If you’re looking to take advantage of the current eCommerce boom and start your own online shop, then dropshipping can be an especially lucrative approach.
Not only that, but dropshipping is much easier than creating your own products from scratch.
If you want to create your very own dropshipping store built on the back of WordPress, then you’re also going to want to use WooCommerce. WooCommerce makes it easy to manage and run an eCommerce store.
Luckily, there are a lot of plugins that can not only make it incredibly easy to run your store but can help you choose best-selling products, and a lot more.
Below we dive into what dropshipping is, the benefits to using a dropshipping plugin, and finally highlight six different WooCommerce dropshipping plugins you should consider using.
What Is Dropshipping?
The traditional method of creating an eCommerce store involves purchasing, storing, selling, and shipping all of your own products. This alone is a big hurdle for a lot of people just getting started online.
Dropshipping removes most of the hurdles to starting your own online store. Instead of having to purchase and store products yourself, you work with a supplier that handles all of the shipping and storing for you. All you have to worry about is designing your website and selling products.
This approach means that you have a much lower initial investment; the only thing you’ll need to pay for is your hosting, domain, and marketing costs. This makes it much easier to get started, and you can scale up your store much easier.
There are still a lot of tasks you’ll need to accomplish, like choosing your niche, building your store, sourcing products to sell, marketing your store, dealing with customer support, and more. But, luckily, the combination of WooCommerce and a solid WooCommerce dropshipping plugin will make things easier.
Why Would I Use a Dropshipping Plugin?
Without using a WooCommerce dropshipping plugin, you’re going to be making your life a lot more complicated. Running an eCommerce store takes a lot of work, but by using a dropshipping plugin, you can simplify your workflow by automating specific tasks that used to take hours.
If you’re only dropshipping one or two products, then it won’t be that big of a deal to manage your products and relationship with your supplier. But, if your library of products is growing and you’re in communication with multiple suppliers, then a dropshipping is the way to go.
These plugins help to connect you directly with suppliers, help you find inventory, import products into your store, and a lot more.
Below we dive into a handful of different WooCommerce dropshipping plugins you should consider using.
The Best WooCommerce Dropshipping Plugins for WordPress
There are dozens of different dropshipping plugins for you to choose from. The search for the perfect plugin can be a little overwhelming. So, we’ve helped to narrow your search by highlighting six great plugins you can try out today.
1. AliDropship
AliDropship piggybacks off the AliExpress platform (if you couldn’t tell by the name). AliExpress is probably the number one platform for dropshippers the world over.
This plugin makes it super easy to import products from AliExpress directly into your WordPress site. If you’re using AliExpress to source and sell products, then this is a plugin you absolutely need.
With this plugin, you can import an unlimited number of products and fulfill an unlimited number of orders. Any products that are listed in your store will also be updated automatically to reflect any price changes. Plus, orders will automatically be fulfilled by your suppliers, and a tracking IP will be automatically sent out to your customers. Talk about running a hands-off business!
To help with product conversions, you can even import product reviews directly from AliExpress as well.
Technically, you can use this plugin without installing WooCommerce. But, it’s a better idea to use it alongside WooCommerce, so you can benefit from all the additional eCommerce features that WooCommerce provides.
2. DropshipMe
DropshipMe is a plugin from the creators of the AliDropship plugin we just highlighted above.
If you’re stuck during the research phase and can’t figure out what products you want to sell, then this plugin is going to be your best friend. The team behind this plugin is continuously on the lookout for bestselling products.
You’ll find virtually every niche of products represented as well, so no matter what market your store is in, you’ll be able to find dozens of products you can sell to your customers.
Plus, it’s incredibly easy to use. All you have to do is install and activate the plugin, then start searching for products you can sell. Once you’ve found a product you’d like to sell all you have to do is click import, and the product will automatically be added to your storefront.
It’s as easy as that!
There’s also a free version of the plugin available as well. For most store owners, this free version will be more than enough, as you’ll be able to import up to 50 products. Users that need more can upgrade to the premium version of the plugin.
This WooCommerce plugin integrates and works incredibly well with the AliDropship plugin above.
