Dropshipping is unlike your average retail model. Normally, the selling merchant has an inventory and a stock of items ready for purchase. It’s a process of directly supplying/shipping products to customers after purchasing them from a third party such as wholesalers and manufacturers.
They do not keep the products that are to be sold in stock or possess an inventory. However, dropshipping is commonly done on orders only. The best part is that you don’t have to stress yourself with logistics, as the profit margin is good and allows you to earn it in the simplest way possible.
Dropshipping is an excellent business strategy to start with for prospective entrepreneurs as it’s simple. It allows you to easily test numerous company ideas with very little risk. Also, this helps you to learn a lot about how to choose and sell in-demand items.
Dropshipping is the best option for all those aspirant people, planning to step into entrepreneurship. It is indeed the most common and perhaps, the in-demand method for establishing or growing your e-commerce empire. When we think about setting up an e-commerce store, it might be difficult to decide which platform is best for you; Shopify or WooCommerce?
It is essential to be aware of the proper tools and resources that you will need, to keep up with the competition and excel.
Tools
Good tools help you take the initial step and help you get on track that leads to good progress. Here is a list of some of our most preferable tools especially for beginners:
1. Websites and e-commerce platforms
Shopify is currently the best platform, priced at $29 per month, which is quite reasonable based on its popularity. Additionally, you can get a fourteen-day free trial to be able to explore your options, suitability, and your requirements.
Hence, if Shopify is under your budget, it is the best and the safest option for everyone interested in dropshipping. The best part is that Shopify provides you with free hosting.
Another suitable alternative is WooCommerce. It’s a free ecommerce plugin for WordPress that you may install on your site. On the downside, you will have to find hosting which is not free here, unlike Shopify.
2. Suppliers and order processing
It is vital to have a tool or system in place that can handle all of your dropshipping orders, for you. Some of these systems have their suppliers, while others link you to websites such as AliExpress, which also provides you with 5% cashback on your order value.
There are various tools like Oberlo and Spocket that cost $19-29 a month for unlimited products. A great alternative to these is Dropified which currently has a large number of sales. It is available on Shopify, WooCommerce, and CommerceHQ.
Lastly, there is AliDropship which is also another great alternative and is free! However, you have to stress yourself with the hassle of linking it through WordPress and making it a less suitable option. On the bright side, you can purchase a lifetime license for $90, which saves you from a monthly fee.
3. Product and market research
“Google Trends” assists you in conducting market research. The google tool allows you to search keywords and check how a keyword is currently performing in the search results. What makes this tool perfect is that it is free!
Another tool is “Sell the trend”. It comes with a seven-day free trial and is priced at $39. Furthermore, it also has various deals available and you get a month or two free upon making a yearly payment.
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The era we live in is based upon current technological advancements. This includes artificial intelligence that is more commonly termed AI. Jarvis.ai is an application that can assist you with practically everything. Such as;
- Composing Ads for Facebook and Google
- Descriptions of products
- And a lot more!
It starts at $29 per month and can be very helpful, as long as you have good knowledge regarding your target audience. It is the perfect tool to make life easy and increase your reach simultaneously.
Resources
It’s important to strike a balance between how much time you invest in learning about dropshipping and what time you spend on growing your business. Here are some accessible resources:
1. YouTube Channels
Youtube channels allow you to understand how AI and Facebook ads work. Also, it has a wide range of free content, perfect for the research and guidance you require before setting up a business. Besides, YouTube is the perfect platform to answer all questions and provides great techniques simultaneously.
On the other hand, many people share their stories there which can help inspire and motivate you towards early progress. Here are some channels that are great for knowledge regarding Dropshipping:
- Tecademics 90-Day Ecom Challenge
- Tim Kock’s Youtube Channel
- James Beattie Youtube Channel
2. Blogs
Blogs are also another way to gain knowledge regarding dropshipping and learn techniques beforehand. It helps you solve a lot of your queries by connecting you to people that have the proper experience. It also provides you with enrollment opportunities into courses that are the best fit for you.
Here is a list of a few blogs:
- Reddit: r/dropship
- Shopify Blog
- Dropship Lifestyle Blog
3. Online courses and Guides
This technological era has allowed us to benefit from free online PDFs that make a perfect beginners guide. Various videos and articles allow you to learn how to scale your business towards growth and apply the right tricks to make good sales.
They help you train yourself in the best way to start a business with the right amount of research that can help you succeed in a short amount of time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a variety of excellent tools and materials available to teach you how to dropship! Rather than merely reading through stuff, the key is to take the initial step and get started.
Lastly, keep in mind that success never comes overnight!
