How to Connect Alibaba to Shopify (Step-by-Step)

Welcome to our step-by-step guide on how to connect Alibaba to Shopify for dropshipping. 

In this tutorial, we'll walk you through connecting your Shopify store to Alibaba, syncing products, managing orders, and automating fulfillment, empowering you to streamline your dropshipping business effectively.

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Why Use Alibaba for Dropshipping

Before we dive into the steps, let's briefly touch on why Alibaba could be advantageous for your dropshipping business:

• Competitive Pricing: Alibaba often offers products at lower prices compared to platforms like AliExpress, potentially increasing your profit margins.

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• Wide Product Selection: If you can't find a product on AliExpress, Alibaba's extensive range might have what you're looking for, possibly with less competition.

• Perception Advantage: While AliExpress is well-known to the public, Alibaba is often perceived as a platform for businesses, reducing the likelihood of customers comparing prices, or ordering directly from Alibaba.

How to Connect Alibaba to Shopify (Step by Step)

Now that you know the advantages of Alibaba dropshipping, let’s cover how you can link Alibaba to Shopify.

1. Sign Up for Alibaba Dropshipping

The first step is to create an Alibaba dropshipping seller account. Here’s how to do this:

• Visit dropshipping.alibaba.com and create a free account by clicking "Sign in"

• On the log-in screen click ‘Create account’
• Fill in your details including email, mobile number, company name, full name, and company address.
• Verify your email address using the code sent to you.
• Once verified, you'll land on the Alibaba Dropshipping Center.

2. Connect Your Shopify Store to Alibaba

Now that you have an Alibaba dropshipping account, let’s connect it to your Shopify store.

• Click on the menu, scroll down, and select "My Store."

• Add your Shopify store URL (remove "https://" and slashes if present) and click "Add Store."
• Log into your Shopify store and install the Alibaba Drop Shipping app from the Shopify app store.
• Your store will appear under "Store Management," indicating a successful connection.

3. Import Products from Alibaba to Shopify

With your Alibaba dropshipping account connected to your store, let’s cover how to add products.

• From your Alibaba dropshipping dashboard, navigate to "Search Products" and find products you want to dropship.

• Click on a product and select "Add to Import List."

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• Once imported, go to "Import List" to edit product details like name, tags, description, variants, and price.
• Ensure product information is tailored to your store's style.
• Click "Push to Store" to add the product to your Shopify store.
• Find the product in "My Products" on Alibaba and view it on your Shopify store to verify.

4. How to Fulfil Orders from Alibaba

When a customer buys from your store, you need to fulfill their order on Alibaba. Here is how to do this:

• When an order is placed on your Shopify store, go to "Orders" to view them.
• Head to the Alibaba Dropshipping Center and click on "My Orders" to see Shopify orders.

• Fulfill orders individually or in batches.
• Ensure shipping information is complete; add your phone number if necessary for updates.
• Choose the appropriate shipping method based on delivery time and cost.
• Click "Batch Order" to process multiple orders simultaneously.
• Once done, click "Pay" to complete the order fulfillment process.

5. Synchronize Orders Daily

One last tip to stay on top of all your orders is:

• Click on "Synchronize" in your Alibaba Dropshipping Center daily to ensure all orders from your Shopify store are processed.

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How to Connect Alibaba to Shopify: Wrap-up

By following these steps, you can effectively link Alibaba to Shopify for dropshipping, streamlining your product sourcing, order fulfillment, and overall business operations. 

For further insights and guidance on building a branded one-product dropshipping store, consider checking out our additional resources:

• How to Build a One-Product Shopify Store [With Examples]
• 15 of The Best Shopify Dropshipping Stores to Inspire Your Own (2024)
• How to Start a High Ticket Dropshipping Business in 2024
• Is Dropshipping Legal? Everything You Need to Know
• Dropshipping Tips: 15 Proven Strategies to Skyrocket Your Sales
• How to Find the Best Dropshipping Agent (2024)
• The Definitive Guide to Shopify Dropshipping (Examples, Products, Strategies & More)

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