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How to Start Dropshipping with Spocket in 5 Easy Steps

You want to start dropshipping with Spocket but just don’t know where to begin or whether it’s a worthy venture. If you’re in this boat, stick around, as I’ll be explaining everything about this lucrative business and how to succeed in today’s competitive market.

What is Spocket?

Spocket is an innovative dropshipping tool that streamlines dropshipping operations. It connects sellers and reliable suppliers (mainly from the EU and US). Besides, it has all the tools for handling communication between you and your supplier.

Spocket has risen to become one of the most popular dropshipping tools on the market and was actually ranked the 14th fastest-growing Canadian company in 2021, registering a 3154% growth in just 3 years.

Why Choose Spocket?

If you’ve combed around, you understand that Spocket isn’t the only dropshipping tool that connects sellers and suppliers and automates processes. We’ve got so many tools, including Dropified, Easync, AutoDS, and SalesHoo, just to mention a few.

But Spocket stands out from the crowd for several reasons.

I’ve explained below.

  • Seamless integration
  • Vetted US/EU suppliers (80%)
  • Quality products
  • Fast shipping
  • Branded invoicing

To start, Spocket is a user-friendly tool, so don’t fret even if you are just venturing into dropshipping. Everything is pretty straightforward, from getting an account to finding products and automating order fulfilment.

It’s also designed to work with a range of platforms, unlike many tools out there that restrict integration to just a few dropshipping platforms. You can integrate Spocket with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Amazon, Alibaba, eBay, Wix, Square, Squarespace and Ecwid, just to mention a few.

Another reason why Spocket is a household name is the fact that it focuses more on vetted EU and US suppliers. The requirements to become a supplier are very stringent.

For example, all suppliers must

  • List products that meet US and EU standards
  • Have competitively priced products
  • Provide fast shipping options
  • Maintain a good reputation and a 95% order success rate

Just to mention, Spocket doesn’t have EU and US suppliers only, but it’s worth noting that 80% of the suppliers on board are in the US and EU. This is a very big advantage for you as you can capitalize on fast shipping times, a key aspect that can be the deal maker or breaker.

Remember, customers need to have their orders as fast as possible. This begs the question, what are Spockets shipping times?

  • 1 to 3 days
  • 4 to 7 days
  • 8 to 14 days
  • 15+ days

It’s simple: the closer your customer is to your Spocket supplier, the faster the shipping time. That said, it’s great if you target an audience that is close to your suppliers.

Overall, Spocket suppliers guarantee faster shipping than other suppliers in China and the East in general.

Branded invoicing is another reason you should choose Spocket. With a branded invoice, your customers can clearly see your logo and other elements of your branding, so you can be sure of earning their trust.

Spocket Challenges to Expect

Spocket is a great dropshipping tool, but there’s a catch.

The first challenge is that Spocket may be quite expensive for beginners who want to start dropshipping with no money now that it’s a premium service. You also need a credit card to access the 14-day free trial.

There’s also huge competition now that all dropshippers are flocking to Spocket, but with the right strategies, you can still make it as a beginner.

Last, there’s no customized packaging, so if you want this option, you need to use a 3PL service, which might push up prices.

Spocket ProsSpocket Cons
Vetted EU and US suppliersPremium service only (no free plan)
Fantastic margins of up to 60%Quite expensive subscription costs
Wide variety of quality products Competition
Branded invoicingFree trial required card
Super fast shippingNo product packaging customization
You can order samples
Automatic order processing
Integrates with a wide range of platforms

How To Start Dropshipping with Spocket

Spocket may have its fair share of challenges, but these are challenges that can be mitigated, so Spocket dropshipping still has great potential as you’ve got access to top-quality products, shipping is super fast, and you can brand invoices.

Now, to the main agenda of the day: how do you start dropshipping with Spocket and be successful?

Below is a step-by-step guide.

1. Get Spocket

The first step in your journey to launching your dropshipping store with Spocket is, of course, getting Spocket. But as mentioned earlier, you’ll need a premium subscription or at least a free trial to use the platform.

Getting started is pretty straightforward. You need first to click the Get Started button or Try it for FREE option, which redirects you to the app page where you need to create an account with your email or Facebook.

Next, you need to select the categories you intend to sell and choose US/EU suppliers, AliExpress or White Label.

Then select the region you intend to sell in, and in the next step, you’ll be required to select a plan.

There are 4 plans;

  • Starter $39.99 a month
  • Pro $59.99 a month
  • Empire $99.99 a month
  • Unicorn $299.99 a month

As a starter, I recommend going for the Starter plan or a free trial for $1.99 (credit card required).

2. Connect Your Store

Now that you’ve got a plan, the next step is to connect Spocket with your store. As mentioned earlier, Spocket works with over a dozen eCommerce platforms, and the process of connecting your store varies.

For example, to connect Spocket with Shopify, you need to log in to your Shopify store and install the Spocket app. You can also connect your Shopify store by logging in to your Spocket admin dashboard, selecting Shopify, and feeding your Shopify store URL.

Connecting your store shouldn’t be an uphill battle, whether it’s a WooCommerce store, AliExpress, Amazon or any other platform. The Spocket resources page has plenty of guides to help you out.

3. Product and Supplier Research

Product and supplier research is an important aspect that determines whether your business will succeed or fail. As you may be aware, 90% of dropshipping businesses fail, and the main reason is selling the wrong product or using unreliable suppliers

But thanks to Spocket, you have an easy time finding the best dropshipping suppliers and winning products to sell.

As mentioned earlier, Spocket has vetted suppliers who stock high-quality products that meet EU and US standards, so you won’t face the challenges of bad product quality or unreliable suppliers.

But still, you need to tread carefully. Make sure the products you sell resonate with your audience.

You can choose from a wide range of categories, but for a start, I recommend you go for the Trending category. This category has all the products that are in demand and will surely rake in sales.

As for suppliers, it all depends on where your audience is. If your audience is in the US, go for US suppliers to ensure fast shipping, while for EU audiences, you can never go wrong with EU suppliers.

Interesting fact: Spocket also has print-on-demand dropshipping suppliers, so you can venture into this lucrative business of selling custom products.

4. Import Products

Once you’ve settled on a product, you need to add it to your import list by clicking the Add to Import List option. The next step is clicking the Import List tab, which is on the left, and opening the product to optimize titles and product descriptions.

Make sure to fill in every crucial detail;

  • Title
  • Description
  • Category/Sub-category
  • Tags
  • Images,
  • Inventory
  • Listing price
  • Retail price
  • SKU

After filling out everything, click the Push to Store, and your product will be live on your storefront.

Note: If you can’t push more products into your store, you’ve probably reached your limit, so consider getting a higher plan.

5. Fulfill Orders

After adding products to your store successfully, you need to think of fulfilling orders, and the good news is that it’s the supplier who will handle this.

In as much as you can automate order fulfilment with Spocket, you need to stay on top of communication between the supplier and customer just to ensure everything is running smoothly.

How to Scale Your Business

As mentioned earlier, one of the challenges of dropshipping with Spocket and dropshipping in general is competition. Your store is up and running, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to relax.

Consider spending time marketing your store, be it on social media, through ads, or using the marketing tools available on the platform you’re using.

Another important aspect is pricing. Dropshipping with Spocket can leave you with up to 60% margins. But when starting out, find a way to lower your price to have that edge over already established dropshipping stores selling the same products you have on your store.

Customer service is also key, so don’t let any message fall through the cracks.

Wrapping Up

Indeed, Spocket is one of the best dropshipping tools for beginners as it does all the heavy lifting, finding winning products and reliable EU/US suppliers for you. The suppliers have been vetted and guarantee fast shipping times, which is crucial to the success of your business. Spocket can also help you automate order fulfilment so you remain with ample time to focus on other areas of business. Check it out today and take advantage of the 14-day free trial on any of the 4 plans!

FAQs

1. Is Spocket a good tool for beginners?

Yes. Spocket is the ultimate dropshipping tool for beginners as it has simplified supplier and product research, one of the biggest challenges that beginners face and often leads to the downfall of dropshipping businesses.

2. Is Spocket better than Oberlo?

Spocket is the best choice as it’s feature-packed, and to crown it all, Oberlo closed down, so only Spocket is available right now.

3. Where can I sell Spocket products?

You can sell Spocket products anywhere, including Shopify, BigCommerce, Wix, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Square, and Ecwid, except 3rd party marketplaces.  

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Is Dropshipping Legal? A Guide to the Legal Risks

Dropshipping is among the best online ventures, but is dropshipping legal? You definitely want to know whether this fulfillment method is allowed. Join me on this journey as we explore everything you need to know before starting.

By the end of this article, you’ll learn;

  • What dropshipping is
  • Pros and cons of dropshipping
  • If dropshipping is legal
  • Licensing and taxation laws
  • Legal risks to be aware of
  • How to avoid legal issues

Dropshipping in a Nutshell

Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products, but you have no inventory. Instead, you use a supplier who then sources, packages, and delivers the product to your customers. 

Say, for example, you’re dropshipping watches. You’ll find a supplier who sells you the watch for $10, but you sell it for $20, keeping the $10 profit.

You’ll love the dropshipping model for several reasons.

First, it’s a low-cost and low-risk investment now that you don’t need to purchase inventory beforehand. You only need a sales channel. Next, dropshipping offers excellent flexibility, considering your only responsibility is bringing in the orders; the supplier handles fulfillment.

However, there are some pitfalls which you need to be aware of.

First, there’s stiff competition, but this shouldn’t be a deterrent. You also lack control over aspects such as product quality and inventory. Notably, there’s the risk of legal issues, and that takes us to the main topic of the day: is dropshipping legal?

Is Dropshipping Legal?

From the fact that you’re selling what you don’t have, dropshipping may look like an illegal practice, but the truth of the matter is that dropshipping is legal, just like any other business. Yes, you may not have inventory, but as long as you make sure the customer gets their product, there are no worries at all.

Dropshipping is legal in the US and many other countries globally. I haven’t heard of a country where this business model is restricted.

But is that all?

Of course not. There are several things you need to be aware of.

What is the Legal Dropshipping Age

Can you dropship if you’re under 18? Yes. There’s nothing that should stop you from starting a dropshipping business before attaining the legal age. However, considering there’s a lot of paperwork to do with suppliers and payment processors, among other stakeholders, minors will need a guardian to sign the papers on your behalf.

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs started out before 18.

A good example is Alex Philip, who was making well over $5,000 in profit monthly when he was just 14.

Do You Need a License To Start Dropshipping?

What does the government in your country say about licensing? Well, like any other business, you’ll need a license to run your business.

Licensing laws vary from one country to another, and in the US, they vary by state. To start, you’ll first need a business license which allows you to operate your business in the United States. You’ll need licenses from all levels of government, from the local and state governments to federal. Some states offer a general license, while others require users to apply for licenses and permits for specific business categories.

But then, when starting out, a license might not be necessary, but after the business picks up, you should consider getting one.

Are Taxes Your Responsibility?

Considering it’s the supplier who’s fulfilling the order, will you be required to pay taxes? Yes. You’re required to pay your taxes if you don’t want to have a date with the authorities. The payable taxes vary from one country to another. 

In the US, for example, you’ll have to pay;

  • Income tax
  • Sales tax
  • Source tax
  • Customs/duty tax

As you may be aware, everyone pays income tax, which is a fraction of the gross income of your business. Sales tax, on the other hand, is a tax that you collect from each sale and remit to the government. Third is source tax, which you pay to the supplier, who will, in turn, remit to the government, and last is customs duty, which is applicable for products moving across international borders.

So, how do you calculate taxes?

Well, all these taxes may be a challenge to compute, and that’s why we always recommend that you seek advice from a tax professional just to be on the safe side. The table below will give you a rough picture of how much you need to pay.

TaxRange
Federal Income Tax10% – 37%
Sales Tax0% – 11%
Customs Duty0% – 37.5%

Can You Avoid Dropshipping Taxes?

From the table above, it’s clear that taxes may take a toll on your earnings, so this begs the question, can you avoid dropshipping taxes? 

Yes.

You can avoid paying taxes if you‘ve got a tax exemption certificate. But not all the taxes, source tax only. The other way to avoid paying taxes is to establish your business in any of the below states, which don’t charge income tax.

  • Alaska
  • Florida
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Washington
  • Wyoming

Online Marketplace Dropshipping Policies

While dropshipping, in general, is legal, it isn’t allowed on some marketplaces. That said, you need to be aware of the policies of the sales channel you want to use and abide by them so you don’t risk getting your seller accounts banned.

In this segment, we’re going to check the dropshipping policies of the popular marketplaces.

Is Amazon Dropshipping Legal

Dropshipping is allowed on Amazon, but there are some policies that should be strictly adhered to lest you get banned from the platform. The basic guideline of the policy is that you should be the seller on record (SOR), meaning there should be no information about the supplier or any other seller apart from you. Check out the full Amazon dropshipping guide for more.

Is eBay Dropshipping Legal

eBay dropshipping is also allowed, but just like Amazon and other platforms, there are applicable laws and guidelines that have to be followed, or else you get that dreaded ‘restricted’ or ‘suspended’ email.

You’re allowed to dropship on eBay as long as you own the products listed prior, or you’ve got an agreement with the supplier of the products. Listing an item and then buying from another retailer or online marketplace is prohibited. You can check out our exclusive eBay dropshipping guide for beginners.

Is Etsy Dropshipping Legal

Etsy is the go-to platform for dropshippers selling crafted or handmade products, one of the most promising niches today. While dropshipping is allowed, your products must be craft items or antiques. It’s also worth noting that all items sold under the handmade category must be either made or designed by the seller (dropshipper).

Is Dropshipping Legal on Shopify?

Shopify is among the most popular online store platforms and is a go-to solution for dropshippers looking for an all-in-one eCommerce tool. Dropshipping using Shopify is allowed as long as you adhere to all the policies, from government to marketplace policies and guidelines.

Possible Dropshipping Legal Risks To Be Aware Of

Dropshipping is allowed in all countries, but you have to play by the book. Make sure to get all the necessary licenses once your business picks up and fulfills all your tax obligations. You should also adhere to all the marketplace policies and regulations so you don’t get banned. 

But as a beginner, you might not get everything right, so to stay on the safe side always, we’ve shared some of the common legal risks and complications that dropshippers find themselves in and how to avoid them. 

1. Intellectual Property Infringement

One of the common risks dropshippers run is copyright infringement, which arises mostly due to selling counterfeit products. Though still a gray area, the truth remains that you’ll be held responsible for selling items that are protected by intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights. 

If you’re in the print-on-demand niche, it will be fundamental to understand all intellectual property laws and abide by them strictly. You don’t want to fall into trouble with Disney for selling Disney-branded t-shirts or with Lucasfilm Ltd. for selling Star Wars-branded phone cases.

Surprisingly, intellectual property infringement doesn’t encompass just the products; even the content you use in your marketing material, For example, product description and photos, shouldn’t infringe any intellectual property laws.

