Check out these five (5) great options to get yourself a Free Online Dropship Store. Dropshipping has revolutionized the way people think about starting an online business. Imagine running an e-commerce store without the hassle of keeping an inventory or managing shipping logistics. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, dropshipping makes that dream a reality. You basically sell products directly from suppliers to customers without ever touching the merchandise.
Choosing the right platform to set up your dropshipping store can be the difference between smooth sailing and a bumpier ride than you signed up for. With so many options out there, it can get a bit overwhelming. Fear not, I’m here to break it down for you. This article’s got the lowdown on five popular platforms for building your dropshipping empire, each with its own set of perks and pitfalls.
Summary
Of the five options below, Alidropship is a very good option for anyone who wants the support while having a trial run of dropshipping.
Free Online Dropship Store: 5 Options to Get Started!
Here’s what you’re about to get: a detailed look at Alidropship, Shopify, WooCommerce, Big Cartel, and Square Online. I’ll walk you through each option’s standout features, the good and the not-so-good, and ultimately, which one might be your best bet as a beginner.
Stick around, and by the end of this piece, you’ll have a clear idea of which platform suits your needs to kickstart that dropshipping dream. So let’s take a look at these free online web store builders.
Alidropship Free Dropshipping Store
Alidropship is designed to simplify the dropshipping model by giving you the tools you need to start, run, and grow an online store using AliExpress products. With Alidropship you can get a free dropshipping store. Here’s what the Alidropship team will do for you:
No work is required from you, and no experience is necessary!
Pros
Apart from all the advantages listed above, Alidropship is a fantastic starting point and is perfect for beginners just dipping their toes into dropshipping. It is user-friendly and you get to try your done-for-you online store free for 14 days, which makes it accessible to anyone and the simplicity of integrating with AliExpress removes much of the initial hassle.
It’s a straightforward, economical way to get your online store up and running without diving deep into complex setups.
Cons
You get to try it for free for 14 days then it’s $39/month after trial. But consider that $39/month as rent for a store that can make you thousands, and even millions. at that price, I’d say this is definitely worth trying and you can cancel anytime if you think this is not for you.
Overall, Alidropship is great if you don’t have the time or patience to build your own free online dropshipping store. Alidropship will do all the heavy lifting for you! They’ll build you a beautiful online store you’ll be thrilled to put your name on. All for free!
What’s even crazier is that Alidropship has added an Amazon business as a bonus with your free store. If you know anything about Amazon, many people shop there, so this deal is a no-brainer.
Shopify
Shopify needs no introduction in the e-commerce world. It’s renowned for its user-friendly interface and powerful features that help you build and manage an online store with ease. Whether you’re tech-savvy or a complete newbie, Shopify’s intuitive design gets you up and running in no time.
One of Shopify’s standout features is its extensive app ecosystem. You can add tons of functionalities to your store, from email marketing to inventory management, all with a few clicks. Plus, Shopify’s customer support is top-notch, offering 24/7 assistance through live chat, email, and phone.
Pros
The pros are pretty compelling. It’s incredibly user-friendly, making it easy for anyone to create a professional-looking store. The app ecosystem allows for high customization and flexibility to scale as your business grows. The cherry on top? Shopify offers a 14-day free trial, which is perfect for testing the waters.
Cons
But, and there’s always a but, Shopify isn’t without its cons. The monthly fees can add up, especially if you’re just starting out. Plus, if you don’t use Shopify Payments, you’ll encounter additional transaction fees. These costs can eat into your profits, particularly if your sales volume isn’t high yet.
For beginners looking for a robust and scalable platform, Shopify is a solid choice. While it may be more expensive, the ease of use and extensive features can save you time and headaches down the line. If you’re serious about making your dropshipping store a long-term venture, Shopify offers a strong foundation to build on.
WooCommerce
If you’re someone who loves flexibility and control, WooCommerce might be right up your alley. Built to work seamlessly with WordPress, it turns your existing or new WordPress site into a fully functional e-commerce store.
It’s open-source, meaning it’s highly customizable, and you can tweak it to fit your unique needs without many restrictions.
