Link AliExpress to Shopify: A Complete Handbook
Step 1: Prepare Your Shopify Store and AliExpress Account
Ensure Your Shopify Store is Set Up and Accessible
Before you begin linking AliExpress to Shopify, confirm that your Shopify store is fully operational and publicly accessible. This means you should have completed the initial setup, chosen a theme, configured basic settings like currency and time zone, and ensured your store isn’t password-protected (unless you’re still in development and will remove it before launching). Log into your Shopify admin panel at least once to verify you can navigate all sections without issues. Ensure your subscription is active and not pending cancellation, as this could interrupt the linking process or product synchronization.
Verify Your AliExpress Account is Active and Ready for Orders
Your AliExpress account needs to be active and ready to place orders. This means you should have a verified account with a confirmed email address and a valid payment method linked. While you won’t be placing orders manually initially, the dropshipping apps will use your AliExpress login to facilitate order fulfillment. Log into your AliExpress account at aliexpress.com to confirm you can browse products, add items to your cart, and proceed to the checkout page (you don’t need to complete a purchase). Ensure there are no outstanding account issues or verification steps required.
Step 2: Choose and Install an AliExpress Dropshipping App
Research and Select a Reputable Dropshipping App from the Shopify App Store
The most common and effective way to link AliExpress to Shopify for dropshipping is through a dedicated app. Navigate to the Shopify App Store within your Shopify admin (apps.shopify.com) and search for “AliExpress dropshipping” or “dropshipping.” Popular and reputable options include “DSers-AliExpress Dropshipping,” “Oberlo” (though Oberlo is phasing out, DSers is its recommended successor), and “Zendrop.” Look for apps with high ratings (4.5 stars and above), a significant number of reviews, and features that align with your business needs, such as automated order fulfillment, product import, and variant management. Read recent reviews to understand current user experiences and support quality.
Install the Chosen App and Grant Necessary Permissions
Once you’ve selected an app, click on its listing in the Shopify App Store and then click the “Add app” or “Install app” button. You will be redirected to your Shopify admin panel, where you’ll be prompted to review and approve the permissions the app requires. These typically include access to your product data, orders, customer information, and the ability to modify your store. Carefully read through these permissions. If you agree, click “Install app” to complete the process. After installation, the app will usually guide you through an initial setup, which often involves connecting your AliExpress account by logging in through the app’s interface. This step is crucial for the app to automate order placement on AliExpress on your behalf.
Step 3: Import Products from AliExpress to Shopify
Browse AliExpress and Select Products for Your Store
With the dropshipping app installed and linked, you can now begin finding products on AliExpress. Many dropshipping apps offer a browser extension or an in-app search function that allows you to browse AliExpress directly and easily add products to your import list. When browsing on AliExpress.com, look for products with ePacket shipping (for faster delivery to many Western countries), high seller ratings (95% and above), and a good number of orders. Pay attention to product images, descriptions, and customer reviews to gauge quality and reliability. Avoid products that are trademarked or copyrighted unless you have explicit permission to sell them.
Use the App’s Functionality to Import Products to Shopify
Once you’ve identified a product on AliExpress you want to sell, use your dropshipping app’s import feature. If you’re using a browser extension (like the DSers Chrome extension), navigate to the product page on AliExpress and click the app’s icon. This will usually present an “Add to Import List” or “Import to Store” button. Clicking this will add the product to a staging area within your dropshipping app. From this staging area, you can review product details, select specific variants (sizes, colors), edit images, and adjust pricing before finally pushing the product live to your Shopify store. Ensure you only import the variants you intend to sell to avoid clutter.
Step 4: Configure Product Settings and Start Selling
Optimize Product Descriptions, Images, and Pricing within Shopify
After importing products, navigate to your Shopify admin and go to “Products.” Each imported product will now appear here. It is CRITICAL to optimize these listings. AliExpress product descriptions are often poorly translated or contain irrelevant information. Rewrite them to be clear, concise, and compelling, focusing on benefits to the customer. Replace or enhance images with higher-quality versions if possible, or crop/edit existing ones to look more professional. Set your retail price by considering the AliExpress cost, your desired profit margin, shipping costs, and any Shopify fees. Use a pricing strategy that makes sense for your target market. Add relevant tags and categorize products to improve discoverability on your store.
Set Up Shipping Methods and Payment Gateways for AliExpress Orders
Your Shopify store needs appropriate shipping methods and payment gateways configured to process customer orders. For shipping, go to “Settings > Shipping and delivery” in Shopify. Create shipping zones and rates that reflect the shipping times and costs from AliExpress (e.g., free shipping with longer delivery times, or tiered rates). Clearly communicate these shipping times on your product pages and in your shipping policy. For payment gateways, go to “Settings > Payments.” Activate Shopify Payments (if available in your region) and/or integrate third-party gateways like PayPal. Ensure your payment methods are active and tested. When a customer places an order on your Shopify store, your dropshipping app will then allow you to fulfill that order by purchasing the product from AliExpress using your linked payment method, with the customer’s shipping address as the destination.
FAQs
Q1: Can I link multiple AliExpress accounts to one Shopify store?
A1: Generally, dropshipping apps are designed to link to one primary AliExpress account for order fulfillment. While some advanced setups or specific apps might allow linking multiple supplier accounts, it’s not typical for standard AliExpress dropshipping. It’s more common to manage all your AliExpress orders through a single, dedicated AliExpress account to simplify tracking and supplier communication.
Q2: What happens if a product is out of stock on AliExpress after I’ve imported it?
A2: Most reputable dropshipping apps have inventory synchronization features. They will automatically (or allow you to manually) update product stock levels on your Shopify store based on the availability on AliExpress. If a product goes out of stock, the app should notify you and, ideally, mark the product as “unavailable” or “out of stock” on your Shopify store to prevent customers from ordering it. It’s crucial to regularly check your app’s dashboard for such notifications and adjust your store’s listings accordingly.
Q3: Do I need to manually fulfill every order on AliExpress?
A3: No, that’s the primary benefit of using a dropshipping app. Once a customer places an order on your Shopify store, the app will pull that order information. You then typically go into the app’s dashboard, review the order, and with a click of a button, the app automates the process of placing the order on AliExpress using your linked AliExpress account and payment method, shipping it directly to your customer. Some apps even offer auto-fulfillment features once certain criteria are met.
Q4: How do I handle returns and refunds with AliExpress dropshipping?
A4: Returns and refunds can be more complex with dropshipping. For damaged or incorrect items, you’ll typically contact the AliExpress supplier directly through the order page or messaging system, providing photo/video evidence. The supplier might offer a refund or reshipment. For customer returns due to dissatisfaction, you usually instruct the customer to ship the item back to your own address (or a third-party return center) rather than directly to the AliExpress supplier, as direct international returns are often impractical. Once you receive the item, you can issue a refund to the customer. You then decide whether to keep the item, try to resell it, or discard it, as returning it to AliExpress is often not cost-effective.
