Ultimate Guide To Building And Marketing A Successful Dropshipping Business in 2023

Dropshipping business is growing at an unprecedented rate. It is expected to reach more than 450 billion by 2026. If you are thinking of starting a WordPress or Shopify dropshipping website, this is the best time. But creating a dropshipping business is just half the task done. The real challenge lies in generating traffic and sales for your store.

Lets first ask, is drop shipping dead? Well the simple answer is NO. Here are list of some dropshipping stores on sale that are making 7 figures and are available for sale.

As we embark on this comprehensive exploration of starting a dropshipping business for beginners, it is essential to understand the underlying concept. Dropshipping is a retail model where the store owner doesn’t keep the products they sell in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer. Therefore, the seller doesn’t have to handle the product directly.

The most significant difference between dropshipping and the standard retail model involves the selling merchant not stocking or owning inventory. Instead, the seller purchases inventory as needed from a third party—usually a wholesaler or manufacturer—to fulfill orders. Now, let’s dive deeper into this exciting world of dropshipping!

1. Introduction to Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an e-commerce business model that allows entrepreneurs to start an online business and sell products to their buyers without ever actually stocking the items themselves. It offers a less capital-intensive way of selling products online and can be a great stepping stone to start an online venture.

The benefits of dropshipping include a low barrier to entry, wide selection of products, scalability, and location independence. However, dropshipping isn’t all roses and rainbows. All these benefits come with their own set of challenges like finding a reliable supplier, driving customer traffic, and low margins in a highly competitive market.

2. Researching and Choosing a Niche

A successful dropshipping business starts with selecting a niche. It’s a common mistake to think that you should start a dropshipping business in a niche that’s not too competitive. In reality, competition is a good indicator that there’s demand for the products in that niche. However, you’ll also need to ensure there’s enough interest in your potential products without too much competition.

Low Competition Products: Low competition products are those that are not widely available or sold by many businesses. These products often cater to a niche market or a specific group of consumers. The competition is low because not many businesses are selling these products, either due to lack of awareness, lack of demand, or the specialized nature of the product. Advantages of Low Competition Products:
- Less competition can mean higher profit margins.It’s easier to become a market leader or establish a strong brand presence.There’s potential for growth if the product or market becomes more popular over time.
Disadvantages of Low Competition Products:
- The market size might be small, limiting the total potential sales.
- It might be harder to find suppliers or to achieve economies of scale.
- There’s a risk that the product or market might not grow as expected.
High Competition Products: High competition products are those that are widely available and sold by many businesses. These are typically products that have a broad appeal and are in high demand. The competition is high because many businesses recognize the demand and are trying to capture a share of the market. Advantages of High Competition Products:
- The market size is typically large, offering the potential for high sales volumes.It’s often easier to find suppliers and to achieve economies of scale.The high demand and popularity of the product can make marketing easier.
Disadvantages of High Competition Products:
- The high level of competition can lead to price wars and lower profit margins.
- It can be difficult to differentiate your product or brand from others in the market.
- There’s a risk of market saturation, where the number of products exceeds the demand.

It’s often a good idea to have a mix of both types of products in your portfolio to balance the risks and rewards.

Research is the key here. Use tools like Google Trends, Amazon’s Best Sellers, eBay’s Trending, social media platforms, and other market research tools to gather data. Look at what products are trending, who’s buying them, and what problems they solve.

3. Sourcing a Supplier

Finding a reliable supplier is critical to your success in dropshipping. The wrong supplier can cause significant problems like mismanaged inventory, slow shipping times, poor customer service, and even scamming.

We highly recommend Sellthetrend.com. It has some of the best suppliers and resources on the internet. You can

Alibaba, AliExpress, and sellthetrend.com are popular platforms where you can identify suppliers. Once you’ve found potential suppliers, reach out to them to get a feel for their professionalism, reliability, and communication. Remember, they’re a critical part of your business, and any faults on their part can directly impact your reputation.

4. Building a Dropshipping Store

The next step is to create your online store. You can use platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce. These platforms have ready-to-use templates, and they handle all the technical aspects of your store. Plus we will be using a premade template that its really easy to build your website

For our dropshipping store we use WordPress.

Here is a premade dropshipping template that you can use. We have several on our website that you can easily import on your website in one click.

You can view the template here

So lets talk about how to install WordPress!

WordPress is the best hands down. With wordpress, its cheaper and you have more options and plugins to further extend your dropshipipng store. You can install wordpress for free using siteground hosting

Visit SitegRound

While setting up, focus on designing a user-friendly website. Make it aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. Pay attention to your product descriptions and photos. Since customers can’t touch or feel the products, clear, high-quality photos and detailed descriptions can help convince them to buy.

When prompted to get hosting, we recommend the growbig plan. The main reason why we recommend the growbig plan is because you can host unlimited dropshipping stores on this plan vs only 1 as on the startup plan.

