Complete guide to WooCommerce dropshipping (+ best plugins)

Starting an online business can be a daunting task, especially for those who are just getting started. However, setting up a WooCommerce dropshipping store is an excellent option for solopreneurs who want to start selling online without investing a lot of money upfront. It enables entrepreneurs to quickly reach out to customers, establish their brand, and efficiently handle customer orders.

In this tutorial, we'll guide you through the process of setting up your WooCommerce dropshipping store. We'll provide you with a step-by-step approach to creating a store with product delivery and lead times.

We'll also share the 8 best dropshipping plugins for WooCommerce and provide valuable insights on how to select the best products and suppliers for your store. With our easy-to-follow guide, you'll be well on your way to creating a profitable online store that can help you achieve your business goals.

Let's put everything into context before we begin.

What is dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a business model where retailers sell products without holding inventory. Retailers act as middlemen between suppliers and customers. When customers place orders, suppliers ship products directly to customers on the retailer's behalf.

This model has several benefits. It requires lower startup costs than traditional retail. Entrepreneurs can launch ecommerce businesses quickly. Store owners focus on marketing and customer service instead of inventory management. Retailers offer diverse products without physical storage constraints.

How dropshipping works

Amazon, eBay, and WooCommerce are the main dropshipping channels. Setting up a WooCommerce dropshipping store in WordPress is straightforward. Most features work through WordPress plugins and extensions. The process follows these steps:

1. Set up a WordPress dropshipping website. Stock it with products that fit your niche.
2. Use marketing channels like Facebook Ads and inbound marketing. Promote products through product images.
3. Send notifications to suppliers when customers purchase products. Handle payment processing and collect customer details. Maintain transparent return and refund policies.
4. Suppliers pack and ship products to customers via ePacket. Send customers tracking information and delivery estimates.
5. Import products from suppliers. Add customer shipping addresses to packages.

Dropshipping requires strategic marketing to attract customers and increase sales. Success doesn't happen overnight. Different dropshippers have different needs. Some use AliExpress integration plugins for Chinese suppliers. Others choose services like Spocket for faster US and European delivery times.

Basic tools for creating a WooCommerce dropshipping store:

• WordPress site
• Free WooCommerce plugin for ecommerce functionality
• Reliable WooCommerce hosting plan (we recommend Kinsta)
• Compatible dropshipping plugin like WooCommerce Dropshipping, WooDropship, DropshipMe, or AliDropship
• WooCommerce Lead Time to display product waiting times

How do I start dropshipping with WooCommerce?

Creating a dropshipping store requires two basic steps. First, find products and reliable suppliers. Second, set up your ecommerce store.

#1: Dropshipping products and suppliers

Starting requires finding quality products to sell through WooCommerce dropshipping.

• The products. Find trending, in-demand products in your niche. Ensure your target market wants these products. Avoid oversaturated markets. Dropshipping works for print-on-demand, physical products, and more.
• A reliable supplier. Find suppliers who deliver products reliably and timely. Choose suppliers with excellent after-sales service.

Suppliers play crucial roles in order fulfillment. Select suppliers who deliver top-notch service consistently.

#2: An ecommerce store

After identifying products and suppliers, start setting up your ecommerce store.

Some businesses use marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. However, marketplaces have intense competition. Creating your own store offers distinct advantages:

• Differentiate your products with branding.Your dedicated platform eliminates direct competition. Build unique brand identity without marketplace restrictions.
• Email marketing.Build customer email lists. Use lists for promotions and repeat sales.
• Full control over your store.Avoid account suspension risks. Choose payment options that suit customers. Set your own pricing rules. Accept credit cards, PayPal, or Stripe.

WordPress with WooCommerce: The perfect dropshipping platform

WooCommerce is a popular, hassle-free selling platform built on WordPress. WordPress powers 34.7% of all websites. WordPress's flexible content management system adapts to any website needs, including dropshipping stores.

Setting up involves using the WooCommerce plugin. Add products, process payments, and manage shipping easily.

WooCommerce provides essential ecommerce functionality. Combine it with specialized plugins for complete dropshipping features:

• WooCommerce Dropshipping or WooCommerce Multiple Email RecipientsUse WooCommerce Dropshipping for complete solutions with product importing and inventory management. Choose WooCommerce Multiple Email Recipients for simple dropshipper notifications.
• WooCommerce Lead TimeDisplay expected waiting times on product pages. Customers appreciate transparency about delivery times.

