Choosing the best eCommerce platform for dropshipping can seem complex and demanding. However, if you have some insider information, you can easily compare different aspects of different platforms and find the one that’s best for your business.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most significant aspects of this type of eCommerce, as well as comparisons of some of our favorite eCommerce platforms that offer dropshipping.
Key Points
- Dropshipping platforms connect businesses with suppliers.
- User-friendly interfaces enhance dropshipping experiences.
- Diverse product selection is vital for a successful business.
- Platforms should be both valuable and affordable.
- Seamless integration with other services is crucial.
- Platforms manage order processing and delivery.
- Effective customer support enhances overall user satisfaction.
What is a Dropshipping Platform?
As you’re probably aware, dropshipping is a type of eCommerce where the seller doesn’t stock the items on-site. Instead, every order gets passed on to a supplier who is directly responsible for manufacturing the items (or dealing with manufacturers) and shipping items out to customers.
A dropshipping platform is one that puts businesses in touch with suppliers that practice drop shipping. There are many such platforms out there, but not all of them are equally good.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dropshipping Platform
When asking what is the best dropshipping platform, there are several things you need to consider. Below, we’ll discuss some of the essential factors to consider when choosing a dropshipping platform for your business.
Ease of Use and User Interface
No one likes having to struggle with the available technology when they place an order. The same is true for dropshipping. The best dropshipping platform for beginners will be the one that is easy to use.
It should also have a comprehensive user interface that doesn’t require a ten-step guide to accomplish any one function. While we’ll be sharing some excellent platforms later on, it may be a good idea to try out different platforms for yourself and find out which you prefer.
Product Selection and Variety
For your company, the best eCommerce platform for dropshipping may not be the one that everyone else prefers. However, one thing is guaranteed. The best dropshipping platform for your business is the one that offers a vast array of products.
You need products in your sales niche, but you also want more than many repeated versions of the same product. For this reason, you need a dropshipping platform with plenty of variety. To ensure you’re choosing the best products to dropship, it’s essential to stay updated on market trends and customer preferences.
Pricing Structure and Fees
One of the main considerations in any type of comparison is whether or not the pricing suits your budget. That’s equally true with this industry. The best platform for dropshipping won’t necessarily be the cheapest. However, it will be affordable enough for you to use while staying within your budget. Moreover, it’s crucial to have an effective dropshipping pricing strategy to ensure profitability. Consider how much you should upcharge a product and other factors that affect your bottom line.
Something else to consider is the fees charged by the platform itself. Most dropshipping platforms simply help connect suppliers and businesses. However, they also charge for this service. In some cases, the fees asked by the platform to facilitate the process are simply too high.
Integration With Other Platforms and Services
If your company already uses certain platforms and services, then you probably don’t want a dropshipping platform that doesn’t blend well with those platforms. Accordingly, the best platform for dropshipping will offer integrations for the other platforms and services that you use.
For example, if you use Stripe and Venmo, or PayPal and PaysafeCard, you want a platform that caters to those services. No matter how wonderful a platform is, it won’t be the best platform for you if it’s hard for you to use. After all, you don’t want to reimagine your entire payment system just because your preferred platform doesn’t merge well.
This can go beyond payment options, though. You may also want to link your dropshipping platform to automatic accounting software or automated invoicing using another platform. The best platform for dropshipping, in that case, would have integrations for those secondary platforms.
Bear in mind, though, that this is a “best-case” scenario. You may not find the platform that offers every integration you want. But you should go for one that offers as many as possible.
Order Fulfillment and Shipping Options
When you’re working with a drop shipper, the order fulfillment process is vital. In dropshipping, you get the order, then send it to the drop shipper. They’re responsible for the actual order fulfillment and shipping.
However, you need to ensure that you choose a drop shipper with shipping options that are viable for your business. For instance, if you know that your customers primarily prefer express delivery, you can’t use a drop shipping company that only uses standard mail.
Since the order fulfillment process is entirely up to the dropshipping company, you also need to ensure that they’ll fulfill the orders in a timely manner and using your preferred method. For example, if you prefer using blind dropshipping methods, the best platform for dropshipping (in your case) would facilitate blind drop shipping.
Customer Support and Resources
One of the most essential elements of any business endeavor, customer support options speak volumes about the quality of the service. The best platform for dropshipping will offer top-of-the-line customer support with a fully trained staff.
Live chat is always an excellent choice because it allows you to get nearly instant answers t your questions. Another great feature is when the platform has plenty of resources. Ranging from a FAQ section to in-depth guides on how to use the platform effectively. The more a platform helps you to use it, the better quality that platform likely will be.
Comparison of Top Dropshipping Platforms
While we’ve spoken about how to find the best platform for dropshipping in general terms, it’s also important to discuss them practically. In the following segments, we’ll discuss significant aspects of the most popular dropshipping platforms.
