Dropshipping on BigCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide

BigCommerce Dropshipping: The Ultimate Guide

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Dropshipping has revolutionized the world of e-commerce, offering a low-risk entry point for aspiring entrepreneurs. Instead of managing a warehouse full of inventory, you can partner with suppliers who ship products directly to your customers. But to succeed, you need a powerful platform to build your business on. That’s where bigcommerce dropshipping comes in.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about building a successful business with BigCommerce. We’ll cover why it’s a top contender, how to get started step-by-step, and which apps can supercharge your store.

Table of Contents

What is Dropshipping? A Quick Refresher

Before we dive into the specifics of BigCommerce, let’s quickly recap the dropshipping model. In a nutshell, it works like this:

  1. A customer places an order on your online store.
  2. You forward that order and the customer’s shipping details to your dropshipping supplier.
  3. The supplier packs and ships the order directly to your customer.

Your profit is the difference between what the customer paid you and what you paid the supplier. You never have to handle inventory, packaging, or shipping, allowing you to focus on marketing and growing your brand. This model makes dropshipping with bigcommerce an incredibly attractive option for new and experienced sellers alike.

Why Choose BigCommerce for Your Dropshipping Business?

While many platforms support dropshipping, BigCommerce offers a unique set of features that make it a compelling choice, especially for businesses with long-term growth in mind. The combination of bigcommerce and dropshipping is a powerful one.

  • Zero Transaction Fees: Unlike some competitors, BigCommerce does not charge you a percentage of your sales on any of its plans. This means you keep more of your hard-earned profit with every sale, which is a significant advantage as you scale.
  • Powerful Built-in SEO: BigCommerce is renowned for its robust, out-of-the-box SEO features. From customizable URLs and meta descriptions to a built-in CDN for fast loading speeds, the platform is designed to help you rank higher in search results and attract organic traffic.
  • Unmatched Scalability: BigCommerce is built to grow with you. Its rock-solid infrastructure can handle high volumes of traffic and orders without a hitch. This is why many large-scale brands and some dropshipping companies who uses bigcommerce and shopify ultimately prefer BigCommerce for its stability.
  • Flexibility and Customization: With access to a vast app marketplace and flexible API, you have endless possibilities for customization. You can create a unique shopping experience and integrate specialized tools to streamline your operations. The right bigcommerce dropship app can automate nearly every aspect of your business.

How to Start Dropshipping on BigCommerce: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to launch your own venture? This bigcommerce dropshipping guide will show you how to get your store up and running.

Step 1: Sign Up and Configure Your Store

First, head to the BigCommerce website and sign up for a free trial. This lets you explore the platform’s features without any commitment. During the initial setup, you’ll enter basic information about your store. Don’t worry about getting everything perfect right away; you can change these details later.

Step 2: Find Your Niche and Suppliers

Your success depends heavily on the products you sell and the reliability of your suppliers. Research profitable niches with a passionate audience. Once you have a niche, it’s time to find bigcommerce dropshipping suppliers. You can look for them through:

  • Supplier Directories: Sites like SaleHoo, Worldwide Brands, and Doba vet suppliers for you.
  • App Integrations: Many dropshipping apps (which we’ll cover next) have their own marketplaces of pre-vetted suppliers.
  • Direct Outreach: You can contact manufacturers directly to inquire about dropshipping partnerships.

Step 3: Choose a Theme and Set Up Your Domain

Your store’s design is crucial for building trust. BigCommerce offers a range of free and premium themes in its marketplace. Choose one that aligns with your brand and is optimized for mobile.

Next, you’ll want a professional URL. Setting up a bigcommerce custom domain is straightforward and essential for branding. You can purchase a domain through BigCommerce or connect one you already own.

Step 4: Install a Dropshipping App

The final step is to connect your store to your suppliers. The easiest way to do this is with a robust bigcommerce dropship integration. These apps automate product importing, inventory syncing, and order fulfillment, saving you countless hours of manual work. Finding the right tool is key to a smooth drop shipping bigcommerce operation.

