How to Start a Branded Dropshipping Store on Shopify?

The dropshipping market is highly competitive so entrepreneurs need to constantly seek innovative ways to stand out and create a lasting impact. One such approach gaining significant traction is the concept of branded dropshipping. 

Branded dropshipping refers to selling dropshipping goods under your store’s label, which means you can create your own brand. As ​​77% of consumers are likely to make purchases based on a brand name, building a branded dropshipping business can encourage more repeated purchases.

As many dropshippers want to step into this market, we’ve outlined a comprehensive guide that breaks down the process into 4 easy steps, providing actionable insights and tips to help you launch a successful branded dropshipping store on Shopify. 

Let’s delve in and turn your aspirations into a flourishing reality!

I. Choose dropshipping branded products to sell

Similar to when you start other kinds of business, the very first step when you start a branded dropshipping store is to find dropshipping branded products to sell. The most beginner-friendly and cost-saving way to find trending niches is using Google Trends.

Google Trends is a popular and free way to discover trending products. It analyzes search data from Google, providing insights into what people are searching for. By using this tool, you can understand the current demand for products across various locations and languages, thereby finding potential dropshipping branded products. 

For example, we can see grooming brushes have stable and increasing demand in the United States in the last 12 months so it can be a potential dropshipping branded products.

For a detailed guide on using Google Trends to find trending products, check out this blog.

II. Choose branded dropshipping suppliers 

Once you’ve pinpointed your trending products, the next critical step in launching your branded dropshipping store on Shopify is selecting reliable suppliers. 

The criteria for choosing suppliers remain consistent with regular dropshipping, emphasizing factors such as quality, technology, delivery speed, and customer support. However, with branded dropshipping, an additional critical element comes into play: the ability to customize and brand the products.

You should opt for suppliers who allow you to add your logo, design packaging, and incorporate other branding elements. This customization not only strengthens your brand identity but also creates a unique and memorable experience for your customers.

Branded dropshipping made easy with Dropshipman

Simplify the process of branding your products with Dropshipman. They offer comprehensive custom packaging solutions for your branded dropshipping business, including hangtags, gift cards, tapes, and stickers. By adding your personalized touch to creating bespoke packaging, Dropshipman empowers you to craft a distinctive brand experience for your customers. Explore more solutions for branded dropshipping ⇒

III. Build your Shopify branded dropshipping stores

Creating a captivating and trustworthy online storefront is essential for the success of your branded dropshipping store on Shopify as 75% of customers judge a company’s credibility based on its website’s design.

Being a branded dropshipping store, you should focus more on incorporating key branding elements in your website design as it not only enhances your brand recognition but also compels customers to make purchases. Here are some essential elements to include in your store

1. Logo 

Ensure your logo is prominently featured throughout your store to reinforce brand recognition. You can consider using a sticky header with your logo to maintain visibility as customers navigate your site.

It’s like how Meowhiskers, one of the well-known Shopify dropshipping stores designed their store with a sticky header with a menu and logo on it so that customers can see their logo even when they scroll deep down to their collection page. 

2. Featured products and collections

Capture your audience’s attention by showcasing featured or best-selling products on your homepage. This strategic placement not only highlights your top offerings but also encourages exploration of your product range. 

You can see how Meowington showcases the best of its products on the homepage with a discount to encourage purchases. 

3. Customer reviews and testimonials

 93.7% of digital shoppers that positive customer reviews increase their trust in a brand. Thus, displaying genuine customer reviews and testimonials can build trust in your brand and products, increasing confidence and encouraging conversions.

Let’s see how Meowington displays testimonials to build trust. They use a cute headline to engage customers to explore their testimonials. Then, by showcasing praise from their customers, increasing credibility and the likelihood of purchase. 

You can refer to our guideline on how to add reviews to your Shopify store and design your testimonials to engage customers and build trust. 

4. Partnerships/ Influencer Collaborations page

Partnership and influencer collaborations are essential for any brand as 31% of users discover new products through influencers. Thus you should have a partnership or influencer page to highlight any partner or influencer your brand has worked with and highlight your benefit for your partners to proactively attract new partners.

For example, Epic Loot, an ‘epic” Shopify dropshipping store has a page that says that they want to work together with influencers and point out the benefits they offer. This page enhances  their influencer marketing strategy which helps improve their brand awareness.

5. About Us page

55% of consumers are more likely to buy a product if they love a brand story, so it’s important to craft a compelling “About Us” page that tells your brand story and shares your mission and values.

Fashion Nova, one of the most prominent Shopify dropshipping stores, can be a great example. They create a visually striking and comprehensive About Us page to tell their story and share their core values and missions, thereby creating an emotional connection with customers. 

6. Social media integration

77% of consumers prefer shopping with brands they follow on social media so you should include social media elements on your website. 

Integrate social media buttons to encourage visitors to follow and engage with your brand on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, fostering a sense of community and expanding your reach. Besides, you can also display a carousel of social media posts to give customers a glimpse into your brand’s dynamic presence.Here is an example of how the top Shopify dropshipping stores incorporate social media into their store. By adding an Instagram Follow button and Instagram Feed on the homepage, Burga not only gained trust from visitors but also fostered a community of 720k followers on Instagram.

7. Newsletter signup form

Email marketing can build deeper customer trust and brand loyalty as well as generate more sales. Thus, you can include a newsletter signup form on your website to capture leads and keep customers informed about promotions, new product launches, and other updates, nurturing ongoing engagement and loyalty.

