How Exactly to Start a Dropshipping Business, The No-Nonsense Guide | by Ghulam Murtaza Abbasi | ILLUMINATION | Jul, 2024

So, can you get rich overnight with dropshipping, eh? Well, let me burst that bubble right now. The internet is bursting at the seams with get-rich-quick schemes, especially on YouTube. You’ll find countless videos promising that dropshipping is your golden ticket to easy money. Spoiler alert: it’s not.

Before you dive in, let’s set the record straight: you won’t be buying a yacht next month. Everything worth having takes time, and dropshipping is no exception. Your sky-high expectations? Yeah, those will only serve to demotivate you when reality sets in.

Thinking dropshipping will make you rich quick? That’s as realistic as believing you can become a chef by watching cooking shows. — Golden Ramsay

Here’s the grand, straightforward concept: you’re selling inventory you don’t actually own. You buy it only after a customer places an order. Revolutionary, right?

Now, don’t get too excited. This article isn’t a “top 10 best niches” list. I’m not here to tell you what product to pick. Instead, I’ll guide you on how to set up your storefront and find a reliable supplier.

Shopify is the darling of dropshippers. Why? Because it’s idiot-proof. From managing products to orders and warehouses, it’s all there. Plus, you can connect it to every social media channel under the sun. One tiny change in your product listing? Boom, it’s updated everywhere. Magic.

WordPress with WooCommerce

Now, for those who enjoy a bit of pain, there’s WordPress with the WooCommerce plugin. It’s not rocket science, but it’s definitely not as breezy as Shopify. You’ll need a touch of patience and some technical skills to get things rolling. And don’t forget SEO — Yoast SEO is your new best friend.

I won’t bore you with an exhaustive list, but here are some names: BigCommerce, Wix, SquareSpace, Weebly, CoreCommerce, Ecwid, Shift4Shop. They’re all great, but pick one and stick with it. More options will only make your head spin.

Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to pick your product source. The internet is brimming with options, but here are a few big names:

AliExpress

AliExpress is the OG of dropshipping. With a vast range of products and suppliers, it’s the go-to. Look for suppliers with good performance stats, a couple of years under their belt, and legit product reviews. For automation on Shopify, you’ve got DSers. WooCommerce? Good luck finding a decent plugin.

Other Options

CJDropshipping, ZenDrop, and AutoDS are also in the game. CJDropshipping and ZenDrop are decent but suffer from long shipping times. AutoDS claims the shortest shipping durations, so maybe give that a whirl.

Want faster shipping? Use local suppliers. For US customers, Spocket is gold. They have warehouses in the US, slashing delivery times from 20 days to a mere 3–5 days. CJDropshipping also has US warehouses, but you’ll need to buy inventory in advance or use their existing US stock.

So there you have it, folks. Dropshipping isn’t a walk in the park, but with a little patience and the right strategy, you might just make it work. Just don’t expect to be sipping cocktails on your private island any time soon.