(You can get a year of hosting and wordpress for around $50, what a great deal!)

5. Managing Customer Service

In dropshipping, you don’t control how your product is packaged or when it gets shipped out. However, you’re still responsible for customer satisfaction.

Openphone is a great resrouces where you can get phone numbers, text messages, and assemble teams to handle all the customer complaints and refunds.

Provide excellent customer service. Respond to inquiries promptly. If there are any shipping or supply issues, communicate with the customer and try toresolve the situation. Remember, your goal is to build a reputation as a trustworthy seller. Hence, transparent communication and proactive problem-solving are essential.

6. Marketing Your Store

Now that you have your store and products ready, it’s time to attract customers. Digital marketing is the backbone of your dropshipping business. From Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to Pay-Per-Click advertising (PPC), social media marketing, and email marketing, you have a plethora of strategies to use.

Utilize SEO to improve the visibility of your store on search engines. Employ PPC campaigns for quick visibility. Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and others to connect with your audience and showcase your products. And don’t forget about email marketing; it’s a powerful tool for building customer relationships and driving repeat sales.

Traffic is king when it comes to dropshipping. Without traffic, you can’t make any sales; without sales, your business will eventually die. So, if you are serious about your dropshipping business, you need to find ways to generate traffic to your store.

There are 2 basic types of traffic

Paid and free organic traffic . Paid traffic is where you use paid
ads to get visitors to your store, while organic traffic is where you use free methods like SEO.
Still, keep in mind that to get free traffic, sometimes you have to spend more time and money
than you would on paid traffic. So you should carefully weigh all pros and cons while developing your traffic strategy.

Now let’s take a look at some of the surefire ways to get traffic to your WordPress or Shopify dropshipping store:

Start Your Blog And Create Content Regularly

SEO and blogs are probably one of the most effective and time consuming-methods you can use.
You need to create high-quality, keyword-rich content for your blog. Most importantly, you
should ensure that your content provides VALUE. This means that blog posts you write should
help people answer their questions and resolve their problems. This will help you rank higher in
SERPs, eventually leading to more traffic.
You can also use various other methods to improve your SEO, such as link building, social
media, etc.
If you are using WordPress or Shopify, just make a blog on your dropshipping website and start
driving traffic.
Remember! This is a long-term strategy, and you will need at least 50 SEO-optimized blog
posts 1000+ words each to start seeing any real results. You will also have to wait several
months to have your content ranked by Google.

We have videos on how we wrote a blog post using chat GPT and ranked #1!

Start building your blog’s topical authority by focusing on low-competition topics related to your
niche. For instance, if you are dropshipping cat toys, don’t write your blog posts about cats in
general, as there are thousands of them on the internet. Instead, focus on specific cat breeds and
further cover more and more cat-related topics as your blog grows.

Start Your Social Profiles And Post 2x A Week

Facebook

Facebook Ads is among the most influential and popular platforms for buying paid traffic.
Facebook has almost 3 billion monthly active users, which is a huge number. And the best part
of Facebook Ads is that you can target your ads to very specific audiences on Facebook.
If you don’t know anything about targeting, it is not a problem. As Facebook algorithms are very
good, you can just set your ad campaign and let Facebook do the job for you. Just make sure that
your ad creative is attractive and eye-catching, as this will help you get more clicks.
Another advantage is that you can advertise on both Facebook and Instagram at the same time by
using Facebook Ads.

Although Facebook Ads is a very effective platform, it can be pretty expensive. The price-perclick (PPC) can range from $0.05 in some less developed countries to $1 and even higher in the
United States and other developed countries.
Additionally, Facebook algorithms may also ban your advertising account for no reason. So
always keep several extra Facebook Ads accounts just in case.

TikTok

TikTok is a relatively new social media platform that has already taken the internet by storm. It
has over 130 million monthly U.S. active users and more than 1 billion monthly active users
worldwide.
The best part about TikTok is that it is mostly used by people between the ages of 16 and 24,
which is perfect if your target audience is young people.
To get some traffic from TikTok, you need to create creative and engaging videos. You can also
pay TikTok bloggers with a large following to promote your dropshipping store.
Twitter
Twitter has more than 220 million active monthly users.
You need to create an attractive profile and start tweeting interesting and engaging content to
start getting traffic from Twitter. You can also join relevant Twitter chats, as this will help you
get more exposure.
Use hashtags to get more views on your tweets. Just make sure not to use too many hashtags, as
this will look spammy.
Additionally, you can use Twitter Ads to drive traffic to your website. The average cost-per-click
(CPC) on Twitter is about $1 but can be as low as $0.50.

Add All Your Images and Post To Pinterest ( Free Sales? Why Not?)

Pinterest is a great social media website with over 400 million monthly active users. The best
part about this platform is that it is mainly used by women (more than 70% of the total
audience), which is perfect if your target audience is female.

We dont really advertise as much on our pinterest but are getting 10k monthly views and made a few sales from it.

