Start Your Successful CBD Dropshipping Store on Shopify!
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Growing CBD Market
- Setting Up Your CBD dropshipping Store on Shopify
- Understanding the Legal Requirements
- Creating Your Shopify Store
- Choosing the Right Payment Gateway
- Finding Quality CBD Products to dropship
- The Importance of Reliable Suppliers
- Using Smoke Drop to Source CBD Products
- Adding CBD Products to Your Shopify Store
- Searching for Products in Smoke Drop
- Editing Product Details
- Lab Reports and Certificates of Analysis
- Why Lab Reports are Important
- Accessing Lab Reports in Smoke Drop
- Displaying Lab Reports on Your Store
- Adding Disclaimers and Notifications
- Placing Disclaimers on Your Site
- Disabling SMS Notifications
- Designing Your Shopify Store for Success
- Choosing the Right Color Palette
- Creating a Clean Site Design
- Incorporating a Blog and CBD Guide
- Providing Easy Contact Information
- Essential Apps for Your CBD Dropshipping Store
- Using Loox for Reviews
- Leveraging Klaviyo for Email Marketing
- Implementing Age Verification
- Conclusion
Setting Up Your CBD Dropshipping Store on Shopify
In recent years, the CBD market has experienced exponential growth, with the US market alone projected to exceed $3 billion by 2023. Despite the industry's heavy regulation and competition, there is still room for new brands to enter and find success. If you are considering starting a CBD dropshipping store on Shopify, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.
Understanding the Legal Requirements
Before diving into the world of CBD dropshipping, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the legal requirements surrounding hemp and hemp-derived products. Laws in the US are constantly evolving, so consulting with legal counsel is essential to ensure compliance. Shopify cannot provide legal advice, so it is your responsibility to review and monitor federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, staying informed about updates from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is vital. Links to FDA resources can be found in the video description for further reading.
Creating Your Shopify Store
To get started with your CBD dropshipping store, you'll first need to create a Shopify store. Shopify offers a free trial specifically designed for CBD stores, providing you with the opportunity to explore the platform and its features. Simply click on the free trial link for CBD stores, and follow the steps to sign up. For the purpose of this tutorial, let's name our store "Wellness Leaf."
Once you've completed the sign-up process, you'll need to review and submit the "Attestation for the Sale of Hemp and Hemp-Derived Products." This attestation form confirms your understanding of and willingness to comply with the requirements for selling CBD products on Shopify. Make sure you thoroughly read and comprehend the form before submitting it.
Choosing the Right Payment Gateway
One of the challenges faced by CBD store owners is finding a suitable payment gateway. Unfortunately, Shopify Payments is not available for hemp or CBD products. However, Shopify has partnered with third-party payment gateways that support businesses in the hemp and CBD industry. There are three payment gateways you should consider applying to: DigiPay, Pinwheel, and Authorize.net. Keep in mind that the approval process for these gateways may take longer than usual due to the regulated nature of the CBD market. On average, it can take between 2 to 4 weeks for the approval process to be completed. For a more detailed discussion on CBD payment gateways, refer to another video.
Finding Quality CBD Products to Dropship
Unlike other industries where dropshipping involves sourcing products from platforms like AliExpress, CBD dropshipping requires a different approach. To ensure success in the CBD industry, it is crucial to find quality products from reliable suppliers. While there are numerous options available, conducting a simple Google search can help you discover CBD suppliers who offer dropshipping services. For this tutorial, however, we shamelessly recommend using Smoke Drop to source CBD products. As a leading wholesale and dropship marketplace for smoke, vape, and CBD products, Smoke Drop brings together the top CBD suppliers in one place for easy, automated dropshipping through their app. Our team at Smoke Drop has managed multiple 7-figure dropshipping stores within the industry, making us a trusted choice for your CBD product sourcing needs.
Adding CBD Products to Your Shopify Store
Once you have chosen your desired CBD products, it's time to add them to your Shopify store. Open the Shopify App Store and search for the Smoke Drop app. Check out the app reviews to see real feedback from other entrepreneurs who have used it. Add the app to your Shopify store and start your free trial. Keep an eye out for a promotional code displayed on the screen, which unlocks an extended free trial and discounted subscription. Once inside the app, you can utilize various filters to search for specific CBD products. In this demo, let's focus on CBD gummies with a minimum inventory of 100 and a minimum margin of 40%. By selecting the desired products, you can add them to your Shopify store with just a click. The product details, including photos, descriptions, pricing, inventory, and tags, will be automatically imported.
Lab Reports and Certificates of Analysis
Transparency is key when it comes to CBD products. Consumers want to know what they are putting into their bodies. Therefore, providing lab reports or certificates of analysis is crucial for gaining trust. Most payment gateways will require these reports for any CBD products you sell. Smoke Drop offers an up-to-date spreadsheet of lab reports for the CBD products available in the app. Reach out to their customer service team after signing up to gain access. It is advisable to include a link to the lab report for each product in your product descriptions, making them easily accessible to customers. For an extra level of transparency, consider adding photos of the lab reports or creating a dedicated lab report page on your website.
