To be honest, it’s a bit of a cliché to talk about the basics of Shopify, such as ‘what Shopify is and how it works.’
How so?
It’s 2024, and we have plenty of tech-savvy individuals who are well aware of Shopify. But, then again, there are plenty of budding entrepreneurs who could use some guidance.
To that end, as one of the biggest Dropshipping platforms in Pakistan, Markaz revels in keeping its audience informed, especially the youngsters crew that wishes to be financially independent and make an honest living.
This post highlights different aspects of Shopify, starting from the basics, then moving on to a few beginner – to advanced-level concepts regarding query: what is Shopify Dropshipping and how does it work?
Let’s get to it.
Somewhere back in 2006 (*or late 2005), the Snowdevil founders launched an online platform for ecommerce businesses. They called it: ‘Shopify.’ The idea matured into an open-source template in a language called: Liquid.
Shopify’s Liquid was written in Ruby, and that’s how things started moving slowly. The company marketed the product; people loved it because the idea of having a template with tons of customization options makes online retailers, business owners, and dropshippers’ lives a whole lot easier.
Fast forward to today, Shopify has a stock price of $68,51 as of right now (*Dated August 9, 2024), and millions of worldwide users. The modern-day version of Shopify comes with better responsiveness, more customization options, integration options, and a fully-fledged retail point-of-sale system for online store owners like you.
The Way It Works Is Simple…
If this is your first time looking up information concerning What Is Shopify and How Does It Work, what is Shopify Dropshipping and how does it work, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s get started from the basics and move forward.
First things first, it’s time to sign up for your free Shopify trial.
Think of it as a test drive for your future money-making machine! You’ll get three days to kick the tires, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can extend that joyride for just a buck for a whole month. Who doesn’t love a good deal?
Next up, let’s get you connected! The Shopify setup wizard is like your personal tour guide, helping you link up your sales channels. Whether you want to sell on social media, marketplaces, or your very own website, Shopify has got your back. And guess what? You can change and expand these channels anytime you like—flexibility is the name of the game!
Moving on with the concept of what is Shopify and how does it work, you need to understand product placement.
You can either enter the details of the items you’ve created or sourced yourself or tap into Shopify’s Handshake wholesale network and dropship vendors. Imagine curating a fabulous collection that combines your handmade treasures with trendy dropship goodies. Your store is about to become the talk of the town!
Time to make it rain!
Setting up payments is as easy as pie with Shopify Payments.
Just one click, and you’re ready to start accepting payments like a pro. Prefer to use your own payment processor?
No problem! Just keep in mind that there might be some transaction fees if you go that route.
The latter option calls for integrating third-party apps into your Shopify store, or signing up for payment processing accounts where you can receive payments into your online account. Stripe is a good option, whereas PayPal is second to none.
However, PayPal does have a verification process and it could take a bit of time to allow them to fully unlock your account.
Step 5: Shipping and Taxes – The Fine Print
Ah, the not-so-fun part: shipping and taxes.
But fear not! Shopify makes it easy to set up your shipping methods and fees, as well as your sales tax info.
If you are working in the U.S., you need to fill out your tax info, a W series form, and plenty of other stuff for proper declaration. Shopify owners operating from Pakistan are exempt from a majority of taxes.
For more information, feel free to seek help from a lawyer in that regard, or consult Shopify’s own pricing and taxes pages.
You can start selling right away while you fine-tune your store!
If you’re dreaming of having your own branded website, it’s time to make that dream a reality.
Shopify offers a plethora of plug-and-play themes that are just waiting for your unique touch. This is one of the biggest advantages of having a Shopify store.
Customize the theme of your choice to reflect your brand’s personality, and voilà!
Your online store is ready to dazzle customers.
As orders start rolling in (cue the confetti!), you’ll manage everything from your Shopify dashboard. It’s like having a command center for your business!
Shopify’s built-in tools help you streamline workflows for shipping, dropshipping, and even digital products like e-books. Plus, your customers will appreciate automatic order status updates and tracking info—talk about a win-win!
If you choose to use your own payment processor, Shopify will add a transaction fee ranging from 0.5% to 2% on every sale. But if you stick with Shopify Payments, you can wave those fees goodbye! Just keep in mind that payment processing rates vary based on your subscription plan.
The baseline concept of what is Shopify and how does it work has a lot to do with your order-fulfilling process and the shipping cost.
Fortunately, there are plenty of online shipping cost calculators that not only facilitate Pakistani Shopify owners but also the ones from the U.S. and other countries.
