A successful dropshipping online store with Shopify is every dropshipper’s dream. And the opportunity is interesting but also involves risk-taking. In recent years, e-commerce with dropshipping has developed so much that CMS like Shopify now have countless tools to optimize and simplify the process of selling on the internet, which allows them to remain competitive in the face of a growing industry. full growth. Shopify is the most popular service for sites or shops on the internet.
There are tons of resources and tips to help you get the most out of one of the most popular ecommerce platforms around in Shopify. This blog has already covered tips and resources for users of this website builder tool.
Since its founding in 2004, the company has created increasingly sophisticated features designed specifically for absolute beginners who won’t need to code an entire site. But even armed with the best tools , you also need to the right method, best practices and tips for a successful Shopify store. When we talk about success, it’s not necessarily about making big sales, but about being profitable and achieving your goals. Here are all our tips and advice for a successful Shopify store.
Prepare well before starting
Success also depends on your preparation. If you want to run 40km you will have to prepare before you train. Thus, preparation is essential to succeed as an e-merchant. A good market study , a good product and launching at the right time is essential before building a real machine to sell.
Before you launch your e-commerce site or take the next step, you might want to take steps to prepare yourself for maximum impact.
- Prepare your audience : Don’t assume your target audience is as eagerly awaiting your site’s launch as you are. In fact, there’s a good chance that – without the proper precautions – they won’t know at all. Make sure you know where to find them and how to get them talking about your business and why not schedule an orchestrated launch.
- Start your outreach : Long before your site launch is imminent, start collecting email addresses and building your media list. Marketing is key to the long-term success of any site, and it’s never too early to start laying the groundwork. You can consider a referral marketing program to create buzz or more traditional forms of advertising. You can therefore prepare an affiliate campaign or of course create a lead magnet to capture emails.
- Do tons of research to analyze the market and competition: Rather than rush into launching a site, take the time to gather preliminary information that will help you in the long run. For example, separate testing with various ads and site designs can help you refine your approach. Also, don’t forget the value of in-depth discussions with friends and associates about your business, as this will allow you to quickly start the conversation on your site.
But also, it is important to budget your project and know if you will have enough funds to get started. Here is the list of the different potential costs to start dropshipping with Shopify :
- Subscription to tools and tools to search for products for example.
- Subscription to shopify apps.
- The Shopify theme.
- The time spent managing everything.
- Internet Marketing and Retargeting Ads.
- SEO (if done by a third party or app).
- Monthly or annual fees for the provider .
- Product costs.
- Shipping costs.
- And mailing.
- Subcontracting (after-sales service for example)
In total, you must plan at least $80 per month to run your online store.€1.6 MILLION WITH THIS PRODUCT – DROPSHIPPING Branding Study
Have an excellent user experience
Everyone creates a site that appeals to themselves, but the site must above all appeal to your future customers. User experience is paramount. In some areas, it will take incredible amounts of information to reassure the customer before selling, in others it will only take a few minutes. Your whole site must be thought out with the right vocabulary and according to their behavior.
- An ultra-efficient site, but not necessarily totally perfect. With optimization in place, your site visitors will have a better understanding of the nature of your business and why they should buy from you. Optimize every page so that everything loads fast, there is no doubt or uncertainty, and they get all their questions answered.
- Promote cross-platform compatibility and test different browsers : Since many consumers are turning to mobile devices for their Internet use, it is imperative that your e-commerce site is optimized for multiple mobile platforms. Smartphones and tablets are the way of the future, and your site should have a streamlined layout suitable for each of these formats.
- Provide effective security: If consumers can’t be sure their payment information is safe on your site, you can bet they’ll just switch to one of your competitors. So display your site’s SSL certificate as well as the logo of any third-party security company you work with to keep your customers safe.
- Create thoughtful navigation : Security and performance are critical parts of optimizing your site, but users also need to be able to easily navigate your inventory. A clear menu system is a must, as is a search box. However, don’t overlook every product you offer. Include detailed product descriptions and original photos to help users get a better idea of what you have to offer.
- Respond to your future customers: No matter how good your site is, customer service issues are bound to arise. Make sure you have scalable processes – and enough team members – to deal with any issues that may arise. Also, allow your customers to be heard by giving them the ability to write reviews and testimonials on your site. It will only be beneficial.
