The Complete Guide to Starting a Dropshipping Business with Ecwid

So you’re interested in getting started with dropshipping but need help figuring out where to begin? Ecwid is a great option for beginners due to its ease of use and wide range of features. In this next article, we’ll guide you through the process of starting dropshipping with Ecwid, from setting up your store to finding reliable suppliers and managing your orders. 

Why set up an Ecwid store?

Ecwid offers seamless integration with dropshipping suppliers, making it a top choice for aspiring dropshippers looking to start an ecommerce business. These are the top benefits of using Ecwid:

• Easy to set up – Setting up your Ecwid store is incredibly simple and only takes a few minutes. It’s perfect for beginners who want an uncomplicated experience.
• Wide product catalog – Ecwid integrates now with major dropshipping supplier platforms like AppScenic (wink wink), so you have access to millions of products to sell right away. No need to search multiple sites to find your next supplier. 
• Customizable themes – You can change the look and feel of your store by customizing templates and colors without any coding experience needed.

With Ecwid, you can easily connect your online store to multiple dropshipping suppliers, allowing you to offer a wide range of products to your customers without the hassle of managing inventory or fulfillment.

Now, if you’re not sure that dropshipping is for you, here are a few important facts and reasons why it’s so popular. 

Why start dropshipping with Ecwid?

Many new beginners are attracted to dropshipping as it offers a low-risk way to begin their journey into the world of online sales. With dropshipping, you don’t need to invest in a pricey inventory or deal with warehousing and delivery logistics yourself.

Rather than stocking products in your own deposit, you simply list items on your website and process orders placed by customers. Then your wholesaler or supplier ships each order directly to the end consumer on your behalf. This allows you to run a thriving virtual storefront without ever touching the goods.

How dropshipping benefits beginners

For those starting their first business or just testing the waters of ecommerce, dropshipping has clear benefits. It eliminates upfront costs for inventory since you only pay suppliers per item sold. There’s also no need to find warehouse space or invest in packing/shipping equipment either.

This flexibility allows newbies to focus their energy on building a brand, designing a professional website, running marketing campaigns, and improving conversions without a huge upfront investment dragging them down.

Read more: How to start dropshipping in the USA

Dropshipping profit potential

The income potential in dropshipping can vary greatly depending on the products you sell and how well you market the store. But the basic model can be quite profitable. Why? Well, you purchase inventory at wholesale prices from suppliers and then “mark up” the retail cost to consumers.

This markup is pure profit and can cover operational expenses plus provide a return on your efforts. With the right high-demand items, your dropshipping margins can be 20-30% or more of the selling price. As sales volumes increase over time, your profits can add up substantially.

Read more: Is dropshipping still profitable in 2024?

Due to these clear benefits, it’s no wonder why dropshipping has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years – the dropshipping market size is expected to reach $1,253.79 billion by 2030.

How to start dropshipping with an Ecwid store

Here are the steps you need to follow to start a dropshipping business.

Research the dropshipping business model 

Before diving into the world of dropshipping, it’s essential to take your time for thorough research to familiarize yourself with the business model. There is a lot of information available in the form of blogs, websites, courses, and videos that can provide you with valuable insights. Take your time to understand how dropshipping works and understand if it fits your interests and goals. 

Some recommended sources to start your research include AppScenic Blog and AppScenic YouTube Channel, Do Dropshipping Blog, Shopify Blog, Torchbankz Blog, Dropshiplifestyle Blog. 

You can also explore these top 40 popular questions about dropshipping to gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry. 

Choose your niche

Now that you’ve decided you want to give dropshipping a chance, selecting the right niche is the next crucial step. With a highly competitive ecommerce landscape, it’s essential to focus on a specific product niche rather than trying to sell a broad range of items. 

Consider your interests and expertise when choosing a niche. Are there any products you are passionate about or have prior knowledge of? Also, keep an eye on current trends both locally and globally. Analyze the top-performing online stores in your area to identify their best-selling products. 

Look for a niche that is evergreen, trending, fulfills a need, and offers profitability. Some popular dropshipping niches in 2024 included toys and baby products, eco-friendly products, pet supplies, beauty products, women’s clothing, home decoration, tools, tech and gadgets, hobby items, and gifts. 

Read more: Top Niches to Dropship

Choose a name for your online store 

Once you have chosen a niche, it’s time to give your dropshipping business and online store a name. Start by conducting a Google search for product stores or niches that may inspire you. Brainstorm ideas with your business partner, family, or friends to come up with a unique and catchy name that aligns with your chosen niche.

Incorporate your company

When choosing a name for your business or store, it’s crucial to research the rules and regulations that apply to your country or location. So, make sure you know the e-commerce laws that apply to your area to ensure compliance. 