The Best BigCommerce Dropship Apps and Integrations

The BigCommerce App Marketplace is filled with powerful tools to streamline your business. Here are some of the most popular bigcommerce dropship apps:

  • Spocket: Focuses on high-quality suppliers from the US and EU, enabling faster shipping times and higher-quality products. It’s a fantastic choice for building a reputable brand.
  • Printful & Printify: If you’re interested in print-on-demand dropshipping (selling custom-designed t-shirts, mugs, posters, etc.), these are the industry leaders. They handle everything from printing to shipping.
  • Modalyst: Offers a wide range of products, including trendy fashion items and products from well-known brands. It’s a great option for clothing and accessory stores.

Many entrepreneurs coming from other platforms often ask about an oberlo bigcommerce equivalent. While Oberlo was exclusive to Shopify and is now discontinued, apps like Spocket integration offer similar, and in some cases more advanced, functionality for dropshipping for bigcommerce.

Shopify vs. BigCommerce for Dropshipping: An Honest Comparison

The shopify vs bigcommerce for dropshipping debate is one of the most common discussions in e-commerce. Both are excellent platforms, but they cater to slightly different needs. So, is bigcommerce better than shopify? Let’s break it down.

Feature BigCommerce Shopify
Transaction Fees 0% on all plans 0.5% – 2% (waived if using Shopify Payments)
Built-in Features More comprehensive out-of-the-box features (e.g., product reviews, faceted search) Relies more heavily on third-party apps for advanced functionality
SEO Capabilities Widely considered to have more powerful, granular SEO controls Strong SEO features, but some advanced options require apps
Ease of Use Slightly steeper learning curve but offers more control Extremely user-friendly and great for absolute beginners
Pricing Similar starting price points, but can be more cost-effective at scale due to no transaction fees and more built-in features Can become more expensive as you add paid apps for functionality

Ultimately, which ecommerce platform is best for dropshipping depends on you. Shopify is often praised for its simplicity and is a great starting point. BigCommerce is a powerhouse for sellers who want robust built-in features, superior SEO, and a platform that can scale indefinitely without piling on transaction fees.

Advanced Tips for Scaling Your Dropshipping Store

Once you have your store running, the real work begins. Many new sellers ask how to “evaluate the e-commerce platforms company bigcommerce on how to make 1000 fast,” but success is a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on these strategies:

  • Master SEO: Leverage BigCommerce’s powerful SEO tools. Write unique product descriptions, create blog content related to your niche, and build high-quality backlinks.
  • Utilize Email Marketing: Build an email list from day one. Offer a discount for new subscribers and send out regular newsletters with new products and special offers.
  • Focus on a Niche: Don’t try to sell everything. Become the go-to expert for a specific product category. For instance, instead of a general electronics store, focus on high-end headphones or retro gaming accessories. You might even find success with regional suppliers by exploring options like dropshipping bol com for the Dutch market.
  • Provide Stellar Customer Service: Fast, helpful, and friendly support is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself in a competitive market.
  • Analyze Your Competitors: See what successful stores in your niche are doing. You can even use advanced Google searches, like site:yourwebsite.com followed by a keyword, to find examples of stores and analyze their strategies.

By implementing these tactics, you’ll be well on your way to building a thriving big commerce dropshipping business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bigcommerce good for dropshipping?
Yes, BigCommerce is an excellent platform for dropshipping. Its strengths in scalability, built-in features, advanced SEO, and zero transaction fees make it a very attractive option, particularly for businesses that plan to grow significantly over time.

Can you dropship on bigcommerce?
Absolutely. You can easily dropship on bigcommerce by integrating your store with a variety of dropshipping apps like Spocket, or Printful integration tools available in the BigCommerce App Marketplace.

How much does bigcommerce dropship cost?
The cost involves your BigCommerce monthly plan (starting around $29/month), the cost of a custom domain (around $15/year), and any fees for premium themes or dropshipping apps you choose to use. The biggest ongoing cost will be purchasing the products from your supplier after a customer places an order.

Do I need a business license to start dropshipping bigcommerce?
The legal requirements for a business license vary by country, state, and even city. It is highly recommended that you consult with a local business authority or legal professional to understand the specific requirements for your location. In many jurisdictions, you will need a business license and a reseller’s permit to operate legally and purchase from suppliers wholesale.

Is there an Oberlo equivalent for BigCommerce?
While there is no official app named “Oberlo” for BigCommerce, several apps provide the same or better functionality. Spocket is a popular alternative focusing on US/EU suppliers, allow for easy product importing and order fulfillment, effectively serving the same purpose as Oberlo.