- It must be simple for the visitor and for you: Whatever type of business you launch, do not complicate things too much from the start with too many products. Setting up a new site (or redesigning an existing site) is necessarily very complex and time-consuming. In the beginning, start with a simple service like Google Analytics and the facebook pixel, with one product and gradually develop it from there. You will save time and quickly understand the data. It’s essential that your analytics provide detailed numbers and the insights you need on all aspects of your site’s performance, from page loads to the checkout process and everything in between.
The site doesn’t have to be perfect, to have the best logo in the world. It must be thought out and optimized to succeed on Shopify and therefore appeal to future visitors.
50 More Tips and Tricks for Success on Shopify
I leave you below 50 tips for success on Shopify that will certainly inspire you or give you ideas! Often, success hangs by a thread. Take care to read them and oeyt petre triyverez
- Offer Extensive Payment Options
A payment gateway is the most important thing to consider with a Shopify store because you want to get paid, right? There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. You want to offer enough payment options that you don’t scare away customers, but you also want to keep things simple and streamlined. A good idea is to allow sellers to save their payment information by creating an account. They’ll feel like it’s worth coming back for. You also want to offer them options like Paypal , debit/credit, cryptocurrency, and wire transfer. - Maximize the shares of your content and your ads
Since you are not about to have traffic like on Amazon or eBay, you must create the traffic for your own store yourself. It’s hard to do, especially at first, without paying. Social media advertising is the easiest and most direct way to create a target market when you’re just starting out. There are many ways to advertise, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Some of the best Shopify stores started out with a great viral Facebook ad . Be sure to use all of the analytics tools available to track the success of your ads. - Have an SEO
Blog If you’re not too keen on the paid advertising route, you can always opt for the “slow and infrequent” method of ranking relevant content through SEO. Useful articles, carefully packaged with SEO keywords, allow you to entertain, enlighten and fill your wallet with every article you create. A blog is a great way for you to connect with your customers and show them there’s a real person behind that store. People buy people, not things. Use SEO tools like Google Keyword Planner to choose keywords and gauge competitiveness.
- Optimize the store to be easier to SEO
Since we are talking about SEO, we need to talk about the store and the website itself. The most crucial factor in driving traffic to a Shopify store is the quality of website ranking and performance. To rank well in search engines, you need to include many keywords relevant to your website in a way that makes sense. If you’re selling wetsuits and then go on a rant talking about lawnmowers on the main page of your website, that obviously won’t help you position yourself for people looking for wetsuits. You want the content of your website to be consistent with what you are selling. Use Google Keyword Planner and Long Tail Pro for keyword research. If you are planning to open a new store under a new domain name, I recommend doing this research first so you can choose your niche before setting up the store. - Optimize for Mobile
According to Business Insider, 45% of all online purchases will be made via cell phone by 2020. This is no surprise to anyone, as more and more people are moving away from the computer and doing everything on mobile-friendly apps. If your Shopify dropshipping store isn’t designed for the mobile experience, I can almost guarantee you’ll lose sales. You need to optimize for mobile first and make sure your site looks and functions amazing on all devices. Avoid long blocks of text and make sure you get to the point quickly when someone lands on a product page. - Consider Free Shipping
Everywhere you look, someone is offering you free shipping, and so should you. Amazon , eBay, Walmart, Target, Lowes, everyone offers free shipping with few restrictions. If someone finds something in your store that they like, they may be put off by the fact that they have to pay $6 for delivery, even if you price your products accordingly. - Spying on your competitors
I can’t think of a better example than comparing Mcdonalds and Burger King. I don’t know if Burger King will ever come up with their ideas because everything they sell is based on an item from another fast food outlet, usually Mcdonalds. Is this a smart or stupid thing to do? I think it’s brilliant to pay attention to what your competitors are doing and build on their success. You should do the same with your Shopify dropshipping business. You can spy on competing advertisements with this tool. - High-quality photos
It’s all about looks and images, and that goes for your online store too. You need to provide a ton of amazing images on your store to make an impression. When we can’t set foot in your store and touch the product with our hands, we need to fully enjoy the experience of viewing it online. The only way to do that is to provide clear, high-resolution images which are displayed.
