Dropshipping is a lucrative goldmine that has been spilling thousands of dollars to many entrepreneurs over the years. You don’t need any particular skills to dive into this business. What you need is just a little startup capital and time. With these two resources, you’re good to go. In this AliExpress dropshipping guide, you will learn the immense benefit of dropshipping, and tips used to hit success. Furthermore, you will learn how you can leverage on AliExpress in booming your dropshipping business. With dropshipping, the risks are minimal. You have little to nothing to lose, but everything to gain. If you pay attention, you, too, can tap into the benefits of dropshipping using AliExpress. What Is Dropshipping? Dropshipping is a business model where you don’t need to buy or own an inventory. You partner with a manufacturer or supplier, who processes the order and have the goods delivered to your customers. The job of shipment or Delivery is entirely the responsibility of your supplier. All you do is publish products for sale and process orders when they arrive. In other words, you don’t need a warehouse, inventory, or anything of such to handle this business. It cuts down on the risk of product loss. The only thing you’ll be doing in this business is marketing and promoting your products. Aside from that, you make money doing little else.
Pros Of Dropshipping Business
1. Low CapitalThe most apparent benefit of dropshipping is the little capital required to begin. You don’t need to break the bank, neither should it cost you a hand and a leg. Unlike the traditional eCommerce business, you don’t need to buy any product. If you want to sell a diamond, you’re free. The only thing that you might have to invest in is your hosting and domain services.
2. No Physical StoreWith dropshipping, you can successfully run the business from your bedroom. Yes, from your bedroom! You don’t need a physical outlet or storefront. Since we are dealing with eCommerce, everything is automated and online. Due to this flexibility, you can decide to take a vacation in another country, and it won’t affect your income.
3. Free ResourcesWhen it comes to materials or resources to learn about the eCommerce business, they are lots of open sources online. There are thousands of articles, videos, podcasts, educational materials, and so on. There are lots of learning resources and even social media groups that you can join and learn more about the dropshipping business.
4. 24/7 Online And Fully AutomatedWith dropshipping, your store is open 24 hours every day and seven days a week. Even as you sleep, your store is processing orders and keeping track of activities. If you have a side job, you don’t need to worry since your interference is not always required. There are lots of apps or plugins which you can install in your store and make your dropshipping journey even more relaxing and fun.
Why Dabble In Dropshipping Business?Often, here is what entrepreneurs do whenever they want to delve into the eCommerce business. They start an online store, hookup with a supplier, pay for the products and get the products to their warehouse. That is not all; they have to tighten their marketing and promotional strategies to make a sale. When they finally do, Delivery to the customer is also in their hands. Not only does it look exhausting, but it is too cumbersome and requires a lot of lots of people to run. The risk associated with that model of business is on the high end. Dropshipping, on the other hand, requires just a little effort. You can singlehandedly run it without being overwhelmed or fear running at a lost. That is because you don’t buy inventories, you only process an order on behalf of a customer. Take a look at two scenarios. It will no doubt make this business model clearer.
Scenario 1Mr. mike wanted to start an eCommerce business. He purchased the products he wanted to sell from a supplier and listed them for sale in his store. Unfortunately, he was able to sell two items before he realizes no one is interested in the product, thereby running at a loss.
Scenario 2Mr. Mike, in this second scenario, had decided to start a dropshipping business. Mr. Mike did some research and discovered some products known to perform well. He listed them on his store, without having to purchase from a supplier. Unfortunately, Mr. Mark was able to sell two items, and also discovered that no one is interested in the product. All he did was change the products with a few clicks without incurring any lost. From the above two scenarios, you’ve seen the distinctive difference between the traditional and dropshipping eCommerce business. The beauty of dropshipping is this; you don’t need to buy any product, thereby making the venture less risky.
What is AliExpress Dropshipping?
AliExpress dropshipping is a business model that requires using AliExpress to sell virtual products on your store without owning an inventory. You can import these products and their images on AliExpress into your store. One of the upsides is that there are millions of products you can choose. Additionally, the product price and markups are within your control. When a customer makes an order, you process the request by purchasing from your supplier and shipping them from your supplier’s warehouse to your customers. Easy right? It is pretty simple and easy to grasp. You don’t need to be a tech guru to understand and use this dropshipping model.
How To Select Reliable Suppliers On AliExpressDropshipping is fun, but not until your supplier starts to frustrate you with low-quality products or delay in shipping. The success of your dropshipping business lies in your supplier, so ensuring you work with a reliable supplier will make a whole lot of difference. Here are tips that will help you select the right supplier.
