How to Make a Dropshipping Website in 11 Steps

Making a dropshipping website is an excellent way to get into eCommerce with minimal overhead costs. This 11-step guide provides a roadmap on how to create a successful dropshipping online website. We’ll cover every step from establishing a profitable product niche, choosing reliable suppliers, registering your business, hosting your site, and optimizing your dropshipping website for conversions.

1. Establish Your Dropshipping Niche

The first step to make a dropshipping website is to establish your dropshipping niche. This involves identifying your target audience and the products you plan to dropship. It’s important to understand who your potential customers are and select products that are profitable and in demand within your chosen market segment. Focusing on a niche also enables you to tailor your marketing efforts more effectively and establish a stronger brand identity.

To find a niche, consider market trends, customer pain points, and areas of personal interest or expertise. Tools like Google Trends and Meta Audience Insights provide insights into what products are gaining popularity and the demographics of potential customers. 

Examples of dropshipping niches include eco-friendly products, fitness and health supplements, home office equipment, and tech gadgets. Each of these niches caters to specific customer interests and needs, and offer a variety of products to attract a dedicated customer base. 

2. Find Your Dropshipping Supplier

The second step is to find your dropshipping supplier. A dropshipping supplier is a business that provides products for dropshippers to sell without you needing to handle inventory or shipping logistics. The supplier ships the product directly to the customer on your behalf whenever a sale is made through your dropshipping website. 

There are 4 important criteria to fulfil when choosing a dropshipping supplier:

Product Quality and Variety

The supplier must offer high-quality products and a wide range of items that fit your niche. 

Shipping

Look for suppliers with reliable and fast shipping options.

Customer Service (to Dropshipper)

Choose suppliers who provide excellent customer service to you, the dropshipper. This includes timely responses to queries, support for resolving issues, and assistance with product information.

Integrates with Your eCommerce Platform

The supplier must easily integrate with your eCommerce platform to streamline product listing, order processing, and inventory management.

We recommend using search engines such as Google and industry forums to find dropshipping suppliers. There are also popular dropshipping platforms like Doba, SaleHoo, Spocket that offer curated lists of suppliers and tools to find and manage suppliers. Popular dropshipping suppliers include AliExpress, Alibaba, CJDropshipping, and Worldwide Brands.

3. Register Your Dropshipping Business

The third step is to register your dropshipping business. Registering your dropshipping business is important for establishing your operation as a legitimate entity in the eyes of the law as well as financial institutions, suppliers, and customers.

You need to register your dropshipping business for three key reasons. First, registration provides legal protection for your business name and helps safeguard your personal assets from business liabilities. Second, registered businesses often qualify for tax benefits, deductions, and credits. Third, being registered enhances your credibility with suppliers and customers and makes it easier to apply for credit.

There are three types of business structures to consider for your dropshipping business. The first type is a sole proprietorship. This means the business is owned and operated by a single individual. The second type of business structure is a partnership. A partnership involves two or more people who agree to share the profits or losses of a business. The third type is a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). An LLC combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership or sole proprietorship. This is beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses with a moderate risk level.

4. Host Your Dropshipping Website

The fourth step is to host your dropshipping website. You have two options to choose from for how to host your site: a web host or an eCommerce platform.

The first option is to use a web host. A web host is a service that provides the services needed for a website to be accessible on the Internet. Many web hosts offer simplified integration with a Content Management System (CMS). A CMS is a software application that allows users to create and manage content on a website without coding knowledge. The most popular CMS is WordPress which provides free plugins that are ideal for dropshipping stores. 

The second option for hosting your dropshipping website is to use an eCommerce platform. An eCommerce platform is a comprehensive software solution that allows you to host, build, manage, and scale your online store. Most eCommerce platforms include drag-and-drop website builders to simplify creating your store from scratch. 

Both options allow you to create and host a dropshipping store from scratch. Choose a web host if you need more performance and customizability. Choose an eCommerce platform for a simpler, ready-to-use setup ideal for beginners.

5. Get a Domain Name

The fifth step is to get a domain name. A domain name is the internet address where customers are able to access your website (e.g. www.mydropshippingstore.com). The domain name must ideally be the same as the name of your dropshipping website for branding purposes. 

You have 2 ways to acquire a domain name. The first way is through your web host or eCommerce platform. Many web hosting services and eCommerce platforms offer free or paid domain name registration as part of their packages. 

The second way is directly from a domain registrar. Registrars specialize in domain name registration and provide a wide range of domain extensions (.com, .net, .biz, etc.) at competitive prices. You need to connect the domain name to your hosting account if your domain name is registered with a domain registrar separate from your hosting service. 

