Dropshipping is known as retail fulfillment where the ‘seller’ doesn’t actually ever have the product and essentially acts as an intermediary. This model allows you to list a product on your website, TikTok store, Shopify, etc., and when someone purchases it, you then buy the product from your supplier who ships it directly to the customer. It allows people to operate stores without having to deal with any stock, storage fees, delivery charges, and so on.
Pros of Dropshipping Business:
It is totally undeniable that dropshipping is amazing. There are thousands of entrepreneurs around the globe who think dropshipping is the future of business. Here are 5 main reasons why dropshipping is the talk of the town.
1. You Can Start with Zero Money
Starting dropshipping from scratch with zero money can be quite challenging. However, it’s entirely possible to dive into dropshipping without the need for your own website. Your journey begins with signing up for a free online account on a platform that enables you to sell products without the need for your own website or store. There’s a variety of platforms tailored for this, including but not limited to giants like Amazon, eBay, Aliexpress, and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
2. No Need to Buy Inventory Upfront
The whole idea behind dropshipping is precisely that you don’t hold any inventory. This is just an example of how it works. Let’s say you want to sell some shoes. A dropshipping company offers you the shoes for $40 a pair. You then showcase them on your social media for $100. The beauty of it is, you don’t need any upfront investment. When a customer decides to buy the shoes, you forward their details to the manufacturer. The manufacturer then ships the shoes directly to the customer. Meanwhile, the customer sends you $100 through an online payment. You then pay the manufacturer their due of $40. Your profit is 60$.
3. Quick Launch and Scalability
With dropshipping, You can establish an online store in no time, without the hassle of inventory management or shipping logistics. This leaves you free to concentrate on marketing and customer service, which can lead to rapid growth. Furthermore, the dropshipping model is highly scalable. As your business grows, you can easily add more products to your store, attract a larger customer base, and boost sales, all without a significant increase in your workload or expenses.
4. Low Overhead Costs
With Dropshipping, all costs of renting expensive local warehouse space, staff to fulfill orders, packing & shipping locally are gone. These are just a few examples of the overhead expenses that you can avoid when starting a dropshipping business. This model is significantly more cost-effective than traditional retail, where such costs can add up quickly. However, there are still overheads to consider such as hosting fees, minimal power consumption, taxes, and promotional and marketing expenditures.
5. Flexibility and A Wide Array of Products
Operating a dropshipping store offers flexibility and a broad product range. Unlike traditional retail, there are no constraints on the variety of products you can sell or the number of niches you can explore. This allows for a diverse product portfolio that caters to various customer interests and aligns with your business goals. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to expand, dropshipping provides the flexibility and diversity needed in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Cons of Dropshipping:
Most people fail because they see dropshipping as a get rich quick type of a deal due to the unrealistic expectations. It requires hard work, patience, and smart strategies. Before you start dropshipping, you should be aware of some of the challenges and disadvantages that come with it.
1. Product Quality Concerns
When you drop ship, you rely on your suppliers to ship out product to your customers directly. Since you don’t receive any product, you can’t be sure that what you are selling is of good quality. If the products are low-quality or defective, you may face customer complaints, refunds, or disputes.
To avoid this, you should research your products and suppliers carefully. Read the product descriptions, reviews, and ratings. Contact the suppliers and ask for samples or photos. You can also order some products yourself to check the quality and create better product images and marketing content.
2. Shipping Challenges
People don’t want to wait more then 14 days for their product. They expect fast and reliable shipping. However, dropshipping often involves long shipping times and delays, especially if you source your products from overseas. This can lead to customer dissatisfaction and loss of trust.
To overcome this, you should look for suppliers that offer faster shipping options or have warehouses in your target market. You can also use a dropshipping and fulfillment company that can store, pack, and ship your products for you. This way, you can reduce the shipping time and provide tracking information to your customers.
3. Many Returns
Returns are inevitable in dropshipping. You have to deal with them as part of your business cost. Sometimes, you may not get a refund from your supplier or you may have to pay for the return shipping fee.
To minimize this, you should have a clear and fair return policy on your website. You should also communicate with your customers and suppliers to resolve any issues as soon as possible. If you receive a high rate of returns or refunds, you may want to switch to a different product or supplier that has better quality or faster shipping.
4. Advertising Costs
Honestly, you need to have money to make money. In dropshipping, there’s no definitive answer to how much is enough. Once you go to ads you need to burn some money to test out some interests and if you don’t get sales in the beginning it can be an issue if you are low on cash.
The amount you spend largely depends on your understanding of marketing and advertising, and whether you have the time and resources to experiment yourself.
I would suggest that if possible, try to learn a few basics first. Even if you plan on hiring someone, having a foundational understanding will help you make more informed decisions.
5. Very Competitive
Above all, dropshipping is hard. The market is flooded with numerous dropshippers selling similar products at comparable prices. To rise above the competition, you need to differentiate yourself and draw customers in.
This requires offering something unique and valuable to your customers. It could be a niche product, a distinctive brand identity, exceptional customer service, or a compelling marketing narrative.
