Yes, you can dropship using your own website.
Shopify is only closely associated with dropshipping because it is popular among most entrepreneurs. However, there is no reason or rule that restricts you from creating your own website for your dropshipping business.
That said, both options have their pros and cons and it is advisable to consider them before making your decision.
So, in today’s blog, we explore what using a custom dropshipping website entails, the pros and cons compared to using Shopify, and much more.
Read on.
目录
What Is a Custom Dropshipping Site?
A custom dropshipping site is a website for your dropshipping business that is designed to your specifications.
The layout, themes, fonts, security features, payment systems, and every other detail is based on you preferences. You would also be responsible for the day-to-day running and management of the website.
To put it briefly, a custom dropshipping site gives you complete control over how your website looks and functions. It is entirely different from designing a website on an e-commerce platform where you are provided with pre-made templates to create your websites and back-end procedures for running your website are handled for you.
The Pros of Dropshipping on Your Website
Better Brand Development: In today’s world, websites are an integral part of any business. Customers visit them not just to shop but to also interact with businesses and learn more about their brand.
Creating your website is, therefore, beneficial because it allows you to customize it in a way that:
- Amplifies your brand.
- Creates a unique and memorable customer experience.
- Fits the long-term goals of your dropshipping business.
More Customization Options: E-commerce platforms like Shopify provide subscribers with layout templates, themes, and other features that they can choose and combine to make a website.
Source: Shopify
Admittedly, this approach makes the design process quick and easy. However, it also limits your customization options. You may have to settle for one of the themes or layouts that are provided even if they are not exactly what you wanted for your dropshipping website.
Subsequently, it is much better to create a custom website where you have the creative freedom to use any layout, theme, or design feature that you prefer.
More Flexibility: Dropshipping through Shopify means that you have to operate your dropshipping store based on Shopify’s rules and capabilities.
For example, you can only use dropshipping apps that are compatible with Shopify and you can only use the features allocated to your subscription package.
In contrast, creating your dropshipping website allows you the flexibility to:
- Make any design adjustments or changes in functionality whenever necessary.
- Optimize the site to be compatible with the apps that you may need.
- Include whichever features you prefer and access them without limitations.
The Cons of Dropshipping on Your Website
Setup Challenges: Creating a good custom dropshipping website is a tasking process. It entails lots of research, evaluating and testing of ideas as well as the actual labor of creating the website.
Additionally, web development requires technical skills. As such, if you are not adept at coding or are generally not tech-savvy, you may have to find and hire a web developer.
These processes are demanding and time-consuming. Worse still, there is never a guarantee that you will get it right on the first try. Shopify is, in comparison, a much easier and faster way to get your dropshipping website up and running.
Higher Costs: The cost of creating your own website is significantly higher than using Shopify. Some of the costs you may incur include but are not limited to:
- Web development fees
- Domain name fess
- A web hosting subscription
- Payment services fees
- Security subscriptions
- Maintenance service fees
Meanwhile, due to economies of scale, Shopify is able to bundle these charges into an affordable package. You only need to pay your subscription fees and a few other bills such as transaction fees which are minimal and based on your sales.
Source: Shopify
Further, aside from money, creating a custom website will cost you time. For starters, the web development process may mean that your dropshipping store may have to launch later than planned. Web maintenance and downtimes can also negatively impact your profitability by delaying sales or eating into time that you could have spent attending to customers.
| Pros | ||
| Criteria | Custom Dropshipping Website | Shopify Dropshipping Website |
| Brand Development | A custom layout and strategic website features can help you to achieve better brand visibility and interaction with customers. | The use of templates can limit you from highlighting your brand in the eeays that you want to. |
| Customization Options | Building your own website gives you complete creative control with endless customization options. | Customization options are limited to the features allocated to your Shopify subscription. |
| Flexibility | You can edit and adjust your custom website based on what you reckon would work best for your customers and your dropshipping business. | You can only use or improve your Shopify dropshipping website in accordance with Shopify rules and capabilities. |
| Cons | ||
| Set up Challenges | A custom website requires technical skills and lots of effort. | Setting up a Shopify dropshipping website is a simple user-friendly process. |
| Costs | The costs of setting up a custom website and maintaining it on your own are high and the process is time-consuming. | Economies of scale make it possible for Shopify to charge an affordable monthly subscription fee that caters for backend maintenance too. |
How to Build Your Own Website For Dropshipping
If you choose to build your own website for dropshipping, take your time and strive to do it right. Aim for a site that appeals to customers and provides a pleasant shopping experience while also making it easy for you to run your business.
