What Is Dropshipping and How Does It Work?
Webla Digital
Are you new to e-commerce and have heard of the term ‘dropshipping’? It’s okay if it sounds a bit confusing; you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll explore what dropshipping is and how you can start your own dropshipping business on Shopify.
What is Dropshipping?
Think of dropshipping as being a middleman, but in the online shopping world. You have an online store, but you don’t actually keep any products on hand. When a customer buys something from your store, you then purchase that item from a supplier. The supplier sends the product directly to your customer. You never handle the product, you just facilitate the sale.
How to Start Dropshipping on Shopify?
Shopify is an online platform where you can create your own online store. It’s a favorite among dropshippers because it’s easy to use. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Choose a Dropshipping App: Shopify works with dropshipping apps that connects you and your store to thousands of suppliers.These apps let you choose from lots of different products you can sell in your store.
Create Your Shopify Store: Once you’ve picked your app and chosen some products, you can start building your Shopify store. If you need information about this step, you can check our guide on “How to build a Shopify Store“.
You’ll choose a look for your store, add your products, and decide how you want to get paid.
Customer Buys a Product: When a customer buys a product from your store, you’ll get a notification. They pay the price you’ve set, plus any shipping fees.
Buy from Your Supplier: After the customer buys, you then go to your supplier and buy the product. They’ll charge you for the product and the cost to ship it.
Supplier Sends the Product: The supplier then packages the product and sends it directly to your customer. The customer thinks it’s coming from your store.
Customer Gets Their Product: Your customer gets their product just like they would with any online purchase. They don’t need to know you’re using dropshipping.
Things to Consider in Dropshipping!
Like anything, dropshipping has its pros and cons.
The Good Stuff:
Start with Little Money: Because you don’t have to buy lots of products upfront, it doesn’t cost much to start a dropshipping business.
Easy to Get Going: All you need is a computer and internet connection to set up your store and manage your business.
Work from Anywhere: As long as you have an internet connection, you can run your business from anywhere.
The Not-So-Good Stuff:
Small Profits at First: Since you’re buying only one product at a time, you might not make a big profit on each sale.
Out of Your Control: If your supplier runs out of a product or messes up the shipping, it’s out of your hands, but your customer will be looking to you for answers.
Shipping Can Be Tricky: If a customer buys products from different suppliers, they might get their order in different packages at different times.
With these basics, you’re now ready to jump into the world of dropshipping on Shopify. It’ll take some time and effort, but with patience, you can create a successful online store. Happy dropshipping!
Start your dropshipping business with Webla
Webla can provide the support you need in your dropshipping journey. Whether it’s finding the right suppliers, streamlining your dropshipping process, or optimizing your online store, Webla has the tools and resources to assist you every step of the way. Reach out to our Shopify Experts to get started.