Tip: Use the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Search System or Google Patents to find out whether intellectual property rights apply to a product you’re selling.

2. Selling Banned Products

You just can’t sell anything and everything on popular marketplaces, including Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and the rest. Amazon, for example, alcohol, used apparel, hazardous products, adult products, tobacco products, etc. eBay, too, has a list of products you’re not allowed to sell.

For your information, even if you’ve got your own store, you should be aware of products you can’t sell or ship in specific states or countries. Violating any laws could land you in trouble.

3. Violating Consumer Protection Laws

A bunch of dropshippers have also been sued for violating consumer protection laws, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Even though you might not be the manufacturer of the product, as the seller, you are responsible for any infringement of consumer protection laws. That is to say, you can be sued for selling cosmetics that end up harming your buyers.

You should also be aware of the truth in advertising laws, as customers can sue you if you use any deceptive practices to market the product. Your supplier won’t be held liable if you misrepresented information. Make sure that all potential issues with customers are ironed out sufficiently, for example, the refund policy. 

Below are resourceful links to consumer protection laws in different countries

4. Breaking Shipping and Customs Policies

The advantage of dropshipping is that you can sell globally. But while this is something good, it can expose you to some legal risks if you break shipping and customs policies. Shipping and customs laws vary from one country to another.

To ensure you don’t brush shoulders with the law, ensure your orders are shipped within the stipulated times and have a refund policy that you should adhere to. It’s also important to acquaint yourself with the local laws on imports and exports and fulfill all the requirements.

5. Infringing Digital Business Laws and Regulations 

Many dropshippers aren’t aware of the digital business laws and regulations and end up violating them. There are many digital business laws, and they vary from one country to another. If you’re a dropshipper in the US, for example, you’ve got to adhere to the Digital Business Laws and Regulations USA.

These laws cover several aspects, including eCommerce regulation in general, data protection law, cybersecurity, brand enforcement, online payments, and so on.

Wrapping Up

That’s the end of this round-up on whether dropshipping is legal or not, so what are the key takeaways? First, dropshipping is legal, just like any other business. However, you need to have a license and fulfill your tax obligations. It’s also necessary to follow marketplace rules and regulations to the latter. So, what are you waiting for? Start dropshipping today and open up a new passive income stream. If you still aren’t sure about one thing or another, it’s best to consult a legal practitioner and probably tax professionals for comprehensive advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you get banned for dropshipping?

While dropshipping isn’t illegal, you can get banned from dropshipping. Marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay will have your seller account suspended or permanently blocked if you violate any of the policies.

2. Which website is best for dropshipping?

If you’re looking for a supplier, the best shot will be AliExpress and Alibaba as the two have a wide range of products and unbeatable prices. For those looking for a sales channel, Amazon and eBay will be the best options.

3. Can you get sued for dropshipping a product?

Yes. As the supplier, you bear all the risks associated with a product you’re selling, not the supplier. That said, you can be sued for dropshipping illegal products and any other item that isn’t allowed.

4. Is dropshipping ethically wrong?

Well, the fact that in dropshipping, you’re not selling a product you have in hand raises ethical questions, but the truth of the matter is that it’s ethical, considering it’s just a fulfillment method and is now being adopted globally.

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Beginner’s Guide On How To Start A Watches Dropshipping Business

Are you thinking of starting a watch dropshipping business? I must commend you, as this is one of the most lucrative niches in the dropshipping market. But how do you start a successful business as a beginner? For the experts, how will you stand out from the competition?

In this article, you’ll learn;

  • The watch dropshipping business model
  • Why watches is a profitable niche
  • The challenges you’ll encounter
  • How to find the best watches and suppliers
  • How to start dropshipping watches in 5 easy steps
  • How to scale your watches dropshipping business

The Art Of Dropshipping Watches

Dropshipping is a business model where sellers don’t keep inventory. In short, when you’re dropshipping watches, you don’t need to have that particular watch. That’s why dropshipping watches is considered a low-risk and low-capital investment.

So how does all this work? I’ll explain.

Say you, as an entrepreneur, want to start a watches dropshipping business. You’ll first find a supplier who will sell you a watch for let’s say $3 and then list it on your store for $15. Once you get the order, you pay the supplier, and they send the watch to your customer. At the end of the day, you keep $12 as profit.

Sounds easy, right?

Well, it may sound like an easy way of making money, but it involves a complex web of steps that have to be followed to get the results. As an eye opener, just 10-20% of dropshipping businesses succeed, and 90% fail during the first year. I’m not trying to discourage you, but that’s the reality, and here’s the good part – you can start a successful business if you do it right!

Why Dropship Watches?

There are many niches you can choose from, including fashion, automotive, home improvement, phone accessories, electronics, pet supplies, and kitchen & appliances, among others.

But why watches?

Dropshipping watches is a low capital investment and is also a low risk as you don’t need to own or keep inventory. The dropshipping business model is also flexible, as your part is raking in sales only, and the supplier handles fulfillment. Besides the main benefits of dropshipping, there’s something special about watches. 

Below are 3 reasons why watches make a good dropshipping niche.

  • Evergreen
  • Margins
  • Perfect size

Watches and jewelry are evergreen products that are in demand throughout the year. Whether it’s at the beginning of the year or during fall in preparation for Christmas, online marketplaces enjoy steady sales in this category. Even from a simple search on Google Trends, you can tell that, indeed, watches are evergreen products.

The watches niche also attracts huge margins compared to other products. A watch that you may buy for just $3 can fetch you up to $20 real quick. You can also focus on the luxury watches sub-niche, which, with just one sale, you can make thousands of dollars.

Another factor that makes watches a good niche is that watches have that perfect dropshipping size. A good dropshipping product should be small and lightweight for fast and affordable shipping. You won’t have trouble with shipping, and besides, you can capitalize on free shipping options offered by most suppliers.

Challenges to Expect

Dropshipping watches is among the most lucrative ventures, but it has its fair share of challenges. Below are the major problems you’ll probably encounter.

  • Competition
  • Defects
  • Counterfeit products

The dropshipping industry attracts millions of entrepreneurs, so expect stiff competition from other stores dropshipping watches. The top brands, for example, Apple, TAG, Rolex, Cartier, SEIKO, and Omega, have dominated the market, but you can still bring your A-game and get a piece of the cake.

There’s also the problem of defects, just like with any other battery-operated products. To solve this loophole, work with suppliers that have trusted warranty and a friendly return policy. 

You’ll have a problem with low-quality and counterfeit goods. Even though the cheap watches may have huge margins, you risk hurting your brand by selling substandard watches. If you’re not careful, you might also end up on the wrong side of the law and even get up to 10 years imprisonment. Avoid selling counterfeit watches.

Some marketplaces and shipping companies have strict regulations on items with batteries and may require some more paperwork to sell products with batteries. 

How To Start Dropshipping Watches: A Step-By-Step Guide

Now, to the main business of the day, how do you start a successful dropshipping business? Below is how to launch a successful watches dropshipping business in 5 easy steps.

Step 1: Product Research

I must say you’ve made a good decision to start dropshipping watches, considering the global watch market size was valued at $617.8561 billion in 2022, and projections show that it will witness a (CAGR) of 8.41% to blossom into a $1408.88 billion by 2030.

But picture this.

There are many types of watches and different price ranges, and now that you are a beginner, selling just any watch can be overwhelming in the long run. Experts recommend starting with a sub-niche before going out all guns blazing. Below are some of the sub-niches you can start with;

  • Leather watches
  • Stainless steel watches
  • Bracelet watches
  • Ultrathin watches
  • Wooden watches
  • Luxury watches
  • Designer watches
  • Smartwatches
  • Pocket watches
  • Nurse fob watches

Once you have a niche, you have a focused and tailored approach to product curation and marketing.

PRO TIP: Wooden watches and nurse fob watches sub-niches are perfect for beginners as there’s less competition.

How To Find Winning Products

Even after settling on a sub-niche, there’s still a lot of work to do. You now need to find those winning products in the sub-niche that you’ll list on your store. For starters, a watch that you should consider a winning product should be unique, in demand, and have the potential to give you high margins.

Now, to find the best watches for your store, it’s best to use product research tools, for example, Easync, which shows you the hottest-selling products. Platforms such as AliExpress, Amazon, and eBay have built-in tools to help you in product research. Other methods for product research include Google Trends, TikTok, and competitor analysis.

Step 2: Supplier Research

The next step after finding winning products is finding suppliers, and this is a crucial stage. I’ll explain why.

According to Printful, over 84% of online retailers say that finding the right supplier is the biggest challenge when establishing and running their business. When starting your watches dropshipping business, you need to find a reliable supplier as the supplier affects key business dynamics, including, product quality, pricing and profits, shipping turnaround, and customer satisfaction

To succeed, you need to sell high-quality products only, lest you start dealing with unending returns and negative reviews. Make sure the supplier you’re dealing with can deliver quality watches as described. The price points should also be favorable, and shipping time should be fast, as 62% of consumers believe fast delivery is the most important aspect of a positive customer experience (Insider Intelligence). Last, the supplier handles much of the fulfillment, including delivery, and this is crucial in overall customer satisfaction.

How to Find the Best Supplier

There are several ways of finding a dropshipping supplier. You can search ‘best watch suppliers’ on popular search engines, for example, Google, or use supplier/manufacturer directories and niche scrapers. However, the best method is using supplier research tools such as Easync, which can link you up with all the top dropshipping suppliers.

So, which are some of the best suppliers for watches?

AliExpress is one of the best dropshipping suppliers, with a wide range of watches and complementary products. The prices are as low as $3, and with careful product selection, you can find some gems that can rake in profits. The platform allows dropshipping and offers relatively fast shipping times.

You can also opt for Alibaba, Amazon, CJ Dropshipping, DHGate, LightInTheBox, and Shein, just to mention a few. 

While there are many dropshipping suppliers out there, beware of some unreliable companies. Some of the red flags of an untrustworthy supplier include lack of physical address, selling to the general public, hefty monthly fees (upfront), and lack of industry knowledge.

Step 3: Choosing a Platform

Where are you going to sell your watches? Is it a marketplace, or do you want your own store? This is the next dilemma after finding winning products and a reliable supplier. You need to know the advantages and disadvantages of either option.

Selling On Marketplaces

You can start your dropshipping business on established stores such as Amazon and eBay. Such stores are ideal for beginners as there’s a ready market. For example, Amazon has over 300 million users, while eBay has around 130 million customers.

The advantage of selling on marketplaces is that you can start selling immediately and don’t require marketing as you have a ready audience. On the downside, you have no control of your business as Amazon and other marketplaces have strict rules and can even ban your account without notice. Your hands are also tied when it comes to branding.

Build Your Store

If you want to build a brand, you’ll have to opt for a store. Here, you can build your store from scratch, which can be expensive and require a lot of attention. The other option is using pre-built websites such as Shopify, which are cheaper, and you can get started immediately.

If you want to take charge of your business and brand, building your store is the best option. You also get rid of competition, but then, you’ll need to invest heavily, talk of buying a domain and hiring developers or paying for monthly subscriptions.

Step 4: Creating Listings

Now that all is set regarding matters of sourcing, you need to list the products you’re selling on your online store. 3 things matter here: product description, pricing, and inventory.

A good product description is key to the success of your business as it sells the product and directly affects conversion rates. One of the main benefits of writing proper product descriptions is SEO, which, in turn, determines the visibility of your products on search engines. Make sure your product descriptions have all the information needed for transparency and, importantly, to reduce the chances of returns.

Next, you need to calculate profits, and this is a crucial stage now that it involves money. You don’t need to have a finance degree to find your way around as the math is simple – factor in all costs, including buying price, taxes, shipping fees, store subscription/marketing fees, packaging, and everything in between. When it comes to margins, they vary depending on the sub-niche. For example, most entrepreneurs put up a 20-30% markup, which is a good point to stay afloat.

Last, make sure to set your inventory with allowance. As you may be aware, your supplier may be working with other retailers, so even if there are 1000 pieces today, that doesn’t guarantee that there will be enough stock tomorrow. That said, work with minimum stocks on your site and update inventory regularly so you don’t end up getting orders for items your supplier doesn’t have.

Step 5: Marketing Your Store

Whether you’re selling on a marketplace like Amazon or you have a store, marketing is paramount. The big question is, how will you find leads and convert sales? There’s just a single path – marketing.

So, what are some of the marketing strategies you can opt for? Well, it depends on your budget and goals, plus a lot of other factors, including your sales channel.

If you’re selling on a marketplace, much has already been done for you, but you still need to find ways of driving traffic to your store. For example, you can go for ads or use the platform’s marketing tools, if any. For my Amazon store, for example, I use Amazon Ads alongside external PPC ads, which are quite effective in the long run, especially during sales seasons like Christmas.

For those with personal stores, it might take a little more effort as you’re starting from zero. Luckily, there are several ways to get traffic and sales. For instant results, ads work out best, but if you want to create a brand or for SEO, its results are long-term. 

Other marketing strategies include email marketing, social media (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook), and promotions.

Fulfilling Orders

One advantage of dropshipping watches is that the supplier handles the entire fulfillment process, from product sourcing to packaging and delivery. But this doesn’t mean you are not involved. Yes, you are.

First, it’s your responsibility to transfer the order to the supplier and get confirmation that the order is being processed. The customer should also be kept in the loop at every stage of the order process.

While the supplier is responsible for delivery, you’re responsible for processing returns. Once the customer files for a return, you should lead the process because the customer knows you, not the supplier. That said, make sure to iron out all issues regarding returns before signing up that partnership with a supplier.

Scaling Your Watches Dropshipping Business

Your business is running, but how do you add fuel to the fire to beat the competition and stand out from the crowd? Below are some helpful moves that could make a difference.

  • Product research
  • Automation
  • Customer service
  • Free shipping

Product research should be a continuous process, considering there are different seasons, and each season has demand for certain types of watches. There’s also the fact that new watch designs are being rolled out, so it’s best to give your buyers a taste of the latest timepieces.

Next, think of automation as this helps you boost efficiency and reduce human errors. We’ve got dozens of automation software such as Easync, that put mundane and repetitive tasks such as product research, listing, repricing, and marketing on autopilot.

Third, endeavor to offer exemplary customer service as customer is king. Many businesses fail because they overlook customer service. That simple message from a visitor could be a potential sale and a loyal customer.

Free shipping can also be a winning strategy to scale your dropshipping business. The stats say it all. 90% of consumers are encouraged to shop more given the free shipping option, while 73% are more likely to buy an item if it has the free shipping option. Considering watches are small and light, find a way of offering free shipping or use suppliers with the free shipping option.

Wrapping Up

There you have it folks, the ultimate watches dropshipping guide for beginners. Indeed, dropshipping watches is a lucrative venture that can bring good returns considering watches is an evergreen niche and has high margins. 

To start a successful business, you need to find the right type of watch to sell, a reliable supplier, and a platform. You’ll also need to take care of marketing and do the necessary follow-ups in the fulfillment stage. To scale your business, a product research tool is also necessary to automate mundane tasks and prevent errors. 

