30 Must-Know Questions for Cross-Border E-commerce Beginners in 2024 (Part 1)

Introduction

Thanks to 3000+ beginner friends asking questions in the group every day (asking without sending red packets, running away after asking. So angry)

I secretly organized 30 most frequent questions from cross-border e-commerce independent site beginners, sharing with more friends in need.

Raising shields in advance: Cross-border e-commerce is a business. Analogizing to games, it's an open-world sandbox game, absolutely not a brainless one-click pathfinding stupid game.

So there are diverse ways to play, and everyone's different abilities, resources, and personalities will lead to vastly different gameplay and endings.

Avoid the "little horse crossing the river" mentality: such as "he can earn this much, so can I" or "he's so weak and this industry doesn't work, so I won't do it either." These views are extremely anti-intellectual.

Table of Contents

This Part 1 covers the following questions:

• 1. Can a single person with 0 experience do cross-border e-commerce independent sites?
• 2. Shopify or Wordpress?
• 3. Can I avoid stocking inventory? Can I do dropshipping? Where does shipping come from?
• 4. How to receive payments?
• 5. How to handle returns? How to contact customers?

---

Question 1: Can a Single Person with 0 Experience Do Cross-Border E-commerce Independent Sites?

Answer: Yes, but prepare mentally.

Advantages

• Low Threshold: Platforms like Shopify make site building very simple
• Controllable Costs: Lower startup costs compared to traditional e-commerce
• Time Freedom: One person can operate, flexible schedule
• Broad Market: Global market, many opportunities

Challenges

• Learning Curve: Need to learn site building, operations, marketing, etc.
• Intense Competition: Global seller competition, need to find differentiation
• Loneliness: Fighting alone, lacking team support
• Continuous Investment: Need continuous learning and optimization, can't be sporadic

Recommendations for Beginners

---

Question 2: Shopify or Wordpress?

Answer: 99% of beginners should choose Shopify.

Shopify Advantages

• Simple & Easy: Drag-and-drop site building, no technical background needed
• Complete Ecosystem: Massive themes and plugins, rich functionality
• Worry-Free Maintenance: Official handles servers and security
• Payment Integration: Mature payment solutions like Shopify Payments
• Customer Support: 24/7 official customer service

Wordpress Advantages

• High Flexibility: Fully customizable, suitable for technically capable users
• Low Cost: Open source free, only pay hosting fees
• SEO Friendly: Powerful SEO plugins and control capabilities
• Data Control: Complete control over your data and website

Comparison Summary

Selection Recommendations

Choose Shopify: If you're a 0-experience beginner, no technical background, want quick launch, sufficient budget

Choose Wordpress: If you have technical background, pursue extreme cost-effectiveness, need high customization, have time to tinker

---

Question 3: Can I Avoid Stocking Inventory? Can I Do Dropshipping? Where Does Shipping Come From?

Answer: Yes, dropshipping is a good choice for beginners to start.

What is Dropshipping?

Dropshipping means:

• You don't need to stock inventory
• After customer orders, you purchase from supplier
• Supplier ships directly to customer
• You earn the price difference

Dropshipping Advantages

• Zero Inventory Risk: No need to purchase inventory in advance
• Low Startup Costs: Can start with a few hundred dollars
• Flexible Product Testing: Can quickly test multiple products
• Location Freedom: Work from anywhere with internet

Dropshipping Challenges

• Lower Profits: Higher per-unit procurement costs
• Quality Control Difficulties: Can't personally inspect product quality
• Shipping Time: Dependent on suppliers, timing hard to control
• Intense Competition: Low barrier, fierce competition

Recommended Sourcing Platforms

1. AliExpress

• Advantages: Rich products, low prices, supports dropshipping
• Disadvantages: Slow shipping, inconsistent quality
• Suitable for: Beginners testing products

2. CJ Dropshipping

• Advantages: Professional dropshipping platform, fast shipping, customizable packaging
• Disadvantages: Relatively fewer products
• Suitable for: After stable orders

3. Spocket

• Advantages: US/EU suppliers, fast shipping, good quality
• Disadvantages: Higher prices
• Suitable for: High-quality markets

4. SaleHoo

• Advantages: Vetted supplier directory, high reliability
• Disadvantages: Requires paid membership
• Suitable for: Finding stable suppliers

Shipping Method Selection

Beginner Recommended Route:

1. Startup Phase: AliExpress + ePacket (7-15 days)
2. Stable Orders: CJ Dropshipping + dedicated line (5-10 days)
3. Scaling: Overseas warehouse inventory (2-5 days)

---

Question 4: How to Receive Payments?

