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Introduction
Dropshipping is not a new topic in the eCommerce area, but people often underestimate its power. Let me tell you about my experience with it.
What is Dropshipping?
First of all, let me describe what dropshipping is. When you run a dropshipping business, you don’t have to store any inventory in your warehouse or buy products in bulk. You find a wholesaler or a supplier who agrees to fulfill your orders one-by-one. You don’t pay until you sell the product. Your profit is the difference between your retail price and what your supplier charges you.
It sounds great, doesn’t it? That’s why it’s an attractive opportunity for eCommerce beginners.
Why Did I Decide to Try Dropshipping?
I won’t lie, earning money online was my primary motivation. I needed a side hustle that could give me financial freedom eventually, so I did some research and landed on dropshipping. I loved the fact that I could work from anywhere, anytime, and be my own boss. More importantly, it didn’t require a lot of upfront investment, which was perfect for someone like me.
How Did I Begin?
To start a dropshipping business, you need a few things in place:
- A niche (something that you want to sell and have a good understanding of)
- An eCommerce platform (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)
- A reliable supplier
- A marketing plan
In my case, I chose a niche based on something that I know well – fitness products. To find a suitable supplier, I researched manufacturers, wholesales directories, and online marketplaces.
How Did I Get Customers?
Marketing is the key to the success of any eCommerce business, and dropshipping is no exception. Initially, I started promoting my products on Facebook, but that didn’t work effectively. Later, I switched to Google AdWords, and it was more successful than I thought.
I must confess, it was not that straightforward. There was a learning curve that took a lot of trial and error, but figuring out what works and what doesn’t was rewarding.
The Results
I’m not going to tell you that I made $100,000 in pure profit, and neither would that be honest nor ethical. The truth is, my expenses during my startup phase were inclusive of the number. But the silver lining is that the sales figure speaks for themselves.
I would like to stress on the fact that I did it all with no prior skills and education in marketing, business, and eCommerce. I was a regular office employee who had some free time and ideas.
Takeaways
If you are fascinated in pursuing a dropshipping business, I would recommend the following:
- Start Small
- Choose a niche
- Steadfast In Maintenance, and Ad Join
- Do Better Research
- Remain Positive Till the End
Conclusion
Although it was not a cakewalk road ahead, the satisfaction you get for creating something from scratch and achieving its success cannot anyway, and I mean to take a dip on that victory every day. 😊