Choosing the right legal structure, such as a sole proprietorship or LLC in the USA, is essential as it can have significant legal and financial implications for your business. If you plan to start dropshipping in the UK, then you should learn all about the legal aspects of dropshipping there in this article.

Read more: Dropshipping legal requirements

Set up your Ecwid ecommerce store 

Now that you have completed the initial research and planning, it’s time to set up your online store using Ecwid. 

Ecwid is a user-friendly ecommerce platform that streamlines the process of building, customizing, and managing your store. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Sign up for an Ecwid account: Visit the Ecwid website and sign up for a free account. You can choose from various pricing plans based on your business needs.
2. Choose a store name and design: Select a unique and catchy name for your store that works with your niche. Ecwid offers a range of attractive themes and customization options to make your store visually stunning. 
3. Add products: Start adding products to your store. Ecwid integrates with a wide range of suppliers and marketplaces (such as AppScenic), making it easy to import products to your store in just a few clicks.
4. Set up payment and shipping methods: Configure your preferred payment gateways to enable smooth transactions. Ecwid supports popular options like Stripe, Square, and PayPal, which are automatically synced with your account. Although Ecwid does not charge any transaction fees, you will have to pay 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for using Stripe and Square, Define your shipping methods and rates based on your suppliers’ locations and policies.
5. Optimize your store: Customize your store’s SEO settings by adding relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and alt tags to your product images. This will help improve your store’s visibility in search engine results.
6. Market your store: Drive traffic to your store using social media, email lists, ads, and other promotional tactics. Consider using Google Shopping Ads, Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, and Pinterest Ads, depending on the platform that works best for your target audience and niche. Starting a blog and creating relevant content can also help improve your store’s search engine ranking.

And just like that, your store is ready to start dropshipping! We recommend taking the time to explore and familiarize yourself with the features and functionalities of your Ecwid store before launching it officially.

Choose your dropshipping app 

Now you need a dropshipping app that integrates seamlessly with your Ecwid store so you can start adding products. Ecwid’s App Market offers numerous apps, services, and features to enhance your online store’s capabilities. 

Browse through the available dropshipping apps and select one that suits your needs. AppScenic is one of the latest and most advanced dropshipping apps you can integrate with your Ecwid store.

It gives you access to over 1 million dropshipping unique, premium products, all coming from top suppliers worldwide. If you connect your Ecwid store with AppScenic, you connect to some of the fastest and most reliable suppliers from the USA, EU, UK, CAN (and beyond). 

Also, our app will automate the entire dropshipping process for you, from product sourcing, product import, and 24/7 stock & price sync to auto-ordering, automatic payments, auto-import tracking numbers, and many other powerful features. 

Read more: How to start dropshipping with AppScenic

Once you have chosen a dropshipping app, you need to connect it to your Ecwid store. This will allow you to import products, manage inventory, and automate order fulfillment. 

Market and sell your products 

It’s time to start advertising your products using Google Shopping Ads, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest Ads, among others. The idea is to advertise your products on the social media platforms that work better for your audience and niche. 

Now, if you’re a beginner and this is your first online store, you should start with Google Ads and Facebook Ads. Check out these free courses:

• Google Ads courses: Coursera and Google Skill Shop
• Facebook Ads courses: Coursera and Facebook

Once your dropshipping store is up and running, it’s essential to keep on optimizing and growing your business. You can do that by tracking your store’s performance and sales metrics, and analyzing customer feedback.

Setting a realistic budget for your dropshipping business

One question new dropshippers have is how much investment is actually needed to get started. While inventory costs are non-existent for this business model, setting up and promoting your store will require some initial budget.

Let’s break down a budget example so you can financially prepare for this journe.

Startup Expenses:

• Domain name: approx. $15/year
• Ecommerce platform (such as Ecwid monthly plan): approx. $40/month
• Dropshipping app (such AppScenic): $25/month
• Business registration (LLC): $600 one-time fee
• Product samples: $200

Total cost for initial investment: Approx. $2000

Ongoing Expenses:

• Ecommerce platform transaction fees: 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee per transaction
• Marketing budget: $1000/month minimum
• Accounting/legal services: $100-500/month
• App subscriptions & new tools: $30/month average

Estimated monthly cash flow needed: $1000

While these costs can vary based on your specific needs, including them in your cost projections is essential. The good news? Once you’re done setting this up, dropshipping means much less investment compared to traditional retail. 

Of course, you can build a successful dropshipping store with less, but, our estimate can help you be prepared for many scenarios and give you room to test at least 15 products. 

Read more: The true cost of dropshipping

Start your dropshipping business

Remember, building a successful dropshipping business takes time, effort, and perseverance. Stay on top of industry trends, adapt to changes, and always prioritize customers.

Register for an AppScenic Account and start now adding products to your Exwid store.