Dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify: A Comprehensive Guide

The growth of online shopping has created opportunities for business people everywhere. With more global connections, many are now looking at using places like Taobao to get products and Shopify to sell them. This guide looks into combining Shopify and Taobao for online sales, offering helpful tips and methods for those excited to start this money-making path.

Key Takeaways

• Dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify is crucial for businesses seeking a diverse product range at competitive prices, enhancing their global reach and profitability.
• Various apps and tools for this dropshipping, such as Taocarts, Dropast, etc. can help integrate Taobao products directly into Shopify, streamlining the product addition process.
• Considering the tips and tricks for successful dropshipping on Shopify, such as researching products, analyzing costs, and evaluating shipping times for maximizing profits and customer satisfaction.

Benefits of Dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify

Exploring dropshipping through Taobao and Shopify comes with several key benefits:

• Extensive Selection of Products: Taobao offers a vast selection of different items. This means you can find products that match the preferences of many different types of customers. Taobao has plenty of choices, whether you want to sell clothing, electronics, home goods, or niche items.

• Low Prices: Taobao is known for its low prices. You can buy products at competitive rates, which allows you to make a good profit when you sell them. This affordability helps you offer competitive prices to your customers.

• Fast shipping:  Many Taobao sellers offer quick shipping. This ensures that your customers receive their orders without delays. Fast shipping makes customers happy and helps your business build a good reputation.

• Wide market coverage: You can quickly sell to customers worldwide by combining Taobao and Shopify. Shopify has international sales and shipping tools, making reaching customers in different countries simple.

Methods to Dropship from Taobao to Shopify

Dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify involves leveraging Shopify’s platform to sell products sourced from Taobao, offering an efficient way for online retailers to access a wide range of goods.

Dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify by using Taocart 

• Step 1: Set up your Shopify store

• Step 2: Choose “Settings” and click “Apps and sales channels.”  

• Step 3: In “Apps and sales channels,” click “Shopify App Store” 

• Step 4: In the Shopify App Store, search “Taobao.”

• Step 5: Choose the “Taocarts” App for dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify and click “Add app.” 

• Step 6: Choose “Install App” for syncing between Shopify and Taobao

• Step 7: After connecting Taocarts to Shopify, you need to select purchasing and shipping service providers. Highly recommend choosing “Taobaopro”

• Step 8: Next, log in using Taocarts – Taobaopro by using two methods:

• Log in with Taobaopro account
• Create a new Taobaopro account

Dropshipping from Shopify to Taobao by using Dropast

Besides choosing TaoCart for dropshipping from Shopify to Taobao, you can also select Dropast on the Shopify App Store. Here is a detailed guide to using the app. 

• Step 1: Set up your Shopify Store

• Step 2: Select the “Settings” option and click “Apps and sales channels.”

• Step 3: Within “Apps and sales channels,” click on the “Shopify App Store” link.

• Step 4: In the Shopify App Store, search “Dropast.”

• Step 5: Select the “Dropast” App, designed for dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify, and click on the “Install” button.

• Step 6: Next, you choose “Install App” for syncing between Shopify and Taobao

• Step 7: Once Dropast is connected to Shopify, choose your purchasing and shipping service providers. It is highly recommended that you select “Dropast” for these services.

• Step 8: Next, log in to Taocarts Taobaopro using one of two methods by logging in with an existing Taobaopro account and creating a new Taobaopro account.

• Step 9: Navigate to the “Import” section, input the URL of the Taobao or Tmall product into the “Import Product” field, and click on “Import Product.” Within a few seconds, the product will appear. The content is automatically translated from Chinese to English, and all values are converted from RMB to your Shopify store’s currency.
• Step 10: Click on the “Add to List” button to add the product to your Dropast list, after which you can edit and import it into your Shopify store.
• Step 11: Edit the title, create a collection, type, tag, and edit the product description. Set either a bulk fixed or multiple values for the selling comparison at a price, and select the product images for export. Finally, click “Add to Store” to import the product into your Shopify store within seconds.

Challenges & Considerations when Dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify? 

While dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify promises many benefits, every business model has its hurdles. 

Language Barrier 

Operating on a predominantly Chinese platform like Taobao can be intimidating for non-native speakers. Many Taobao sellers primarily use Chinese for communication, which can create difficulties in ensuring clear understanding. Effective communication is crucial for a successful dropshipping venture. 

Therefore, while online translation tools can be helpful, entrepreneurs might also consider hiring professional translators for more complex interactions to ensure precise and clear communication.

Shipping Times

A common challenge in the dropshipping model, especially when sourcing products internationally, is longer shipping times. Since products are shipped directly from Taobao sellers to buyers, international shipping can sometimes take a while. This can result in impatient customers or even negative feedback. It’s essential to manage customer expectations regarding delivery times and consider collaborating with sellers known for prompt shipping.

Quality Control

Trust is at the core of e-commerce. A significant challenge in the dropshipping model is maintaining consistent product quality. Since entrepreneurs don’t physically inspect the products they sell, it can be challenging to ensure that customers receive high-quality items. Partnering with well-established, reputable sellers and regularly reviewing customer reviews and feedback can be crucial in ensuring consistent product quality.

Customs & Duties

International trade involves dealing with customs and duties, which can vary widely depending on the destination. These fees can impact the final product cost and lead to unexpected customer charges. Being transparent about potential charges and incorporating them into the product pricing can prevent unwelcome surprises for the entrepreneur and the customer.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Taobao Dropshipping on Shopify

For new e-commerce entrepreneurs looking to explore the dropshipping model, leveraging Taobao and Shopify can be a gateway to success. However, like any promising venture, it requires careful planning and well-informed decisions. Here’s a roadmap to ensure your journey: 

Research products 

The foundation of a successful dropshipping business is selecting the right products. Taobao, as a significant player in the Chinese marketplace, offers a wide range of options. When navigating this vast platform, use the Taobao search function, possibly coupled with Chrome’s translation capabilities, to find products that resonate with your target audience. Prioritize products with excellent ratings and positive reviews, as these are often indicators of market acceptance and quality.

Consider Taobao dropshipping cost

Profit margins are essential for the sustainability of your dropshipping venture. Therefore, pricing your products wisely is crucial. To determine the ideal price point, consider the base product cost on Taobao, shipping expenses, potential taxes, and any additional customs or duties. This comprehensive approach ensures both profitability and transparency with your customers, building trust.

Use the Taocarts app 

Enhance your efficiency in the dropshipping process with tools designed specifically for this purpose. Taocart is a valuable link between Shopify merchants and the extensive world of Taobao and Tmall sellers. 

It offers features that help identify potential bestsellers, assess seller credibility, simplify product imports to Shopify, and even provide access to product videos. Taocart streamlines the Taobao-to-Shopify dropshipping process, making it more user-friendly and efficient.

Dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify: FAQs

In Conclusion

Dropshipping from Taobao to Shopify offers a unique opportunity for merchants to expand their product range and reach a global audience. Leveraging tools like Dropast streamlines this integration, making it both efficient and profitable. 

As the e-commerce landscape evolves, tapping into platforms like Taobao and using Shopify as the bridge can be the cornerstone of a thriving online business. With the right strategies and tools, success is within reach.