Shopify
First launched in June of 2006, Shopify is easily one of the most popular dropshipping platforms. Thanks to its range of integrations and plugins, which make it easy to add to a website, many people prefer this platform.
- Ease of Use: Shopify has a user-friendly interface that centers around simplicity. The excellent user experience it offers is one of the reasons why the platform is so popular.
- Available Integrations: Shopify offers a wide range of integrations, including the following:
- Mailchimp
- Klaviyo
- QuickBooks
- Xero
- ShipStation
- Oberlo
- Printful
- Google Analytics
- Shipping Options: Shopify offers integrated shipping solutions in partnership with carriers like USPS, UPS, and DHL. It also has a wide range of third-party shipping apps like ShipStation, Shippo, and Easyship.
- Fees and Pricing: Shopify offers three different plans:
- Basic: $19 a month, billed annually ($228 a year)
- Shopify: $49 a month, billed annually ($588 a year)
- Advanced: $299 a month, billed annually ($3,588 a year)
- Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat, Phone, and Email Support
WooCommerce
This easy-to-use plugin was first launched in September 2011 and has since become popular on many different websites. This is largely due to the fact that it’s easy to use on WordPress and other popular site-building platforms.
- Ease of Use: WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin with excellent ease of use for those familiar with WordPress. It offers a great user experience as well, but people unaccustomed to using the platform may find it harder to use.
- Available Integrations: WooCommerce offers a wide range of integrations, including the following:
- PayPal
- Stripe
- Mailchimp
- Constant Contact
- Google Analytics
- Amazon Pay
- UPS
- FedEx
- WooCommerce Bookings
- WooCommerce Subscriptions
- Shipping Options: WooCommerce allows you to define shipping methods like flat rate, free shipping, local pickup, and custom options. It also offers various shipping plugins, such as WooCommerce Shipping, Table Rate Shipping, and Advanced Shipment Tracking.
- Fees and Pricing: WordPress plugin, available for free download. Premium themes and extensions are priced individually.
- Customer Support: Documentation, user forums, and email support
BigCommerce
BigCommerce is an Australia-based company that first launched in 2009. The aim of the platform was to make it easier for small businesses to sell online. It has done that with great success and moved on to become one of the best platforms for dropshipping today.
- Ease of Use: BigCommerce offers an intuitive user interface that’s easy to use. The user experience is also fantastic, even for beginners.
- Available Integrations: BigCommerce offers a wide range of integrations, including the following:
- PayPal
- Square
- HubSpot
- Mailchimp
- ShipperHQ
- Google Analytics
- QuickBooks
- Zendesk
- Shipping Options: BigCommerce offers built-in shipping functionality with real-time carrier rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. It also integrates with popular shipping apps and services like ShipStation, ShippingEasy, and ShipperHQ.
- Fees and Pricing: BigCommerce offers three standardized plans and a custom one:
- Standard: $29 a month, billed yearly ($348 a year) or $39 a month, billed monthly
- Plus: $79 a month, billed yearly ($948 a year) or $105 a month, billed monthly
- Pro: $299 a month, billed yearly ($3,588 a year) or $399 a month, billed monthly
- Enterprise: Custom plan, with prices being calculated for each client by the sales team.
- Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat and Phone Support; Help Center
ShopBase
ShopBase is definitely one of the newer platforms on the market, but it still has plenty to offer. First launched in 2022, this eCommerce platform is an all-in-one shop for dropshipping and print-on-demand services.
- Ease of Use: Thanks to its simplicity and intuitive design, ShopBase is remarkably easy to use and offers a great user experience.
- Available Integrations: ShopBase offers a wide range of integrations, including the following:
- PayPal
- Stripe
- Klaviyo
- Mailchimp
- Google Analytics
- DHL
- UPS
- Oberlo
- Zendesk
- Shipping Options: ShopBase provides built-in shipping features that allow you to define shipping methods, rates, and zones. You can set up flat-rate shipping, free shipping, and custom options based on your needs. It also integrates with various third-party shipping services like ShipStation, Easyship, and Shippo.
- Fees and Pricing: ShopBase offers three different payment plans:
- Basic Base: $19 a month, billed monthly
- Standard Base: $59 a month, billed monthly
- Pro Base: $249 a month, billed monthly
- Customer Support: Live Chat Support and Help Center
Shift4Shop
Shift4Shop, previously known as 3dcart, has been running in its current format since 2020. The parent company focuses on different eCommerce solutions for businesses, so you can rest assured that this is one of the best dropshipping platforms for eCommerce.
- Ease of Use: This platform offers a clean design and intuitive features that can be customized to suit users of all experience levels.
- Available Integrations: Shift4Shop offers a wide range of integrations, including the following:
- PayPal
- Authorize.net
- FedEx
- UPS
- Mailchimp
- Constant Contact
- QuickBooks
- Google Analytics
- Shipping Options: Shift4Shop Shipping: Provides built-in shipping features with options to set up various shipping methods, including flat rates, real-time rates, and custom options. It also integrates with shipping apps like ShipStation, ShippingEasy, and Stamps.com.
