1. Big Cartel Blog
How to Get Traffic to Your Dropshipping Store

You've done the research, picked your products, and launched your dropshipping store. You're ready to make your first sales, but there’s just one small problem — no one is coming to your store.

If you're staring at your analytics dashboard wondering how to get people to find your store, you're not alone. Marketing feels overwhelming when you're a team of one, juggling everything from product sourcing to customer service. 

The good news? You don't need a massive budget or complicated paid ad campaigns to start driving real traffic to your store. 

What you need is a solid dropshipping marketing strategy that focuses on organic growth—the kind that builds lasting momentum without draining your bank account. We're talking about proven tactics that help your ideal customers discover you naturally, whether they're searching on Google, scrolling through social media, or hearing about you from a friend.

Ready to turn your store into a traffic magnet? Let's dive into the marketing strategies that actually work for independent creators like you.

New to dropshipping? Check out our guide on What is Dropshipping? to get up to speed on the basics.

Start with a strong SEO foundation

Before you spend countless hours on content creation or social media, make sure your online shop is set up to be found in search engines. Think of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as your store's foundation—without it, even your best marketing efforts won't reach their full potential if no one can find you.

Master keyword research 

Start by understanding what your customers are actually searching for. Long-tail keywords (those three to four-word phrases) are your best friend here. Instead of competing for "phone case," target "cute cat phone case iPhone 14" or "waterproof phone case hiking." These specific searches will have less competition and attract buyers who know exactly what they want.

Pro tip: Free tools (Google Keyword Planner) or low-cost tools (Keywords Everywhere) can help you discover what your customers are searching for without breaking the bank. Start there before investing in paid tools.

Optimize every product page 

Once you know your keywords, weave them naturally into your:

  • Product titles and descriptions
  • Image alt text
  • URL slugs
  • Meta titles and descriptions

Don't stuff keywords everywhere—write for humans first, search engines second. A product description that reads "Best waterproof phone case waterproof hiking phone case waterproof" helps no one and actually hurts your SEO.

Connect (link) related products and blog posts within your site. This helps search engines understand your content and keeps visitors browsing longer. When someone's reading about hiking gear, link to your waterproof phone cases, portable chargers, and other outdoor essentials.

For more information on setting up your SEO Foundations, check out our help center guide on Improving Your Search Ranking with SEO or The Beginner’s Guide to SEO by Moz.

Use content to build trust and traffic

Here's the thing about dropshipping: customers want to know they can trust you with their money. One of the best ways to build that trust while boosting your marketing for dropshipping efforts? Start a blog.

You don't need to be the next great blogger or a fantastic writer. You just need to be helpful.

Write content your customers actually want to read 

Think about the questions people ask before buying your products:

  • What's the difference between these two phone cases?
  • How do I clean my yoga mat?
  • Which size should I order?

Turn these questions into blog posts. Write product comparisons, how-to guides, and buyer's guides. Not only does this content help your SEO, but it positions you as someone who knows what they're talking about.

Stay consistent 

Publishing one blog post every few months won't move the needle. Aim for one quality post per month, even if it's short. Consistency beats perfection every time. You can always increase the frequency as you build a writing habit.

Repurpose your content 

Turn your blog posts into social media content, email newsletters, and even product descriptions. One well-researched post can fuel weeks of marketing material.

Remember, this is how to start dropshipping the right way—by building genuine value for your customers from day one.

Backlinks, when other websites link to yours, are like votes of confidence in the eyes of search engines. The more quality sites that link to you, the more Google trusts your store.

Skip the sketchy link-building services and instead, focus on building genuine relationships:

  • Guest posting: Write helpful articles for blogs in your niche. Include a natural link back to your store when it makes sense.
  • Collaborate with creators: Partner with YouTubers, bloggers, or Instagram influencers who align with your brand. Send them your products in exchange for honest reviews and coverage.
  • Get press coverage: Reach out to journalists or bloggers who cover your industry. Have a unique story about your business or products? Share it.
  • Join conversations: Participate in online forums, Facebook groups, and Reddit communities where your customers hang out. Be helpful first, promotional second.

Building quality backlinks takes time, but they're worth way more than hundreds of spammy links.

Encourage word-of-mouth with UGC and social proof

Your happiest customers are your best marketers. User-generated content (UGC) doesn't just build trust—it expands your reach to new audiences you couldn't reach on your own.

Make it easy for customers to share by:

  • Following up after purchases with a friendly email asking for photos
  • Creating a branded hashtag for your store
  • Offering small incentives like discount codes for shares and reviews

Bonus SEO benefit: User reviews and UGC can improve your search rankings by adding fresh, keyword-rich content to your product pages. Plus, review snippets often show up in search results, making your listings more clickable.

Get social—without getting overwhelmed

Social media can feel like a full-time job, but it doesn't have to be. The secret is focusing your energy where it matters most.

Instead of trying to be everywhere, choose one or two platforms where your ideal customers actually spend time. Selling handmade jewelry? Instagram and Pinterest might be your best bet. Tech accessories? Try Instagram and TikTok.

Post regularly, even if your content isn't perfect. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business, product tips, customer features, and blog content. Your followers want to see the real person behind the brand.

Respond to comments, answer questions, and join conversations in your niche. Social media is called "social" for a reason. Building relationships leads to loyal customers and organic word-of-mouth marketing.

Pro tip: Tools like Later, Buffer, or even a simple Linktree can help you stay organized and consistent without spending all day on social media.

Diversify your product offerings

To help bring more traffic to your online shop, consider mixing more affordable products in with your main dropshipping products to help attract a wider range of buyers and increase sales potential. Each new product page is another opportunity to capture more buyers.

Both AliExpress and Temu offer massive product catalogues that you can connect to your Big Cartel shop through the DSers integration tool. When you offer a wider range of products, you’ll help your store rank for more keywords, driving organic traffic to your site, and increasing sales.

Analyze, adjust, and grow

The best dropshipping marketing strategy is one that evolves based on real data, not guesswork.

Set up Google Analytics and Google Search Console (both free) to monitor:

  • Where your traffic is coming from
  • Which pages are most popular
  • How long people stay on your site
  • Which keywords are bringing in visitors

Look for patterns—are certain blog posts driving lots of traffic? Write more content on those topics. Is one product page converting better than others? Figure out what's different and apply those lessons elsewhere.

Update older blog posts with new information, optimize underperforming product pages, and keep building on what's working. SEO is never a one-time thing, but constantly requires attention.

Scrappy marketing wins add up

Building organic traffic to your dropshipping store won't happen overnight, but every small action compounds over time. The blog post you write today might rank in search engines in three months. The customer you delight this week might refer three friends next month.

Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, pick one or two strategies from this list and commit to them for the next few months. Remember, you're not just building a business—you're building relationships with people who believe in what you're creating. That's something no algorithm can replicate.

Written by Leanne Mitton