It’s also how Burga used to build its mailing list and become one of the top Shopify dropshipping stores. They include an email subscription form and encourage customers to enroll with a discount. 

The go-to solution to build a branded dropshipping store: Foxify – Smart Page Builder

Sticky headers, featured products, testimonials, about us page, and so on, all the sections you need for a branded dropshipping store are carefully designed and ready to use in Foxify – Smart Page Builder. 

Moreover, Foxify with 80+ pre-built stunning templates in all niches can help you design a beautiful and high-converting store with some mouse clicks, regardless of which dropshipping branded products you’re selling. 

Explore Foxify Smart page builder and start building your store for FREE now!

IV. Marketing your branded dropshipping store

Now that your store is all set, you need to focus on marketing your dropshipping brand. Effective marketing is the key to driving traffic and sales to your Shopify branded dropshipping store. Here are essential marketing strategies to elevate your brand visibility and attract customers:

1. Social media marketing

52% of brand discovery comes through social media. Social media platforms serve as powerful tools for promoting your branded dropshipping store, allowing you to connect with your audience, showcase your products, and build brand awareness.

Here are some tips for you to leverage social media effectively:

• Create visually appealing content: Craft an engaging visual narrative with compelling product photos, videos, and lifestyle images. Visual content not only showcases your products but also tells the story of your brand, making it more relatable and enticing for your audience.
• Leverage influencer marketing: Collaborate with influencers in your niche to tap into their established audience. Influencers bring authenticity and trust, expanding your reach and driving targeted traffic to your store. Consider influencers whose values align with your brand for a more genuine connection with potential customers. Learn more about how to choose the right influencer for your business in our blog. 
• Targeted advertising options: Harness the precision of targeted advertising on platforms like Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads. These options allow you to reach specific demographics and interests relevant to your products. Tailor your campaigns to resonate with the preferences of your target audience, enhancing the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

2. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

68% of online experiences begin with a search engine so search engine optimization (SEO) is a must for your branded dropshipping website to succeed. 

By implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy, you can improve your Shopify branded dropshipping store’s visibility, attract more organic traffic, and ultimately drive more sales. These are some key SEO strategies tailored for branded dropshipping stores:

• Comprehensive keyword research: Begin by conducting thorough keyword research to identify relevant search terms and phrases related to your dropshipping branded products and niches. Some recommended tools to uncover valuable keywords with high search volume and low competition are Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs You should also target long-tail keywords that are more specific and have higher intent.
• On-page optimization: Optimize various on-page elements throughout your website to make it more search engine-friendly. This includes optimizing meta titles, meta descriptions, headings, and product descriptions with targeted keywords. Ensure that your content is well-structured, easy to read, and provides valuable information to users.
• Quality content creation: Create high-quality, informative content that not only showcases your products but also provides value to your audience. This could include blog posts, guides, tutorials, product reviews, and more. By regularly publishing fresh, relevant content, you not only improve your site’s authority and relevance but also attract more organic traffic.
• Link building: Build a strong backlink profile by acquiring high-quality, relevant backlinks from authoritative websites in your industry. Focus on earning natural backlinks through guest blogging, influencer collaborations, PR campaigns, and creating shareable content. Quality backlinks signal to search engines that your website is trustworthy and authoritative, leading to improved rankings.

3. Email marketing

It’s proven how building and maintaining a strong connection with your audience is crucial for the success of your branded dropshipping store, and email marketing is a powerful tool for achieving this. In fact, 85% of eCommerce marketers say their primary objective with email is increasing brand awareness. 

Here’s an in-depth look at how you can leverage email marketing strategies to engage your audience and drive conversions:

• Incentivize subscriptions: Encourage visitors to subscribe to your email list by offering enticing incentives such as exclusive discounts, early access to sales, or valuable content. Create dedicated landing pages highlighting the benefits of subscribing, emphasizing the value your emails will provide to potential customers.
  You can easily create a Newsletter signup form and reward customers with a discount with FoxKit – All-in-one Sales Boost. Simply use the Newsletter pop-up feature of FoxKit and you’ll have an enticing newsletter subscription form to expand your email lists in seconds. 

Try FoxKit for free and skyrocket your sales now!

• Segmentation for personalization: Divide your email list into segments based on subscriber preferences, purchase history, and demographics. Segmentation allows you to tailor your email campaigns to specific audience segments, ensuring that your messages are relevant and resonate with each group. Personalized emails have a higher likelihood of capturing attention and driving engagement.
• Regular newsletters: Send out regular newsletters to keep subscribers informed and engaged. Feature new product arrivals, promotions, and curated content that aligns with your brand. Consistent communication helps maintain a connection with your audience and keeps your brand top-of-mind.
• Automated email sequences: Implement automated email sequences to nurture leads and guide potential customers through the purchase journey. Utilize welcome emails to introduce new subscribers to your brand, abandoned cart reminders to recover potential lost sales, and post-purchase follow-ups to gather feedback and encourage repeat business.

In conclusion

Launching and growing a successful branded dropshipping store on Shopify requires a strategic approach, dedication, and a keen understanding of your target audience. By following the steps outlined in this guide and utilizing powerful tools like Dropshipman and Foxify, you can position your brand for long-term success in the competitive dropshipping market.

Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight, but with persistence and innovation, you can achieve your goals and build a thriving online business. With the right mindset and resources at your disposal, your branded dropshipping store has the potential to make a significant impact and leave a lasting impression on your audience. Here’s to your success in creating a memorable and profitable brand!