So, what are you waiting for? Start dropshipping watches today, and if you get everything right, you’ll have a steady source of income all year round.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is dropshipping watches legal?

Like any other dropshipping business, dropshipping watches is legal. However, you need to take care of licensing and taxation issues where necessary and not sell counterfeits, as this might land you in trouble with the authorities.

2. Are watches good for dropshipping?

Dropshipping watches is among the best niches considering there’s demand for watches all year round and they have good margins. Watches are also the perfect size for dropshipping.

3. Who is the best watch supplier?

AliExpress is by far the best dropshipping supplier for watches and offers some of the lowest prices and free shipping. But you can always seek alternative suppliers such as Shein, Alibaba, and DHGate.

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Dropshipping From Alibaba to Shopify: Ultimate Beginners Guide

If you’re planning to start dropshipping from Alibaba to Shopify, I must say that you’ve made the best decision. This is among the most lucrative ventures you can start in 2024 and make steady income. 

In this guide, you’ll learn everything about Alibaba to Shopify dropshipping, from why these two are the best platforms to how to launch your business and everything in between.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

What’s the Fuss With Alibaba and Shopify?

We’ve got several dropshipping models, but why Alibaba to Shopify?

The answer is simple…Alibaba is a trusted supplier, and Shopify is a user-friendly eCommerce platform.

Alibaba – Trusted Supplier

Alibaba is a Chinese eCommerce company with interests in other fields, including internet and technology. It’s known as the world’s largest B2B trading platform and owns AliExpress, another top supplier from China.

You must be wondering why you should consider Alibaba as your number 1 supplier. Below are some of the reasons this eCommerce giant is the go-to supplier for most dropshipping businesses.

  • Free platform and allows dropshipping
  • Wide variety of products
  • Trusted merchants
  • Competitive pricing
  • Global shipping options
  • Private label solutions

Unlike some platforms, for example, Temu, Alibaba is a dropshipping-first marketplace and facilitates dropshipping with features such as dropshipping buyer account, Request for Quotation (RFQ) feature, and its compatibility with a range of dropshipping tools, including Shopify. The icing on the cake is that you don’t need to pay any fees, as all tools are free.

Second, Alibaba boasts a wide range of products in over a dozen categories. Whether you want to sell phone accessories or fashion items, Alibaba has got you covered. The prices, too, are competitive, and most of the merchants have been vetted, so you can be sure you’re dealing with a reliable supplier.

Another reason to choose Alibaba is its global coverage. With this supplier, you’re not limited when it comes to where you can sell. The company ships globally and offers pretty fast and affordable shipping.

You should also consider Alibaba if you want private label solutions to scale your online store from just any other Shopify store into a brand of its own. This way, you’ll be sure of growing your brand and getting repeat sales.

Indeed, Alibaba is a reliable supplier for dropshipping, but there are some shortcomings. First, you’ll definitely not miss low-quality products, which might hurt your business because of negative reviews and returns. Besides, customer support is wanting, especially if the supplier doesn’t understand English, but all should be well if you properly vet the merchant you’re buying from.

Shopify – User-Friendly eCommerce Platform

I’m sure you’re asking yourself why Shopify is such a dominant force in a market with other big names, including WooCommerce. Well, Shopify stands out from the crowd for several reasons.

According to the latest data, there are over 3.76 million live websites using Shopify, and interestingly, most are dropshipping businesses. This tells you that, indeed, Shopify is a trusted brand, so it should be the perfect solution for building your store if you want to take full control of your business.

Shopify is also the all-in-one solution you need to start your dropshipping business and sell on other channels, for example, social media, marketplaces, and even brick-and-mortar establishments. The platform tags along with all the tools you’ll need to manage products, inventory, pricing, shipping, and even payments.

Another reason Shopify is a fantastic platform is how user-friendly it is. You don’t need a developer or programmer, as the platform has an intuitive online store builder and plenty of customizable themes. It also offers much flexibility as it allows for seamless integration with other tools.

However, there are some shortcomings I must mention.

Shopify is a paid service, and the subscription costs may be quite high if you are starting a business on a budget. Another problem is that Shopify Payments, the platform’s payment processing system, is supported in just a few countries. Your only solution if your country is not supported is using 3rd party payment solutions, which attract huge transaction fees.

How to Start Dropshipping From Alibaba to Shopify

Alibaba is undoubtedly a worthy supplier as you get access to a wide variety of products at fantastic prices that will leave you with some good margins. On the other hand, Shopify is a trusted eCommerce platform with all the tools you need to run your dropshipping store.

Now, to the main business of the day: how do you start dropshipping from Alibaba to Shopify?

Let’s find out.

Step 1: Register For an Alibaba Dropshipping Account

One thing we like about Alibaba is its steadfast approach to facilitating dropshipping now that it’s a B2B platform. It goes further to offer a special account for dropshippers, which is different from that of regular customers. 

The Alibaba Dropshipping Account will be important for your business as it offers access to a curated list of over 1 million winning products from over 10,000 vetted suppliers and manufacturers. Notably, you won’t be bound by minimum order quantities (MOQs). 

You can also use this account to put your business on autopilot, as you can fulfill orders automatically and import the hottest-selling products in just one click. More interestingly, there’s Alibaba Trade Assurance that protects you from rogue suppliers who don’t ship on time or ship the wrong or low-quality product.

For the above reasons, you need to get an Alibaba Dropshipping Account, as it will give you access to Alibaba Dropshipping Center. 

Step 2: Get and Set Up Shopify

With an Alibaba Dropshipping account, you now need to get Shopify. This will be the store where your products will be listed. To run your business on Shopify, you’ll need two things;

  • Subscription
  • Domain

As mentioned earlier, one of the shortcomings of Shopify is that it’s not a free platform. You’ll need a paid subscription to start selling and enjoy all the features and tools. There are 3 Shopify plans: Basic for individuals at $32 a month, Shopify for small businesses at $92 a month, and Advanced for medium and large enterprises at $399 a month.

Note: You can always try Shopify with the 3-day free trial period and take advantage of the lucrative discount that costs just $1 per month for the first 3 months.

You’ll also need a domain name, and this will be important if you want to stay on top of your branding. There are many domain names, but settling for one can be an uphill battle. However, we recommend top-level domains such as .com and .net that blend well with your product line. One thing we like about Shopify is that you don’t need hosting, as this has already been taken care of in all the plans thus saving you the expensive hosting costs.

Now that you’re armed with a plan and a domain, next you need to choose a theme and customize it to your liking. Have a logo and a color scheme that will be consistent in all your branding.

Step 3: Sync Alibaba and Shopify

We want to synchronize Alibaba and Shopify to leverage all the dropshipping tools offered by the two platforms for harmony.

To connect your Shopify store with Alibaba, you need to log in to your Alibaba account and your Shopify dashboard. Then navigate to the Apps page, or simply search for Alibaba Dropshipping on the search bar. You’ll be redirected to the Shopify app store, where you’ll need to install the Alibaba app.

Remember, you’ll also need to set up your preferred payment methods, be it PayPal, Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, Stripe, you name it. Make sure to fill in all the information correctly. The shipping options must also be configured to either flat-rate or calculated shipping. Know what works best for you.

Step 4: Embark On Product Research

You now have a ready Shopify store integrated with Alibaba, your trusted supplier. The next step is to embark on product research, and here, the big question is, what Alibaba products sell best?

Product research is an important stage in the establishment of your business and goes beyond, as you’ll be constantly looking for new products to add to your store.

So, how do you find the best products to sell?

We’re glad that with the Alibaba Dropshipping Account, you get access to the dropshipping center, which has an ever-expanding list of the hottest-selling items. These are handpicked products that will surely sell and yield some good profits.

Alibaba’s dropshipping center comes in handy during product research, but you can also step up your efforts by combining a tool like Easync that shows you all the trending products that are in demand. Once you spot a product, find if it’s available on Alibaba. As one of the leading marketplaces in China, you’ll hardly miss something you’re looking for. You can, of course, deploy other product research methods, including Google Trends and exploring TikTok videos.

Step 5: Product Import

One of the advantages of Shopify and Alibaba is the fact that product import has been streamlined in that you don’t necessarily need a product import tool. The two sync together to facilitate one-click product import from Alibaba to your Shopify store.

To make your product research and import effortless, Alibaba has a feature dubbed Import List, where you can save your products during research for later reference. Once a product is in the Import List, you can easily transfer it to your Shopify store by clicking the Push To Store option.

Step 5: Pricing and Profits

The 5th step in this guide on how to start dropshipping from Alibaba to Shopify deals with money matters. This is where many entrepreneurs fail, so you need to be extra vigilant here to avoid losses.

As a basic rule, you need to factor in all costs before setting the final price. Of course, costs include the supplier’s price, shipping fees if required, taxes, and the store subscription fees.

But the big question is, what should be your margins?

Well, it’s hard to put a figure as it depends on what you’re selling. But generally, the best dropshipping margins range between 20% and 40%. But for a start, be content with small margins to at least rake in some sales.

Step 6: Market Your Shopify Store

By now, you have a running Shopify store, but is it time to relax? Absolutely not. In fact, it’s time you need a lot of psyche and dedication to start bringing in traffic and converting leads into sales. 

Remember, you’re not selling on an established marketplace like Amazon or eBay, so you need to market your store. You can market your store using different methods, as discussed below.

  • Ads
  • SEO
  • Social media marketing
  • Email marketing

Ads are a great way to get instant traffic and sales, but you’ll need a good budget to get the results. Another marketing option is search engine optimization, which is quite an effort, but the good thing is that the results are long-term, unlike ads. Social media marketing is an asset, considering there are around 5 billion social media users worldwide. Newsletters also do work, but try this method once you’re already established.

Step 7: Fulfill Orders

Your core responsibility in your Shopify dropshipping business is finding products to sell and bringing in sales. The supplier is responsible for fulfilling the order. 

But as a smart entrepreneur who values their customers, you shouldn’t relax just yet.

Make sure your supplier delivers the order on time. You should also ensure there’s constant communication with the buyer on the status of their order. Remember, you may not be responsible for fulfilling the orders, but it’s your responsibility to ensure returns are handled as per the policy of the supplier and your store. 

Importantly, maintain communication with the buyer on your latest products, promotions, and other goodies they might be interested in.

Scaling Your Alibaba to Shopify Business

The eCommerce landscape is ever-changing, so you need to find ways of scaling your business to stay afloat and blossom into a worthwhile online venture. In this segment of this guide on how to start Alibaba to Shopify dropshipping, we’ve shared crucial tips that will be instrumental in the growth of your business.

They say customer is king. To grow your business, make sure you have reliable customer support across multiple channels. You should endeavor to answer all messages – nothing should fall through the cracks. That message you want to ignore could be a potential sale, a repeat customer, and your brand’s ambassador.

You should also leverage automation fully. Automate every stage of your business, from product research to fulfillment. Automation saves a lot of time that you can channel to other important aspects of your business. Furthermore, automation reduces human errors.

Last, consider offering free shipping. According to statistics, 9 out of 10 customers say that free shipping is the biggest incentive in online shopping. Besides, strive to ensure customers get their orders within the shortest time possible by selling items that are in local warehouses.

Wrapping Up

We’ve come to the end of this Alibaba to Shopify dropshipping guide and as you have seen, this is a fantastic business opportunity if you get everything right. To start dropshipping from Alibaba to Shopify, you need to first set up your accounts and then find and import products to sell.  You also have to hit the ground with working marketing strategies and scale your business with automation. So, what are you waiting for? Start dropshipping from Alibaba to Shopify today and make that extra income.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Shopify actually free?

No, it’s a premium service. To use Shopify, you need a paid plan, but of course, there’s a 3-day free trial, so you can first try the service to gauge whether it fits the bill or not.

2. Is dropshipping from Alibaba to Shopify allowed?

Yes, of course. Alibaba is a dropshipping-friendly platform that allows sellers to list products on the platform, and besides, there are exclusive features designed to help dropshippers manage their businesses.

3. Is Alibaba to Shopify dropshipping profitable?

The Alibaba to Shopify model is profitable. But remember, just 10 % to 20% of dropshipping businesses thrive, so you need to have a formidable plan, dedication and resilience to succeed.

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Temu Dropshipping: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners 2024

Want to start a side hustle in 2024? In today’s topic, we’ll be talking about the Temu dropshipping business model that everyone’s been talking about lately. You’re about to find out;

  • What Temu dropshipping is
  • Advantages and disadvantages of Temu dropshipping
  • If Temu dropshipping is legal
  • How to start dropshipping from Temu
  • Temu dropshipping alternatives

Started in 2022, Temu is a popular online marketplace owned and operated by PDD Holdings, a Chinese eCommerce conglomerate. It has grown exponentially, brushing shoulders with household names including AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, Shein, and the rest. The online store boasts over 100 million users in the US, Canada, the UK, and Germany, among other countries.

Temu has also attracted dropshippers and you can tell this by a simple check on Google trends on how the interest of the search terms ‘Temu dropshipping’ has spiked in the last few months.

What is Temu Dropshipping?

Temu dropshipping is basically dropshipping on the platform as a seller or using the platform as your supplier. In the first instance, you need to have an inventory of the goods, while in the second, you don’t need inventory. Now that you’re looking for a side hustle or extra source of income, you probably have no money for inventory, so your option is to use Temu as your supplier.

Is Temu Dropshipping Allowed?

First things first. Are you even allowed to dropship on Temu? Definitely you want to establish a legit business without infringing on any party’s policies or even having a date with the authorities, so this is something you need to know before starting out.

On the official website, it’s clearly stated that dropshipping isn’t supported. But should you give up just from this? Not just yet.

You can dropship from Temu now that the company clearly says you can purchase an item directly from their site. After deep screening of the policy and from my understanding, what Temu means by ‘not supporting dropshipping’ is that there’s no platform specifically designed for dropshippers, for example, AliExpress DS Center in AliExpress dropshipping. But there’s a category with handpicked products for dropshipping…Hurrah!

That said, it’s safe to say you can dropship from Temu, but there are some challenges that we’ll explore later.

Why Dropship From Temu?

There are many platforms where you can dropship from, for example, AliExpress, Amazon, Shein, Alibaba, and so on. But why Temu, a new company, yet we have renowned marketplaces that have been in business for years? Well, Temu is the best choice for several reasons.

  • Wide product range
  • Unbeatable prices and discounts
  • Faster shipment
  • Flexible return policy

Temu has a wide range of products in 29+ categories. It matches the household names in the industry talk of Alibaba and AliExpress, so whether you want to sell fashion items, watches & jewelry, appliances, toys & games, pet supplies, or health & beauty products, Temu has everything in store for you. Interestingly, you can find many items sold on other platforms here.

Temu is known for its low prices, and this is among the reasons why the company has grown exponentially in just one year. You can get stuff to sell from as low as $1 and still make some good profits. Discounts, too, are in plenty.

