Section outline

    • Build Our Store Assignment
      Opened: Wednesday, 17 September 2025, 9:33 PM

      In this activity, students will build the store. Refer to the following information. You will be graded based on your contributions to this activity. 

      Upload a link to the store theme you would like to use. We will vote on the designs during the next lesson. 

      The following table is for 'OpenCart' - the store platform we will use because of its functionality with Alibaba and AliExpress.

      OpenCart

      Pros
      Discover more information
      Challenges

      • Lightweight, simpler to manage than Magento.

      • Many dropshipping-extensions, importer plugins exist.

      • Generally less resource-heavy, easier to set up.

      • There are modules to import from Alibaba.com via URL, grabbing product title, description, images, model, etc. (opencart.com)

      • Modules exist for AliExpress dropshipping & automation: bulk product import, variation import, order sync etc. (WebKul)

      • Might need more custom work to adapt Alibaba’s supply model (longer lead-times, supplier negotiation, etc.).

      • Ensuring inventory & price sync is more manual unless a specific plugin supports Alibaba.

      • Fewer “one-click Alibaba import + forwarding order” options than AliExpress in many cases.
    • More information about OpenCart with Alibaba Page

      Read this page to learn more.

    • Installing OpenCart and Choosing a Theme URL

      Watch the first 10 minutes of this video to understand more about how to install OpenCart on a website using a website app installer - and how to choose and install a theme.

    • Choose a Theme Page

      The default theme in OpenCart is outdated and boring. See the links on this page to research themes you'd like to use with our store. 

    • Link to Store Template Choice Assignment
      Opened: Friday, 19 September 2025, 8:54 PM

      Paste the URL to your store theme choice here.