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E-commerce opportunities have transformed the industry, and getting your products to clients is key to a business’s success. Shipping and production options are evolving in parallel to the growth of e-commerce marketplaces, and dropshipping is a highly effective way to handle them. Dropshipping also makes it possible to streamline workflow and avoid production challenges.
Defining Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a way to fulfill orders where the company doesn’t hold inventory. They buy products from a third party—usually a manufacturer or a wholesaler—and fulfill orders that way. The most substantial difference between regular retail and dropshipping is that the seller doesn’t own or supply inventory. They only serve as an intermediary.
WordPress, an open-source platform, is the go-to option when it comes to dropshipping. Developers can create plugins to alleviate the process. This platform can give you everything you need to include dropshipping into a new or current e-commerce site.
Connecting customers and suppliers via WooCommerce
WordPress makes it possible to connect suppliers to customers via the WooCommerce plugin, one of the most popular e-commerce options for users of WordPress.
Here’s how to get started with the setup and installation.
Your web host needs to have installed a WordPress website. If there is support for one, you can install the plugin. Then, you can configure WooCommerce for your site. There are helpful tutorials with all the essential information.
You also need to be able to protect financial transactions and secure your WordPress dropshipping website for business to flow optimally.
Site Design and Theme
After the base configuration, select the design and theme of your online store. There are numerous themes to choose from. The WordPress Theme Directory has lots of free options, for example.
There are also premium e-commerce themes, the prices of which vary. Your web host also determines the range of choices available to you.
The best themes are ready for e-commerce, full of valuable features, and built using clean code.
Safety and Security
No WooCommerce dropshipping site will do without an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate. Dropshipping professionals recommend installing one before proceeding with the setup of any e-commerce site. It is also required by Google.
You can get an SSL certificate from your web host or a Certificate Agent (CA). Many hosts have automated SSL certificates with some or all of their plans. The type of business determines the class of the required certificate. There are more robust options where needed. If you buy a certificate from an entity other than your web hosting provider, you can add it to your platform through the SSL menu.
Add Products to the Dropshipping Site
You must add products before setting up your dropshipping system. Look for the Products tab and Add New under it. This is found in the dashboard. After you add your products and provide any additional information required, it will be available for other WooCommerce functions. Then, you link your dropshipping data to your new products.
Setting Configuration
One of the final steps is to add your suppliers’ data to your dropshipping database. You can do this in WooCommerce by navigating to Products and then to Suppliers. You enter the relevant information about your dropshipping services here.
Editing Products
It’s possible to edit products under the WooCommerce > Products field. On the right side of the screen, there is a drop-down menu. You can edit products that are connected to dropshipping suppliers here because this is the list of the suppliers you’ve added to the platform. The supplier you chose will then be linked to the respective product.
To understand how to customize packaging and manage your stock, exploring WooCommerce’s plugin documents for dropshipping is a good idea. You’ll be happy to know WooCommerce offers excellent support, among other things, so if you get stuck, don’t hesitate to turn to their team.
Buy and Set up the Add-on
At the time of writing, the WooCommerce dropshipping add-on costs around $50 for a single-site license annually. You need to buy it to implement a dropshipping strategy with the platform.
After buying the add-on, it can be downloaded from your account with WooCommerce and then uploaded to the plugin directory. Once the WordPress plugin is activated, you’re ready to go.