While the majority of the sellers are in China, Temu has its headquarters here in the USA and warehouses, too, where most of the products sold are stored. This gives you the edge when it comes to shipping, as your customers will get their orders pretty fast, though there are isolated cases where there are delays, which is normal in dropshipping.

Perhaps the biggest win is the generous 90-day return policy, which gives you a boost when it comes to customer confidence. Remember, buyers are more confident in buying from you if you offer them an extended return window.

The Challenges – That Orange Packaging

Temu is indeed a great supplier for your dropshipping business, but there are some shortcomings you need to be aware of and probably find solutions to seal the loopholes. 

The biggest challenge is the fact that Temu sends all packages in the company’s trademark orange package, and this automatically tells the customer that the item is from Temu. Next time, they might order directly from Temu.

Of course, you might also encounter issues with product quality and delayed shipping times, among others, but none of these should be the reason you’ll abort your mission. Temu dropshipping is not dead!

How To Start Dropshipping From Temu

We understand that you’re a beginner and probably you don’t know where to start or how to advance. In this segment, we’ve shared a step-by-step guide on how to launch your Temu dropshipping business. 

84% of e-commerce retailers find that the most significant hurdle in starting a dropshipping business is locating a reliable supplier” Printful

Of course, you have found a reliable supplier, Temu, so you’ve already cranked up the engine. Let’s start revving up.

Step 1: Product Research

Even though there are no exact figures out there, it’s generally agreed that just 10-20% of dropshipping businesses succeed, and one of the reasons for the downfall of many is selling the wrong product.

To start a successful Temu dropshipping business, you need to find a winning product. Below are some of the characteristics of a winning product;

  • Unique
  • Not available locally
  • Solves a problem
  • High profit margins
  • Size
  • No competition
  • Not prohibited

A good dropshipping product has a ‘wow’ factor, isn’t available at your local store, and solves a problem. The price points should also guarantee high profit margins (20-40%), and the product should be small to avoid high shipping costs. Of course, there shouldn’t be many sellers with the same product, and the item shouldn’t be on the banned list.

Now, this is really important; how do you find the best product to sell on Temu?

Well, as a beginner, you might want to go the long way – manual product research. But this can be hectic and not effective in the long run.

Let me explain why.

There are millions of products on Temu, and going through the categories one by one might be a daunting task. Besides, you won’t be making data-driven decisions. 

The best approach is using a product research tool such as Easync, which shows you the products that are in demand in real time. It further crunches up the crucial numbers so you can predict the profitability of a product. 

I must also mention the Temu Product Analysis Tool, which offers detailed product data on orders, profit, order volumes, product ratings, competitors, and so on. All this data can help you determine if an item can make a winning product.

Step 2: Choosing a Sales Channels

Finally, you’ve found that perfect product from Temu, so the next big question is, where will you be selling? A sales channel is a crucial consideration as it affects the overall success and sustainability of your business. 

Now, there are several sales channels, each with its fair share of advantages and disadvantages. You can opt to sell on marketplaces or create a store.

(a) Selling on Marketplaces

Established marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay are good platforms to sell your products, especially as a beginner. The fact that they are already established means you already have an audience, so you don’t need to spend time marketing. You can focus on finding the best products to sell and offering customer support.

But you need to know that there may be charges. For example, I pay $39.99 a month for the Amazon Professional Plan, but you can start with the Individual Plan, where you pay $0.99 / item sold. As for eBay, you pay insertion fees and final value fees.

(b) Creating Your Store

If you want total control over your business and brand, it’s better if you invest in your own store. You can opt to build your online store from scratch and have it aligned with your branding for consistency. The other option is using eCommerce builders such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Wix. Either way, there will be costs involved.

To create a website from scratch is the most expensive as you need to hire a developer, buy a domain, hosting, integrations and so on. The easy way out is using prebuilt platforms as they come with everything you need to start selling professionally and cost a fraction – monthly subscription fees only. Shopify subscription costs, for example, start at $32. 

Now, what’s the best choice?

Well, it depends. For newbies, however, we recommend selling on marketplaces as there’s already an established client base. But you can still go for a personal store if you want to have a tight grip on your business and avoid account bans and restrictions.

Step 3: Creating Listings

You now have a product(s) in mind and a selling channel, the next step is product import. This is an important stage and can be the deal maker or breaker as product listings affect aspects such as product visibility and conversion. Make sure to write proper product titles optimized to rank on the SERPs. All the required information, including product features, estimated delivery time, and proper images, should be included.

Next, you need to calculate your prices. Check around to make sure your pricing remains competitive so you can at least start getting orders by taking advantage of lower pricing. Make sure your final pricing includes the buying cost, all additional fees, and your profit margin. 

When starting, product import and pricing can be done manually, but as you advance and start getting more orders, you’ll have to think of a solution like Easync that lets you import bulk products in one click and stay on top of repricing without human errors.

Step 4: Marketing

You now have a running store with products and everything required for a purchase to be made. When I was launching my first store, I was already tired at this stage, but my mentor, Stanley Nieh of Do Dropshipping, was all over me, reiterating that it wasn’t time to relax.

Be keen here, as this is where many businesses start failing.

You need to lay down a marketing plan to promote your products. Remember, there are many other dropshippers so you need to stand out. Your marketing strategy will greatly rely on your sales channel.

Some of the easy strategies to focus on include social media such as TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. For those with personal websites, SEO will also be key if you want inorganic traffic, but to rake in sales quickly, ads do better. Marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay also have inbuilt marketing tools.

You should also consider perks such as free shipping. Target selling products that offer free shipping or have a strategy aiming at offering free shipping options. According to statistics, 90% of consumers shop more online if there’s the free option while 24% agree that they can spend more just to qualify for free shipping.

But that’s not all.

You also need to focus on offering steadfast customer support. Provide multichannel support and ensure that no message falls through the cracks. Importantly, communicate to customers regularly on the status of their orders.

Step 5: Fulfilling Orders

Your store should be running now, and orders are starting to trickle in. Even though it’s one or two orders, it’s quite encouraging, but as Nieh always suggests, there’s no time to relax.

You need to make sure that all orders are fulfilled. That said, it’s your responsibility to transfer the order to Temu, together with the customer details, and Temu will handle the rest. But ensure there’s constant communication with the customer on the order of their status. Ensure there’s a way for them to track their order in real-time, as statistics show that 90% of consumers want to be able to track their orders.

Scaling Your Temu Dropshipping Business

One thing I have learned about dropshipping is that there’s no time to sit back. You need to think of outside-the-box strategies to make your business succeed, remain sustainable, and be future-proof amid the ever-changing eCommerce landscape. In this last step, we’re going to talk about scaling your business.

  1. Automation
  2. 3PL Fulfillment Partner

Considering your Temu dropshipping business is a side hustle, or you don’t have much time to run your business, you should think of putting the business on autopilot. Automate all the mundane tasks such as product research, product import repricing, inventory management, and even marketing. This way, you can free up a lot of time and even eliminate errors.

Second, consider getting a 3PL fulfillment company if you want to connect with your customer and build trust. Now that Temu ships orders with its trademark orange packaging, you might lose a repeat customer. The best way to circumvent this is dealing with a 3PL company that will repackage the order and deliver it to your customer so your customers will know that you are the seller and not Temu.

Temu Dropshipping Alternatives

While Temu dropshipping has great potential, you might be discouraged by the fact that the company doesn’t facilitate blind dropshipping, so chances are high you won’t have many repeat customers as they will head to Temu for their next purchase.

Your only workaround here is using a 3PL company, which might push the cart value, and this way, you risk losing customers.

So, what are some of the Temu alternatives you can shift your focus to?

AliExpress…

Owned by Alibaba Group, AliExpress is by far the best dropshipping supplier. Instead of Temu, you can start dropshipping from AliExpress. The platform has millions of products and supplies, and the prices are fantastic.

It gets better.

You can ask AliExpress not to include the original invoice, marketing material, or anything that might show the customer that AliExpress has shipped the item. check out our exclusive AliExpress dropshipping guide to learn more about this business model.

Wrapping Up

That’s the end of this Temu dropshipping guide, and as you’ve seen, Temu can be the perfect supplier you need to start your dropshipping business. The platform has a wide range of products, fantastic prices, and a generous return policy. But the fact that it’s not a blind dropshipping supplier and doesn’t allow brand customization should make you think twice now that your customers are likely to go to Temu directly for their next purchase. But you can counter this using a 3PL provider. So, what are you waiting for?

Start dropshipping from Temu today, and remember to leverage tools such as Easync to streamline operations!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is dropshipping allowed on Temu?

You can dropship from Temu to Amazon, and other sales channels but there’s no special app for dropshippers. But there are plenty of dropshipping products at fantastic prices.

2. Can you use Temu for Shopify?

Yes. You can dropship from Temu to Shopify seamlessly and leverage the power of automation to the fullest.

3. Is Temu owned by China?

Temu is a subsidiary of Pinduoduo Inc., a Chinese online retailer. However, it has set up a base in Boston, United States, considering a large percentage of its customer base is from the US.

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9 Best Home Decor Dropshipping Suppliers for Your Online Store

Which are the best home decor dropshipping suppliers? Finding a dropshipping supplier is among the biggest challenges you will face when starting your dropshipping business. You definitely want a reliable supplier, but getting one in a market full of frauds and brokers is not a walk in the park.

In this article, we have simplified everything. At the end of it all, you will learn the following;

  • Why home decor is a good niche
  • Why finding a reliable dropshipping supplier is key
  • What to look for in a supplier
  • Which are the best home decor dropshipping suppliers
  • How to scale your home decor dropshipping business

Is Home Decor Niche Profitable?

Contrary to what many say, dropshipping is not dead, so you can bet you made the right decision to venture into dropshipping. According to the latest statistics, the global dropshipping market was worth approximately $295.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22.1%, blossoming into a $1.5 trillion market by 2030.

You also made a wise decision to get into the home decor niche. As you may be aware, finding a niche is crucial as it helps you build a more focused audience and tailor a product line that your audience resonates with. 

Home decor is among the most profitable dropshipping niches in 2023. The latest statistics show that the global home decor market was worth around $616.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% between 2019 and 2027, turning into a $838.6 billion industry.

Home decor, being an evergreen niche, has great potential as there is steady demand for upholstery products, fixtures, fittings, and furniture, among other products. A simple check on Google Trends tells the story. Interest in home decor products is high throughout the year. This is definitely a niche you want to dive into straight away.

How to Find a Home Decor Dropshipping Supplier

Now that you have settled on the home decor niche, finding a supplier is the next step. In this section, find out more about supplier research, from why you need to be keen on supplier research and why it is essential to factors to consider when selecting a supplier for your dropshipping business. 

Ultimately, we will share the top 10 best home decor dropshipping suppliers to work with.

Why The Supplier Matters

According to statistics, 84% of sellers say finding reliable suppliers is the biggest challenge in running their business. Now, the supplier is an integral part of your business and can be the deal-maker or breaker. Finding the right supplier is vital as it affects several aspects of your business, including;

  • Product quality
  • Profit
  • Shipping and delivery

Home decor is a fantastic niche and can be profitable if you sell high-quality products. Now, product quality will be determined by suppliers. That said, dealing with suppliers who can guarantee quality products is essential. Low quality means customers won’t buy from you again.

You are into dropshipping to make money. The idea here is to maximize profits. Your supplier’s price will be vital in deciding whether you are making a kill. Obviously, you want to go for a supplier with the best prices to make more profit.

In the dropshipping model, the supplier ships the product to the customer. For your business to thrive, you must ensure orders are delivered as fast as possible and, importantly, within the indicated timeframe. The efficiency of your supplier is the big deal here. Go for suppliers with robust logistic infrastructure to ensure customers receive their orders on time.

How to Find Dropshipping Suppliers

Indeed, the supplier is an essential aspect of your dropshipping business. Now, the big question is, how do you find suppliers?

Well, there are several ways of finding suppliers, as listed below;

  • Search engines
  • Supplier directories
  • Product research tools

Search engines like Google are the best places to research suppliers. Just search for ‘home decor’ and related terms, and you will get the details and contacts of the best suppliers. You can also opt for supplier directories. 

However, product research tools are the best as they offer up-to-date data on the best suppliers. A good example is Easync, which links you to some of the best suppliers on the market, including Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Costco, Sears, and Overstock.

Top 9 Best Home Decor Dropshipping Suppliers

As much as you know what makes a good supplier and how to spot one, it may still be an uphill battle for you to settle on the best home decor dropshipping supplier. 

But we have done the heavy lifting for you. In this section, we have shared 9 of the best home decor dropshipping suppliers from around the world. If you are keen on establishing your home decor dropshipping business, below are the suppliers that should be on your list.

1. AliExpress

There is no doubt AliExpress is the best dropshipping supplier for home decor products. Established in 2010, the Chinese eCommerce giant has an endless list of products you can sell and make a profit. Go to the Home, Pet & Appliances category to check out products you can sell. Therein, you will find several other subcategories, including kitchen, garden & pets, furniture, home decor, etc. 

One of the biggest advantages of AliExpress is the wide variety of innovative products to sell. You can also leverage the AliExpress Dropshipping Center to find winning products. What’s more? AliExpress has some of the lowest prices around. You will find fantastic products for as little as a dollar. Shipping is global, so you can sell to the entire global market. AliExpress also has US warehouses, which are reliable if you are selling in the US.

On the downside, AliExpress shipping is not fast, which may hurt your brand. But the wide variety of products and cheap prices make up for this.

2. Amazon

Amazon is number 2 in this list of the best home decor dropshipping suppliers. Established in 1994, the company is one of the biggest online stores worldwide and allows dropshipping. Interestingly, it has a vast range of quality home decor products, from vases and displays to curtains and upholstery.

Even though Amazon may not have a wide range of products like AliExpress, we acknowledge the fact that it stocks quality products. Another thing we like about Amazon is the fast shipping, especially for Prime subscribers. The supplier also has warehouses in many countries, so you can focus on the global market. 

Customer support is also excellent. Amazon endeavors to respond to all inquiries, be it general inquiries, order tracking, cancellations, etc. There is also a wide range of payment methods. Perhaps the big challenge will be finding the best products, but with a tool such as Easync, Amazon product research is a buzz.

3. Alibaba

If you want to dropship from China, Alibaba is another top-rated supplier. Founded in 1999, Alibaba is among the biggest eCommerce companies in China, boasting millions of products, including home decor. Whether you want to sell candle holders, vases, or any other home decor, Alibaba has got you covered. It is primarily a B2B platform, but you can also use it to dropship.

Like AliExpress, you can expect a wide range of home decor on Alibaba. Interestingly, the prices are very low. You can get products to sell for as little as $1. Besides the wide product line and cheap price, Alibaba ships internationally. The shipping rates are also favorable compared to other dropshipping suppliers.

Alibaba does not have any minimum order quantity (MOQ) limits. You can literally order 1 piece and still get it at an affordable price. The only problem with Alibaba is the long shipping timelines that may discourage customers.