3. WooDropship
WooDropship is an all-in-one automation plugin for WooCommerce dropshippers.
First, you’ll be able to import products directly from AliExpress; all it takes is a few clicks. Plus, orders will be automatically fulfilled. You literally don’t have to do anything.
Product management is also incredibly easy, and you can add, edit, or delete product pages from your store in under a minute. Sometimes, when products are automatically imported into your store, the images won’t be the best. This plugin includes a built-in image editor, so you can quickly retouch images and make sure the product looks as enticing to visitors as possible.
There’s also another unique feature called an ePacket shipping filter. This helps to ensure that when products are shipped from China (which a lot of AliExpress products are), it’ll get to its destination as fast as possible.
If you’re not totally sold on this plugin, there’s a 7-day free trial you can take advantage of. After the free trial is up the price you’ll pay per month depends on the number of products you’re going to import and the number of orders you’re fulfilling every single month.
The more products and more orders you have, the higher your monthly cost will be. However, if you’re fulfilling a high number of orders, this plugin will more than pay for itself.
4. Dropified
Dropified is a great plugin if you already have a solid foundation and have started to see some sales roll in.
You’ll find an extensive collection of products you can automatically import into your store. You’ll also be able to import products directly from AliExpress if that’s your preferred place to source products. There’s also a Chrome extension, which will make it easy to source products directly from your browser.
Any products that you have listed in your store will also be automatically updated to reflect the latest prices, or if there’s been a change in the product availability.
There’s also a cool feature that allows you to see your sales stats for each individual product. This will help with future product selection, and help you better optimize your store, so you’re only selling products that contribute to your bottom line.
The cool thing about this plugin is that it allows you to venture beyond AliExpress. Although AliExpress remains one of the top dropshipping platforms, it can help to be able to bring products in from other platforms and websites. Dropified currently supports over 30 different vendors.
This plugin also comes with a 14-day free trial, so you can test out the plugin before fully committing to the monthly service.
5. Spocket
Spocket is both a platform and plugin that you can sync with your WooCommerce store. It’s worth mentioning because it does something unique in the dropshipping space.
Instead of sourcing products from across the globe, all the products on this platform are produced in the US and throughout Europe.
The suppliers featured are thoroughly vetted, so you’re only sourcing products from high-quality providers.
It’s also equipped with features like:
- Branded invoices with your logo, so you’re building your brand as you make money
- Flat rate shipping prices, so you can add that to your products, and offer “free†shipping as an incentive
- Real-time shipment tracking
- 24/7 customer support if you have issues with your site or suppliers
- Very fast shipping times
Any products that you have listed in your store will also be updated automatically, to reflect the latest prices and stock levels.
6. Ezusy
Ezusy isn’t technically a WooCommerce plugin, but it works incredibly well with WooCommerce and WordPress. Instead of installing a plugin you create an Ezusy account and install the Firefox or Chrome extension.
When you setup your Ezusy account you’ll link it to your existing WooCommerce store. Then, you can either add products as you browse through AliExpress, or use the Ezusy dashboard to find products for you. All it takes is a few clicks to add products to your shop.
As your customers purchase products through your store your orders will automatically be fulfilled for you.
There’s also a free plan which will give you more than enough to get started, but you can also upgrade to a premium plan if you need to add more products to your store and fulfill more orders.
Streamlining Your WooCommerce Store with a Dropshipping Plugin
Hopefully, you have a better understanding of how dropshipping works, and how a WooCommerce dropshipping plugin can significantly reduce the time it takes to run your store.
If you’re just dipping your toes into the eCommerce world, you’re probably overwhelmed at everything you need to get right. It’s a good idea to simplify and streamline whenever possible.
By testing out some of the plugins above, you’ll greatly simplify the process of running your store. You don’t have to install every single plugin from the list above, but instead, pick one that aligns the most with your goals and budget.
Running a dropshipping store can be exciting and profitable. Hopefully, one of the plugins above can help you achieve your goals much faster.
Kevin Wood writes about technology and human potential. You can find him at his virtual homes Wooden Writing and Counter Culturist.