How to Start a Dropshipping Business

If you’re short on funds yet hoping to get into e-commerce, you might consider dropshipping. Dropshipping is when a company orders products from their supplier only when a customer places an order, sharply reducing inventory costs. 

Nowadays, with dropshipping on the rise, you could offer just about any type of product, as long as you can find a reliable supplier. Once you do that, much of your time will be spent counting your profits.

But before you jump in, you’ll need some business know-how. Fortunately, this step-by-step guide provides all the insights you’ll need to become a dropshipping mogul. 

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons

Dropshipping industry trends

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – In 2023, the global dropshipping industry is worth $243.2 billion after nearly doubling since 2020.((https://www.statista.com/statistics/1264272/dropshipping-market-size/))
• Growth forecast – The global dropshipping industry is projected to grow nearly 200% to reach $476 billion by 2026. 

Trends and challenges

Trends

• Popular dropshipping goods include women’s clothing, tools, and automotive items.
• The rise in e-commerce is boosting dropshipping, which should continue. 

Challenges

• Because of the low cost of starting a dropshipping business, it’s highly competitive, since most entrepreneurs choose the most popular products to sell.
• With dropshipping, you have little control over shipping times, which can create dissatisfied customers. 

Consumer spending

• Average consumer spend – The average person in the U.S. spends $5,381 on ecommerce annually.((https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/how-many-people-shop-online-in-the-us))
• Potential customer base – 218 million Americans shop online.

How much does it cost to start a dropshipping business?

Startup costs for a dropshipping business range from $2,000 to $7,000. The main costs are a computer, a website, and a marketing budget. 

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your dropshipping business, including: 

• Computer
• Wi-Fi connection

Start-up Costs	Ballpark Range	Average
Setting up a business name and corporation	$100 - $500	$300
Business licenses and permits	$100 - $300	$200
Insurance	$100-$500	$300
Website	$200 - $1,000	$600
Initial Marketing Budget	$1,000 - $3,000	$2,000
Computer	$500 - $1,500	$1,000
Total	$2,000 - $6,800	$4,400

How much can you earn from a dropshipping business?

The downside of dropshipping is that profit margins are low since most of the product price goes to the manufucturer. You should aim for a profit margin of about 20%. These calculations will assume an average product price of $50. 

In your first year or two, you might sell 3,000 items online in a year, bringing in $150,000 in revenue. This would mean $30,000 in profit, assuming that 20% margin. 

As you gain traction, sales could climb to 10,000 items a year. With annual revenue of $500,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $100,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a dropshipping business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Competing with the massive number of e-commerce sellers
• Finding and working with manufacturers or suppliers that offer dropshipping

Step 2: Choose a Dropshipping Niche and a Supplier

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a dropshipping business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Choose a dropshipping business niche

You should to choose a niche you’re passionate or knowledgeable about. This ensures genuine interest and a deeper understanding of your products.

Moreover, you’ll need to find a profitable product opportunity. You’ll want a product that’s in high demand, but with less competition. Check Google trends to find popular goods, then search for businesses that offer those products. A harder-to-find product may be your best bet. 

Amazon, being one of the largest and most popular online marketplaces in the world, offers invaluable insights into consumer buying behaviors and trends. If a product is trending in Amazon’s best-sellers list, it may indicate that there’s a significant demand for it.

Conduct a market research

Once you’ve identified several promising niches for your dropshipping venture, it’s important to dive deeper into market research for each potential niche.

By delving into market analysis, you’ll uncover vital insights about future growth prospects, potential opportunities, and looming threats. With a clearer picture of the industry, you can more accurately forecast potential revenues, which in turn, simplifies the task of crafting effective marketing strategies right from the outset.

Here are some key aspects to explore during your research:

1. Industry Value and Market Size: Determine the current value of the niche and its projected growth. It’s essential to gauge the niche’s size, understand prevailing trends, and anticipate its growth trajectory.

2. Target Audience Analysis: Deep dive into the typical customer profile within your chosen niche. Factors like age, gender, income bracket, hobbies, and occupation can offer invaluable insights.