- Fight for Reviews
If you’re looking for an incredibly fast way to skyrocket your success, do lots of word-of-mouth marketing for your store. Social proof is key, and when you’re an unknown Shopify store that doesn’t have a lot of followers, people need to realize that you’re reputable and legit. - Use email marketing or mailing
Having an email marketing list is one of the most powerful tools in e-commerce. With a list, you can send targeted messages to specific buyer groups that meet their needs and wants. By appealing to their particular interests, you speak their language directly. To do this, you must first start collecting information about people, and most stores do this through a pop-up or by offering an incentive in exchange for their email. You could offer a 10% discount at your store if they subscribe to your newsletter – something along those lines. - Don’t Forget to Talk About Refund
Everyone is always looking for your refund and return policy. Be sure to offer a generous one, and it is clearly indicated in the description of each product. - Don’t skimp on website design
Expectations are high these days, and people judge a person’s reputation by the way their website looks. Visual presentation is key, so make sure you don’t skimp when designing your website. - Have a complete presentation of your business
Customers like to know that there is someone behind the mask. It’s easy to create a website and start selling stuff, but it’s harder for a marketer to connect with people. Make sure your “about us” page gives customers insight into who you are and what you stand for. This is especially important if you are using a dropshipping business model. - Give your references who you work
with Show people who you work with and if there are any known companies, make sure they know about it. This is another form of social proof. If potential customers see that reputable companies, including other Shopify apps, support you, they’ll be more likely to spend money on your online store. - Have a good customer support team This
is a big deal breaker in my opinion. If I ask a question, I expect a quick and complete response. Make sure you have live chat on your store and respond to inquiries within the first few minutes they come in. If it takes you 24 hours to get back to someone, that buyer is gone. You can always outsource this task if you have some income. - Submit products for testing and unboxing
Another form of social proof is product reviews. People are more likely to buy something if they see that someone else has bought it and had a good experience. Encourage customers to provide feedback after making a purchase. Be sure to sell follow-up emails and incentivize them with a percentage off their next purchase if they leave a review. - Track Everything
The biggest advantage of online stores over traditional stores is the ability to track everything that happens on the internet and track and retrieve data. Use the great tools you have. Make sure the FB pixel is set up correctly if you use paid ads and use Google Analytics to track all your traffic. - Inform the general public
You want to network with the right people in your industry. Do whatever you can to give your Shopify business more exposure. You could reach out to journalists, industry bloggers, social media influencers, and even other stores. Also consider the possibility of guest blogging. See if they would be willing to comment or spread the word about your store. - Use Drag-and-Drop Tools to Make a Beautiful Design
Most e-commerce store owners don’t have much coding knowledge, which is why drag-and-drop stores like Shopify are so useful. Use the built-in store features to your advantage. Make sure your store design is in line with what you are looking to accomplish. If you’re completely lost, consider hiring someone to design your store for you. - Stay true to your niche
In the beginning, this is a great way to build trust with consumers because they see that you specialize in a certain product. Over time, this limits you to that specific area, but you can always create a new store focused on a different product. Being an expert really reassures the customer. - Keep product titles simple
It may seem nice to come up with nice titles for your products, but keep it simple and straightforward. Instead, focus on the benefits of the product. - Keyword Research
Keep an eye out for popular search terms that relate to what you’re selling. Your eCommerce store should focus on ranking for relevant search terms. - Don’t Copy Descriptions
Never copy a description exactly. It’s a quick way to get penalized, but you also want to stand out. - Use people’s pain points , solve aches
When explaining the benefits of your product, be sure to spell out how it solves their problem. Find the product on a website like Amazon and find the most common complaint, use it in your description. - Pay attention to loading
times How many times have you visited a website that took more than five seconds to load, and therefore you bounced? Enough talk. - Don’t Forget the Logistics
Whatever your shipping process, don’t get too caught up in the design and marketing gimmicks of luxury stores. If you can’t deliver products to customers quickly, you won’t have a store to design. - Consider increasing the average basket
Never let someone leave without buying something else to go with it. Look at your average order size and think of a way to increase it. Consider bundling certain products to stand out. - Use Social Proof
We’ve talked about this before, but we’ll say it again. Use testimonials, live purchase history, reviews, whatever you need to do to prove your products are worth the money they spend. - Let customers know where the product is from
If your products are featured somewhere, let your customers know. If they saw it on TV or on Aliexpress, state that clearly in your description. Merchants must quickly gain the trust of their customers. Showing where you got an original product idea or products is a huge plus. - Retargeting/retargeting and tracking
You track everything so you can retarget abandoned carts and track returning customers. Take care that no one becomes a “one and that’s it”. - Using exit pop-ups
Another way to limit the bouncing of your website is to use exit pop-ups. When someone tries to click the back arrow or the X on your website, they are prompted for a one-time offer. Privy’s exit intent is a great tool. - Use the best suppliers
The only way to stand out is to sell good products among all the garbage out there. There are over 170 dropshipping apps on the Shopify App Marketplace for entrepreneurs. The most prominent providers are Oberlo . The Oberlo app is very popular among store owners who want to source from millions of suppliers on AliExpress. The Aliexpress dropshipping program allows Shopify merchants to work with suppliers who send orders directly from their warehouses in China to the end customer. That said, be selective in choosing your suppliers.
