How to Add AliExpress Products to WooCommerce? 3 Proven Ways
Expanding your WooCommerce store by sourcing products from eCommerce giants like AliExpress can be a great way to expand your online empire.
With over 20 million daily visitors, Aliexpress is a bustling hub of eCommerce growth, and it would be a massive miss of potential not to use this to your advantage.
With its herculean range of affordable products, AliExpress makes it easy for WooCommerce store owners to offer a diverse product catalog without maintaining a massive inventory for them.
This process, basically known as dropshipping, allows you to list products from AliExpress in your store, and when a customer places an order, the product is shipped directly from the AliExpress supplier.
In this guide, we’ll explore the step-by-step methods to add AliExpress products to WooCommerce using:
- Dedicated WooCommerce Dropshipping Plugins
- Manual data Import from AliExpress
- AliExpress API (Advanced Users)
So, let’s jump right in:
Method 1: Using Dedicated WooCommerce Dropshipping Plugins
For store owners who want to automate the process of adding and managing AliExpress products, using a dropshipping plugin is the easiest solution.
These plugins allow you to import products in bulk, sync inventory, and even automate order fulfillment.
Although there are a lot of WooCommerce dropshipping plugins available, our experts isolated a few as they are widely used, come with many useful features, and provide unmatched support.
Here are our top plugins that can help you add AliExpress products to your WooCommerce store seamlessly:
Name | Key Features | Price |
---|---|---|
ALD – Dropshipping and Fulfillment for AliExpress and WooCommerce | Easy import, conditional import, price adjustment, configure product attribute, order tracking | Free, Paid plan starts from $32 |
AliDropship | One click imports, free database, all-in-one management, process automation | $89 (One-time) |
WooDropship | Easy product import and customization, auto order synch, fulfilment assistance, lifetime membership | $89 (One-time) |
AliNext | Bulk Import product, category, and store; image/supplier customization, easy configuration, fulfilment assistance | Free, Paid plan starts from $12 per month |
For our guide today, we’ll explore how you can add AliExpress products to your WooCommerce stores seamlessly with the plugin named “ALD – Dropshipping and Fulfillment for AliExpress and WooCommerce”.
Aside from easily importing your desired AliExpress products to your WooCommerce store in just a few clicks, this plugin also provides extensive order fulfillment support so you can effortlessly manage your online business and streamline your sales.
Here’s how to add AliExpress products to your WooCommerce stores using this plugin:
Step 1. Install and Activate the Plugin
First, from your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New Plugin. Then, search “ALD” or AliExpress on the search bar above. When the plugin appears, click to Install and Activate the plugin.
Step 2. Connect the Plugin to AliExpress
Connecting the plugin with your WooCommerce store may seem a bit tricky, but it’s not. Here’s a detail breakdown:
- Follow the plugin’s setup wizard to connect your WooCommerce store with AliExpress.
- The plugin will provide a secret key. Copy the secret key and save it somewhere safe for now.
- Install their chrome extension for easier, one-click product import. You also check their video guide for easy guideline.
- Once the extension has been installed, move onto the next step named, “Product Setting”. Check the designated box if you want shipping info to be displayed.
- Provide the exchange rate, if you want to convert the currency, and select the info you want to import from AliExpress to your store.
- Next, reload your website. The extension will load automatically. Pin the extension to your browser’s title bar and click on the Icon.
- In the box below, provide your store’s URL, the secret key you copied earlier, and click on the “Save” button.
- A pop-up will show up asking for your permission. Grant the permission, and again, reload your website.
And that’s about it. Now the plugin is successfully connected with your WooCOmmerce store, and you can start importing products now. Let’s see how that goes.
Step 3: Import Products from AliExpress to Your WooCommerce Store
Navigate to Dropshipping and Fulfillment → Import list. Click on the “Go To AliExpress” Button and start browsing.
When you see a product you like, you’ll also notice a little pop-up box with a “Import” button on the lower left side of the screen. Click on that button, and the product data will automatically be added to your import list.
Once the button on the little pop-up box shows “Imported” instead of “Import”, that means the product data has been added, and you just need to approve it from your dashboard.
Reload your import list. The products you’ve selected will automatically be here. You can adjust the description, variation, price, image and other attributes before approving.