3. Customer Buying Behavior: Comprehend the motivations behind purchasing decisions and the frequency with which purchases are made. By understanding these behaviors, you can craft more targeted marketing campaigns and set prices that resonate with your customer base.

4. Competitor Analysis: Identify the major players within your chosen niche. Dissect their operations to understand their strengths and pinpoint any weaknesses or areas they may have overlooked. This can help you carve out a unique value proposition and possibly identify untapped market segments or needs.

Find dropshipping suppliers

The right supplier can be pivotal to the success of your dropshipping business. Not only do they provide the products, but they’re also responsible for ensuring they reach your customers in good condition and in a timely manner.

Here are our tips to get you started.

1. Finding Suppliers: Several platforms, such as Doba, SaleHoo, AliDropship, Spocket and Worldwide Brands, act as hubs where you can find various suppliers. For businesses interested in customized, print-on-demand products, Printful and Printify are noteworthy options.

2. Quality Assurance: The quality of products you offer reflects directly on your brand. Decide on the standard you want your company to uphold. Whether you position yourself as a premium provider or a discount supplier, ensure the product quality aligns with your brand image. Conducting sample orders helps gauge the quality of both the product and its packaging.

3. Supplier Reliability: Timely product delivery is a core aspect of customer satisfaction. Many suppliers operate from overseas, which could mean prolonged shipping times. Ensure that the supplier has a good track record of delivering products promptly. Also, verify they maintain adequate stock levels to avoid disappointing customers with unavailable products. A practical way to assess reliability is by placing test orders and observing the fulfillment process.

4. Legality and Reputation: It’s crucial to verify the legitimacy of a supplier. Ask for their business license and delve into their client list. Online reviews can provide insights into their service quality and reliability.

5. Order Requirements: Some suppliers might require a minimum order quantity which demands an upfront payment. While buying in bulk often results in cheaper costs, it’s crucial for dropshippers, especially those just starting, to be aware of these requirements.

6. Customer Service: A responsive supplier is crucial. They should be readily available to address any concerns or issues. This is especially important if customers raise complaints or need assistance.

7. Return Policy: Understanding a supplier’s return policy is essential, as this will inform your own returns policy. While many suppliers might not offer returns, it’s advantageous to partner with those that do, as this can enhance customer trust and satisfaction.

8. Direct Source Suppliers: If you have a specific product in mind, seeking a direct source supplier might be beneficial. This approach might demand more groundwork, as you’d need to identify the product’s distributor for the manufacturer. Some might also have sales targets to be met for eligibility.

How much should you charge for dropshipping products?

It’s essential to ensure a decent profit margin after factoring in all costs. Most dropshippers aim for a profit margin between 15% to 20%. However, to determine this accurately, account for the wholesale price, shipping, transaction costs, and any other associated fees like monthly subscriptions, packaging, refund, and platform-specific costs. Ideally, after all these deductions, a benchmark of 20-40% or above is desirable.

Once you know your costs, use our profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points.

Step 3: Brainstorm a Dropshipping Store Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords related to your products boosts SEO
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
• Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator. Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration.

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead and reserve your business name with your state, start the trademark registration process, and complete your domain registration and social media account creation. 

Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick a name, reserve it and start with the branding, it’s hard to switch to a new name. So, be sure to carefully consider your choice before moving forward. 

Step 4: Create an Online Store

Setting up an online store is a pivotal step in establishing a dropshipping business. Not only does it serve as your primary sales channel, but it’s also the digital face of your brand.

While there are various platforms where you can sell products, such as Etsy, Amazon, or even social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, owning your website offers more control over branding, design, and transactions. Moreover, operating your own e-commerce store means avoiding platform fees, which can significantly boost your profit margins.

To build an online store you will need:

Domain Name: Typically, businesses opt for a ‘.com’ extension, as it’s widely recognized. Check the availability of desired domain names using our Domain Name Search tool below.

Web hosting: Your hosting provider will store your website’s files and ensure it’s accessible online. Some of the best hosting services for a dropshipping business are Shopify Hosting, Hostinger, and SiteGround.

Content Management System (CMS): Platforms such as WordPress, Shopify, and Wix can help you set up and manage your online store without needing extensive technical know-how.

