How to Setup Your First Shopify Drop Shipping Store in Less Than 1 Hour.
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Creating the first online drop shipping store would be something terrified as it’s new to you. But take an advice from a vet, don’t make it too confusing. It’s fast and easy as counting down from 3 to 1. Because Shopify made it super easy for you.
First, you need to have some ideas regarding how you want others to recognize the store. You’ll need a domain name that fits your business’s purpose. Register it immediately before someone else does.
Truth is, you don’t have to own a domain name to setup your Shopify store. But doesn’t it look more professional to have the store named yourlovelystore.com, rather than just-another-store.myshopify.com?
Need some inspirations? Go to the Shopify suggestion tool (https://www.shopify.com/tools/business-name-generator). It’s free.
Now let’s get started counting down.
3. Register your Shopify store.
Simply go to Shopify’s home page and you’ll see a 14-day free trial signup button. Hit it and it will take you to the first step.
Image 1 (source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/19EsJQmtoYtPbtx2YGrsrXvdGKHCw2Spl/view?usp=sharing)
For the sake of this example, let’s call the store “How to Open an Online Store”. Yeah, it’s a bit silly but it fits this post’s purpose. Which is to demonstrate step by step guide.
Then in the next page, you’ll get a survey like this one below.
Image 2 (source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b_8Gjc3ICN9y83-eRm8uGqqqNr6qilc7/view?usp=sharing)
You don’t have to answer it 100% correctly. But it’s recommended to do so. As in the future, you may receive news, guides and techniques regarding what you choose in this step.
And in the next page, it’s time to fill your business information. 10 seconds max.
Image 3 (source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C4xo-wClgE4vu5iqPV2brPbjlmFZ9R_h/view?usp=sharing)
At the end of this stage, you’ll be directed to the home page of your store which is like this one.
Image 4 (source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fgm7tnUBGplZRFxJKChFcZxLVhhdWW8U/view?usp=sharing)
As your store growing, you’ll see all general information regarding sales volume and trends in the home page. For now, just leave it like that and proceed to the next step.
2. Setup the back-end for your drop shipping store.
2.1. Choose your plan for the store.
Image 5 (source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tOqx6XFWff35IdpFPjIHcVHqmHIcKbHy/view?usp=sharing)
Shopify offers 3 types of membership with difference in monthly payment plan.
It depends on how large your online store is. If you’re just a starter, go with the $29 option. If you already have experiences selling online then start with the $79 choice.
2.2. Setup payment method.
After having a subscription, you’ll need to setup your payment method for the store. By default, PayPal is the first option. All buyers need to have a PayPal account to buy your items.
Image 6: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qEVhcyL0HPCGFhvSfYbZ5iOCrF6Vt0YK/view?usp=sharing
If you live in the Us, Canada or other developed countries, you’ll be able to use Shopify payment which enables the ability to pay with credit cards. If you don’t, then don’t worry. PayPal works just fine.
After that, it’s time to choose a theme for the store.
2.3. Setup theme for the store.
There’re tons of choices here. Please look at the Themes store here: https://how-to-open-an-online-store.myshopify.com/admin/themes
Image 7: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W-yDN-fNklPaEAklvbYY739VeQXetoQd/view?usp=sharing
Choose one that fits your need. Hint: Brooklyn is the most popular option for a starter.
And don't try to edit anything. Just leave it as that. You can change the appearance after.
2.4. Add products to the store.
This is a simple step. Just fill in all information, upload good pictures of your products. And hit save. That’s all.
However, there’s an important thing that you’ll want to pay more attention. It’s the weight setting.
Image 8: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ng3BDEfRyQVzTuVmC5jO3DvElkCEG84A/view?usp=sharing
With Shopify, setup shipping cost can be frustrated.
The way Shopify calculates shipping cost for an order include 2 parts.
Part 1: Calculate total order weight.
Part 2: Look for the specific rates in the shipping settings to show up shipping cost.
Let’s say, an order total weight is 3.0 lbs. Then this amount of weight needs to be setup in the shipping settings. Or else, Shopify will show the "No Shipping Method" notification.
Image 9: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVEShi-VEAEXPn6.png
No point of selling without having a valid shipping option. Right? That’s why you need to pay close attention to the shipping settings.
After this small thing. Your store is almost ready.
Just one more step left.
1. Public the store.
By default, all new stores have password-protected on. No one will be able to see how the store looks like without a password.
Image 10: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DDV0j88OC9sFsTniYZ9zyfNoOfp7K6L6/view?usp=sharing
Simply go to Online Store \ Preferences to turn off password.
And that’s it. The store is now LIVE.
Summary.
After 3 simple steps. Your business now has a well-oiled Shopify drop shipping store. In the future, you'll learn a lot more on how to maximized profit from drop shipping model. Which is the thing you should spend the most time on.
Stay tuned.