4. Etsy

One of the micro niches you can focus on in the larger home decor niche is handmade or vintage items and craft supplies. There is a huge demand for handmade and craft decor. Besides, Etsy dropshipping is less competitive. If dropshipping such products sounds like an idea, you have a reliable supplier on Etsy. This is a renowned American company founded in 2005.

Etsy has an excellent product line. It is the best supplier whether you want to focus on furniture, lighting, kitchen, or outdoor. The prices may be slightly higher than Chinese suppliers, but you are guaranteed quality products that will grow your brand. We also like the fact that Etsy shipping is fast, and some products are eligible for free shipping.

Etsy is indeed a one-stop supplier for handmade and vintage home decor. The only problem is that finding that perfect product can be a challenge. 

5. Wayfair

Wayfair is another reliable home decor dropshipping supplier based in the United States. The company was founded in 2002 and has remained a force to be reckoned with in the home decor market. If you want to dropship home decor, Wayfair should be among your suppliers.

Started as a furniture and home goods store, Wayfair is today an all-in-one store for home decor, boasting over 14 million products and 11,000 suppliers. One thing we like about Wayfair is the top-quality items and fast shipping. All the products in this store are gems, and orders can be shipped in 2 days, which is impressive.

There are many payment methods available, including PayPal. What’s more? You can take advantage of the lucrative loyalty program. The only shortcoming is that Wayfair products are quite expensive. But you can still make some good money dropshipping from Wayfair.

6. Lowe’s

Another reliable home decor supplier is the American home improvement retail store Lowe’s. For over a century, Lowe’s has asserted itself as a leader and rivals the likes of Home Depot. On the Lowe’s website, you can find dozens of winning products in the home decor niche. 

Lowe’s is known for its high-quality products. You can be sure that your customers will get the best value for their money. You also won’t lack something to sell. The store has a wide range of products. Shipping terms are also friendly. You can opt for Standard, Two-Day, or Next-Day delivery. Interestingly, you get to enjoy free shipping on orders above $45.

If you are thinking of home decor, think Lowe’s. This is the place where you will get those winning products that guarantee sales. But then, Lowe’s price points are relatively higher compared to what Chinese suppliers may offer.

7. Walmart

American retailer Walmart is another top home decor dropshipping supplier. You can start dropshipping from Walmart and make a kill in the home decor niche. Walmart has a huge list of home decor products cutting across over 50 subcategories and offers very competitive prices. 

Walmart has all the products you can think of in the home decor niche: mirrors, clocks, wall decor, rugs, etc. Interestingly, you can find high-ticket products if you want to go big and use the free next-day shipping advantage to the fullest. The prices are also fantastic, and there is also a price match policy you can take advantage of.

If you want to grow your supplier list, Walmart is a great choice. Make sure to add some products from this store and rake in more profits.

8. CJ Dropshipping

If you are looking for the perfect AliExpress or Alibaba alternative, you have one in CJ Dropshipping. This is also a Chinese supplier, meaning you can access millions of products in the home decor niche at competitive prices.

CJ Dropshipping has everything you need to start your home decor dropshipping business. One thing that makes it unique is that you can even request a product you want to sell but not on the site. We also like the fact that CJ Dropshipping offers white-label packaging so you can grow your brand.

Order fulfilment is also excellent. CJ Dropshipping has warehouses in the US, so you can expect shipping to be faster. As you may be aware, shipping and delivery can be the deal maker or breaker and a key dynamic that determines the success of your business.

9. Costco

Over the years, Costco has risen the ranks to become one of America’s biggest suppliers. It is also a sweet spot for dropshippers who want a wide range of products in the home decor niche. You can find rugs, mirrors, wall art, vases, furniture, etc.

One great thing about Costco is the pricing. The company’s business model allows it to lower prices than other retailers as they make their money from membership fees and not necessarily profit from the products sold. It is also a dropshipping-friendly platform with all the infrastructure required for successful dropshipping.

Costco offers fast shipping in 3-5 days, an advantage over Chinese suppliers. The 90-day return policy is also generous.

Wrapping Up

There you have it, folks: the ultimate home decor dropshipping supplier guide and a list of the best home decor dropshipping suppliers. AliExpress, Alibaba, and Amazon rank as the best suppliers for your home decor dropshipping store. They offer millions of products to choose from and are dropshipping-friendly retailers. 

As a smart entrepreneur, you should think of automating product research and import with a tool such as Easync. This automated dropshipping tool links you to several suppliers, including Amazon, AliExpress, and Walmart, to mention a few. It also helps you to import products to your store fast and easily. 

With product research and product import on autopilot, you now have time to think of marketing and other core tasks. Get your Easync free trial today and see how efficient it is.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is home decor a good dropshipping niche?

Yes. The home decor niche is one of the most profitable dropshipping niches. The demand for home decor products is on a steady rise. The niche is evergreen.

2. Can you start home decor dropshipping without money?

Yes. You can start a home decor dropshipping business without money. This is because you don’t need to keep inventory. However, you might need some money to create websites, marketing, etc.

3. What is the profit margin on home decor?

The average profit margin for the home decor niche is 20-40%. That means if you rake in $10,000 in sales, you will make an average of $ 2,000 to $ 4,000.

4. Is dropshipping dying in 2023?

Many say that dropshipping is dead, but the truth is dropshipping is not dead. In fact, it is witnessing exponential growth as many retailers adopt it as the preferred fulfilment method.

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Best Dropshipping Software for New Dropshippers in 2023

Are you looking for the best dropshipping software for new dropshippers in 2023? Are dropshipping tools worth it? What should you look for in the best dropshipping tools? If you are still a beginner and wondering what software suits you best, keep it right here.

There are hundreds of dropshipping tools with different features and capabilities. Furthermore, some are suitable for beginners, while others are designed for expert dropshippers. 

As a beginner, you definitely want a dropshipping tool that is easy to get started with. In this article, we have focused on user-friendly tools only. 

These handpicked tools are easy to get started with, and anyone can use them to start their dropshipping journey without much hassles. 

What is Dropshipping Software?

Dropshipping software, often called dropshipping tools, are solutions enabling dropshippers to manage, streamline, optimize, and scale dropshipping operations. 

The dropshipping software industry has grown exponentially in the last decade, indicating that both cloud and web-based dropshipping tools are in demand. More and more entrepreneurs are discovering that dropshipping tools are invaluable additions to their toolboxes.

Data from Data Intelo shows that the global dropshipping software market was valued at $1.02 Billion in 2017, and projections show it will register a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.5% between 2017 and 2030.

Why Use Dropshipping Software?

Dropshipping tools have increasingly become popular. But are they worth it as a beginner? Yes. All the successful dropshippers use dropshipping tools, so for you as a beginner, they are a must-have if you want to keep up with the competition and the ever-changing eCommerce landscape.

About 27% of online retailers today primarily use dropshipping to fulfill customers’ orders. (Statista)

Importantly, dropshipping tools help you launch and manage your business professionally. They are customized with features that enable you to handle operations the right way, eliminating chances of errors. They also act as frameworks for dropshipping operations. 

With dropshipping tools, you can eliminate mistakes in product research and offer get insights to ensure you make data-driven decisions. 

Now, on to the main business of the day: which are the best dropshipping tools for beginners? Before going further, it will be important to share how chose the tools on this list. We considered the following;

  • Brand reputation 
  • Usability
  • Core Features
  • Integration
  • Plans and pricing 

There are hundreds of dropshipping software, some reliable while others are not worth your time. However, all the brands in this review are trusted brands with excellent reputations. 

We also assessed usability so you can be sure that, as a beginner, you can get started immediately without any complexities. Everything is straightforward with these apps – no rocket science!

The core features: what they do was also a consideration. Remember, there are different dropshipping tools, each designed for specific functions. We have explained what each tool is best for, especially the universal selling points (USPs).

Integration and compatibility were also criteria, considering some software can integrate with the common marketplaces and other tools while others have limited integration options. 

Last is plans and pricing. Some of the software on this list have free plans and free trials, so as a beginner, you can try them before committing. The pricing models have also been explained.

Top 10 Best Dropshipping Software for New Dropshippers in 2023

Without further ado, below are the top 10 best dropshipping software for beginners. To ensure you get the most out of this guide, we have shared with you software in 3 categories: dropshipping automation tools, product research tools, and dropshipping spy tools.

1. Easync – Affordable, User-Friendly All-in-One Dropshipping Automation Tool

Let’s face it: dropshipping automation is the way to go. Maybe you want more time for your full-time job or for vacation. If you are thinking automation, think Easync, the go-to solution for over 30,000 successful stores. As the name suggests, Easync has excellent usability and ranks as the easiest dropshipping software to get started with as a beginner. The pricing is friendly, and there is a free trial. 

With Easync, you can find all the best-selling products using the product research tool dubbed Hot Items. It offers detailed analytics of a product’s sales, product reviews, and estimated profits. It is a must-have feature now that you are new to dropshipping. If you are short of suppliers, Easync links you to over a dozen markets, giving you the edge over your competition. Besides, you can use it to automate product import and repricing. 

Easync works with all the popular marketplaces, including eBay, Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart. Also worth mentioning is Fulfillment by Easync, which allows you to fulfill as many Amazon orders as you want without worrying about account bans. 

As a beginner, you also get the benefit of exclusive dropshipping resources, including guides and tutorials. Easync is the ultimate solution for handling your entire dropshipping tasks. You will also benefit from the ever-responsive 24/7 customer support available on live chat.

2. Zik Analytics – Product Research, Listing Optimization and Competitor Research

A list of the best dropshipping software can’t miss Zik Analytics. This tool is also suitable for beginners looking for a reliable AliExpress and eBay market research tool. It also has several other extras. However, all these come at a heavy cost that may not be favorable for budget dropshipping.

The eBay Product Research suite helps you find winning products on eBay and scans competitor sites, giving you an edge in your niche. Besides product research, Zik Analytics has an eBay fee calculator that saves you time and eliminates chances of errors and a product title builder for eBay title optimization. There is also an eBay dropshipping course. As for AliExpress, you can find hot-selling products on AliExpress, analyze sellers, and analyze product data quickly. 

There is also Zik Pro Tools that give you the power to do more. You can sell eBay products faster and find the best products to sell from market sources such as Walmart and Amazon. But all said and done, it lacks some crucial features, and considering its price, Easync is a better deal. Easync has almost all Zik functions plus extras, such as Fulfillment By Easync (FBE), an all-in-one Amazon fulfillment solution. 

3. AutoDS – Full Featured Dropshipping Automation Tool But Not User Friendly

This is another great tool for dropshipping, an all-in-one solution. It excels just like Easync, but when it comes to usability, it tails behind Easync and several other software in this list. It is ideal for expert dropshippers dealing with many products and has some advanced features not necessary for a beginner. Also worth noting, the free trial is not absolutely free like Easync’s.

With AutoDS, you can find winning products and import them from over 25 global suppliers. Other product management features include price and stock monitoring, onscreen inventory management, automatic price adjustments, automatic tracking updates, and more. As for integrations, AutoDS works with WooCommerce, eBay, Etsy, Facebook, Wix, and Shopify.

AutoDS follows in the footsteps of Easync with a complete order fulfillment feature dubbed Fulfilled by AutoDS, so you don’t have to worry about account bans. You also get peace of mind with one-click returns. But at the end of the day, it is not suitable for a beginner as the many features on the cluttered interface may be confusing. Notably, you won’t need many of them as a beginner, especially if you have a small store.

4. Google Lens – Dropshipping Spy Tool

Today, dropshipping is a game of espionage, so you need to closely examine what your competitors are doing with a dropshipping spy tool like Google Lens. While there are many dropshipping spy tools out there, we love Google Lens as it is easy to use, so it won’t be a problem for you as a beginner. Notably, it is available for free.

Google Lens leverages image recognition technology to find relevant product information. All you need to do is upload a product image. It then uses deep machine learning to come up with similar products found on the web. The result is key product details based on relevance. 

However, note that Google Lens may not be a very resourceful product research tool. It comes in handy in cases where you have an image only, and you are looking for sources with the same product. It can’t help as much as Easync or other product research tools. Besides, the product research process with Google Lens is tedious. But as it is a free tool, it doesn’t hurt if it is in your dropshipping toolbox.

5. AliExpress Dropshipping Center – Free AliExpress Product Research

There’s no doubt AliExpress dropshipping should be a priority as a beginner. AliExpress is among the biggest dropshipping suppliers. Interestingly, it is a dropshipping-first supplier that has designed an in-house tool for product research. Dubbed AliExpress Dropshipping Center, it is a free product unlike most of the other tools in this list.

AliExpress Dropshipping Center is a product research tool developed by AliExpress. It has been designed to help you find all the AliExpress winning products with Product Research. There is also Product Analysis, a solution designed to offer key insights into the potential profitability of a product. Other features include a Dashboard that shows your account performance, a logistics handler, and a levels program. 

But there is a catch: ADC is quite complex and might take you some time to grasp the ropes. The layout, overall navigation, and filters are quite confusing. But considering it is free, there is no problem trying it. Another shortcoming is that it may not suffice for wholesome dropshipping, too, as it is for basic product research, unlike Easync, a full-featured dropshipping tool. Complementing it with Easync will be great. Check out our exclusive AliExpress Dropshipping Center Guide.

6. Terapeak – Beginner eBay Product Research

eBay dropshipping is among the best markets to start your dropshipping career. The renowned marketplace gives you a wide audience and millions of products. Like AliExpress, the company champions dropshipping and has developed an in-house dropshipping tool to help sellers grow their businesses. Dubbed Terapeak, the tool has two features. Product Research and Sourcing Insights.

Terapeak Product Research is a product research tool that enables you to find the best eBay dropshipping products. It shows crucial data such as the number of listings sold, sell-through rates, average prices, sales trends, etc. On the other hand, with Sourcing Insights, you can access real-time eBay sales data to get insights that can shape your sourcing strategy. Some of the data you get include active listings, search volumes, CTR, etc.

But unlike the AliExpress Dropshipping Center, Terapeak is not free. You need at least the Basic store subscription to access Sourcing Insights. Product Research is the only free feature. But still, Terapeak doesn’t suffice as a dropshipping tool as a standalone. When paired with Easync, however, you are good to go. Check out how Terapeak works and everything there is to know.

7. Minea – Free Dropshipping Spy For Ads

Google Lens might be a basic dropshipping spy tool, but Minea is the ultimate deal. In fact, it does more than spy on your competitors. It also enables you to test ad campaigns, plus a lot of other tasks. Interestingly, there is a free plan, but of course, it limits some features and capabilities. All the same, it can be a great place to start as a beginner.

Minea is an ad search tool. One of the best features of Minea is TikTok Spy. This newly launched addon scans over 10 million ads and has a filter system to help you find the best ad strategies for your campaign. Some of the info you can get include the media of the ad, ad text, ad link, store link, etc. Interestingly, it is available for free. Considering Minea shows products performing best on the ads scene, it can be an alternative for a product research tool.