Once you are happy with the changes, click on the “Import” button (Single Product) or “Import All” button (Bulk Products).
Lastly, visit your store to check if all the product data has been imported just the way you want. You can also check the imported products from Dropshipping and Fulfillment → Imported.
And that’s about it. This way, you can import thousands of AliExpress products to your WooCommerce store in seconds.
Although this approach requires some additional plugin cost in some cases, it is ideal for scaling your WooCommerce store as it automates the most technical part of import and order processing and provides real-time syncing options for accurate inventory and pricing.
Method 2: Manual Import of AliExpress Products
If you’re just getting started and want to add only a handful of products from AliExpress to your WooCommerce store manually, this method is the most straightforward way to do it.
However, this approach may quickly become tedious and time-consuming as your WooCommerce store grows bigger.
Anyway, this is how you can manually add AliExpress products to your WooCommerce store:
Step 1: Get the Product Info
Visit AliExpress and search for a product you want to sell. If you don’t have an AliExpress account, create one, and start browsing. Once you see something you like, Save the product images to your device.
Step 2: Create a New Product
Next, you’ll need to create a new product in WooCommerce. To do this, go to Products → Add New Product. Enter the product title, description, and price.
Now, upload the product images you downloaded from AliExpress. Before setting the price, make sure it includes your profit margin.
For example, if the product costs $10 on AliExpress and you want a 40% profit margin, set your selling price at $14.
The next step is to set the shipping info. Include estimated shipping times (usually 15–30 days for AliExpress, and an additional 2-5 days if you deliver the product) in the product description to manage customer expectations.
Once everything is set, click Publish, and the product will be live in your WooCommerce store. This approach requires no additional tools or plugins, and gives you full control over your product descriptions and images.
Now, let’s move onto our last method to add AliExpress products to WooCommerce: Using AliExpress APIs.
Method 3: Using AliExpress API (Advanced Users)
For advanced users or developers who want more control over the integration, using the AliExpress API is a great option. This method requires programming knowledge but allows complete customization over the product import process.
Here’s how you can import product data from AliExpress to your WooCommerce store using APIs:
- Visit the AliExpress Developers Portal and sign up for an API key.
- Use the API to fetch product data, including titles, images, prices, and stock levels.
- Create a script or custom plugin that imports products into your WooCommerce store using the WooCommerce REST API.
- Set up cron jobs to regularly sync inventory and prices from AliExpress to your WooCommerce store.
With this approach, you won’t need any additional third-party plugins or spendings. Also, this’ll allow you full control over the entire process.
However, It is best suited for advanced users or businesses with development resources as this approach requires significant development effort.
Pro Tips for Adding AliExpress Products to WooCommerce
Sourcing products from AliExpress is a smart way to expand your WooCommerce store’s catalog without managing inventory.
However, to truly stand out and build a thriving business, just adding a bunch of products isn’t enough. There are some things you need to keep in mind while choosing AliExpress products to import to your store.
In this section, we’ll share expert tips to help you maximize profits, improve customer experience, and streamline operations while selling AliExpress products on WooCommerce.
So, let’s dive right in!
- Work with AliExpress suppliers who have high ratings and good customer feedback to ensure product quality and timely delivery.
- Avoid using the default AliExpress product descriptions. Write unique, SEO-optimized descriptions to improve your store’s search engine visibility and user experience.
- Be transparent about shipping times and potential delays, as AliExpress shipping can take 2–4 weeks.
- Since AliExpress products are often available from multiple suppliers, ensure your pricing remains competitive while maintaining a healthy profit margin.
- Even with plugins, it’s essential to periodically check product availability to avoid selling out-of-stock items.
Over to You
Adding AliExpress products to your WooCommerce store opens up a world of possibilities, from expanding your product range to boosting your profits; all without the burden of managing inventory.
Whether you want to manually import products, leverage powerful dropshipping plugins, or integrate the AliExpress API for complete control, each method comes with its unique benefits and drawbacks. The right approach depends on your store’s unique needs and growth goals.
By following the steps and pro tips outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to build a successful WooCommerce store powered by AliExpress.
Ready to take your online business to the next level? Start sourcing products today, and don’t forget to explore our in-depth blogs for more expert eCommerce insights and strategies!