How to select products and suppliers

Selecting the right products is crucial for ecommerce success. Choose products with demand and reasonable profit margins. Source from reliable suppliers.

Consider your target audience's needs. Select products that provide value. Use market research to identify popular products and trends. Tools like Google Trends, Amazon Best Sellers, and social media reveal opportunities.

Consider price points and profit margins carefully. Ensure competitive pricing while maintaining profitability. Choose suppliers who deliver quality products reliably. Avoid shipping delays and quality issues.

Finding good products for dropshipping

Successful stores focus on specific niches. Here's how to identify your perfect niche.

Find products with sufficient market demand. Avoid excessive competition. Set prices that ensure reasonable profits per sale.

Start with niches you understand. Familiarity helps you navigate online selling quickly.

Coming up with ideas for dropshipping products

Use these strategies to find profitable products:

• Browse eBay and Amazon. Mine ideas quickly. Identify products fitting your niche. Amazon handles over half of online product searches.
• Make use of keyword research. Use Backlinko's keyword tool and KWFinder. Discover search terms for products. Monitor trends with Google Trends.

Finding dropshipping suppliers

After identifying products, find suppliers who fulfill orders reliably.

• AliExpress provides access to numerous Chinese suppliers. WooCommerce plugins manage AliExpress order fulfillment easily.
• SaleHoo offers extensive supplier directories. Access pre-qualified suppliers for reliable fulfillment.
• Google helps find unlisted suppliers. Discover suppliers without significant online presence. Gain competitive advantages over other sellers.

How to pick the right supplier

Verify suppliers can fulfill orders reliably and timely.

Avoid suppliers charging monthly upfront fees. Reliable suppliers charge per-order fees. Good suppliers provide product samples.

Calculate total shipping duration carefully. Faster shipping increases customer satisfaction.

Ensure suppliers communicate easily. Long-term relationships require good communication. After selecting suppliers, build your WooCommerce dropshipping store.

The 8 best dropshipping plugins for WooCommerce

Choosing the right plugin is essential for automating your dropshipping business. Here are the top WooCommerce dropshipping plugins to streamline your operations.

1. WooCommerce Dropshipping - *our recommendation*

I recommend the WooCommerce Dropshipping plugin if you need a complete store management tool you manage your dropshipping store. It's more flexible than dropshipping platform alternatives like WooDropship or DropshipMe.

It lets you automatically send notifications to suppliers when a customer places an order for one of their products. In addition to this, the WooCommerce Dropshipping plugin lets you easily import inventory for each supplier and gives you the option to assign inventory to specific suppliers. This way you can import, say, AliExpress products into your store easily.

This makes it easy to manage multiple suppliers through WooCommerce dropshipping. So, for example, if you found a supplier through AliExpress dropshipping and another one through Google, you could easily dropship products from both. It makes it easy to automate the entire dropshipping management process.

2. WooCommerce Multiple Email Recipients - A simpler alternative

If you don't need all the features of WooCommerce Dropshipping and simply need a way to notify the appropriate dropshipper of new orders, then you might prefer WooCommerce Multiple Email Recipients. This simple but effective plugin lets you specify which email address will receive notification of new orders.

You can add different dropshippers to receive order notifications for each product and/or category. This makes it much simpler to set up than other WooCommerce dropshipping plugins. It's perfect for stores wanting basic dropshipper notifications without extra functionality.

3. AliDropship

AliDropship specializes in AliExpress integration. Import products directly from AliExpress with one click. The plugin handles pricing markup automatically. It includes SEO optimization features and social media integration. Built-in themes optimize for conversions. Ideal for beginners starting with Chinese suppliers.

4. Spocket

Spocket focuses on US and European suppliers for faster shipping. Products ship within 2-5 days to most destinations. The platform vets all suppliers for quality. Real-time inventory updates prevent overselling. Branded invoicing maintains professional appearance. Best for targeting Western markets with quick delivery expectations.

5. WooDropship

WooDropship connects with multiple supplier networks including AliExpress, Amazon, and eBay. Automated order fulfillment saves time. The plugin tracks inventory across suppliers. Bulk product imports speed up store setup. Advanced filtering helps find profitable products. Suitable for diversified product catalogs.

