When it comes to ecommerce, or more specifically DropShipping, it can a be a huge benefit purchasing a ready built store, especially if you are new, or don't have the time to set one up yourself.
You can get your new store up and running, ready to start earning you an income.
There are a number of different types of DropShipping store that you can purchase, and they can vary in terms of fees, options or even services that come with the store.
As such, I created this quick guide to what to look out for when purchasing stores, either custom made or ready made.
Buying A DropShipping Store - Read This
In the past few years, I have actually purchased a number of ecom stores, including ones specifically designed for DropShipping, and we have found a few things to keep an eye out for.
What Services Are Offered
Some companies will offer you a store, and that is it. They don't put products on the store for you, they wont do any research and they usually don't even provide you with email services attached.
This is usually a large warning sign, and you should walk away, you are basically being given a theme.
Nothing else.
Be sure to shop around or get some insights into what you are going to be buying for your money.
If you are buying a ready made store on a site such as Shopify Marketplace then these stores should come with products loaded ready to go, but I have found some that are simply a shell. They may also provide a variety of products that don't fit within any type of niche or even the store look and feel.
For those who are looking at getting a store created, be sure to check what services you will get included. Services such as AliDropShip Custom Store Creation will provide you with a checklist of services they provide as part of the store creation.
Low Prices Or Quick Set Up Times
Another big warning sign is that they offer to set you a store up for a very low price.
Now, that could be because they are just giving you a theme, and nothing else, but it can also be because they are setting you up on their own platform and you end up paying high monthly fees to use the store.
Many sellers will mass create sites, with a very similar products, look and feel, attaching random domains too them. By selling these sites, they not also get the price for the store they have sold, but also a bounty for bringing you onto the platform.
The same can be said for quick set up or turn around times, especially if you are buying a custom built store.
If someone offers to set you up a custom store and reckons it will only take a day or two, then they are probably using a template of products or not really providing much in the way of research.
If you are simply buying a store off of a marketplace then it's not as much of an issue.
Current & Future Suppliers
An issue I have seen appearing more, especially with stores that may be pre built or are perhaps more established is the issue with suppliers.
Some sellers will sell the store with the caveat that you have to keep using the supplier that they either have an established relationship with, or get a small commission for promoting that store or supplier.
It's worth enquiring about the suppliers, what relationship the seller has and if you are tied to any contracts or obligations if you purchase the site.
The Platform Your Store Will Be Hosted On
This is usually quite obvious, especially if you are just purchasing a ready built store, but before ordering a store, you should always check where your store will be hosted.
For example, if you buy from the Shopify Marketplace, then it will be hosted on sites such as Shopify.
But if you are purchasing from store creation service then they may build it to be hosted on WordPress, Shopify, BigCommerce or a whole load of other platforms. Be sure to check the details and check to see what other costs may need to be taken into account.
It is also worth checking out the terms and conditions with regards to who owns the stores, sites such as Shopify actually own your store (technically) though the likelihood of them taking off of you is quite low!
If you purchase a store or get a custom made website and it's hosted on WordPress, then you own the site and the store outright.
Payment Gateways Options
A few platforms only allow for certain gateways that work without an issue.
For example Shopify only allow for Stripe, PayPal and Shopify payments, beyond that you are a bit stuffed. WordPress and WooCommerce will give you access to more gateways, as most of them are hooked up via API's or open source checkouts.
Conclusion
I have made it sound like buying pre made stores or purchasing a custom store can be a scary nightmare, but it's really not the case.
As long as you research the company, or the person who is selling or creating the site and do your due diligence on them ensuring that everything is set up correctly, they are transparent with pricing, products and any suppliers, then you reduce the chances of problems.
If you are after a a reputable company to buy customised, or even pre made stores from, then be sure to check out AliDropShip's custom service.
I started this blog around 2017, after realising that I wanted to let people know about all the different ways someone could make money online. From DropShipping, Affiliate Marketing, Network Marketing and more.
This blog has now grown to review and explain a variety of different tools and platforms, in the bid to help you.
This blog contains affiliate links, and I will get a commission for purchases made through these links. It doesn’t change anything for you and will on occasion save you money! Enjoy, James.