Shopify also has you covered with built-in shipping label printing. You’ll enjoy competitive rates with USPS, UPS, and more. The more you ship, the better your discounts get—so get ready to save some cash!
Exploring Shopify Plans, Pricing, and Costs – Finding The Righ Fit
Shopify isn’t just for online stores; it’s also perfect for in-person sales! Whether you’re running a pop-up shop or a full-fledged retail location, Shopify’s POS features let you manage everything seamlessly. You can start with the free POS Lite or upgrade to Shopify POS Pro for more robust features.
Let’s weigh the pros and cons:
Pros:
Cons:
Of course, not everyone counts on keeping an inventory of stocked items and sell from there when operating on Shopify.
As a matter of fact, many budding entrepreneurs sign up for a Dropshipping business where they don’t have to keep an existing stock of items. Doing so eliminates the hassle of streamlining SKUs, labels, item availability and vice versa.
So, if you’re looking to move ahead with the Dropshipping option for your Shopify store, you just need to sign up for a free or paid Shopify account and then integrate it with a Dropshipping website.
For instance, many online Pakistani Shopify store owners operate through Markaz, since the platform is a central hub for dropshippers.
The way it works is simple.
You sign up for a reseller account on Markaz, while your Shopify website is set up on the side. Then you select the products of your choice from Markaz vendors, and as per your profit margin, you need to populate your Shopify store with the product descriptions and listing info.
The more precise and crisp version of these nitty gritties is appended below for your reference:
If you prefer more control, consider partnering directly with suppliers. This way, you can negotiate custom deals and even create exclusive products. Just remember, this method requires a bit more hands-on management.
When searching for suppliers, prioritize delivery speed and reliability. Read reviews, ask questions, and don’t hesitate to test product samples. The right supplier can make all the difference in your dropshipping success!
And there you have it! A friendly, engaging guide to navigating the Shopify universe. Now go forth and conquer the e-commerce world with confidence!
Whether you decide to start a business as a Dropshipper on Shopify through Markaz, or any other independent Dropshipping platform, or choose to create your own unique store with physical product inventory, it’s your choice.
Both aspects have their risks and advantages.
Dropshipping is a little less hassle-free since it doesn’t involve product warehousing storage fees and tons of other issues.
Regardless, you will need to put in the hours and maintain a positive middle attitude to see any signs of success.
A lot of new Shopify store owners work under the misconception of leaving their stores on auto-pilot mode where it’s expected that online visitors will automatically start pouring in.
It’s 2024, and this doesn’t happen anymore.
To be successful and see your business scale, you need a marketing strategy, SEO knowledge and wear many other hats that call for a proactive approach. With proper strategy and planning, you will eventually have a strong foothold in the market, running multiple stores and managing them through a central platform.
Good luck out there!
Using Shopify Payments offers several advantages over other payment processors, making it an appealing choice for merchants. Here are the key benefits:
1. No Transaction Fees
When you use Shopify Payments, you can say goodbye to additional transaction fees that come with using external payment processors. If you opt for another processor, Shopify charges transaction fees ranging from 0.5% to 2% per sale. By sticking with Shopify Payments, you keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
2. Simplified Setup and Management
Shopify Payments is seamlessly integrated into the Shopify platform, allowing for a quick and easy setup. You can activate it with just one click, eliminating the need for complicated configurations or third-party accounts. This integration means you can manage all your payment processing directly from your Shopify dashboard, streamlining your operations.
3. Competitive Processing Rates
Shopify Payments offers flat-rate payment processing fees that are competitive within the industry. These rates vary depending on your subscription plan, but they are generally straightforward and predictable, helping you budget more effectively.
You can absolutely use Shopify Payments alongside other payment processors! Shopify is designed to be flexible, allowing you to connect more than 100 external payment processors to your store. Here’s how it works and what you need to know:
Seamless Integration with Multiple Payment Options
When you set up your Shopify store, you have the option to activate Shopify Payments with just one click. This built-in feature allows you to start accepting payments immediately. However, if you prefer to use another payment processor, Shopify accommodates that too. You can easily connect your chosen processor to your Shopify dashboard, giving you the freedom to select what works best for your business.
Transaction Fees: The Trade-Off
While using Shopify Payments means you won’t incur any transaction fees on your sales, opting for an external payment processor does come with some costs.
Shopify charges a transaction fee that ranges from 0.5% to 2% on every sale made through third-party processors. So, if you’re considering using another processor, it’s wise to factor in these additional fees when calculating your profits.
The Best of Both Worlds
Using Shopify Payments in conjunction with other processors can be beneficial for various reasons:
While the flexibility is great, there are a few things to keep in mind:
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