- Include an FAQ
page Having an FAQ page on your dropshipping store is the best way to limit the time you or someone else has to spend answering questions in live chat. Make sure the FAQ page is clear, so people know you have one. - Using Urgency and Scarcity
We frown on creating fake scarcity, but having a countdown timer is a great way to boost sales. You must make sure to let the offer expire when the countdown ends. The client doesn’t have to refresh and see that it’s all started again, it will burn all the credibility you’ve worked so hard to build. - Automate your marketing
If marketing your dropshipping store seems like too much, you can outsource everything if you have the budget. There are many people and companies that focus on e-commerce store sales. - Diversify Marketing Platforms
Don’t be afraid to cross over and market your store on as many platforms as possible. Use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and Snapchat . - Customize Your Brand
Some of the most popular online stores are so successful because they have created this amazing brand that people recognize. Think “Squatty Potty”. It all started with their viral Youtube ad, but it was memorable, and they made a mark for something as silly as a stool for your toilet. - Use original content
If you’re creating content for a blog or content marketing strategy, make sure it’s your own. Having your own Youtube channel with original content focused on your products is a great way to boost your sales and beat out the competition. - Don’t Forget User-Generated Content
If you have a lot of happy customers, why not offer them a video review of your product. If you have a unique product that people don’t know about, that’s an effective strategy. - Have translation functions Break
through communication barriers by offering your e-commerce site in several languages. Remember that you must also offer support in these languages if you go this route. - A/B Test your site, checkout form…
You should always have two variations of everything at the same time so you can test them side by side. You never know what works unless you test it alongside something slightly different. This is the key to success on Shopify. - Participate in forums
Integrating an online forum into your website is a difficult exercise, but it works well if you have a niche product. If you’re selling something that people are really passionate about and like to discuss, a forum could be a worthwhile investment. - Use video
Throughout your website you should have video reviews and videos of you with the products you are selling. When people see products in action on your dropshipping store, they’ll be more likely to pull out their wallets. - Use Influencers on Instagram
Instagram is all about the visuals, and e-commerce stores are all about the visuals. Put the two together to maximize your earnings. If you’re selling a sexy product or something aesthetically pleasing, consider using Instagram influencers to promote it. - Use Cart Recovery Tools
A/B testing your checkout is a great way to limit the number of abandoned carts you have. Always move things around, move things around, and add social proof to the checkout experience. - Sell on multiple platforms
Don’t limit yourself to Shopify, BigCommerce or Godaddy. Consider selling on Amazon , Ebay, and Etsy as well. - Remind Those Who Want Them That Products Are Available
If you have a wishlist tool in your store, you need to have a follow-up strategy with your target audience. If they’ve ever wanted something, chances are they’ll want it again if you follow up regularly. - Reduce your clicks
Always test your store to find out how many clicks it takes for a person to go from wanting to buy to authorizing payment. If there’s anything you could remove, do so. - Focus on Free Marketing
Use SEO and other free marketing tools first. These are long-term solutions that will help you in the future. If you combine them with paid marketing options, you set yourself up, from the start, for maximum success later on. - Give something amazing
Consider doing a giveaway or promotion on social media. Some of the biggest viral posts revolve around free stuff. It’s also a great way to get people to sign up for your email list to market further down the sales pipeline.
We hope you found this list useful and that you can use some of these tips to get you started on the road to success or to increase your growth!
