Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products without holding inventory. When a customer buys from your store, the order is fulfilled directly by a supplier—letting you focus on marketing and customer experience.
Why dropshipping is popular:
- Low startup costs
- No need to buy or store inventory
- Flexible and scalable from anywhere with Wi-Fi
Key steps to start:
1. Choose a niche
Pick a focused, profitable niche with demand and low competition. Tools like Google Trends or TikTok can reveal trending ideas.
2. Find reliable suppliers
Use platforms like:
- AliExpress (beginner-friendly)
- Spocket (U.S./EU focus)
- Printful (print-on-demand)
Vet suppliers for quality, shipping speed, and communication.
3. Build your store
Shopify is the most popular platform, but WooCommerce and BigCommerce also work. Use apps like DSers or Oberlo to import products easily.
4. Set competitive pricing
Include shipping and processing costs. Maintain healthy margins while remaining competitive.
5. Market your store
Use Facebook ads, TikTok content, influencer marketing, or SEO to drive traffic. Retarget abandoned carts via email or remarketing ads.
6. Optimize customer service
Even if you don’t handle products, you own the customer relationship—respond fast and solve problems.
Dropshipping isn’t a “get rich quick” scheme—it’s a real business. With the right product, branding, and effort, it can be a profitable and location-independent model.