- Fees and Pricing: Shift4Shop offers an array of pricing options:
- Startup Store: $19/month
- Basic Store: $29/month
- Plus Store: $79/month
- Power Store: $129/month
- Pro Store: $229/month
- Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat and Phone Support; Knowledge Base and Forums
Magento
Magento is another forerunning platform for dropshipping and has been running since 2009. Many web designers find it useful thanks to its simple, easy-to-use plugins and integrations. It is, without a doubt, one of the best platforms for dropshipping.
- Ease of Use: While Magento has many advantages, it can be hard to learn. This is especially true for people not naturally inclined toward technology.
- Available Integrations: Magento offers a wide range of integrations, including the following:
- Braintree
- Worldpay
- UPS
- DHL
- Marketo
- dotdigital
- PayPal
- Mailchimp
- Google Analytics
- Amazon Pay
- Shipping Options: Magento offers flexible shipping options, including flat rates, table rates, and free shipping. It also has a range of shipping extensions, such as ShipStation, ShipperHQ, and Temando
- Fees and Pricing: Magento comes in both free and paid versions, with different features and pricing:
- Open-Source Platform: 100% free and readily available for download.
- Magento Commerce: Paid service, but customized to each business’s needs.
- Magento Commerce Cloud: Pricing is available on request and includes web hosting.
- Customer Support: Email, community forums, and documentation
OpenCart
It’s quite possible that OpenCart is the best dropshipping platform for beginners with a small budget. This open-source eCommerce platform has plenty to recommend it, but the foremost is that it’s free. It was first launched as a Google Code release in February 2009.
- Ease of Use: If you have basic tech savvy, you can probably use this platform. Most people consider it easy to set up and use.
- Available Integrations: OpenCart offers a wide range of integrations, including the following:
- PayPal
- Stripe
- UPS
- FedEx
- Google Analytics
- Mailchimp
- QuickBooks
- Amazon Pay
- Shipping Options: OpenCart provides shipping modules that allow you to set up various shipping methods, including flat rate, weight-based, and location-based rates. It also has a variety of shipping extensions available in the OpenCart marketplace, such as USPS, FedEx, and UPS extensions
- Fees and Pricing: OpenCart is a free, open-source platform with no direct pricing plans.
- Customer Support: Community Forums and Third-Party Support
Spocket
Spocket first launched in March 2017 and has since become one of the world’s foremost dropshipping platforms. It’s a Canada-based platform that specializes in dropshipping within the US and EU.
- Ease of Use: Spocket has a clean dashboard that’s remarkably user-friendly. It specializes in making the dropshipping process simpler for all users.
- Available Integrations: Spocket offers a wide range of integrations, including the following:
- Wix
- Etsy
- eBay
- Amazon
- Printful
- ShipStation
- Zendesk
- Shipping Options: Spocket integrates with various carriers and shipping providers, including USPS, FedEx, DHL, and UPS. It also offers its own branded shipping services.
- Fees and Pricing: Spocket offers three different pricing options:
- Starter Plan: $24/month billed annually ($288 a year) or $29/month (billed monthly)
- Pro Plan: $49/month billed annually ($588 a year) or $69/month (billed monthly)
- Empire Plan: $99/month billed annually ($1,548 a year) or $129/month (billed monthly)
- Customer Support: Live Chat Support and Help Center
Comparison Analysis
Many of the platforms listed here are fantastic options, but some are easier to use, and others offer more integrations. Some are more expensive, while others are free.
The best platform for dropshipping remains the one that meets your needs. If you have a low budget, try something like OpenCart. But If you have a great budget and lots of tech-savvy, maybe try Magento.
If you’re not particularly tech-savvy but still want a fantastic storefront for your dropshipping business, consider WooCommerce or Shopify.
None of the platforms listed above are bad, but you need to choose the one with features that will work for your business.
Conclusion
When you’re trying to find the best eCommerce platform for dropshipping, there are plenty of things that you need to consider. Hopefully, with the tips and advice given above, you will feel confident in your ability to choose the right platform for your business.
We’ve listed some of the best platforms for dropshipping. But, in the end, only you know your business well enough to decide which features would work well for your company. So, feel free to look through all the information and pick the platform that meets your budgetary needs, has the right integrations, and suits your technical abilities. For further insights and a more comprehensive understanding, you can also read our ultimate guide about dropshipping, which offers extensive information and guidance on successfully running a dropshipping business.
We can help you do all these things and more, so please feel free to contact us. All the best!
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I am Komo, a marketing specialist with a strong focus on dropshipping. Over the past two years, I have gained valuable experience and expertise in the dropshipping industry. I have successfully implemented various marketing strategies to drive traffic and optimize conversions for dropshipping businesses. My passion for the industry has allowed me to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices, ensuring effective results for the companies I work with.