6. Design Your Dropshipping Website

The sixth step is to design your dropshipping website. A well-designed website enhances user experience, which encourages them to make a purchase. Start by choosing a theme that aligns with your brand and niche, then customize these 5 design elements:

Logo

Place your logo in prominent places to reinforce your brand identity. 

Layout

Organize your website’s layout to be intuitive, well-categorised and user-friendly. 

Color Schemes

Select a palette that evokes the right emotions and encourages purchases. Remember that color schemes influence shopping behavior and brand perception. 

Font Styles

Select font styles that are easy to read and complement your website’s design. The fonts must be web-safe and scalable across devices. 

Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

Incorporate clear and compelling call-to-actions (CTAs), such as buttons that encourage visitors to “Shop Now” or “Learn More.” 

7. Add Standard Pages for Your Dropshipping Website

The seventh step is to add standard pages for your dropshipping website. Standard web pages are must-have pages for any legitimate dropshipping website. These pages are essential for providing visitors with information about your business, products, and policies. Including these pages significantly enhance the credibility and user-friendliness of your website. 

Make sure your website has these 5 pages:

Homepage

An effective Homepage showcases featured or trending products, special offers, and directs users to new or popular items.

About Page

The About page tells the story of your business, its mission, and what sets it apart from competitors. 

Contact Page

The Contact page provides information on how to get in touch and makes your site look more legitimate. 

FAQ Page

An FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page addresses common questions about your products, services, and policies. 

Privacy Policy Page

The Privacy Policy page is legally required if your dropshipping website collects any information from its visitors, such as names, email addresses, or payment information

8. List Your Products

The eighth step is to list your products. Listing your products on your dropshipping website involves creating individual product pages. A product page is dedicated to showcasing a specific item in detail to provide potential customers with all the information they need to make a purchase decision.

A product page must have these 5 components:

Product Name

The product name must be clear, descriptive, and includes keywords. 

Product Images

Product images showcase the item. Use high-quality product images from your supplier or request product samples to take your own photos. 

Product Prices

Product prices must be displayed prominently on the product page. If you’re offering any discounts or promotions, highlight these next to the original price. 

Product Description

The product description provides detailed information about the product, including its benefits, features, and specifications.

Product Variations

Products that come in different variations (such as sizes, colors, or materials) must be clearly listed. 

Carefully crafting each product page with these elements increases the likelihood of conversions, and reduces the number of returns or inquiries due to unclear product information.

9. Set up Payments and Tax

The ninth step is to set up payments and tax. Setting up a payment gateway and tax collection system ensures that your dropshipping website securely processes transactions and complies with tax regulations.

A payment gateway is a service that authorizes and processes payments for online businesses. Most payment processors support a wide range of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other digital wallets. Stripe and PayPal are two widely recognized payment processors. Both platforms offer comprehensive solutions for accepting payments along with additional features like fraud protection and dispute management.

Many eCommerce platforms, such as Shopify and WooCommerce, come with built-in solutions for payment processing and tax collection. This is especially beneficial to US-based dropshippers when dealing with nexus, which triggers tax obligations based on your business presence in a state. The average sales tax rate in the US hovers between 6 – 9%, but varies significantly across states and local jurisdictions. These eCommerce platforms adjust sales tax in real-time based on the customer’s location, nexus, and product type to ensure compliance without manual effort. 

10. Test and Review Your Dropshipping Website

The tenth step is to test and review your dropshipping website to ensure everything works seamlessly. There are 3 key testing and reviewing tasks to perform:

The first task is to test the user journey. Check how easy it is to navigate, find products, and access information like shipping policies and returns. Also make sure that the checkout process is smooth and straightforward. Ensure all payment options work correctly and that the customer receives a confirmation. Repeat this on multiple devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) and browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). 

The second task is to test order processing and fulfillment. Place test orders to verify that the order processing system works correctly. Check that inventory levels adjust accordingly and that the correct information is relayed to your dropshipping supplier.

The last task is to ensure that an SSL Certificate is installed. An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts data transmitted between the user’s browser and your website to secure personal and payment information. An SSL certificate displays a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, which indicates that your dropshipping site is secure to buy from. 

11. Launch Your Dropshipping Website

The eleventh step is to launch your dropshipping website. This is the final step in making your online business live and accessible to customers. Start promoting it everywhere after that!

What Is a Dropshipping Website?

A dropshipping website is a type of eCommerce website that uses the dropshipping business model. The owner sells products without holding inventory and focuses on the core aspects of their business rather than storage, packaging, and shipping their products. 