However, you should note that the product research mechanism may not be practical for a beginner unless you have started running ads. That said, you need a typical product research tool, that is Easync. You can then complement your product research with Minea after you start running ads.

8. Doba – Product Research For Trendy Products But Expensive

There is no doubt Doba is a household name when it comes to product research tools for trendy products. As a beginner, starting with trendy products can be the perfect plan, and Doba will be your companion. One thing we like about Doba is the limitless integration. It works with Amazon, Shopify, BigCommerce, NewEgg, eBay, Shift4Shop, Square, Walmart, WooCommerce, and Wix, and has an API.

Doba has been designed to offer updated lists of the trending high-margin products you can start selling immediately and rake in high profits. It is easy to get started with Doba, and there are support tools to ensure everything stays afloat in your journey into dropshipping. You get a visual view of the account’s performance by displaying alerts on low inventory, supplier performance, and other crucial information.

However, Doba is quite expensive when you compare the subscription fee and what it offers. Instead of Doba, you are better off with Easync, as the Easync Hot Items feature does exactly what Doba does. Plus, Easync has other features, including automation, so you get better value for money overall.

9. Niche Scraper – Product and Market Research and Marketing Tool

If you are looking for a solution that merges product research and marketing, Niche Scraper is the best choice. While it may not necessarily be the best for beginners as it doesn’t have all the features, we like that it brings on board a marketing tool, so you get to kill one bird with two stones.

Niche Scraper has a marketing research functionality that enables you, as a beginner, to find the right niche. Remember, finding a niche is a crucial step to the success of your business. For product research, there are two features: Product Discovery and HandPicked. The former lists the best dropshipping products, while the latter is a list of expertly handpicked products that guarantee sales. You can also spy on ads and do store analysis.

Niche Scraper also has a Video Maker, but a basic one. It can, however, help you generate Facebook videos with ease. But considering it lacks many other features. It is not a go-to solution for a beginner unless you complement it with a complete tool like Easync.

10. Sell The Trend – The New Kid On The Block

One of the newest dropshipping software is Sell The Trend, and as the name suggests, this is what you need to sell trendy products on your store. However, it is quite expensive and doesn’t really fit beginners as it doesn’t come with all the features you require to run your store as a beginner unless you pair it up with another tool, for example, Easync.

The best feature of Sell The Trend, dubbed The Nexus, will come in handy in your product discovery journey. It uses AI to find all the trending products in a flash. It offers data on the number of AliExpress and Shopify selling a product, product cost, price and profit, monthly orders, and links to all Shopify stores with the product.

Nexus isn’t the only tool. You also get Explorers, which is basically the main product research tool, a video ad creator, and an engagement rating calculator. There is also a course to get you started in your dropshipping journey.

Wrapping Up

That’s the end of this list of the top 10 best dropshipping software for new dropshippers. As you have seen, there are many dropshipping tools for beginners. Sell The Trend is among the biggest names currently, together with AutoDS and Zik Analytics. 

However, Easync is the ultimate deal for several reasons. First, it is an all-in-one automation tool with features such as product research, supplier research, product import, inventory monitoring and repricing, and so on. The usability is excellent, so you don’t have to worry about getting stuck as a beginner. It is also fairly priced when you consider the features and subscription costs. 

What are you waiting for? Start your Easync 14-day trial today and launch your dropshipping business the smart way!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you start dropshipping without money?

Well. It is possible to start dropshipping without any money with free tools and free trials. But ultimately, you will have to spend, though not much.

2. Can you automate dropshipping?

Yes. You can automate your dropshipping store with tools like Easync to free time for other duties or vacations.

3. Is Easync free?

No. Easync has no free version, but you can take advantage of the Easync 14-day free trial to gauge whether it’s the right tool for you as a beginner.

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How To Start Dropshipping From Walmart in 4 Easy Steps

How do you start dropshipping from Walmart to your store? This is among the common questions asked by dropshipping entrepreneurs. This article will cover everything you need to know about Walmart dropshipping, particularly dropshipping from Walmart

In the end, you will understand;

  • What Walmart dropshipping is
  • 3 ways to use Walmart for dropshipping
  • Why consider dropshipping from Walmart
  • If Walmart dropshipping is legal
  • How to launch your store and use Walmart as the supplier
  • How to scale your dropshipping business.

The Evolving Dropshipping Market

Dropshipping is among the best online markets to invest your time and money in. Although some say dropshipping is dead, the truth is dropshipping is still profitable and growing exponentially.

According to statistics from Grand View Research, the dropshipping market size was valued at $225.99 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.4% between 2023 and 2030. 

Interestingly, Forrester’s Research says that over a quarter of all online sales are fulfilled through dropshipping, and retailers using dropshipping rake in more profits than their traditional fulfillment counterparts. 

Walmart Dropshipping

Walmart dropshipping is a business model based on the dropshipping principle. However, there is a twist in that you can opt to dropship using Walmart in 3 ways, as listed below;

  • Selling dropshipped products on Walmart
  • Using Walmart’s Drop Ship Vendor (DSV) program
  • Dropship from Walmart to your store

In the first model, you are selling on Walmart. You can create a store on Walmart and find a supplier for the products you list. Once you get an order, the supplier ships the products to the buyer. Here, you don’t need to have inventory.

In the second model, you are also selling on Walmart. You can use the Drop Ship Vendor (DSV) program, where you, as the merchant, need to have inventory, bulk, and send orders to the buyer.

The third way of using Walmart dropshipping is to leverage Walmart as your supplier, the same way you would use AliExpress or Shein. You are not a seller. Here, you find products on the Walmart platform that you can sell elsewhere at a profit.

In this article, the focus is on dropshipping from Walmart, the 3rd model.

Dropshipping From Walmart: In-depth Guide

Even though Walmart is a retailer, it is still a great option as a supplier. The company boasts tens of thousands of suppliers globally, meaning there’s variety. Whether you are looking for the best dropshipping baby products to sell or the best Halloween products, Walmart has got you covered.

These sellers have been rigorously vetted, guaranteeing they can offer high-quality products. As you may be aware, product quality is vital for your business’s success. Walmart also offers fast shipping, as fast as same-day delivery.

90% of consumers would shop online more often if given the option of free shipping. (Marketing Land).

Walmart sellers also have plenty of stock, and interestingly, they offer fantastic prices, so you can be sure of making a kill once you find that winning product.

Attention: Indeed, Walmart, as a supplier, has advantages. However, there are some shortcomings that you need to be aware of. You will be limited to the US market, and you won’t have many options in terms of payment. Walmart also has rather strict return policies.

But all said and done, dropshipping from Walmart is still lucrative as you can find the best dropshipping products at the best prices. Interestingly, you can always take advantage of the Walmart price-match policy. You will also break the boundary of slow shipping, which is detrimental to your business. Walmart has a steadfast infrastructure that ensures orders are delivered fast and support is always available.

Is Walmart Dropshipping Legal?

Before sharing the step-by-step guide on how to start dropshipping from Walmart, you should first know the legality of dropshipping on Walmart. So, is Walmart dropshipping legal?

Well, dropshipping on Walmart is legal if you sell dropshipped products or use Walmart’s Drop Ship Vendor (DSV) program. For the above cases, you must have proper documentation and abide by all Walmart policies. 

How about dropshipping from Walmart to eBay or, say, Amazon? Is it legal? 

Well, dropshipping from Walmart to your store is not prohibited, as you are buying from Walmart as any other customer and directing Walmart to ship the order to your customer. 

But wait, there is a catch…

You risk getting banned if you dropshipping from Walmart to Amazon or eBay. This is because eBay and Amazon require dropshippers to own the inventory of the products they sell or have an agreement with direct suppliers/manufacturers. Sourcing products from a retailer such as Walmart will land you in trouble.

Another problem is that most orders will have Walmart packaging, which will definitely raise doubts on the buyer’s end. So, what’s the solution?

Well, to avoid bans or raising suspicion when dropshipping from Walmart, it is best to have the product shipped to you or your dedicated third-party logistics partner (3PL) for repackaging before it is sent to the customer. This way, Amazon or eBay won’t detect that you are dropshipping from their competitor, Walmart. 

The customer will also not know the product they ordered came from Walmart. While it might be a bit expensive, it is a worthy undertaking if you don’t want to get banned. Another but not-so-promising hack is dropshipping large items that won’t be packaged.

You should also be keen on selling acceptable products only. As you may be aware, there are some restricted products, and you definitely don’t want to risk your store or brush shoulders with the law.

Walmart Return Policy

Besides the legality of dropshipping from Walmart, you should know the company’s return policy. Sometimes, your customers will return the product they bought, and it is your responsibility to handle returns.

Like all other retailers, Walmart has a return policy, but theirs is very strict. For most products, there is a 90-day return window. For valid returns, the refund is credited to the buyer’s original payment account, which definitely is your account. 

Create a clear, detailed return policy, highlighting whether the return policy covers a product or not to avoid inconvenience. It will be wise if your store’s return window is shorter than Walmart’s 90 days. You should also be aware of the shipping fees for returns. You can find every detail of this on the return policy’s page. 

Step-By-Step Guide – How To Start Dropshipping From Walmart

Now, to the main segment of this Walmart dropshipping guide: how do you start dropshipping from Walmart? What do you need? To ensure you get everything right, below are the steps savvy dropshippers follow.

Step 1: Find Winning Products: Walmart Product Research

One of the crucial steps in launching your dropshipping business is finding a niche. Walmart has millions of products. As a beginner, you can’t just sell anything and everything.

First and foremost, find a niche. Finding a niche is vital as it helps you build a community and tailor a product line that identifies with your audience. 

Some of the best dropshipping niches include;

  • Women’s clothing
  • Baby products 
  • Automotive
  • Beauty products
  • Home and gardening
  • Sports and fitness

Important: There are two types of niches: seasonal and evergreen. For a start, go for evergreen niches and maybe start a seasonal niche later on after you learn the ropes.

Once you have settled on a niche, you need to further narrow it down to specific products – winning products, for that matter. Finding winning products is crucial and can be the deal-maker or breaker. Most dropshippers fail because they sell what is not in demand. 

Here, the big question is, what makes a winning dropshipping product? A winning product should;

  • Have a wow effect
  • Not be available at ordinary stores
  • Make life simpler
  • Have the perfect dropshipping size
  • Have good profit margins

A winning product should have that striking feature that sets it apart from the rest, for example, a bamboo toothbrush for eco-conscious buyers. It’s obvious that bamboo toothbrushes may be hard to come by. Still on bamboo toothbrushes. They have good profit margins and come in the right dropshipping size that won’t blow away the cart value because of shipping fees.

How to Find the Best Products to Dropship From Walmart

There are several ways to find best-selling products to dropship from Walmart. 

You could first use tools such as Google Trends, which show you the interest of an item over time, or check what’s trending on social media. 

It’s also possible to find bestselling products on Walmart on the Walmart Savings Product, Daily Deals, Flash Picks, or Rollbacks tabs. Of course, if a product does well on Walmart, it will do well in your store. 

However, the best way to do product research is to use product research tools like Easync.

With Easync Hot Items, you can discover the best-selling products on different marketplaces in a flash. This tool doesn’t just show you which are the best products. It helps you automate the entire product research process, saving you a lot of time you can repurpose for other core activities, including marketing.

Did you know Easync Hot Items users have a sell-through rate of approximately 10x higher than dropshippers who use other product research methods?

Once you have found the right products, you can go ahead and find the best sellers on Walmart.

Step 2: Choose a Selling Channel

Now that you have a product in mind and know where to source it from (Walmart), the next hurdle is, where will you be selling? There are two options: marketplaces or websites. Each option has its fair share of advantages and disadvantages.

(a) Selling On Marketplaces

Many established marketplaces allow dropshipping, for example, eBay and Amazon. 

Marketplaces are a big deal, especially if you want to start selling ASAP and don’t have a huge budget. For example, you can start dropshipping from Walmart to Amazon or eBay almost instantly. In addition, marketplaces are already established with huge customer bases and traffic, so you won’t spend much on marketing.

On the downside, there is competition from other sellers, and besides, you have no full control of your business as you can get banned anytime if you violate the platform’s policies. You also can’t build your brand as your business depends entirely on the marketplace.

(b) Creating Your Website

Consider creating your store if you don’t want to rely on marketplaces. There are two options here: using premade stores such as Shopify or Wix or creating your store from scratch. 

The advantage of creating your store is that you have full control of the business. You will have also eliminated competition as you are the only seller on board. Above all, you can take charge of your brand.

However, you will need a big budget to create your store, especially if you build it from scratch. It will also require a good budget for marketing now that it has no traffic or existing customer base.

If you are stuck, check out our guide on the best dropshipping platforms, including factors to consider when choosing a dropshipping platform.

Step 3: Import Walmart Products

With your store ready, be it a marketplace or website, the next step is importing products from Walmart. You can import products and create listings manually or automate the process.

If you are just starting and have a few products, you can import products and create listings manually. However, if you have dozens of products, it is better to automate the process. 

Dropshipping automation tools such as Easync.io have been designed to make product import a buzz. With automated listing creation, you have more time to focus on core aspects of your business. Besides, you will have eliminated chances of making errors.

Step 4: Order Fulfilment

You have a working dropshipping business with everything set and probably a few orders trickling in. Now, you need to take care of order fulfillment. Luckily, this is dropshipping, and as you may be aware by now, it is Walmart’s responsibility to process the order and deliver it to your customer.

But while it is the supplier’s responsibility to process the order, you also have an obligation to transfer the order from your end to Walmart. There are two ways of handling this: manual or automatic ordering.

In manual ordering, you order the product from Walmart manually. At the start, you can process orders manually, but when the business picks up, you will need to automate the ordering process. 

Tools such as Easync will handle ordering automation perfectly. As soon as you get an order on your store, Easync automatically orders the product from Walmart. This way, you save time and eliminate any chances of ordering the wrong product.

On top of that, Easync has an auto-tracking feature that lets you easily track orders, and besides, there is Aquiline Tracking, a Walmart-approved carrier. Remember, it is essential to put your customer in the loop always. 

How To Scale Your Walmart Dropshipping Business

The above are the simple steps to launch your dropshipping from Walmart business. You should know there is stiff competition, so don’t sit back and relax. Think of how you will scale your business to greater heights. In this section, check out 3 ways to ensure your business succeeds.

1. Marketing

Whether you are selling on already established marketplaces or you have your store, marketing is key. Through marketing, you will gain visibility, drive sales, and grow your brand. Now, there are several marketing techniques to employ depending on your sales channel.

For example, if you are selling on Amazon, you should leverage Amazon Ads, otherwise known as Sponsored Ads. This is Amazon’s version of CPC and is available in 3 types: Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Display Ads. You can also opt for external ads with Google Ads or Facebook Ads. eBay, on the other hand, has Promoted Listings Standard Promoted Listings Advanced.