Pros
One of WooCommerce’s biggest strengths is that it’s free to use. There are no monthly fees, which is a huge plus if you’re keeping an eye on the budget. The platform also benefits from a massive community, so finding plugins, themes, and support is pretty straightforward. You can customize everything from the product pages to the checkout process, giving you full control over your store’s look and feel.
Cons
But let’s talk about the other side of the coin. WooCommerce does require a bit of WordPress know-how. Setting it up can be a tad more complicated, especially if you’re not familiar with WordPress.
Also, while the core plugin is free, many of the best features and extensions come with a price tag, which can add up if you’re looking to expand functionalities.
WooCommerce is perfect for tech-savvy individuals or those willing to invest time in learning the ropes. Its flexibility is unmatched, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to create a highly customized online store.
If you’re comfortable navigating WordPress and want a no-limitations platform, WooCommerce is your best bet.
More: How to start your own dropshipping business with Alidropship
Big Cartel
Big Cartel is geared towards artists, creators, and small businesses that need a simple way to sell products online. Unlike other platforms, Big Cartel offers a minimalist approach that doesn’t overwhelm you with too many features. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a straightforward solution without unnecessary bells and whistles.
Pros
Big Cartel stands out because it offers a free plan. This is a huge plus because you can start without any upfront costs. The platform is easy to navigate, making it a good fit for beginners who want to get their store up and running quickly.
Also, it comes with several customizable themes to help you create a unique storefront.
Cons
On the flip side, Big Cartel’s free plan has its limitations. You can only list up to five products, which might be restrictive if you’ve got a broader inventory.
Also, it lacks some advanced e-commerce features that you might find on other platforms, like comprehensive reporting and analytics, which can be a downside as your business grows.
For small businesses, artists, or anyone looking for an uncomplicated way to start selling online, Big Cartel is a solid choice. It’s best suited for those who don’t need a vast array of features and want a simple, cost-effective way to showcase their products.
If you’re just starting out with a small product range, Big Cartel’s no-fuss approach is hard to beat.
Square Online
Square Online bridges the gap between physical stores and e-commerce, making it an excellent option for small business owners already using Square’s point-of-sale (POS) system. With this platform, you can quickly set up an online store that syncs seamlessly with your in-store inventory, offering a unified commerce experience.
Pros
One of Square Online’s biggest strengths is its ease of use. The platform is straightforward to set up, requiring no coding skills. If you already use Square for payments, the integration is smooth, making it a natural extension of your existing operations. They also offer a free plan, which includes essential features to help you get started without additional costs.
Cons
However, Square Online does have a few drawbacks. Limited customizability might not sit well with those looking to create a highly tailored shopping experience. Also, transaction fees can be higher compared to other platforms, which might eat into your profit margins, especially when you’re just starting out.
Square Online is an ideal option for brick-and-mortar stores looking to expand their reach. The seamless integration with Square’s POS system provides a hassle-free way to manage both online and offline sales. For those already using Square, it’s a logical step to broaden their business horizons without complicating processes.
Recommendation: Free Online Dropship Store
Before you start your free online dropship store, please consider your needs and interests before making a decision. If you are now getting started into dropshipping and you’re not sure it’s for you, then I recommend going with Alidropship because of that Amazon bonus, and the fact that you’ll get a done-for-you store and guidance along the way.
If you’re an artist, or creator, or you have a small business and need a simple way to sell products online, consider Big Cartel, if you’re looking for a straightforward solution without unnecessary bells and whistles. But keep in mind that there is a five-product limit with the free plan, so if you’ve got more than that, you would need to consider a paid plan, or Shopify or Square Online.
But Alidropship can still be an option here as well for artists and creators since you can have that added Amazon bonus.
If you are looking to do everything yourself, then head over to Woocommerce, grab a couple of free plugins, and start building your free online dropship store using WordPress.
For those of you with a brick-and-mortar store looking to expand online and increase your sales, then Shopify, Square Online, Big Cartel are options but if you are looking to keep it free all the way, then Woocommerce. However, consider your needs and weigh your options relative to features and price.
Drop us a line in the comment section and let us know which one would be your choice and why. We would love to hear from you!