Starting a dropshipping business during a global pandemic may not seem like the best idea at first but once you do some research on the subject you will soon discover that it is. Before the pandemic started, most consumers were making the switch to ordering products online anyway; this global health crisis merely accelerated that switch. Before starting this kind of business, however, there are a few things that you need to be aware of – here are 7 of those key factors:
- Some Products Shouldn’t Be Included
Dropshipping is best suited for products that are not easily damaged in transit. Choose to drop-ship items like clothing, groceries, gadgets, or flat-pack furniture. When it comes to the more fragile items like vases and other glassware, things get a little trickier. That doesn’t mean you can’t ever offer fragile products, it just isn’t the best idea to launch with those kinds of items.
- Be Aware Of Your Reputation
When starting this kind of venture, your reputation will always precede you. Pay attention to your customer feedback and reviews, most consumers have high expectations when it comes to eCommerce platforms and they will drop you in a heartbeat if your company doesn’t live up to them. Have a dedicated support team on standby to deal with customer or shipping issues as they come up, your company is bound to run into problems along the way but a quick resolution time for order delays is everything.
- Package Properly
Make sure that your products are properly packaged before they get shipped to your customers. Invest in a Mini Pak’r air cushioning machine that will keep your products safe and protected during shipment. Your packaging choices will make all the difference when it comes to sending off parcels and ensuring they arrive in one piece. If your customers routinely receive broken or damaged goods then you will never get repeat business or great reviews. Keep your packaging costs down and avoid things like packing beads or pellets because they are bad for the environment.
- Be On Schedule
There is nothing more annoying than ordering something online and receiving it 3 weeks later. Be honest about your shipping/transit times and give your customers accurate delivery times. Once you’ve received an order, make sure that your shipping processes allow that order to be dispatched in the shortest amount of time. Customers have high expectations from ordering products online and you have to meet those expectations, if you don’t then your competitors will. Consumers are 80% likelier to return to a business if their initial experience is a positive one.
- Choose The Right Payment Gateways
Your dropshipping business needs to choose the right payment gateways right from the start. It is always a good idea to have more than one payment option so your customers have a variety of choices when it comes to processing their payments. Some payment gateways are more reliable and secure than others so you’re better off choosing a well-known and respected gateway. Consumers are already taking a chance by ordering from a new drop shipping company, the least you can do is offer them a payment gateway they can trust.
- Only Deal with Reliable Suppliers
When selecting suppliers for your new business, make sure you only choose ones that have proven track records. In this day and age, it is easy for just about anyone to import cheap tat from overseas and tack on a massive mark-up, that strategy seldom ends well though. Be selective with your suppliers, trust me – it will pay off in the long run. When you’re putting together your supplier application form, make sure to include a space for at least 3 trade references.
- Don’t Give Up
As with any new business, success is not a guaranteed thing. The important thing is to be committed to your business; if your strategy is good and you have a great business plan, then it is bound to pay off. Very few companies do extraordinarily well when they first open, so just trust your gut and stick with it. If, after six months of trying, you don’t notice an increase in sales then you should reconsider your marketing strategy. Dropshipping businesses are based in the digital world, so ensure that your ad campaigns are actively focused on your target market via online platforms like websites, blogs, and social media. The best thing you can do is prepare for all eventualities – welcome to being a business owner in the modern world.
