Starting a business can be a complicated process and exhausting. For some people, thinking of the difficulties that are involved in starting up and running a successful business gets them discouraged, and they drop the idea of ever starting a business. Some people will quickly tell you that business is not for them, simply because they cannot bear all the stress that comes with the cost, time and other resources needed to begin and run a successful one.
If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone. However, there is a way to beat this conventional way of starting a business, and it is called Dropshipping. Dropshipping makes starting up a business straightforward without the hassles of raising funds, renting a shop, and many other requirements.
WHAT IS DROPSHIPPING?
Dropshipping is a type of business model,where a retailer partners with a manufacturer to package products and send to the retailer’s customer. The retailer advertises the manufacturer’s products online and gets a customer to place an order for a product. The retailer sends the order to the manufacturer or wholesaler alongside the customer’s details.
The wholesaler now packages the product and sends it directly to the customer detailed address on the retailer's behalf. This means that the retailer does not need to rent a shop or warehouse because there is no need to stock up goods. All the retailer needs are a smartphone or laptop, and an internet connection to reach out to potential customers.
DROPSHIPPING PROCESS
The steps involved are:
• The retailer or online store owner advertises the products online for people to see. A customer likes the product and orders for it on the retailers’ website.
• The retailer forwards the customer's order and details to the wholesaler or dropship supplier. This can be done manually or automatically.
• The supplier packages the product that has been ordered and sends it directly to the customer in the retailer’s name.
STEPS IN DROPSHIPPING
• Choose a Target Market and Niche
It is essential to research and choose the products you would like to sell. Try to avoid the temptation of selling anything that looks good to you. Check for products that are on-demand and know how to market them correctly.
• Find Places to Source Products
When you have completed the task of knowing the products you would like to sell, the next will be to find the right suppliers for these products. Taking time to get a good and reputable supplier is very important as the supplier determines the success of your Dropshipping business.
• Select a Selling Platform
Choose the platform to build your store for sells. It is essential to build your store website on the best platforms that will give it that professional look that customers always look out for. Such platforms include Shopify, WordPress etc.
• Market your Business
As you already know, this part is vital. If you don't market your products, nobody will know about it. You need customers to visit your store. so, take your business to them by marketing on Facebook, instagram,Google Merchant, social media and other online platforms.
• Make Sales and Make Money
Forward customer's order to your supplier, make payments, the supplier ships the products to your customer in their name. You make your money, and your customer gets the product.
VARIOUS PLATFORM TO DROPSHIP FROM
Woocommerce Dropshipping
Woocommerce Dropshipping is a great store management tool used for dropshipping. It makes dropshipping stress-free and straightforward. Woocommerce is best when it comes to:
• Managing a dropshipping store.
• Sending automatic notice to suppliers when their products in your store are purchased.
• Easy and fast importation of inventory for each supplier.
• Designating inventory to definite suppliers.
With Woocommerce store, you can also assign products to your supplier with ease by locating the product editor and choose a saved supplier from the drop-down menu. You can import Aliexpress products with few clicks when you visit the product page and click “Import”.
This eCommerce store also lets you customize your emails by adding your store name, branding and contact details when sending order notifications to suppliers. Another exciting feature is that Woocommerce generates order notifications automatically and sends to your suppliers through email. The email notification will show all the details the supplier needs to know about the order.
Shopify Dropshipping
Shopify is an eCommerce platform that lets entrepreneurs have their online stores. Shopify dropshipping store is easy to use so; you can build your store without stress even if you don't have any technical experience. It is a prevalent eCommerce platform where many people do their online shopping, even on big holidays.
Shopify allows you to run your dropshipping business without stress and you don’t have to pay any hosting fee. All you have to do is pay Shopify monthly payments, and your store will run actively without issues. You also have to install Oberlo dropshipping App for product sourcing in Shopify, and you'll easily manage your inventory with just a few clicks.
To dropship on Shopify,
• Name your dropshipping store on Shopify. Ensure the name is simple, creative and easy to remember. The Oberlo app has a free Business name generator that helps you come up with an innovative business name in a little time.
• Create a Shopify account by visiting the Shopify homepage, load the page and enter your email address. Then you'll have to create a password for this account and fill in the name on your Shopify dropshipping store. Fill in some personal details that will be requested and answer some questions on eCommerce experience. After this, you’ll configure the settings and your Shopify dropshipping account set to run.
• Optimize your Shopify Account Settings by adding your payment information, create shop policies, and generate shipping rates. Offering free shipping is often recommended.
• Launch your Shopify Dropshipping Store by locating the "Sales Channels" on your settings and selecting the option "add an online store". Your online store is ready.
• You can design your Shopify online store as it will represent your store and brand.
• Add products to your Oberlo app and start making sales.
Aliexpress Dropshipping
Aliexpress Dropshipping is a popular place for dropshippers. You can import the images and definitions of products into your store from Aliexpress. You can choose from a variety of products, set your prices and make sells. Aliexpress dropshipping lets the retailer ship your customers' order directly to them.
The steps to dropping in Aliexpress includes:
• Set up your online store with a platform like Shopify.
• Start importing the products you wish to sell from Aliexpress Marketplace using an app such as Oberlo. With an app like Oberlo, you can send tracking codes to your customers when their orders are shipped.
• When you get an order from a customer, you order the same product from your supplier in Aliexpress to be shipped directly to your customer.
Amazon Dropshipping
Amazon is a brand that is recognized worldwide. Millions of people have access to the Amazon app and use it for shopping. Amazon customers have great trust and loyalty for this giant e-commerce site, so, dropshipping in Amazon is an excellent idea that will even attract more trust for your brand.
The steps to dropshipping in Amazon include:
• Select an e-commerce platform such as Spotify for managing orders.
• Ensure you sell Amazon-approved products, not the products that have restrictions on them. Suppose you want to sell electronics, books, computer, office products, video game etc. In that case, you can open a store without permission in Amazon without approval as they are products without restrictions.
Items with restrictions include hoverboards and dangerous goods. It is essential not to be in these categories.
• Create a seller account in Amazon to sell products of high quantity. Give competitive prices and give discounts sometimes while making your profits. Also, fill out your details such as email, password, name, tax information and business details in the platform.
• Ensure that your product category gets approved. Products in beauty, fashion, jewellery etc. niches require Amazon approval before you can open your store. Check the approval requirements for these products in Amazon.
• Next is to set up your Amazon account on Shopify. On your Shopify account, in the left panel, scroll to 'Sales Channels' and click on the + button by the side, it will show a pop-up window that has Amazon at the top of the list. Click 'Add Channel' to link your Amazon account to your Shopify store.
• Create Amazon product listings by clicking on Amazon sales channel link, locate Shopify on the left panel and click 'Create Listing'.
• Have Shopify track inventory.
• Promote your store on social channels to drive traffic and get customers.
And lots more like eBay dropshipping etc
Conclusion
Dropshipping business is an attractive business that many people would love to go into, but a lot of people fail because they don't have the right dropshipping guide. As simple as dropshipping looks, it requires your commitment, hard work and passion for succeeding and yielding profit.
If you desire to start up a business from the comfort of your home, without the hassles of raising funds for shop and stocking of goods, then this guide will help you on how to start up and run a successful dropshipping business.
This is insightful