If you have your website, you can opt for SEO, which may be expensive but worth every penny in the long run. Ads and email marketing can also come in handy. 

Another top marketing strategy is free shipping. Try as much as possible to sell items with free shipping, as statistics show that 24% of consumers would spend more just to qualify for free shipping, while 66% expect free shipping for all orders.

2. Automation

Running a dropshipping business is not a walk in the park, as many activities are involved. You need to find winning products, manage inventory, and adjust pricing constantly. Creating listings, marketing, and customer service are also waiting for you. As a savvy entrepreneur, you need to prioritize automation. 

Find the perfect dropshipping tool, such as Easync, that will automate product research, product import, inventory management, and repricing. Once such mundane tasks are automated, you will have more time to focus on marketing and offering customer service.

3. Offer Excellent Customer Service

They say the customer is king. Customer service is crucial to the success of your business. Make sure to offer prompt responses at all times. That one ignored message could be a potential sale or a loyal customer. 

Always remember a happy customer translates into a brand ambassador, and customers are willing to pay more for excellent customer service.

Wrapping Up

There you have it, folks, a guide on how to start dropshipping from Walmart. Indeed, Walmart is an excellent dropshipping supplier as it offers a wide range of affordable products and fast shipping. 

To start dropshipping from Walmart, you need to find a winning product on Walmart, decide where you want to sell, list the product, and start marketing. But make sure you have the right automation tool, such as Easync, so you don’t get overwhelmed. What are you waiting for? Start dropshipping from Walmart today and create that extra source of income.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I dropship from Walmart to Shopify?

Yes. You can dropship from Walmart to Shopify, but make sure Shopify doesn’t know you are sourcing your products from Walmart.

2. Can you dropship items from Walmart to eBay?

You can dropship from Walmart to eBay, but ensure eBay doesn’t realize you are using Walmart as your supplier lest you risk getting banned.

3. Is Walmart dropshipping profitable? 

Yes. Walmart dropshipping is profitable as long as you sell the right products.

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How to Automate Your Dropshipping Business: A Beginner’s Guide

There’s no doubt automated dropshipping is a brilliant idea, and that’s why it is a priority for all successful entrepreneurs. But how to automate your dropshipping store is the elephant in the room. But worry not; this is the one-stop resource with everything you need to know about dropshipping automation. You will learn;

What Is Automated Dropshipping?

To understand dropshipping automation, it is first essential to comprehend what automation is. In simple terms, automation is the technique of making systems run automatically with no or minimal human intervention. Perhaps a clearer definition is, using technology to replace human intervention in repetitive tasks.

Automation is increasingly becoming a standard, with more and more companies opting to automate tasks. According to a report by McKinsey, today, 50% of work can be automated. Interestingly, automation in eCommerce is growing exponentially, with the latest data showing that by 2025, automation will be handling 95% of customer and retailer interactions.

Now, automated dropshipping is the use of automation tools to perform the mundane tasks involved in dropshipping. As you may be aware, dropshipping involves several activities, most of which are repetitive. In as much as the supplier may handle fulfillment, you still have to constantly find winning products and update the supplier list, manage your store, offer customer support, and market your business.

All the above activities take time and require dedication. But then, you don’t have all day. Assuming you sleep 8 hours, you have just 16 hours to go about your daily business, maybe school or your 9-5 job. This is where automation comes in. For your information, automation can handle 50% of work.

Benefits of Automated Dropshipping

Dropshipping is one of the industries where automation has been a game changer. More and more dropshipping entrepreneurs are investing in automation because of the advantages that come with this technology. Some of the benefits of dropshipping automation include;

  • Saves time
  • Cost-effective in the long run
  • Enhances efficiency
  • Eliminates human errors
  • Keeps burnouts at bay

The biggest advantage of automation is the fact that it saves a lot of time. You don’t have to waste many hours managing product stocks, adjusting prices, or posting on social media. With automation, you can set everything on autopilot and save many hours that you can allocate to other important tasks.

‘’Employees spend 80% of their time on tasks of little to no importance and just 20% on tasks that matter.’’

They say time is money, and considering automation saves time, it also saves you money in the long run. While investing in automation tools may be expensive, you save a lot of money that you could have otherwise spent on virtual assistants or employees.

Third, automation enhances efficiency as you no longer depend on the manual execution of tasks. At almost every stage, everything falls in place according to the automation rules set. In the long run, you have a systematic workflow free from lags.

You can also entrust automation on matters accuracy. To err is human…but not automation tools. Automation tools are accurate and eliminate the chances of human errors that may lead to losses.

Last, automation helps prevent burnout that results from performing mundane tasks now and then. Manually placing orders and making price adjustments can quickly lead to burnout.

Challenges to expect in dropshipping automation

While automated dropshipping is the way to go, there’s a catch. Yes, there are advantages, but at the same time, you will encounter challenges in dropshipping automation. The major ones are;

  • High implementation costs
  • Requires technical expertise

Let’s face it; investing in automation tools can be expensive. For example, Easync.io subscription costs start from $50 a month, which can be a lot, especially if your business has not started making money. Remember, you need several tools to fully automate your business, not just Easync.

You also require some technical expertise to implement dropshipping automation. First, you need to know which tool is best for you and how to use the tool to your full advantage. This might be a problem when starting, but after a few days or weeks, you will master the art.

Is Automated Dropshipping For Me?

Before embarking on your mission to automate your dropshipping store, you should ask yourself, is dropshipping automation for you? Dropshipping automation might be working for some, but it is not the best option for others. 

So, who is automation dropshipping for?

Automation can come in handy for dropshipping entrepreneurs who have little or no time to manage their businesses and don’t want to hire virtual assistants for employees. You could have a 9-5 job, so you don’t have the time to handle everything. Automation is also suitable for entrepreneurs with more than one dropshipping store.

However, we don’t recommend automation if you are a beginner. It is best first to handle operations manually to know the ins and outs of dropshipping. Once you know everything, you can now consider automation.

How to Automate Your Dropshipping Business

Now that you know what dropshipping automation is, the benefits, and the challenges to expect, let’s get into the details. How can you automate your dropshipping business? 

There are many ways to automate the main tasks in the dropshipping business model. The activities that can be automated include sales, marketing, and customer service. 

In this main segment of this automated dropshipping guide, check out 10 ways to automate your dropshipping business and take it to the next level.

1. Automate Product Research

Product research is vital whether you are launching your store or already have a running store. You need to ensure that the products you sell are the hottest-selling items and have good profit margins. But how do you find winning products? 

Product research is the answer.

There are many methods for product research, but one stands out – product research tools. As the name suggests, these software solutions enable sellers to find the best dropshipping products in just a few clicks instead of manually looking for products to sell. Product research tools are data-driven, so you can never go wrong with them.

The good thing about product research tools, for example, Easync, is that they can automate the product research process. As you may be aware, in dropshipping, the seller constantly searches for trending products. Considering product research is time-consuming, automation is the answer. Once you have set the rules, you will have an endless list of the best products to sell, when, and at what price.

2. Automate Product Imports and Listings Creation

Finding a winning product is one thing, but having it in your store is another affair. You need to transfer the product details from the supplier’s website to yours. Besides, there is a need to optimize the product description for visibility. All these tasks require time. To make it worse, they are repetitive. 

For example, if you want your store to start with 100 products, creating 100 listings can be tedious. You need to add product titles, product descriptions, specifications, images, etc. For those who have already established stores, you will also be constantly adding new products as time passes. Clearly, you need a backup plan to save valuable time that you could have otherwise spent creating and optimizing listings manually.

Here again, Easync will be a good shot as it can automate listing creation. Just show Easync the products you wish to add to your store, and it will do the heavy lifting. 

3. Automate Inventory Management

Inventory management is an important task in dropshipping. You should always align your inventory with the suppliers. Many businesses fail because of out-of-stock (OOS) inconveniences. You will find that a dropshipping store has listed a particular drone. However, unknown to the seller, the supplier no longer has that particular drone in stock. This is very bad for business, so you should always ensure that whatever product you have listed is available.

But how do you stay on top of inventory, considering things move very fast? What could be available today might be out of stock tomorrow. You can manually monitor and adjust inventory, but this will be time-consuming. Imagine having a session to update stocks daily. Furthermore, this is one boring and mundane task.

The good thing is that dropshipping automation tools like Easync can help you put inventory management on autopilot. Sync your store with the suppliers’ backend and let the system do the job. It updates inventory in real time, so you are sure that whatever is active in your store is available in the supplier’s warehouse. 

4. Automate Pricing and Repricing

Pricing and repricing are essential when running your business. You need to factor in the supplier’s price and add any other costs plus your margin to get the final selling price. It’s important to note that the seller’s price hugely determines the final selling price. Now, as much as you have set the final price, you should be aware that there may be fluctuations in the seller’s price, so you should always reprice items to prevent losses.

Unfortunately, setting and adjusting prices can be hectic, especially if you have many products. The fact that you need to update prices frequently makes matters worse. So, what’s the solution? Well…automation.

A tool like Easync will come in handy here. It can help you calculate and adjust prices in real time, ensuring you sell products at the right price. Besides simplifying pricing and repricing, Easync eliminates human errors.

5. Automate Order Processing

In the dropshipping fulfillment model, the supplier sends the product to the customer. As the seller on record, you have no business shipping the order. However, you are responsible for informing the supplier by ordering the item that has been bought.

You can manually take care of the order processing when starting, as you don’t have much. But think of when you start receiving more than a dozen orders daily, or even hundreds. Manual ordering will be hectic, and you can make errors. Besides the tedious process of ordering products manually, you need to be prompt to shorten delivery turnaround. Remember, the earlier the order is shipped, the better for your business.

For efficiency, you’d rather automate the ordering process. We have tools such as Easync that will automatically order the product from the supplier immediately after an order is placed. This way, the supplier will dispatch the order faster, and moreso, you will have ample time to focus on other aspects of the business as the ordering process is on autopilot.

6. Automate Order Tracking Updates

According to statistics, 78% of customers say they will not buy from brands that don’t give regular updates on order status. Interestingly, 29% want to know the real-time location of their order, while 49% are much more concerned about the expected arrival time. This means you should always send updates on order status.

If you are handling just a handful of orders, you can manually manage sending customer updates. But what if your store is already established and processes thousands of orders monthly? You definitely have to think of a way to simplify things.

Your best shot will be automating order tracking updates. Instead of sending updates manually, automate the process. This will save you a lot of time, which you can allocate to marketing and customer support. Besides, automation is prompt and will eliminate human errors like sending the wrong tracking information.

7. Automate Customer Service

There’s no doubt customer support is fundamental to the success of businesses. Dropshipping is not an exception. According to statistics, 64% of businesses acknowledge that customer service translates to growth in sales. Having said that, you must have a robust customer service infrastructure to ensure no customer message or inquiry falls through the cracks.

But then, you may not be available full-time to offer customer support, and at times, you may have many customers waiting for your help. In this case, you are overwhelmed, and hiring a virtual customer support agent is probably out of the question. So, what do you do?

Automation is the answer. Yes. You can automate customer support in several ways. First, you can create a digital self-service library. This can be a help center with all the frequently asked questions and their answers, user guides, tutorials, and other resources. This way, customers can find solutions to their issues without contacting you. There’s also the option of chatbots. These are scripts that help customers perform the basics, for example, choosing a product, making a purchase, redeeming coupons, and so on.

8. Automate Email Marketing

Email marketing is one of the best marketing strategies to promote your dropshipping business. It is a data-driven, measurable, and effective marketing channel that allows you to target specific market segments and customer bases. With email marketing, you are guaranteed growth in sales, increased traffic, repeat sales, and loyal customers.

But then, it is not easy to implement email marketing. First, you need to collect and build a healthy email list. Next, you need to personalize and send out emails, be it order delivery emails, cross-selling emails, etc. All this requires time and is tedious work, considering there are many emails to be sent, from transactional to promotional.

Instead of finding emails manually, a tool like MailChimp will help you automate email collection. You can even leverage it to build an email list and do list cleanups to ensure a healthy list. With MailChimp, you can also automate email personalization and send emails in bulk, thus saving you a lot of time.

9. Automate Social Media Management

Social media is one of the best marketing channels that can scale dropshipping businesses from zero orders to thousands of orders in no time. Considering half of the world’s population is on social media, this is an avenue you don’t want to miss. 

To reap the benefits of social media, your store needs a solid online social media presence. Find which platforms work best for you, depending on your niche. Then, curate content that resonates with your brand and products. For effective results, you need to post regularly to earn the trust of your audience and, importantly, to increase engagement. But do you have time to post on all your social media? No.

The good news, however, is you can automate social media posting. Instead of always rushing to find something to post, find time to schedule posts and free up time to focus on other aspects of the business. Some tools to automate social media posting include Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social. Another idea is installing Facebook Pixel to run automated retargeting ads

10. Automate Reviews

Social proof can go a long way in ensuring your dropshipping store succeeds, and your brand grows. This is because consumers trust reviews. According to statistics, over 84% of buyers trust reviews just like they trust personal recommendations.

But then, getting these reviews is a problem now that you have dozens of products. You may also have thousands of buyers, so manually asking them to leave a review can be hectic.

But with automation, you can set the system such that a notification is sent automatically to the buyer, asking them to leave a product review after a purchase. You can also program the tool to show the positive reviews first and maybe hide negative reviews.

Can Dropshipping Be Fully Automated?

Indeed, there are many ways to automate your business. But the big question is, can you fully automate dropshipping?

Yes, you can automate your dropshipping business fully. Every operation, from product research to order fulfillment, can be automated. But then, as a savvy entrepreneur, you need to be aware of the hiccups. 

Technology sometimes fails, so you must monitor everything closely. In some cases, for example, customer support, automation doesn’t always work as AI can’t have all the solutions. Technology will also, from time to time, require your input, for example, setting and adjusting automation rules.

All said and done, you can fully automate your dropshipping, but you should be in the loop of everything happening to stay in charge of the business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is AliExpress dropshipping automated?

By default, AliExpress dropshipping is not automated. However, there are many tools out there that can help you automate AliExpress dropshipping. These tools sync your store with AliExpress and manage the ordering process autonomously.

2. Is dropshipping automation worth it?

Yes. Automated dropshipping is worth the effort. With automation, you save time, enhance efficiency, and eliminate human errors and burnout resulting from mundane tasks.

3. How does dropshipping automation work?

In dropshipping automation, software handles all the mundane and repetitive tasks. For example, there are software that enables sellers to find winning products automatically and import them to your store. We also have systems that create listings, align inventories and pricing, and even transfer orders to the supplier for fulfillment.

Wrapping Up

There you have it, folks: a guide on how to automate your dropshipping business in 10 ways. As you have seen, you can automate several sales tasks, including product research, creating listings, inventory management, and the ordering process. Marketing, too, can be automated using automated emails and social media automation tools. Chatbots can also come in handy, offering support on basic issues. 