Here is a brief step-by-step guide on how to create your own website for dropshipping instead of using Shopify.
1. Research
Browse through leading dropshipping and e-commerce websites to catch a glimpse of what your competitors’ websites have to offer. The goal here is not to copy and paste their ideas but to:
- Understand what it is that customers like about those websites.
- Learn about any new web design concepts, apps, or tools that you may not be aware of.
- Identify pitfalls to avoid as you build your website.
In addition to ideas, take time to find what it will take to build your website. Explore necessities such as cart and payments systems, web hosting services, and security requirements for e-commerce websites. The information you gather will help you go into the process better prepared.
2. Create a List
Create a list of features and pages that you would like to have on your website. Be as detailed as you can and include any screenshots or website links that you may have used for reference or inspiration. Some of the features and functions to prioritize include:
- A navigation menu
- Product images and descriptions
- Payment gateways
- Shipping
- Customer service pages
- Links to social media and email
This kind of list will serve as a brief for you or the web developer you hire to build your website. You can also use it later on as a checklist to ensure that you captured all the important provisions.
3. Get a Domain Name
A domain name is also known as your web address. It is the link that customers use to access your website on the internet. It will also be a significant part of your brand.
With this in mind, aim for a domain name that is memorable, relevant to the products you dropship, and matches the brand image you wish to portray. However, be sure to come up with a few ideas for domain names just in case your favorite one is already in use.
When done, access domain registration platforms like Google Domains and type in your domain name ideas. The domain registrar will let you know if any of the names you enter are available and you can pick which of them to buy.
Source: Google Domains
4. Choose a Platform
Source: wordpress.com
It is not possible to build a website in a vacuum. You will thus need a website builder such as WordPress, Square, or any other to get your website going. If you are not sure which of them is best, do consult a web developer.
5. Find a Web Developer
If you are not an expert in the field, hire a web developer to bring your vision to life. Be sure to ask for samples of their work and discuss your ideas in detail to ascertain that they can execute them or suggest ways to improve them.
6. Prepare and Share Web Content
Start preparing the web copy, images, and logo/banner that will be added to your website as your web developer builds the technical aspects of the website. You can then share them for the developer to upload once they are done with the initial build.
Remember that your web content will be a major part of the customer experience on your site. So strive to make it interesting, informative, and well-organized.
7. Add Products and Prices
Prepare and upload product listings, product descriptions, prices, and shipping rates to your dropshipping website.
Given that dropshipping does not involve you handling any stock, it is advisable to start sourcing product photos in advance. Some dropshipping suppliers may allow you to use the images on their platforms on your website but others may not. If you encounter the latter, consider working with a sourcing agent that offers professional photography as part of their dropshipping services.
It is important that you learn to upload these details by yourself because you will regularly have to update your listings in the future.
8. Review
Test-run your website once it is complete. Be sure to:
- Go through all the different pages to confirm that they work and load at the expected speeds.
- Read through the web copy to ensure there are no errors and that the text is concise and adds value.
- Try to make a purchase and evaluate whether the process is customer-friendly.
- Test any plug-ins, tools, or apps on the website to ensure that they work as they should.
Additionally, consider granting a few users access to your website to test its features and give you feedback. Their fresh eyes may identify challenges that you or your developer may have overlooked. Positive feedback may also give you the green light to launch the site.
9. Launch Your Website
Launching your website means that it will be accessible to the public. Anyone with your web address will be able to access the website, browse through it, or even make a purchase.
Make an effort to advertise your dropshipping store and share your link on different platforms before and after the launch. This will drive traffic to your website and eventually begin generating sales.
More importantly, monitoring guest traffic and customer feedback can help you identify and resolve any technical hitches early on. Still, be patient with yourself. Building a website is not a one-off event. There is always something new to learn and improve on.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. It is, indeed, possible to dropship using your own website instead of using Shopify. The only catch is that you have to be willing to invest the time, money, and expertise that is required to build and maintain a dropshipping website.
Now that you have a guide to help you get it right, you will likely have an easier time navigating this whole process. However, if you need any help with your dropshipping venture, we are only a click away. You are welcome to contact us for a consult or request a quote for any dropshipping services that you require.