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What Is A Dropshipping Business?
Dropshipping is a type of eCommerce business model wherein orders are sent directly to the manufacturer/supplier whenever an order is made by the customer. Therefore, because no inventory has to be held at all times, you can immediately start caring about this type of business with little capital investment required. Below are six steps that you need to follow if you want to start off dropshipping –
1) Select A Slogans:
Having a slogan for your dropshipping company is an integral part of making it known to customers, as well as attracting attention away from competitors. Your slogan should be catchy, simple to remember, and easy to spell out in one or two words – all those qualities that will make people want to tell their friends about you. Keep it original but not too long-winded: it has to be something like “Beach Bum Exotic Coffee”. You can also consider having multiple slogans, each for different purposes.
2) Location:
The location of the business is very important, especially when considering where to open up shop. There are some things that you want to consider before making your final decision; selecting the right location can mean big sales while choosing the wrong one can mean disaster for your startup. For example, if you plan on catering to a more upscale clientele, then it will be best that you get an office in a posh neighborhood or commercial district. Also, if your target market is young professionals, then set up the business in a student-friendly area heaving with go-getters. With so many retailers closing down their brick and mortar stores because of skyrocketing rents, low foot traffic, and change in consumer habits, it may be time to consider the option of staying home. So do your research before settling for a location.
3) Company Name And Logo:
The company name and logo are important because they will make you stand out from all the other dropshipping businesses out there. You can either settle for an already-existing name or you can go for something new that hasn’t been used by someone else yet. Either way, you need to look into how well it is recognized by others and what kind of brand recognition does it have. Then again, if your target market is young professionals then setting up shop in a well-known commercial district could help attract customers who are familiar with the area. Also, when selecting a custom logo, make sure that it is unique and stands out from the rest.
4) Website:
When people search online for products or services, they usually type in certain keywords into Google, Yahoo, or Bing that are related to their needs. According to recent studies, users spend more time on web pages with clear calls to action than those without one. For example, if you want them to sign up for your newsletter or sell them an item then put the Call To Action right in front of their eyes by making it stand out on the page through color contrast and size. If you incorporate video marketing strategies as part of your website design, make sure not to place any annoying pop-ups over the videos because this could impede user experience and lower the chances of getting a conversion.
5) Register The Business:
When you start an eCommerce business in South Africa, there are some legal requirements that you must comply with in order to operate legally and not attract any trouble from law enforcement agencies. If you want an overview of these requirements then read up on “Starting A Business In South Africa” so that you will know what is expected of you when it comes to registering your online drop shipping business. The process is much easier than setting up the actual business so don’t worry about it too much.
6) Finding Suppliers:
The products that you wish to sell should be sourced from reliable suppliers who can provide quality items at affordable prices. You need to find out what particular products your target market is interested in and then look for suppliers who can sell them. For example, if you plan on selling ‘Patagonia Down Jackets’ then there are a number of suppliers online who will be more than happy to ship a large order to you. You can check out Alibaba or Made-In-China for wholesale manufacturers that have an extensive list of drop shipping businesses that they work with. As for finding suppliers near you, check out our website as it has thousands of verified suppliers from across the globe.
Dropshipping Business Through B2B Websites
Dropshipping business isn’t for everyone. The initial startup costs can be challenging and you need to work hard in order to get sales moving in the right direction. However, if you are serious about making a successful eCommerce store then there is no other option but to go down this path:
Here is the list,
1. eWorldTrade
eWorldTrade is a b2b website that has been around for many years. It provides free, unlimited listings to all users and you can list your company without any hassle. The best thing about this website is that it constantly monitors its listings in order to ensure that there are no spam or fake entries on its database. So if suppliers want to reach out to you then they will have no problem finding you through eWorldTrade’s search engine.
2. Global Sources
The global source is an online platform that connects thousands of B2B buyers with suppliers. They have a dedicated Suppliers section where you can get an account created so that your business won’t get lost among the rest.
3. Alibaba
Alibaba is one of the most popular online marketplaces in the world because it offers suppliers to sell their items directly to buyers while also providing them with an easy platform to communicate. For example, if you own a dropshipping business and want to find a supplier for a particular product then you can post a request on Alibaba’s website and wait for suppliers from around the world to contact you about it.
4. Made-In-China
Made-In-China is another great platform where you can list your eCommerce store so that suppliers from China will be aware of your existence. You just need to create an account on this website and follow the instructions they provide before being able to publish your listing on Made In China directory.
5. Global Market Place
The Global marketplace is another website where you can list the products that you wish to sell. They have an extensive database that ensures that there are no fake or spam listings on their directory. You need to create an account on their website and then follow the instructions they provide in order to get your company listed.
6. DHgate
DHgate is a wholesale platform that mainly focuses on factories and suppliers from China. You can list your store for free and it will be listed in their database without any hassle.
7. EC21
EC21 provides a lot of different options when it comes to listing your business. The prices vary depending on which package you select but all the packages have a free trial so you can use it multiple times before actually purchasing one. Plus, there are no hidden fees or terms and conditions that apply when using their services so what you see is what you get!
8. iOffer
Although iOffer has a very small user base as compared to other websites, it can prove to be helpful if you want to list your company at cheap rates. You just need to create an account and follow the instructions they provide in order to post your business on their website.
9. TomTop
TomTop is another platform that mainly focuses on companies and suppliers from China and enables them to communicate with each other by posting messages on their websites. It only takes a few minutes before your listing gets approved so there is no need to worry about bureaucratic red tape when using this service. Your business will also get searched multiple times per day which means more exposure for your brand!
10. TradeBoss
This is yet another directory that connects suppliers with buyers in order to facilitate trade. They have a simple registration process where you need to post your business information in order to get listed.
Conclusion
These are some of the most popular b2b websites where you can list your eCommerce store so that suppliers from around the world are able to contact you when they have a product that matches your business requirements. You just need to create an account on these websites and then follow the instructions they provide before being able to publish your listings. Once published, you will be notified by email about any potential leads or products that can help boost your business.