1. Run Away From Low Price ProductsThe eCommerce world is funny. Here is how the marketplace works. A supplier called RobinHood started selling a high-quality hoodie at $50. Another supplier in the same niche by name, Hoodmaster, started selling a lower quality of the product at $20. However, the products looked the same. If you’re sourcing for a hoodie to buy, no doubt, you will go for the cheaper hoodie. For the other seller to remain competitive, he might reduce the product quality and lower the prices. In AliExpress, that is the ongoing battle. Cheap priced products are usually inferior in condition compared to products with a higher price.
2. Suppliers With 95% Rating And Positive ReviewsAnother criterion to look at when looking for a supplier is the rating and reviews. In the physical markets, there are con artists and sellers known to be slow or offer low-quality products. It is the same in the virtual world known as the internet. The only difference is; it is much more accessible online. You can discover a reputable seller through his rating and customer reviews.
3. Suppliers ResponsivenessTo determine if a supplier is best for you, make up an urgent message and watch how he or she responds. There are a couple of things to take note of, like the tone of voice, command of English, response time, etc. If the reply was vogue or generic, don’t hesitate to cross the supplier off your list. The reason for doing this is because one day, you will be in such a similar situation you created. If your supplier is not responsive, you might be walking into an ugly rut.
4. Look for ePacket DeliveryDelivery speed is a sensitive and delicate issue. You must get it right to avoid creating a wrong impression. Product shipping is often a common hurdle new dropshippers face. But if you can get a supplier that offers the best delivery option, it will be an edge in this business. AliExpress Premium Shipping is fast and cheap. Delivery takes only 14 business. As an add-on, there is a tracking code that your customers can use to monitor the location of their product.
5. Order For SamplesTo ensure that your customers get what they ordered, you can request samples for evaluation. A product sample will also help you to create an impeccable advertising campaign that draws lots of traffic to your store.
How To Pick The Right Product To SellMany eCommerce business persons will agree that the product you sell determines your success. Choosing the right product is vital, and an aspect you shouldn’t overlook. There are numerous approaches you can use to derive the best products to sell. In this section, you will be learning the three primary sources for generating the right product.
1. Your mindThe first source is your mind. Believe it or not, your cerebrum houses excellent product ideas. You have to filter the useless ones to discover THE ONE. One way to do this is to look at your hobbies, the things you love. Also, take some time to brainstorm and write down everything that comes to mind.
2. Check our similar storesApart from your creative imagination, you can draw inspiration from similar stores. The fact is, there is enough information on these stores to help you get started. Check out their offering, best-selling lists, and so on. By knowing the products that perform well, you will be able to do something different.
3. Social Shopping SitesSocial sites like Pinterest, Fancy, and Wanelo are an excellent place to generate ideas on the best product to sell. All you have to do is create an account and follow some categories of interest. Keep an eye on trending products and add them to your list.
Some Product Ideas To Spike You Up
Lots of products are making a buzz in the marketplace; it is because so many people seem to be interested. Here are a few ideas that will help you make an impressive list.
1. Phone gripsYou know how fragile the smartphone. It has led many to start ordering for phone grips, and so far, its usefulness is glaring. If you’re running a phone or tech shop, incorporating this product won’t hurt.
2. Magnetic eyelashesIn the world of fashion, you are always bound to hit the mark. This product is, no doubt, a reminder that we live in exciting times. With a pair, you can become the fairy version of yourself. It is one of the most performing products in AliExpress.
3. Fitness Bra and LeggingsAbout 95% of ladies wear leggings and bras. The target market is vast, and if you market these appropriately, you will make insane figures before you know it.
4. Smart WatchesWatches that check your pulse, your footsteps, even allow you to play music and monitor your social handles are hot right now in the market. This item in your store will transform your store into something unrecognizable in a positive way.
Success Tips to AliExpress Dropshipping
Emerging successfully in this business is not a hard nut to crack. If you know your onion, you will discover how feasible everything is. One of the vital skills needed in dropshipping is marketing and excellent customer support. With these in place, the sky will be your starting point. To make it successful, you must join social media groups or forums on dropshipping. On Facebook, there are lots of groups dedicated to dropshippers. These groups have both successful and struggling dropshippers who will no doubt guide you with their experience. Lastly, focus on building a following on your social handles and email list. These sources help you to remarket to customers. In this era of social media, it has made dropshipping easier. You can efficiently run targeted ads and watch it purge lots of fantastic results.
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