6. Modalyst

Modalyst offers curated suppliers with premium products. Focus on fashion, beauty, and home decor niches. Suppliers ship from US and Europe primarily. The platform handles returns automatically. Real-time syncing keeps prices current. Excellent for boutique and branded dropshipping stores.

7. DSers

DSers automates AliExpress dropshipping for WooCommerce stores. The plugin bulk processes orders with one click. Advanced product research tools find winning products. Automatic price and stock updates prevent overselling. Multiple supplier management streamlines operations. DSers offers free and paid plans starting at $19.90/month. Perfect for stores focused on AliExpress suppliers wanting Oberlo-like functionality.

8. Dropified

Dropified automates product imports from 50+ suppliers. One-click order fulfillment streamlines operations. The plugin finds better prices automatically. Profit dashboards track performance. Integration with print-on-demand services expands options. Great for scaling established stores.

Comparison of WooCommerce dropshipping plugins

Plugin Name	Starting Price	Best For
WooCommerce Dropshipping	$49/year	Multiple suppliers
AliDropship	$89 (one-time)	AliExpress focus
Spocket	$24/month	US/EU shipping
WooDropship	$29/month	Multi-marketplace
Modalyst	Free - $90/month	Premium products
DSers	Free - $49/month	Oberlo alternative
Dropified	$47/month	Advanced automation
Multiple Email Recipients	$49/year	Simple notifications

How to display lead times for dropshipping products

Dropshipping lead times vary by supplier location and product type. Publishing lead times builds customer trust. Most AliExpress suppliers ship from China with longer delivery times, so customers need to be aware of this before they order.

WooCommerce doesn't display shipping estimates by default. WooCommerce Lead Time shows product shipping times clearly. Customers see delivery dates before purchasing. This transparency improves shopping experiences and reduces support queries.

Key features of WooCommerce Lead Time:

• Inform customers about product availability and waiting times
• Set lead times for specific stock statuses
• Add static text or dynamic countdowns to restock dates
• Configure lead times per product, category, or globally
• Integrate with WooCommerce Product Table or WooCommerce Quick View Pro

Display shipping times prominently on product pages. Set realistic expectations to boost conversions and reduce complaints.

How to calculate logistical costs for your dropshipping business

Understanding logistics costs ensures profitable dropshipping operations. Calculate all expenses accurately.

Pricing

Popular dropshipping pricing strategies include:

• Fixed markup on costAdd percentage or dollar amounts to product costs. Example: $20 product with 10% markup equals $22. Alternatively, add fixed $5 markup to all products.
• Tiered markup on costVary markups based on product values. Charge 40% markup on sub-$15 items. Apply 10% markup on $500+ products. Balance profitability across price ranges.
• Manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP)Use manufacturer recommended prices. Avoid price wars with competitors. Meet customer price expectations easily.

Display shipping costs on product pages

Make shipping costs transparent for customers. Dropshipping typically involves shipping charges. Install WooCommerce Shipping Calculator for dynamic shipping estimates. Add calculators as product page tabs. Prevent checkout surprises with upfront shipping information.

Calculating your dropshipping business' profitability

Calculate dropshipping profit using this formula:

Profit = Product sale price - (Product purchase price + Shipping costs + Returns)

Higher prices don't guarantee higher profits. Find pricing models fitting your product types. Balance competitiveness with profitability for sustainable growth.

Create your own WooCommerce dropshipping store today

Setting up a dropshipping business in 2025 offers lucrative opportunities for entrepreneurs. The low-risk, high-reward model suits solopreneurs and small businesses perfectly.

We've covered finding products and suppliers, setting up your store, and selecting the best plugins for automation. The tools and strategies shared position you for dropshipping success.

The dropshipping landscape presents unprecedented opportunities for WooCommerce store owners. With improved supplier networks, faster shipping options, and sophisticated automation plugins, entrepreneurs can build profitable businesses with minimal upfront investment. The key is choosing the right niche, reliable suppliers, and tools that automate repetitive tasks while maintaining excellent customer experiences.

Katie KeithFounder & CEO

What products will you dropship through your online business? Share your plans in the comments below.