One of the biggest disadvantages with dropshipping is having no control over stock levels or prices. Selling an item which has ran out of stock or raised in price could lead to a disgruntled customer, negative feedback or performance defect.
Using automation software is a sure-fire way to eliminate the issue of selling out of stock products, allowing you to scale your business at a rapid rate. From creating listings to monitoring stock and repricing products, the software manages it all.
But with so many different options to choose from, how do you know which is best? Well, having been involved with dropshipping for many years, I’ve gained extensive experience with using dropship software.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll reveal a collection of the very best dropshipping software programs for selling on popular channels such as eBay, Amazon, WooCommerce and Shopify, while also explaining a bit more about how they work and why they’re so essential to success with dropshipping.
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How Does Dropshipping Software Work>
As the popularity of dropshipping rapidly grew, so did the rise of dropshipping software’s. Although the workings of each software vary, the purpose of them remains the same – to monitor your suppliers’ products and sync any changes with your listings. For example, if your supplier runs out of stock, the software will detect the change and put your subsequent listing out of stock. If the price of an item increases, the software will update your listing with a new price based on preset profit formulas.
Why Use Dropshipping Software?
Quite simply, if you want to scale your dropshipping business and earn full-time income, software is essential. Unless you plan on having a very small number of listings, it will become increasing difficult to maintain accurate stock levels and up-to-date prices as your product range grows. Inevitably, you’ll get to a point where manual stock checking becomes impossible.
It’s particularly important to efficiently manage your inventory when selling on platforms like eBay and Amazon where strict selling policies apply. Failure to fulfil orders will result in high cancellation rates which could damage your business. Not to mention the upset it will cause customers who may resort to leaving negative feedback. Therefore, using software is not only beneficial to earning maximum profit, but also a way to protect your business and guarantee its longevity.
Aside from being a solution for inventory management, most dropshipping software’s are also handy listing tools which allow you to quickly create professional listings on popular selling channels such as eBay, Shopify and Amazon, thus allowing you to grow your business at a much faster rate.
eBay Dropshipping Software (Important Update)
At some point in 2019, eBay made changes to their dropshipping policy. Although dropshipping is still allowed on the platform, sourcing items from another retailer, rather than from a wholesaler or trade-only dropshipping supplier, is now forbidden. After making the policy change, eBay began to crack down on dropshippers who were sourcing products from retailers such as Amazon.
As part of this, those using software to source products from such retailers, specifically software that uses eBay’s API, found their eBay accounts being penalised or restricted. Therefore, when using a software for dropshipping on eBay, it’s important to find one that doesn’t use eBay’s API.
To be clear, dropshipping on eBay is still allowed. The use of software in general is also still allowed. Thousands of businesses, even those who don’t dropship use software to manage their eBay listings. However, to stay on the safe side, it’s best to use software which doesn’t need eBay’s API to update your listings. Thankfully, most software providers, including the ones listed in this guide have implement non-API solutions for changing eBay prices.
The Best Dropshipping Software Solutions
Back when dropshipping was in its infancy, software programs for managing inventory were scarce. These days however, we’re spoilt for choice. To aid you in your decision, here’s a collection of the very best dropshipping software solutions for use with a mixture of the most popular selling platforms including eBay, Amazon and Shopify. To view more options, specific to a particular selling platform, please use the buttons below.
eBay Dropship Software Amazon Dropship Software WooCommerce Dropship Software Shopify Dropship Software1. Hustle Got Real (HGR)
Compatibility:
eBay (UK) (USA), Shopify
Take it from someone with experience using multiple dropshipping software’s, Hustle Got Real is one of the best. Suitable for eBay and Shopify with hundreds of compatible suppliers, HRG is a must have tool for any serious dropshipper.
With a state-of-the-art listing tool and the ability to import existing listings, it’s easy for anyone to quickly automate price and stock management. Listings are monitored, checked and compared with the supplier’s website every 3 hours. If changes detected, HGR will automatically update your listing based on the repricing rules and preference set within your dashboard.
A modern, simplistic and user-friendly interface makes it simple to manage the software and all its innovative features. Important parameters such as pricing rules can be edited in the few clicks of a mouse. Additional features including the ability to automatically end under-performing listings make the software even more effective in maximising your profits.
Keeping ahead of the game, Hustle Got Real recently implemented a non-API version and announced imminent plans to become compatible with Amazon.
2. ShopMaster
Compatibility:
eBay (UK) (USA), Shopify, WooCommerce, Wish, 3D Cart
Although not as well-known as others, ShopMaster earns a well-deserved place on this list. Compatible with eBay, Shopify, WooCommerce and Wish amongst others, ShopMaster is quickly becoming a popular choice amongst dropshippers, particularly those looking to source from China based suppliers, many of which have locally based warehouses in the UK and USA.
With innovative features including the ability to set a minimum quantity for which the software considers an item as out of sock, as well as the option to enable auto ordering of products, ShopMaster is staying well ahead of the game. Bulk importing makes it easy for users to quickly start monitoring existing listings, with a super-fast lister at the ready for creating new listings.