To start driving traffic from Pinterest, you need to create a business account and start creating
high-quality pins. You can also join relevant group boards, as this will help you get more
exposure and traffic.
Just like with Facebook Ads, you can also use Pinterest Ads to drive traffic to your store.
Pinterest Ads is a very effective platform, with the average cost-per-click (CPC) being around
$1-$1.5
Additionally, you can use regular pins to drive traffic to your dropshipping store. Use highquality original images and attractive descriptions. Hence, you can use Pinterest as a source of
both free and paid traffic.

Upload All Your Products To Google Merchant For Free Impressions

Google Merchant Center is a tool that allows you to upload your store, brand, and product data and make it available to Google Shopping and other Google services. Here are some of the key benefits of uploading your products to Google Merchant Center:

Visibility: Google is one of the most used search engines in the world. By uploading your products to Google Merchant Center, you can increase the visibility of your products to a vast audience. Your products can appear in relevant Google Shopping search results, which can significantly increase your potential customer base.
Targeted Advertising: Google Merchant Center works hand-in-hand with Google Ads, allowing you to create Shopping Ads for your products. These ads are shown to users who are actively searching for products like yours, making them highly targeted and more likely to result in sales.
Rich Product Information: Google Merchant Center allows you to provide a wealth of information about your products, including images, prices, product categories, and more. This rich product information can help your products stand out in search results and can provide users with the information they need to make a purchase decision.
Local Inventory Ads: If you have a brick-and-mortar store, you can use Google Merchant Center to show users what products you have in stock at a location near them. This can help drive foot traffic to your physical stores.
Performance Insights: Google Merchant Center provides insights into how your products are performing. You can see how often your products appear in search results, how often users click on your products, and more. This data can help you optimize your product listings and your advertising strategy.
Product Ratings and Reviews: Google Merchant Center allows you to include product ratings and reviews in your product listings. These can provide social proof and can help users feel more confident in their purchase decision.
Sell Directly on Google: With the “Buy on Google” feature, you can sell your products directly on Google. This can provide a seamless shopping experience for users and can make it easier for them to purchase your products.

In conclusion, Google Merchant Center can be a powerful tool for increasing the visibility of your products, reaching a larger audience, and driving more sales.

Quora and Reddit

I bet you have noticed Quora in the top SERP results for many of your search queries,
particularly for questions. Quora is a viral question and answer platform with more than 300 million monthly active users.
To start driving traffic from Quora, you need to find relevant questions that you can answer. Add
a link to your website in your answer so that people can click through to your site.
Make sure your ad piece looks native, meaning it should look like a regular answer and not an
advertisement.
Furthermore, you can use Quora for Business advertising platform and buy paid traffic from this
website. Quora CPC is relatively low, and you can get clicks for some niches cheaper than $1. Reddit
Reddit has a great community with more than 430 million monthly active users.
Here are some of the most common strategies you can use to drive traffic to your dropshipping
website.
1) Share your content on relevant subreddits: This is a great way to get exposure for your content
and drive traffic back to your site. Ensure you’re sharing quality content relevant to the
subreddit’s audience.
2) Create a subreddit for your dropshipping business: This is an excellent way to build a
community around your business and generate leads/customers.
3) Use Reddit Ads: Reddit Ads are a great way to reach a targeted audience and drive traffic to
your site.
4) Participate in relevant threads: This is a great way to build relationships with other users and
get exposure for your business. Make sure you’re providing VALUE and not just promoting your
own stuff.
5) Host a giveaway: Everyone loves free stuff! Hosting a giveaway is great for generating traffic
and building buzz around your business.

7. Tying the Knots: A Final Look on Dropshipping

While dropshipping is a lucrative business model, it requires just as much work as any other business. The low entry barrier means the market can get competitive, but with a strong strategy and persistent effort, you can build a profitable business.

Remember to continually optimize your store, always look out for trending products within your niche, maintain strong relationships with your suppliers, and put your customers’ needs at the forefront. Dropshipping can be a stepping stone to broader e-commerce ventures and a fantastic way to dip your toes into the world of digital entrepreneurship.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I dropship from any e-commerce site? A: Not all e-commerce sites allow dropshipping. It’s best to stick to platforms known for dropshipping like Alibaba or AliExpress, or use a dropshipping service that has pre-negotiated deals with manufacturers.

Q: How much money do I need to start a dropshipping business? A: The initial cost can be as low as $100-$300, but this can rise quickly as you pay for various marketing campaigns to drive traffic to your store.

Q: Is dropshipping legal? A: Yes, dropshipping is a legal business model. However, you should ensure you’re following all laws and regulations related to e-commerce, online business, and taxation in your country.

Q: Can I dropship in any country? A: Theoretically, yes. As long as you can ship products to your customers, you can run a dropshipping business. However, shipping costs, times, and policies will vary by country, so it’s crucial to research and plan accordingly.