There’s been a lot of buzz around the online business model of dropshipping lately for the simple reason that it’s one of the easiest types of businesses to operate. However, like any business model, unless you use the right techniques, strategies, and streamlining methods, your business won’t be as effective and profitable as it could be.
What exactly is dropshipping?
First things first. What exactly is dropshipping? In basic terms, dropshipping is a type of retail business in which the seller accepts a customer order. But unlike other business models, the seller does not keep products in stock. Instead, the seller transfers the orders and shipment details to a manufacturer, wholesaler, fulfillment house, or another retailer, which then ships the product directly to the customers. So, basically, dropshipping is a type of supply chain management for selling goods. That means, as the seller, you are only responsible for the marketing and selling of products, not for other areas like storage, product quality, and shipping. Just think how many costs that eliminates! You don’t need a warehouse, a physical shop, or a system for managing your inventory.
Tip #1: Use Dropshipping Software to Save Time
One excellent way in which you can streamline your dropshipping service is to use software specifically designed for dropshipping business purposes. For example dropshipping automation software like SparkShipping can save lots of time in various elements of your business operations. With automated dropshipping tools, you can automate the uploading of products, update inventory, send orders, and receive tracking updates all in one easy-to-use place. Dropshipping software enables you to achieve full product data integration, intelligent order routing, automated order processing, and much more.
Tip #2: Avoid Low-ticket Dropshipping
While low-ticket dropshipping is the most widely promoted business model within the dropshipping business model, it’s not the best method to use. Low-ticket dropshipping works like this: you create a store on a site like Shopify and upload the products you want to sell. Then you advertise on social media platforms or reach out to social media influencers to drive traffic to your store. It might sound easy, but this method typically requires you to spend a lot of upfront money for testing paid advertising on platforms like Facebook. You could end up spending hundreds or thousands of dollars before you create an effective marketing campaign that takes off. Even when a campaign attracts customers, it probably won’t last long. You could also find yourself embroiled in supply chain interruptions, custom issues, and other problems with the low-ticket drop shipping method. Most importantly, the amount of money you make per sale is much lower than with high-ticket dropshipping.
Tip #3: Opt for High-ticket Dropshipping
You can streamline your business model and generate healthier profits with the high-ticket drop shipping method. It involves creating an online store and partnering with established brands or distributors that sell high-end, expensive products. You then use low-cost tools like Google Ads, in which you can use keywords and phrases to attract traffic to your online store. You’ll be able to run much more effective ad campaigns for little money because you’re targeting people who are actively searching for the products you sell. By using evergreen campaigns to target potential customers who are already looking to buy, which is known as high-buying intent, there’s less work to do and you can generate higher profits with each individual product you sell. Evergreen campaigns have much shorter testing phases and can last for years to come.
Tip #4: Stick to Products That Are Available in Your Country
Finally, another way you can streamline your dropshipping service and create fewer problems is to partner with businesses and brands in your own country. When you don’t deal with overseas shipping, you’ll have a solid supply chain.
Patrick Smith
