How to Start Dropshipping with AbanteCart

Free dropshipping platform

Launch or expand your ecommerce store with minimal risk by connecting supplier catalogs to your AbanteCart shop using CSV or API. AbanteCart is a free ecommerce platform that makes it simple to get started selling online. Download AbanteCart for free and start building your store today.

What Is Dropshipping?

In a traditional retail model, merchants buy and store inventory, then pack and ship orders. With dropshipping, you list products in your store, but your supplier holds inventory and ships orders directly to your customers.

  • Low upfront costs: No inventory to purchase or warehouse.
  • Broad selection: List from your supplier’s full catalog.
  • Scales easily: Add products without adding logistics overhead.

This business model is especially powerful when paired with AbanteCart because the platform is completely free to download and use. You do not need to worry about license fees or hidden costs. Simply install AbanteCart, configure your store, and start importing products from your dropshipper.

Import Products from Your Dropshipper via CSV

Most dropshippers provide their catalog as a CSV file. AbanteCart includes a built-in Import Wizard that lets you quickly bring these products into your store.

  1. Download your supplier’s CSV file.
  2. Open AbanteCart Import Wizard and upload the CSV.
  3. Map supplier columns to AbanteCart product fields (SKU, name, price, images, stock, etc.).
  4. Run the import to create or update products at scale.

To speed up repeat imports, save your mapping once and reuse it later. AbanteCart supports JSON Data Column Mapping export so you can store your field mappings and reapply them on the next CSV without remapping every time.

Automate with Custom API Integrations

If your dropshipper offers an API, you or your developer can build a custom integration to fetch products, prices, and inventory on a schedule. This keeps your catalog fresh without manual CSV uploads and helps prevent overselling by syncing stock levels periodically.

  • Schedule periodic product and price updates.
  • Sync inventory to reflect supplier stock in near real time.
  • Optionally automate order forwarding and tracking updates.

AbanteCart’s open source framework makes it easy for developers to build these integrations. The flexibility of the platform ensures you can connect your store to almost any dropshipping supplier or system.

Example: Doba Dropshipping Integration

Want a plug and play option? Try the Doba Integration extension. It connects AbanteCart directly to Doba’s catalog so you can import products, keep details current, and streamline fulfillment through Doba with minimal setup.

Tips for Smooth Dropshipping with AbanteCart

  • Normalize data: Ensure consistent SKUs, categories, and image URLs in the CSV.
  • Test a small batch: Import a subset first to verify mapping and product presentation.
  • Use JSON mappings: Save and reuse your field mappings for fast subsequent imports.
  • Automate updates: Prefer API or scheduled CSV imports for price and stock accuracy.
  • Clarify fulfillment flow: Align with your supplier on order routing and returns.

Why Choose AbanteCart for Your Dropshipping Store?

AbanteCart is more than just another ecommerce solution. It is a free, open source platform designed to give merchants flexibility, scalability, and freedom. It comes with a powerful admin dashboard, responsive storefront, and a growing marketplace of extensions. With AbanteCart, you can launch a fully functional online store without paying for expensive software licenses.

This makes AbanteCart perfect for entrepreneurs testing the waters with dropshipping. You can start small, experiment with different suppliers, and scale your business as sales grow while keeping overhead costs low. Even better, AbanteCart allows you to work with multiple dropshipping suppliers at the same time. That means you can expand your catalog across various niches and build a true Free Dropshipping Platform powered by AbanteCart.

Get Started

AbanteCart gives you multiple paths to a robust dropshipping workflow: quick CSV imports with reusable mappings, custom API integrations, or ready made connectors like Doba. Start by importing a sample CSV with the Import Wizard, then scale up with automation as your catalog grows.