, it can be difficult to ensure consistent product quality.
• Communication barriers: Interacting with suppliers who may not be fluent in English can be challenging, potentially affecting order processing and customer service.

3. Fees To Dropship From AliExpress To Shopify

Here is the summary of the most recent fees related to dropshipping activities from AliExpress to Shopify:

4. Dropshipping from AliExpress to Shopify: Preparation

There are certain things you need to prepare before setting up your Shopify AliExpress dropshipping business, including: 

1. AliExpress account: you need an AliExpress account to connect with DSers. This app allows you to import products from Aliexpress to Shopify.

2. Shopify account: You can try Shopify for 3 days for free, but after that, you will need to pay for it, at least the Basic plan at $39/month, to be able to build up a dropshipping business. However, Shopify offers you to try every plan for 1 dollar per month.

3. Supplier Research:

• Research and identify reliable suppliers on AliExpress.
• Look for suppliers with a good reputation, high product ratings, and positive customer reviews.
• Contact potential suppliers to establish a relationship.

4. Branding and Logo: Establish a unique brand identity for your store, including a memorable logo and branding elements that differentiate you from competitors.

5. Dropshipping from AliExpress to Shopify: Implementation

After the preparation stage, now we will move on with the detailed instructions on how to implement the dropshipping from AliExpress to Shopify

#1. Research for quality products on AliExpress

Finding the right products to sell is crucial for a successful dropshipping business on Shopify. Here’s how to identify potential best-sellers on AliExpress:

• Explore Categories and Tools: Start by browsing through AliExpress product categories, the Seller Recommendations section, and the “SuperDeals” tab. Utilize tools like the AliExpress Dropshipping Center, which offers insights into sales performance and customer reviews, helping you pinpoint trending products.

• Use Specialized Software: Incorporate tools like AutoDS TikTok Spy and Alitools Shopping Assistant to streamline your product research. These tools allow you to quickly discover products going viral on social media and filter them based on criteria like price range and shipping options.
• Check Product Viability: Focus on products with a high order volume and excellent reviews. Products should have at least 300 orders and a high star rating to ensure popularity and quality. Also, consider the seller’s rating, ideally above 90%, to confirm their reliability.

#2. Import products from AliExpress to Shopify

Import manually or in bulk

You can add products from AliExpress to your Shopify store either one at a time or in bulk. For bulk imports, merchants can utilize tools like the AutoDS Dropshipping Helper extension. This method involves selecting products on AliExpress, optimizing them, and uploading them using a CSV file formatted according to Shopify’s guidelines. 

This approach streamlines the addition of multiple products, saving time and effort.

Use dropshipping apps – DSer

To efficiently manage your dropshipping business, you can use DSers, a popular tool for importing products from AliExpress to Shopify. Here’s how to set it up:

Set Up Your DSers Account:

• First, add DSers to your Shopify store and then go to the DSers website to create an account.
• Start with the free plan, which you can upgrade as your business needs grow.
• To connect DSers to your AliExpress account, click the “Authorize” button on the DSers platform. This syncs your chosen products.

Install the DSers Chrome Extension:

• For quicker operations, install the DSers extension from the Chrome Web Store.

• Once installed, this tool lets you add products directly to your DSers list as you browse AliExpress.

Import Products to Shopify:

• On the DSers website or using the Chrome extension, search for products on AliExpress and click “Add to Import List” for each product you want to sell.
• In your DSers dashboard, go to the ‘Import List,’ select the products, and click “Push to Store.”

• The selected products will then be transferred to your Shopify store, where you can further customize and set them up for sale.

This method ensures you efficiently manage your inventory, from browsing AliExpress to selling on Shopify, with minimal hassle.

#3. Market your products wisely

Effectively marketing your dropshipping products is essential, especially when you’re sourcing items from AliExpress and selling them on Shopify. Here’s how to attract customers and stand out in a competitive market:

• Utilize Digital Advertising: Invest in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook to reach a broad audience quickly. Facebook Ads are particularly useful due to the platform’s extensive user data, which allows for targeted campaigns that reach potential customers based on their interests and behavior.
• Engage with Social Media and Influencers:

+ Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are ideal for short-form video content that can go viral, showcasing the benefits of your products and driving organic traffic to your store.

+ Consider offering promotions such as discounts or freebies to first-time customers, which can be advertised through these channels to boost engagement.

• Build Trust with Content and SEO:

+ Create valuable content, such as blog articles that answer common questions and concerns related to your niche. 

+ Display customer reviews and testimonials prominently on your product pages to enhance credibility and reassure potential buyers about the quality of your offerings.

#4. Deliver quality Customer Service

Delivering top-notch customer service is key to maintaining customer satisfaction and encouraging repeat business in your dropshipping venture. Here are effective ways to ensure your customers receive the support they need:

• Provide Multiple Contact Options: They include a detailed FAQ page, a dedicated phone number, an easily accessible email address, and options for live chat and ticket submissions. This variety ensures that customers can reach out in the way that feels most comfortable to them.
• Emphasize Speed and Efficiency: Respond to customer inquiries promptly. Quick and effective responses show that you value your customers’ time and business.
• Cultivate Loyalty Through Excellent Service: Your service level can significantly influence how customers view your business. High-quality customer service can lead to greater customer loyalty, more referrals, and increased profits.

6. Other settings of AliExpress – Shopify dropshipping

Here are some other basic settings that you can apply when preparing for the AliExpress-Shopify dropshipping:

Add trust badges to your product pages (for free)

To add the trust badge to your product pages, follow these stages: 

• From your Shopify Dashboard, navigate to the “Apps” section and select “Visit the Shopify app store.” You will be redirected to the Shopify App Store.
• Look for “free trust badges” using the search function. Click on the app named “ShopClimb ‑ Trust Badges.” You can look at the pictures below.