Dropshipper Integrations: Ensure seamless communication between your website and your dropshipping suppliers. Some dropshipping platforms, like AliDropship, have plugins that allow seamless product imports to your website. This feature can be a significant time-saver and streamline operations.

Payment Gateway: Allows you to accept online payments securely. Some popular payment gateways include Amazon pay, Skrill, Stripe, PayPal, and 2Checkout.

Automated Dropshipping: It’s vital to automate the link between product sales and order placements with suppliers. Automation minimizes manual intervention, reduces errors, and ensures faster order processing.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to dropshipping businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your dropshipping business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts. Here’s how to form an LLC.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation. Read how to start a corporation here.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC, which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have. 

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan.
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a dropshipping business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.  

Step 8: Apply for Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a dropshipping business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package. They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account.

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your dropshipping business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

If you’ve established a store for your dropshipping site, it’s likely that you’ve already incorporated the essential tools and software required.

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as Inventory Source, Importify, or Spark Shipping, to manage your product data, dropshipping suppliers, order routing, and shipment tracking. 

Accounting

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and Xero. 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Online Marketing

Here are some powerful digital marketing strategies for dropshipping businesses:

• Social media is a great tool for promoting your business because you can create engaging posts that advertise your products:
  • Facebook: Great platform for paid advertising, allows you to target specific demographics, like men under age 50 in the Cleveland area. 
  • Instagram: Same benefits as Facebook but with different target audiences. It’s a very good platform for creative businesses. 
  • Tik-Tok: This social media platform has over 1 billion monthly active users and it is used primarily by a younger demographic.
  • Linkedin: the most effective place for B2B marketers.
• Email marketing/newsletter – Send regular emails to customers and prospects. Make them personal. 
• Start a blog – Start a blog and post regularly. Change up your content and share on multiple sites.
• Paid ads on social media – Choose sites that will reach your target market and do targeted ads.
• Pay–per-click marketing – Use Google AdWords to perform better in searches. Research your keywords first.
• Influencer marketing – Pay people with large social media followings to promote your products. You can find micro-influencers with smaller followings and lower rates.

Take advantage of your website, social media presence and real-life activities to increase awareness of your offerings and build your brand. 

Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing is any form of marketing that uses offline media to reach an audience. Some options that might work for a dropshipping business include: 

• Competitions and giveaways – Generate interest by offering prizes for customers who complete a certain action, such as buy one get one 50% off.
• Press releases – Do press releases about new products, sales, etc.
• Testimonials – Share customer testimonials about how your products helped them

Optimize a dropshipping site and product listings

Ensure that product descriptions are detailed, accurate, and compelling.

Make sure that you optimize calls to action on your website. Experiment with text, color, size, and position of calls to action such as “Buy Now” or “Order”. This can sharply increase purchases. 

Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your site’s speed. Consider compressing images, using a content delivery network (CDN), and optimizing your code.

A significant portion of online shopping occurs on mobile devices. Ensure that your website is mobile-responsive, offering a seamless experience to users on all devices.

Social proof is powerful in influencing buying decisions. Incorporate a product review section on your site, allowing customers to leave feedback and share their experiences.

A well-structured, intuitive navigation system can enhance user experience. Categorize products logically, implement a search function, and regularly review and adjust based on user behavior and feedback.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your products meet their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your dropshipping business could be: 

• All the auto parts you need! For less
• Be bohemian, and be you, with our vintage clothing 
• Largest online selection of pendant necklaces 

Networking

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a dropshipping business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in dropshipping for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in dropshipped products. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for dropshipping business include:

• Customer Service Representative – take customer calls, resolve issues
• Marketing Lead – implement marketing strategies
• General Manager – scheduling, accounting

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Dropshipping Store – Start Making Money!

Dropshipping is a great way to get into e-commerce, with the supplier doing most of the heavy lifting. You’ll just need to choose appealing products, find a reliable manufacturer and do some great marketing and the revenue should start flowing in. 

Now that you’ve learned the business side of things, it’s time to get to it and make your dropshipping business a serious success!