Adding Disclaimers and Notifications
As a CBD store owner, it is necessary to include disclaimers on your website. These disclaimers typically inform customers that the CBD products you sell have not been evaluated by the FDA. Most payment gateways require this disclaimer to be placed in the footer of every page on your site. You can find a sample disclaimer in the video description for reference. Additionally, it is essential to disable SMS notifications and only send notifications related to CBD products and shops via email. To do this, navigate to the Settings section in your Shopify admin, then go to Checkout. In the Customer Contact section, select the option for customers to check out using email only. Uncheck the option for customers to receive shipping updates via SMS, and save your changes.
Designing Your Shopify Store for Success
The design of your Shopify store plays a crucial role in attracting and engaging customers. When it comes to color palette, opt for a soft green tone that not only creates a calming effect but also aligns with the hemp and plant theme. Keep the site design clean and clutter-free to provide a user-friendly experience. Limit the number of buttons and make navigation simple for visitors. Incorporating a blog and CBD guide on your site can be highly beneficial. Your blog posts should offer interesting news and information related to wellbeing, from CBD benefits to healthy sleep patterns and even yoga poses. Consider offering a CBD guide within your store to provide customers with all the knowledge they need about CBD without having to leave your site. Lastly, make it easy for customers to contact you by providing an email address, and for added credibility, consider offering a phone number as well.
Essential Apps for Your CBD Dropshipping Store
To optimize the performance and success of your CBD dropshipping store, there are three essential apps that you should consider implementing. The first is Loox, a user-friendly Shopify app that automates the collection of video and photo reviews from customers. Reviews are crucial in establishing trust and increasing conversions, as most CBD purchases are influenced by word of mouth. Loox offers customizable galleries for displaying reviews and star ratings on your products pages. Another crucial app is Klaviyo, a comprehensive email marketing platform specifically designed for Shopify. Email marketing is responsible for a significant portion of revenue generated by online stores, and Klaviyo provides advanced tools for automated email flows, segmentation, and analytics. Lastly, it is important to have age verification enabled on your site, as most payment gateways require this feature. There are numerous Shopify apps available that offer age verification solutions, so make sure to explore the options in the video description.
In conclusion, setting up a CBD dropshipping store on Shopify requires careful consideration and adherence to legal requirements. By creating a Shopify store, choosing the right payment gateway, sourcing quality CBD products, and designing your site effectively, you can establish a solid foundation for success. Moreover, utilizing essential apps like Loox, Klaviyo, and an age verification solution will further enhance your store's performance. As you embark on your CBD dropshipping journey, the team at Smoke Drop hopes to be a part of your success. If you have any further questions or topics not covered in this guide, please feel free to comment and let us know. Thank you for watching, and happy selling!
Highlights:
- The US CBD market is projected to exceed $3 billion by 2023.
- Despite heavy regulation and competition, new brands can still find success in the CBD industry.
- Setting up a CBD dropshipping store on Shopify requires understanding legal requirements, creating a Shopify store, and choosing the right payment gateway.
- Reliable suppliers and quality CBD products are crucial for success in the industry.
- Smoke Drop is a recommended platform for sourcing CBD products for dropshipping.
- Adding CBD products to your Shopify store is easy with the Smoke Drop app.
- Including lab reports and certificates of analysis is essential for transparency and trust.
- Disclaimers and email notifications related to CBD products are necessary.
- Designing your Shopify store with a soft green color palette, clean design, blog, and easy contact information is recommended.
- Essential apps for a CBD dropshipping store include Loox for reviews, Klaviyo for email marketing, and an age verification solution.
- A solid foundation is important for running a successful CBD dropshipping business.
FAQ:
Q: Can I sell CBD products on Shopify?
A: Yes, you can sell CBD products on Shopify. However, it is important to understand and comply with the legal requirements surrounding the sale of hemp and hemp-derived CBD products.
Q: Does Shopify provide guidance on legal requirements for selling CBD products?
A: No, Shopify cannot provide legal advice on what and where you can sell CBD products. It is recommended to consult with legal counsel and stay informed about federal, state, and local laws concerning CBD sales.
Q: How can I find reliable suppliers for CBD products?
A: There are various ways to find CBD suppliers who offer dropshipping services. A simple Google search can reveal many options available. In this guide, Smoke Drop is recommended as a reliable platform for sourcing CBD products.
Q: How long does the approval process for payment gateways supporting CBD products typically take?
A: Due to the regulated nature of the CBD market, the approval process for payment gateways supporting CBD products may take longer than usual. On average, it takes between 2 to 4 weeks for the approval process to be completed.
Q: Are lab reports and certificates of analysis necessary for selling CBD products?
A: Yes, most payment gateways require lab reports for any CBD products sold. Lab reports provide transparency and help build trust with customers. Smoke Drop offers an up-to-date spreadsheet of lab reports for the CBD products available in their app.
Q: What design elements should I consider for my CBD dropshipping store on Shopify?
A: When designing your store, consider using a soft green color palette to create a calming effect. Keep the design clean and simple, with easy navigation. It is recommended to incorporate a blog and a CBD guide, and provide easily accessible contact information.
Q: What are some essential apps for a CBD dropshipping store?
A: Three essential apps for a CBD dropshipping store on Shopify are Loox for collecting reviews, Klaviyo for email marketing, and an age verification solution to comply with payment gateway requirements.
