Starting a dropshipping store on Shopify is simple, but many store owners face challenges when it comes to adding products properly. Small mistakes—like missing variant options, incorrect pricing, or incomplete shipping details—can lead to lost customers before they even reach the checkout.
This step-by-step guide explains how to add products to your Shopify store for dropshipping with accuracy. Whether you’re uploading products manually or using apps, the steps are easy to follow. You’ll also find helpful tips on finding products and avoiding common setup issues.
Effortless Product Setup for Dropshipping Success.
From product import to custom listings, CartCoders simplifies the process of adding products to your Shopify store.
What You Need to Do Before Adding Products to Your Shopify Dropshipping Store
Before adding any items, it’s important to make sure your store is fully prepared. A strong foundation of Shopify store setup helps you avoid setup issues and allows you to focus on growing your sales.
Your Shopify store is live and active: Set up your domain, payment methods, and basic settings.
You’ve selected trusted suppliers: Choose platforms like AliExpress, Spocket, or CJdropshipping for product sourcing.
Install a product import app: Tools like DSers, AutoDS, or Zendrop make it easy to import products and sync orders.
Your product research is done: Focus on items with good demand, fast shipping, and solid reviews.
You’ve written clear product details: Prepare titles, descriptions, and tags for each product in advance.
This base work avoids future errors in your product listings and makes product management easier later.
Some sellers prefer uploading products one by one, especially in the beginning. Manual uploads give full control over every detail. If you’re looking to add a dropshipping product to Shopify without inventory or just testing a product, this method works best.
There are mainly 2 ways we can add products on shopify for dropshipping. Let’s take a closer look one by one.
Method 1: Add Products Manually Through Shopify Admin: Step-by-Step Process
This method works well if you’re sourcing products on your own or want full control over how each product appears on your store. It’s a hands-on approach that allows you to adjust every part of the listing. Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Open Your Shopify Dashboard
Sign in to your Shopify account.
Go to the Products section and click Add product.
2. Fill In Product Details
Title: Give your product a clear, simple name.
Description: Write a detailed explanation of its use, materials, or features.
Images: Upload sharp, clean images showing the product from different angles.
Pricing: Enter the price your customer will pay. Add the compare-at price if you’re offering a discount.
Inventory: If needed, enter SKU and stock numbers. If you’re dropshipping, uncheck inventory tracking.
Shipping: Add weight and delivery options.
Variants: Add different sizes, colors, or styles as needed.
3. Organize the Product
Product type: Select the category this item fits into.
Vendor: Add the name of your supplier or source.
Collections: Group similar products together for easier browsing.
Tags: Add search-friendly terms for filters and internal sorting.
4. Choose Visibility Settings
Pick between Draft (if you want to review later) or Active to publish it right away.
5. Click Save
Once everything is filled out, click Save to finish the process.
Benefits of Adding Products Manually on Shopify
Full Control: Customize titles, descriptions, and images to match your brand.
Better SEO: You can optimize each listing manually for search engines.
High Quality: You review every product, reducing errors.
Great for Small Stores: Ideal if you’re selling only a few items.
From Idea to Orders—We Build Dropshipping Stores That Work.
Get a professionally designed Shopify store with product integration, automation, and mobile-ready layouts.
Method 2: Use Dropshipping Apps to Import and Manage Products
If you’re running a dropshipping business, using apps can save time and reduce manual work. Apps like DSers, AutoDS, and Spocket help with product import, editing, and order handling. Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Install a Dropshipping App
From your Shopify Admin, go to Apps > Visit Shopify App Store.
Search for your preferred app (DSers, AutoDS, Spocket) and click Add App.
Follow the setup instructions to connect it to your store.
2. Connect With Suppliers
Inside the app, search or browse for products.
Filter results by shipping time, ratings, or price range.
Select the items you want to import.
3. Customize Products Before Importing
Change product titles to match your brand.
Write or adjust descriptions.
Choose which images to include.
Set your pricing using markups or rules.
4. Import the Products
After final edits, click Import to Store.
The product will appear in your Shopify product list.
5. Manage Orders Inside the App
When a customer buys an item, the order details can be sent directly to the supplier.
Track fulfillment and shipping updates through the same app.
Best for: Sellers who want to work faster, test many products, or manage orders with less effort.
Mistakes to Avoid When Adding Products to Your Shopify Dropshipping Store
Even small errors during product upload can affect your store’s performance. These mistakes may lead to fewer sales, cart abandonment, or customer confusion. It’s important to check every detail before publishing your listings. Here are the most common issues sellers face:
Missing or copied product descriptions Using supplier text without changes makes your store look unoriginal. It also affects search rankings.
Wrong pricing details Forgetting to adjust the price or compare-at price can lower your profit or confuse buyers.
Inventory tracking is turned on by default Dropshipping products don’t need inventory tracking unless you’re storing stock. Leaving it on may show items as out of stock.
Unassigned collections Products that don’t appear in collections are harder to find, especially for mobile users.
Watermarked or low-quality images Using supplier photos with logos or low resolution makes your store look less professional.
Missing tags or categories Without tags, your products won’t show up in filtered searches or auto-generated collections.
Most of these errors happen when rushing or skipping review steps. Build a habit of checking every product before going live. Whether you’re doing Shopify dropshipping, adding products manually, or importing through apps, double-check everything.
CartCoders connects you with certified Shopify developers for store setup, customization, and growth.
Hire Shopify Experts from CartCoders to Help You With Dropshipping Store Setup
Setting up a Shopify store for dropshipping takes time, planning, and technical steps that must be done right. From adding products to choosing the right apps, every detail matters.
Hire Shopify experts from CartCoders to help business owners build fully functional dropshipping stores that are easy to manage and ready to grow. Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve your current setup, we can help with:
We handle the setup, so you can focus on choosing the right products and growing your business.
Final Thoughts
Building a successful Shopify dropshipping store starts with getting the product set up right. From choosing the best suppliers to uploading products with the right images, descriptions, and pricing, each step plays a role in shaping your customer’s journey. Whether you’re adding products manually, using apps like DSers or Spocket, accuracy and consistency are key.
If you’re unsure about the technical setup or just want to save time, the team at CartCoders is here to support you. We work closely with business owners to build fully functional Shopify dropshipping stores that are easy to manage, fast to launch, and built for growth.
As the CTO at Shiv Technolabs & CartCoders, I am liable for instigating, planning, integrating, and implementing the organization's strategic orientation.
I gather the most significant tech news in addition to sharing the information I gained while serving as the CTO of Shiv Technolabs, a renowned web and mobile app development company. I am pleased to answer questions as a most valuable expert for Shiv Technolabs Private Limited and to share my experience. I offer a keen insider's perspective on technical advancements.
eCommerce
Solution