• Once the installation is complete, you will be directed to the app’s page. Scroll down until you reach the “Design settings” section. Here, you can customize how you want the badges to appear.
• Then click “Save” in the top right corner to display these badges in your Shopify store.

Set up your metrics and payments

You can move to the “Payments” tab on your left. Click the “Activate Shopify Payments” to proceed:

Complete all the information on the following page. All the details you provide here must be correct, as it’s a legal obligation for every seller. After that, click the “Next” button.

After completing the activation of Shopify Payments, proceed to enable Paypal Express Checkout. Choose the “Complete account setup” option in the Additional Payment Methods section.

You can also add Amazon Pay to your store. Just click the “Activate Amazon Pay” button and follow the instructions.

7. The 10 Best AliExpress Dropshipping Apps for Shopify

Using AliExpress, many people set up dropshipping stores on Shopify. This lets you sell products without storing them yourself. To make things smoother, there are unique apps for AliExpress dropshipping. These apps do much of the work for you so that you can focus on your store. But with many apps out there, choosing can be hard. 

So, we’ve made a list of the top 10 apps in 2023 that are well-liked and trusted.

1. DSers – AliExpress Dropshipping

DSers is the official AliExpress dropshipping partner and boasts over 10,000 positive reviews. This free app streamlines the entire dropshipping process, from finding products to fulfilling orders.

DSers offers features like bulk product imports, one-click order processing, and real-time inventory and pricing updates. You can manage multiple stores and import an unlimited number of products. DSers eliminates manual work, allowing you to scale your dropshipping business quickly.

2. Ali Orders – AliExpress Dropship

Ali Orders focuses on making order fulfillment hassle-free. It connects you with trusted AliExpress suppliers to ensure reliable shipping. The app takes care of supplier communication and provides tracking information and support.

Pricing starts at $5 per month for up to 300 orders. With automated processes, Ali Orders can reduce order fulfillment time by up to 80%. It’s an excellent choice for newcomers to AliExpress dropshipping.

3. Dropshipman – AliDropshipping

Dropshipman is an all-in-one solution that simplifies dropshipping with features like bulk product imports, seamless order fulfillment, and integrated international shipping. It also offers 24/7 customer support.

Once installed, you can effortlessly search and import winning products from AliExpress to your store with a single click. Dropshipman offers a free trial and paid plans starting at $19.90 monthly. Trusted by over 25,000 ecommerce businesses, it combines automation with excellent support.

4. AutoDS – All-In-One Dropshipping

AutoDS lives up to its name by automating nearly every aspect of AliExpress dropshipping. From optimizing product listings to processing bulk orders and tracking shipments, Auto DS aims to maximize efficiency.

This app works with over 25 significant marketplaces, not just AliExpress. It synchronizes your inventory in real time and lets you fulfill orders in bulk from multiple suppliers. Plans start at just $12.90 per month after a 14-day free trial.

5. AliExpress Dropshipping & More

AliExpress Dropshipping & More is among the highest-rated free apps for importing products and syncing details. Its bulk product importer allows for one-click uploads. The app offers real-time pricing updates, easy supplier messaging, and order tracking.

After importing, you can modify product information with a bulk product editor, including images and descriptions. If you’re new to AliExpress dropshipping, this user-friendly free app is an excellent starting point.

6. Spocket – US & EU Dropshipping

Spocket gives you access to products shipped from domestic suppliers in the US, EU, and other regions. This results in faster shipping times for your customers. While it partners with AliExpress, it focuses on local suppliers.

The platform features a user-friendly interface that allows you to find millions of products to import into your Shopify store. Spocket also offers listing optimization and support. Pricing starts at $29.99 per month for 25 products.

7. EPROLO – Dropshipping & Branding

EPROLO offers reliable AliExpress dropshipping and provides features for building a recognizable brand. This includes custom packaging and labels, elevating your business.

EPROLO manages supplier communication and orders logistics while offering branded tracking pages and email templates for a consistent brand experience. Pricing starts at an affordable $19.99 per month.

8. Importify – Easy Dropshipping

Importify aims to make dropshipping as straightforward as possible. It allows you to import products from 30+ significant marketplaces, including AliExpress. The app provides valuable insights into product opportunities, suppliers, competitors, etc.

With Importify’s bulk editing features, you can quickly customize product listings after importing. The app also handles order fulfillment and provides tracking information. Paid plans start at $14.95 monthly, with a 1-day free trial.

9. Dropshipmate – Dropshipping

Trusted by over 10,000 e-commerce businesses, Dropshipmate offers an end-to-end solution for AliExpress and other marketplaces. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to search for products using keywords or image uploads.

After importing products, Dropshipmate takes care of order fulfillment and customer support on your behalf. It offers tracking and notifications to keep customers informed. Pricing starts at $15 per month for up to 500 orders.

10. Dropified – Dropshipping

Dropified connects your store with over 50 supplier marketplaces while providing automated inventory updates, order processing, and fulfillment. The app’s excellent support team assists you with setup and store optimization.

Use Dropified’s product research tools to identify winning products to import. Its integrated fulfillment network manages shipping and returns. Paid subscriptions start at $47 monthly, with more advanced plans available.

In short, the best AliExpress apps eliminate the manual work associated with product sourcing, data entry, inventory management, and order processing. With thousands of entrepreneurs already using these apps successfully, find the one that best suits your dropshipping model and start accelerating your e-commerce business today.

Final words

By reading up to this part, we are sure that our article is helpful enough to aid your understanding of how to dropship from AliExpress to Shopify using the DSers app. If you have questions or feedback, don’t hesitate to contact us for further discussion. AliExpress is here to help you grow your business without being worried about shipment and inventory.

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