What Is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn’t keep the products it sells in stock. Whenever the store sells a product using the dropshipping model, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped straight to the consumer. This means the seller doesn’t have to handle the product directly. Dropshipping is a model that is popular for online websites because it significantly reduces the upfront investment and risk of buying inventory that won’t sell. 

How Profitable Is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a profitable business model with a profit margin in the range of 15% to 20%. Its profitability varies widely based on 2 factors: your niche and your pricing. 

The dropshipping niche you select greatly affects profitability. High-demand, low-competition niches offer bigger turnaround. 

Your pricing also affects profitability. Find suppliers who offer products at competitive wholesale prices to allow for a higher markup. Add value through branding and customer support. Providing excellent customer service leads to repeat purchases, positive reviews, and customer referrals. Handling customer inquiries promptly and resolving issues effectively also reduces return rates and chargebacks.

What Do I Need to Create a Dropshipping Website?

To create a dropshipping website, you’ll need a domain name, hosting service, and eCommerce platform at minimum. A domain name serves as your website’s address on the internet (e.g. yourstore.com). A hosting service stores your website’s files and makes them accessible to users online. An eCommerce platform allows you to create and manage your online store, including listing products, processing orders, and handling payments.

Can I create a blog on my dropshipping website? Yes you can create a blog on your dropshipping website. You will need a content management system to create, manage, and publish blog contents. WordPress is the most popular CMS and works well for both blogging and eCommerce, especially when combined with WooCommerce for dropshipping. 

How Much Does It Cost to Make a Dropshipping Website?

It costs between $100 to $25,000 to make a dropshipping website. There are 6 main factors that greatly influence the final cost:

Domain Name

A domain name costs between $0.70 to $14, with renewal fees ranging from $10 to $14.  

Hosting Service

Hosting services for dropshipping sites start at $48 yearly for basic VPS and reach up to $1800 yearly for cloud hosting.

Paid Components

Free themes are available, but paid premium themes with added customization and features cost up to $1,100 (one time fee). Plugins are also available for free in their basic form but cost anywhere from $49 to $1,000 for their premium versions.

Business Registration

Business registration costs range from $50 to over $800 depending on the location and specific legal requirements.

eCommerce Platform

eCommerce platform subscriptions range from $0 to $3,600 depending on the provider and the level of service required.

SSL Certificate

SSL certificates typically cost between $0 to $3480. They’re an important indicator of trustworthiness. Paid options must be renewed yearly. 

What Is the Best Way to Start a Dropshipping Website?

The best way to start a dropshipping website is by combining web hosting, WordPress, and the WooCommerce plugin.

Using a web hosting service with WordPress and WooCommerce allows you to easily scale your dropshipping website as your business grows. You start with a basic hosting package and upgrade as needed. This combination also lets you use WooCommerce’s great features to customize every aspect of your dropshipping store. WooCommerce supports extensions and eCommerce integrations, including product listings, payment processing, shipping options and tax settings.

WordPress also allows for the installation of additional plug-ins like Yoast SEO for optimization, Jetpack for security and performance, and WPForms for contact forms. WordPress also offers a vast library of professional themes, many of which are designed specifically for eCommerce. No coding knowledge is required if you choose to start a dropshipping website this way. 

What Type of Hosting Is Recommended for Dropshipping Websites?

VPS (Virtual Private Server) and cloud hosting are recommended for dropshipping websites. Both hosting types offer high resources and easy control.

A VPS is a type of hosting where a single physical server is divided into multiple virtual servers. Each virtual server operates independently, with its own dedicated resources (CPU, RAM, disk space). VPS hosting is ideal for dropshipping websites that require control and high traffic. Cloud hosting operates on a network of virtual servers that draw resources from a pool of physical servers. Businesses adjust their resources dynamically in response to fluctuating traffic and pay on a pay-as-you-go model (PAYG). 

Both types of web hosting solutions are very well-suited for dropshipping sites as they provide the necessary scalability and strength to handle traffic surges from trending products. For all types of web hosting solutions, please read up on our selection of the best ecommerce host.

Is Shopify Recommended for Starting a Dropshipping Website?

Yes, Shopify is highly recommended for starting a dropshipping website, especially for beginners. Shopify is a complete eCommerce platform that streamlines the process of launching and managing an online store. It includes features like web hosting, an intuitive website builder, customizable themes, and integrated payment processing. Shopify’s ecosystem is further enriched with Shopify Apps, which is useful for dropshipping operations such as product sourcing, inventory management, and order fulfillment. We recommend exploring Shopify Apps for those aiming to enhance the Shopify store they’re building.

Where Can I Learn More on Building Dropshipping Websites?

You can learn more on building dropshipping websites by checking out Bitcatcha‘s comprehensive guides and brand reviews.