Regarding automation, the tools you use can be the deal-maker or breaker. Always go for robust tools with a good reputation, for example, Easync.io, an all-in-one dropshipping tool. It boasts excellent features to streamline operations for efficiency. Get your Easync 7-day free trial and get a feel of how easy it is to run an automated dropshipping business.

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The Ultimate Amazon UK Dropshipping 2023 Guide For Beginners

Do you want to start Amazon UK dropshipping in 2023 but don’t know where to start now that you are a beginner? Well, heave a sigh of relief as you are at the right place – a one-stop resource where you will learn everything you need to know as a beginner. At the end of the article, you will learn;

  • The dropshipping model and its profitability
  • Why prioritize dropshipping on Amazon UK
  • Whether Amazon UK dropshipping is legal
  • How to start dropshipping on Amazon UK
  • How to scale your dropshipping business

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

Amazon UK dropshipping is dropshipping on Amazon’s UK marketplace. Amazon has marketplaces in several countries, each with its own platform. In the Amazon UK dropshipping model, you list your products on the amazon.co.uk website.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Amazon UK Dropshipping

Amazon UK dropshipping has both advantages and disadvantages, as listed below.

Pros

  • Low-cost investment
  • Low-risk investment
  • Flexibility
  • Speed to market
  • Scalability

You don’t need inventory or incur any warehousing and logistics costs to start selling with dropshipping fulfillment successfully. Dropshipping is also a low-risk investment, considering you are not buying any merchandise. Amazon dropshipping also gives you flexibility, as you can sell any product anywhere from the comfort of your home. You can also start selling immediately and scale the business as the supplier handles fulfillment. Besides, there are many opportunities in automation.

Cons

  • Stiff competition
  • No control over the supply chain
  • Strenuous registration process

On the downside, dropshipping is very competitive as one of the fastest-rising online markets. The margins are also lower compared to the wholesale model. The other shortcoming is a lack of control over inventory and product quality, as you don’t have inventory and can’t vet product quality before it’s sent to the customer. Shipping turnaround is slower, and you will always be in constant pursuit of winning products. Last, the registration process is long as you are required to take a video of yourself holding your government-issued card.

Is Amazon UK Dropshipping Still Profitable?

In recent years, after the surge of dropshipping and competition, many have claimed that dropshipping is dead, but it isn’t. The truth of the matter is that dropshipping, especially Amazon UK dropshipping, is still a viable business despite its paltry 10% to 20% success rate. Yes, dropshipping is competitive, but there are opportunities for success. The average dropshipper makes $2,000 monthly, while expert-level dropshippers with established stores average $10,000 monthly.

Why Amazon UK Dropshipping

Amazon, the biggest eCommerce website, is undoubtedly one of the best places to start your dropshipping business. While you may have to spend on marketing to stand tall, you already have a customer base.

Amazon itself is one of the biggest online marketplaces in the UK, with 86% of UK consumers buying on the platform. Interestingly, Amazon UK web traffic was 579.5 million in November 2020 and has grown exponentially. So you made a good choice to sell on Amazon UK. Now, the big question is, why Amazon UK and not any other Amazon platforms? 

Well, the answer is low competition. Amazon UK has less competition compared to Amazon US. According to statistics, there were less than 300,000 sellers on Amazon UK in 2019, compared to Amazon US’s 1.1 million. The lower the competition, the higher the opportunities for success. Besides, the 3.6% desktop conversion for the UK market is something worth smiling about as an entrepreneur.

Is Amazon UK Dropshipping Legal? 

Amazon dropshipping in the UK is allowed, but as with any other business, you should be conversant with both Amazon and UK laws. Amazon has set policies to ensure consistent customer experience.

One of the crucial policies is regarding information that can be printed on the packing slip or any other communication to the customer. All package slip invoices and other materials must bear your name as the seller on record. The shipment should not contain the supplier’s details or any other seller apart from you. It is also your responsibility to handle returns. Basically, selling on Amazon is allowed if you adhere to the seller agreement and all applicable Amazon policies.

Regarding the laws of the UK, know that a dropshipping business is the same as any other online trade, so you have legal responsibilities. You are supposed to have a license and register for tax as an individual or sole trader. Similarly, you will need to register and report Corporation Tax. Your business will also be subject to the Consumer Rights Acts, Consumer Protection Laws, Truth In Advertising Laws, etc.

How To Start Amazon UK Dropshipping: Step-By-Step Guide

To the main agenda, how do you start Amazon UK dropshipping? What do you need to get started? Here is a step-by-step on how to start a dropshipping business on the Amazon UK platform.

Step 1: Niche, Product, and Supplier Research

Research is vital to the success of your dropshipping business. You need to do proper research to make informed decisions. Unfortunately, many sellers fail because they are in the wrong niche, are selling the wrong product, or are dealing with the wrong supplier. The three, niche, product, and supplier, can be the deal maker or breaker. You need to do proper research before starting.

How to Find a Dropshipping Niche

A niche enables you to build a focused audience that will form the basis of your marketing campaign. A niche will also help you find the best products that meet the needs of your audience and make their life simple.

You can focus on many niches, including fashion, jewelry, automotive, hair & beauty, sports & fitness, pet supplies, home & gardening, kids & toys, electronics, and so on. So, what’s the best niche for UK Amazon dropshipping?

Well, it is hard to say which is the best niche, but from the recent trends, hair & beauty, fashion, and automotive do very well. When finding a niche, it is recommended that you go for one you have passion for to succeed. You also have to choose between trendy and steady niches. Trendy niches are seasonal, while steady niches are in demand all year round – the latter is the best.

How to Find a Winning Product

Finding a winning product is perhaps the most critical stage in launching your business. The big question is, what is the best Amazon UK dropshipping product? Many businesses fail because they sell what their audiences don’t want. Thus, product research is fundamental.

Take your time and find that product that meets the criteria of a winning product. As you know, a winning product should;

  • Have a wow factor
  • Not be available in mainstream stores
  • Be affordable, with good margins
  • Solve a problem
  • Have a dropshipping size

Now, there are many ways of finding a winning product. You can check trending products, audit Amazon UK sellers, research product videos, etc. But the best bet is using product research tools. A good example is Easync, which comes with a tool called Amazon Product Finder to help you find the best products to sell on your Amazon store.

NOTE: Amazon UK restricts sellers from listing some products. There are also category restrictions, so make sure to go through the restricted items and categories page on Amazon UK.

How to Find an Amazon UK Dropshipping Supplier

Once you have a product in mind, the next step is finding a reliable supplier. The supplier is an essential player in the dropshipping business model as they affect key dynamics, including;

  • Inventory availability
  • Product quality
  • Shipping turnaround

The best supplier should guarantee excellent product quality and should, have enough inventory and communicate any changes on time. The supplier should also have a reliable logistics infrastructure to ensure fast shipping.

Below is a checklist of the best suppliers for Amazon dropshipping.

  • UK warehouses for faster shipping
  • Fast shipping and delivery turnaround
  • Wide, quality product range
  • Positive customer reviews
  • Agreeable per item price
  • Transparent return policy
  • Resourceful support 24/7

When dropshipping on Amazon UK, you can work with suppliers in the UK or internationally suppliers. The former is the best if you want fast shipping, while the latter gives you a wide range of product options and low prices. Some of the best UK suppliers to work with include TB Trade, Manchester Wholesale, Go Drop Ship, and Clothes to Order (C2O), just to mention a few.

84% of eCommerce retailers say securing a good supplier is the biggest obstacle to starting a dropshipping business. (Fundera)

There are several ways of finding dropshipping suppliers for your Amazon UK dropshipping store. You can contact suppliers directly, go through supplier directories, or order from your competition. But here again, a dropshipping tool is the best. For example, Easync links you with some of the best suppliers, including AliExpress, one of the best dropshipping suppliers. 

Step 2: Creating an Amazon UK Seller Account

To sell on Amazon UK, you need an Amazon UK seller account, popularly known as Seller Central. So, how do you get Amazon Seller Central? Is Amazon Seller Central free? Let’s find out.

How to Get an Amazon Seller Central Account

To get an Amazon Seller Central account, you need the following;

  • Email address or existing Amazon customer account 
  • Credit card 
  • Government-issued ID 
  • Tax information 
  • Phone number
  • Bank account

Go to the Seller Central registration page here – https://sellercentral.amazon.com./ Feed all the required information, abide by the terms, and complete the account setup. The last step is confirming the email address, and you are good to go.

How Much Does it Cost to Sell on Amazon?

Getting an Amazon seller account is free, but you don’t sell for free. There are 2 plans: Individual and Professional. As a beginner, we recommend going for an Individual account and upgrading as more sales start tricking in.

The Individual Plan is free, but you are charged £0.75 / item sold, excluding VAT + additional selling fee. This account is ideal if you sell less than 35 items monthly and don’t want to advertise products, qualify for top rankings, use advanced tools, or sell in restricted categories.

On the other hand, the Professional Plan is not free as you have to pay £25 per month as subscription fees, excluding VAT + additional selling fees. The Professional Plan is suitable if you want to sell more than 35 items and advertise products, qualify for top placements, use advanced tools such as API, or sell products in restricted categories.

Step 3: Creating Product Listings

Now you have an Amazon store. The next thing is to create product listings. Before getting started, look around the product description creation page and find out how it works. The goal here is to create proper product listings that rank and convince customers that this is the product they want. 

But the elephant in the room is, what makes a good Amazon product listing?

Amazon Rules On Creating Listings

To start, Amazon has rules and regulations that dictate how product descriptions should look like. You should write clearly and concisely, and the description should include product-related information only. Don’t promote any other product. Promotional messages and testimonials/quotes should not be included.

When it comes to the product title, it should describe the product, its use, and whom it is for. The product description, on the other hand, should be as short as possible and as long as necessary, highlighting the benefits and value of the product without being too salesy. A list with bullets would make the description even better and easy to scheme through. Nothing should be left to chance. All the information, including sizes, size charts, color, book editions, delivery timelines, shipping charges, etc., should be made available.

Another talking point is the images. Make sure to have HD images of the product from different angles. The more the images, the better. Perhaps you can add a video for a better shopping experience.

75% of online shoppers decide whether or not to buy an item based on product images.

Step 4: Calculating Prices

This is a crucial stage as it involves the main cogs of the business – finances. There are a few things you need to know here.

First, decide on the products you want to sell. Remember that high-ticket items move slowly but have high margins, while low-ticket items move faster but have very low margins, so you need high-volume sales to make it even.

Next, decide on the margins you want. Here, we recommend starting with low margins to get a competitive edge. After you start getting traction, you can increase your profits. It will be essential to check what other competitors are doing. Just make sure you are selling your products at a slightly cheaper price.

Last, factor in all the costs when calculating your selling price. Many Amazon dropshippers fail here as they focus on the buying price, forgetting costs such as store and per-item fees, taxes, and shipping costs where applicable.

Step 5: Marketing

How do you bring in sales? Marketing…marketing…marketing. Amazon is an established brand that boasts high traffic volume, so you are a step ahead compared to a dropshipper who has established his store. But still, You need to stay on top of the game, considering you are facing stiff competition from other sellers. So, what are your marketing options?

Ads

Now that you are selling on Amazon, you don’t need to focus much on SEO. Your best marketing channel will be ads. Ads have impressive conversion rates and are easily scalable. As far as ads are concerned, you have two options;

  • Amazon Ads
  • External PPC Ads

Amazon Ads, also known as Sponsored Ads, is basically Amazon’s version of CPC as we know it. You can leverage this tool to increase product visibility, get more leads, and sell efficiently. There are 3 Ad types: Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and Sponsored Display Ads. You can choose what works for you. The good thing is there’s no start-up fee, and you can start with a small budget.

External Ads can also come in handy. You can choose Google Ads, an affordable platform with a 2.85% conversion rate. Facebook Ads remains the best channel, with a 9.21% conversion rate. Other options include Instagram Ads and TikTok Ads. 

Email Marketing

An email marketing plan will be vital to your marketing artillery. Email marketing is affordable, easy to implement, and has a higher ROI. Start by collecting emails, and after building a healthy email list, launch a campaign. You can use a tool like MailChimp for this.

Free Shipping and Discounts

According to recent statistics, free shipping is among the things that can trigger instant purchases. According to statistics, 73% of consumers are more likely to purchase online items with free shipping(Statista), while 90% of consumers would shop more often online if free shipping is available (Marketing Land).

Discounts entice customers. Set a budget for discounts, as small as they may be. They will ultimately enable you to increase sales and boost your reputation and loyalty.

How To Scale Your Amazon UK Dropshipping Business

To stay on top of market demands, enhance efficiency, and increase profit margins, you need to think of how to scale your business. One of the best ways of scaling is automating your dropshipping business.

You see, in as much as the supplier is responsible for fulfillment, you have a lot in hand. You will need to find winning products, research suppliers, create listings, manage inventory, reprice items, and order products from suppliers. To improve efficiency and eliminate human errors, we recommend automating your business. With tools such as Easync, you can save a lot of time that you can allocate to marketing and customer service.

Customer service will also be vital for your business. Understand that the customer is king, and that message you are neglecting could be a sale and a potential loyal customer. Customers believe good customer service is the beginning of a smooth shopping experience. Great service yields loyal customers and positive ratings and reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Amazon dropshipping legal in the UK? 

Amazon dropshipping is legal in the UK. But you will have to adhere to all the licensing and tax requirements. Amazon UK also allows dropshipping, but make sure to follow the Amazon UK seller’s policies lest you get your account banned.

2. Is Amazon dropshipping profitable UK?

Yes. Amazon dropshipping UK is profitable, considering the UK has higher conversion rates, and suppliers offer fantastic margins. With proper strategy, you should be able to create a passive income with Amazon dropshipping UK.

3. What sells best on dropshipping in the UK?

It’s hard to say what sells best in the UK as times are moving fast, and as is the norm, what sells today may not sell tomorrow. You can, however, check the best sellers tab on the Amazon UK website to see what is being bought most. Another option is using product research tools.

4. How many hours do Amazon dropshippers in the UK work?

Well, it all depends on the stage at which the business is and the level of automation. But on average, to make £2,000, you will be working around 10 to 15 hours weekly.

5. Do you need a license to dropship to the UK?

If you want to dropship to Amazon UK, and you live in the UK, you will definitely need a license to avoid rubbing shoulders with the authorities., Also, pay taxes accordingly.

Wrapping Up

That’s the end of this guide on how to start Amazon UK dropshipping in 2023. As you have seen, Amazon UK dropshipping is a worthy venture that can turn your fortunes. However, you need to lay down a robust strategy to succeed. The first step is identifying a niche, a product, and reliable suppliers. Then, create a store, list products, calculate pricing, and start marketing. Orders will start flowing in. 

But don’t rest just yet. You will also need to offer excellent customer service and automate the business. Easync is the go-to dropshipping automation tool that will help you automate all mundane tasks, including product research, listing creation, inventory management, repricing, and ordering. Start your 7-day free trial today and scale your business to greater heights!