In the era of remote work and marketplaces, business models are also changing. For example, the well-known dropshipping model recently received a new life. Dropshipping is an easy start for a newcomer in-retailer business; a dropshipper can start by himself following easy steps of finding Manufacturers, Organizing marketplace platform, and Marketing.
Dropshipping is a business driven by a dropshiper sitting in from a computer, taking orders from Clients on the marketplace and distributing it neatly between Manufacturer, who organized delivery to the end Client. Dropshipper’s headache also is to check reviews and organize Client’s support. This model does not require unique knowledge and significant investments; with the below pieces of advice, you can start it even for free.
A dropshipper can organize this business as all steps for the business organization can be done for free. Some marketplaces are placing the goods for free. Some manufacturers can work without advance payment, and the software to work smoothly and quickly with numerous changing prices and obstacles can be found for free within a trial period. But let’s discuss the main dropshipper’s difficulties and possible expenses that could be avoided in detail.
Steps to start dropshipping
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Find software that executes market analytics for bestselling products, creating listings of more exciting products, or do this manually – find a product /products to sell or trustable Manufacturers.
It is more accurate and faster to do the search with software. Such programs as Easync.io are searching for the most popular products through top marketplaces: eBay, Amazon, AliExpress, Walmart, etc. The service possibilities are not limited to that; it can also reprice automatically per your settings all required items, provide you weekly analytics and even organize the order in automatic mode.
All these features are available in a seven-day trial period and allow starting with numerous items at the beginning.
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Find a marketplace or create a platform (a website, a page in social networks, etc.).
It is essential to organize a successful business, as this is in direct communication with the end profit. You may already have a popular page in the social networks or a website with good traffic – then it is easier – as there are no other investments for the Client’s attractions. Creating a new platform is always connected to extensive advertisement campaigns, the most successful and easy, unfortunately not for free. But you may use significant marketplaces where dropshippers are welcomed – eBay, Amazon, or Shopify.
They have a free trial period, but further, you need to pay a monthly subscription (Shopify) or charge you a fee for each sold good (Amazon or eBay). Each option is workable. For registration on all marketplaces, you need to add your credit details and have a proven legal form to execute dropshipping services. Indeed, many designers and programs can provide you services in the future as they are not for free.
If you choose a marketplace (especially marketplace) for your goods. You need to make catching video/photos and descriptions for the fly cards that will direct the Clients to your goods.
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Create a good connection with a Manufacturer/ Manufacturers, discuss all working terms and delivery options. It is better to sign a long-term contract with bonuses and discounts.
This step does not require any investments; it depends only on your communication skill. But it gives you at the end some bonuses, the more discount you will negotiate with Manufacturer the more profit you will have and better delivery terms you will get. Most manufacturers prefer to work with big scale Clients, so you should establish the scheme with a lot of your clients to receive a more significant discount.
If you have already found the products in step one, you can check the Manufactures or search them on the Internet. However, Chinese or your local market is typically a better option to start, as in the first case, the price of a mistake is not so high, and in the second case, the delivery terms are the lowest.
Further steps will be constantly repeated during regular dropshipper work.
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Take orders, send the order to the Manufacturer with all delivery details.
This work should be executed with all respect and on time, as this is the crucial factor for Clients’ return. More and more valuable now are Clients making repeat orders. They also write better reviews.
As a dropshipper is an intermediate chain and a Manufacturer does not communicate to the Client, a dropshipper should check production and delivery terms by himself and provide the data to the Client.
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Send money without your commission to the Manufacturer
All Client’s money is sent to the Dropshipper’s account, so as it was said in step 2. Do not forget to open the corresponding bank account. The amount of commission depends on the competitor’s price and your desired income. The payment terms with the Manufacturer depend on your agreements in step 3 (advanced or post-payment).
Although to start a dropshipper business for free, you need to learn how to start dropshipping, all Clients should pay with order placement. Payment after delivery is riskier, as the Manufacturer can charge you delivery costs even if you pay after the order is delivered.
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Check reviews and provide responses and resolutions for the complaints
The reviews are the key channel for communication with future Clients; you should try to have fair, positive reviews to be on top of all search engines. However, the resolution you provided is also essential if you receive negative feedback.
In the future, if you want to enlarge your business, constantly repeat steps 1-3.
The software can automatize almost all steps of this process except cases of direct communication with people for contract negotiations, resolution of conflicts, and creating ideas for people’s attraction. However, all steps described above are essential to gain the result.
As described, it is possible to start a dropshipping business for free; you need some time, good guidance, and some creative ideas. Dropshipping business is suitable for a young retailer, normally huge profits are not expected, but you will understand all business processes in detail.
Would you like to read more about How to Start Dropshipping-related articles? If so, we invite you to take a look at our other tech topics before you leave!
