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What is dropshipping: an online business without products in stock?

The Internet is a real goldmine for making money, but you still need to find the right business. With the boom in e-commerce, why not try your hand at dropshipping?

This sales concept is accessible to everyone, because you can sell products even without stock. All you need to do is work with a supplier.  

Dropshipping: definition

What is dropshipping? It's an activity that only concerns e-commerce platforms. Of course, getting into dropshipping is a dream for young entrepreneurs. However, it's still a vague concept for some people. In this case, an explanation of dropshipping and a simple definition are in order. 

First of all, dropshipping means "direct delivery" in French. This is an online sales technique that involves three main players: the buyer or customer, the seller or distributor and the supplier.
Dropshipping is therefore a tripartite system in which the customer places an order on the seller's or distributor's website. The latter then forwards the order to the supplier or a wholesaler such as Amazon or Ebay, which in this case takes care of delivery and stock management.

As an e-tailer, you manage neither stock nor delivery. This relieves you of logistical costs, saving you on charges, for example.
In addition, dropshipping allows you to get started in e-commerce without having to invest in initial stock.
You'll also benefit from positive working capital, so you'll be generating profits from the very first sale. In practice, drop-ship online stores can be, on average, 50% more profitable than those with stock. 

How does dropshipment really work?

how dropshiping works

In dropshipping, sellers work closely with suppliers to promote their products on their online platform. The sales process is generally as follows:

  • The consumer places an order on the seller's website.
  • The salesperson, acting as distributor, transmits the order information to the supplier.
  • The supplier prepares and dispatches the order directly to the customer, using the contact details provided by the seller. This is done within the shortest possible delivery time.
  • The seller receives the payment and passes on part of the profit to the supplier, based on the difference between the price of the product on the seller's site and the actual cost of purchase from the supplier. In this case, the seller acts as a reseller.

What is dropshipping?

To fully understand and benefit from dropshipping (dropshipping definition ), you need to know how it works. Getting started in this online business isn't that difficult, but it doesn't happen with a snap of the fingers either.

To increase your chances of success as a dropshipper, you need to follow a few key steps upstream.

Define the type of e-commerce shop

Before choosing the products you'd like to sell in your online store, you first need to decide on your store model. There are three possible models. Firstly, there's the single-product model, offering a single product with its variations.
Then there's the themed model, offering several products belonging to the same niche.

Finally, the generalist model, which offers numerous products from different universes. For dropshipping in 2021, single-product stores are the trendiest.

Choosing the right product or theme

Once the type of store has been determined, the next step is to find the product for sale from a supplier with quality products. This means finding the right product by choosing the right theme. There's no point in spreading yourself too thin. Focus on today's trends and try to anticipate tomorrow's to stay ahead of your competitors.

Google Trends is the tool you need. It lets you see how often a keyword appears and how it evolves. The aim is to find the winning dropshipping product that works. Give yourself time, because selling with dropshipping is a learning process.

Avoid products for which your potential customers know the approximate price. Choose products whose true market value is difficult for your customers to know. That's how you'll get the best margins.

Find a dropshipping supplier

Supplier for dropshipping

Once the product has been found, the next step is to find the supplier or online wholesaler who will sell it. This is the key to your dropshipping success.

It's essential to research information in advance to find the dropshipping supplier who offers original, quality products with good logistics management. 

You also need to make sure that the products you choose comply with the consumer code of the buyer's country. In addition to the giants Amazon, Ebay and AliExpress, there are many other wholesalers to expand your horizons. 

Create a dropshipping site

What is dropshipping? We hope that the above information has given you some idea of what dropshipping is all about. What's missing, however, is the step involved in creating your dropshipping e-commerce site.
SaaS platforms are the perfect tool for creating a dropshipping site.

Shopify is one of these platforms dedicated to drosphipping. Site hosting, store creation and customizable templates are all provided by this platform.

To take advantage of shopify's services, you need to take out a subscription starting at 27 euros per month. Added to this are transaction fees on sales, which can range from 2% to 5%. Other platforms include Dropizi and Wix.

How much does a dropshipper earn?

Dropshipper salary

A dropshipper's salary can vary considerably depending on several factors, such as the niche in which they operate, their skill level, their commitment to their business, the volume of sales and the dropshipping platform used. However, it's important to note that the term "salary" may not be the most appropriate to describe a dropshipper's earnings. Indeed, most of them are independent contractors rather than employees with a fixed salary.

What marketing strategy to adopt?

Having determined the answer to the question of what dropshipping is, you now need to learn what marketing strategy to adopt. Indeed, once you've created your dropshipping site, you'll now need to attract your first customers.
This means putting in place a solid sales and marketing strategy. Start by drawing up a well-constructed business plan, so that you know what you want, need and want to achieve.

The first thing to do is to take care of your product sheets and the SEO of your dropshipping site. Write unique, well-written content and present it with careful illustrations. This will help your site rank well.
You should also take advantage of paid advertising on social networks, especially Facebook and TikTok. Today, paid advertising is still the best way to promote your products. 

In addition, you need to focus on strategic marketing growth and customer relationship management. These tasks are essential to your success. Of course, you'll need to spend as much time as possible on :

  • manage your customer relationships,
  • maintain and develop your e-commerce site,
  • write and update the content of your site,
  • communicate with consumers on social networks,
  • set up advertisements to make yourself known.

Conclusion

Dropshipping is within everyone's reach. That said, to succeed in this field, you need to understand the concept and how it works. Dropshipping is the ideal solution for starting up a business on the Internet. And with Mineayou'll easily find the market trends you need to create a profitable dropshipping e-commerce business.

FAQ

What is dropshipping and how does this online business model work?

Dropshipping definition: Dropshipping is a model where dropshippers sell products without physical stock. The dropshipper takes orders, transfers them to the supplier who ships directly to the customer.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of dropshipping as an online business? 

  • Advantages: low initial investment, no inventory management, flexibility. 
  • Disadvantages: Lower margins, dependence on suppliers, fierce competition.

What steps are needed to start a successful dropshipping business?

  • Choose a niche, 
  • Find reliable suppliers, 
  • Create a convincing online store, 
  • Set up order management 
  • Focus on marketing.

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