It’s also important to note that ShopMaster is one of the only software’s to offer a free forever plan, suitable for monitoring and tracking a whopping 800 listings. Most other software’s charge significant monthly fees to track such a large amount of listing, but with ShopMaster it’s completely free.
3. SkuGrid
Compatibility:
eBay (All Marketplaces), Amazon (All Marketplaces), Shopify, WooCommerce, Bonanza
As one of the original eBay dropshipping software’s, SkuGrid has earned itself a solid reputation. It’s compatible with one of the largest collections of UK and USA based suppliers, currently standing at over 800 with more being integrated constantly. Furthermore, with support for all major selling platforms including eBay, Amazon, Shopify, WooCommerce and Bonanza, SkuGrid is nothing short of a leader in the industry.
With essential features, including the ability to import existing listing or create new listings, as well as modern methods of repricing, which is both safe and effective, SkuGrid has established itself as a reliable software.
Additional features with SkuGrid include stock change email notifications, a free WooCommerce website and multi supplier monitoring. A dedicated 24-hour customer support team is always on hand and ready to help, with an advanced technical team on standby should any issues arise.
4. Oberlo
Compatibility:
Shopify
No guide on dropshipping software would be complete without including Oberlo, one of the most popular choices for selling AliExpress products through a Shopify store. Oberlo has everything sellers need to build a successful AliExpress dropshipping store. Trusted by hundreds of thousands of users across the globe, Oberlo is a major player in the industry. It’s also one of the original AliExpress dropshipping softwares, with many others attempting to duplicate its success over the years with their own versions.
None the less, Oberlo remains on top, so successful in fact that Shopify themselves purchased the company a few years back. Therefore, Oberlo users can have full confidence in knowing that the software will always be compatible with Shopify and up to date with new changes.
Not just a software for monitoring inventory changes, Oberlo makes finding and listing products easy with its state-of-the-art Chrome extension lister, as well as sales trends, verified suppliers and auto ordering features. Low pricing and a free starter plan for up to 500 products make Oberlo the ideal solution for anyone looking to start dropshipping AliExpress products.
5. Inventory Source
Compatibility:
eBay, Amazon, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce
Unlike the others, Inventory Source is both an inventory management software and integrated supplier network. Suppliers sign up to Inventory Source and add their products to network. Sellers then choose which products to sell and can list them on over 25 different selling channels including eBay, Amazon, Shopify and more.
With over 1.5 billion products synced and over 3 million dropship orders processed every month, Inventory Source is the ultimate platform for building a scalable drop shop business. Features include a full product date upload to your store, bulk product customisation, automatic price and stock syncing, as well as a US Direct offering with over 120k products available to for dropshipping immediately.
Access to the network of suppliers is free, with pricing for stock and price syncing starting at just $99 per month. Inventory Source also offer a full automation service which includes automatic ordering and tracking information syncing.
The Ultimate Solution to Automate Price & Stock Management
Using software is essential when dropshipping, particularly if you want to scale your business and sell as many products as possible. However, using software to directly monitor and change marketplace listings is not always the best option. Building your own website and using one primary software to make central changes to your website listings, which are then synced with your eBay and or Amazon listings is by far the better solution.
Not only does this method allow you to sell on multiple platforms without having to use many different software’s, but it’s also much less risky. When using a software which makes changes to your own website, you won’t need to worry about breaking the ever-changing terms and conditions of websites like Amazon and eBay.
But how is it possible you ask? Well it’s rather simple. First you find software which is compatible with the platform powering your website, then you find software which allows you to sync your website listings with your marketplace listings. Many of the software’s in this guide are compatible with popular website building platforms such as Shopify and Woocommerce. The following multi-channel selling softwares allow you to sync your online store listings with your eBay or Amazon listings:
Do I need dropshipping software?
It depends on how many listings you have and how often your supplier changes prices. If you have a small number of listings, it might be better to do manual stock and price checks. However, if you have many listings or sell on multiple platforms, using software is by far the most efficient way to keep stock levels and prices updated.
When should I get dropshipping software?
If you’re just starting out with dropshipping, using software isn’t necessary. It’s better to focus your efforts on getting the business up and running first. However, as you being to make sales and grow your product range, using software is highly recommended. Not only will it save you time, but you’ll also ensure you’re always making a profit on sales.
Is it safe to use dropshipping software?
Yes, it’s safe to use software for dropshipping. However, when using software to sell on eBay, it’s important to find one that doesn’t use eBay’s API. In 2019, eBay made changes to their dropshipping policy which meant dropshipping products from other retailers such as Amazon was no longer allowed. Part of the crack down on retail dropshippers involved targeting those using automated software to list products from such retailers. Therefore, to stay on the safe side, you should avoid using software which needs the eBay API, more details can be found in the ‘Dropshipping Software for eBay (Important Update)’ at the top of this guide.
Final Thoughts
Investing in a reliable software to manage your dropshipping business is a smart move. Doing so will allow you to take your business to the next level without having to worry about prices or stock ever again. You’ll be free to scale the business and grow your product range at a rapid rate, without limitations.
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