Answer: Payment collection is critical infrastructure for independent sites.

Mainstream Payment Methods

1. PayPal

• Coverage: 200M+ users globally
• Fees: 3.9% + $0.30 (international)
• Advantages: High user trust, wide coverage
• Disadvantages: Higher fees, strict risk control
• Recommendation: Essential

2. Shopify Payments

• Coverage: Limited supported countries (requires overseas company)
• Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 (Basic plan)
• Advantages: Low fees, high integration, no additional transaction fees
• Disadvantages: Requires overseas company entity
• Recommendation: Must-have if qualified

3. Stripe

• Coverage: Supports 40+ countries
• Fees: 2.9% + $0.30
• Advantages: Developer-friendly, supports multiple payment methods
• Disadvantages: Requires overseas company or individual
• Recommendation: Open if qualified

4. Credit Card Channels

• Providers: PingPong, Airwallex, Oceanpayment, etc.
• Fees: 2.5%-3.5%
• Advantages: Supports domestic companies
• Disadvantages: Strict review, higher fees
• Recommendation: Backup option

Payment Configuration Recommendations

Beginner Standard Setup:

• PayPal (mandatory)
• Shopify Payments or Stripe (if qualified)
• Third-party credit card channel (backup)

Important Notes:

• Prepare company entity in advance (recommend UK/US company)
• Prepare complete website and product information
• Maintain website professionalism, improve approval rate
• Multiple payment method backups, avoid single point of failure

---

Question 5: How to Handle Returns? How to Contact Customers?

Answer: Returns and customer service are key to building trust.

Return Policy Formulation

1. Return Period

• Recommended: 14-30 days
• Consider: Product nature, shipping time, costs

2. Return Conditions

• Unused, undamaged, original packaging
• Special products (e.g., intimate apparel) not returnable
• Customized products not returnable

3. Return Shipping

• Quality issues: Seller bears cost
• Non-quality issues: Buyer bears cost
• Provide return labels (can charge fee)

Return Processing Flow

Step 1: Customer submits return request Step 2: Customer service review (within 24-48 hours) Step 3: Provide return address and instructions Step 4: Inspect after receiving return Step 5: Refund or exchange

Return Address Solutions

Option A: Domestic Return Address

• Advantages: Low cost
• Disadvantages: Slow timing, poor customer experience
• Suitable for: Low-value products

Option B: Overseas Return Address

• Advantages: Good customer experience
• Disadvantages: High cost
• Implementation: Use third-party overseas warehouse return service

Option C: Refund Without Return

• Applicable: Low-value products (under $20)
• Advantages: Best customer experience, low cost
• Disadvantages: May be abused

Customer Contact Methods

1. Online Chat

• Tools: Tidio, Gorgias, Zendesk
• Advantages: Real-time response, high conversion
• Recommendation: Enable during work hours

2. Email Customer Service

• Tools: Gmail, Outlook, customer service systems
• Advantages: Formal, trackable
• Recommendation: Reply within 24-48 hours

3. WhatsApp/WeChat

• Advantages: Instant communication, friendly
• Disadvantages: Privacy issues
• Recommendation: Choose based on target market

4. Social Media

• Platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
• Advantages: Transparent, builds brand image
• Recommendation: Reply to comments and DMs promptly

Customer Service Script Recommendations

---

Summary

This Part 1 answered 5 core questions beginners care about most:

✅ Can beginners do it: Yes, but prepare well ✅ Platform choice: Shopify suitable for 99% of beginners ✅ Dropshipping: Good choice for zero-inventory startup ✅ Payment configuration: PayPal + Shopify Payments is best combination ✅ Returns & customer service: Key to building trust

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

---

Next Episode Preview

Part 2 will continue answering:

• 6. How to select products?
• 7. How to conduct market research?
• 8. How to price?
• 9. How to build Shopify store?
• 10. How to choose themes and plugins?

---

This article is based on real cross-border seller beginner guidance experience. For more practical content, follow 驴嫂 AI 了 WeChat Official Account