Your entrepreneurial spirit is bubbling, and you are itching to start a negocio (business) of your own. Since you are so done with a 9-to-5 or doing odd jobs, you cannot wait to dive headfirst into the business world.
It is a miracle that we live in a time when business models like asset-light businesses exist. Because let’s be honest, who has the capital to start a business? Plus, getting funding is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Dropshipping is the perfect asset-light business. Since you barely have to invertir (invest) anything, the risk isn’t great either.
However, business is still business and you should know all the ins and outs of it before officially getting into it. So, as someone who owns dropshipping businesses in three separate niches, I am sharing important things you should know before starting your own envíodirecto(dropshipping business). Let’s check them out below:
Top 4 Things You Should Know Before Starting Your First Dropshipping Business
1. Go for Niche-Based Dropshipping
Developing your business around a nicho (niche) is an important yet super underrated feat. Not limiting yourself to a niche might sound lucrative, considering the more you sell. But that is not the case, trust me.
When you choose a niche for your dropshipping business, it gives an idea about your target audience. Knowing your target audience not only helps you find which products are trending and more likely to sell, but it also opens doors for effective marketing. Because if you know your target audience, you can easily research their preferences, needs, and behaviors.
Having a niche helps with both marketing and customer service as well. For instance, if you know your target audience is elderly people, then you can gauge that they prefer empathetic customer support. And if you give your customers what they prefer, you can easily build a lifelong relationship with them.
Another thing I have experienced is that if you decide on a niche that has a higher keyword search rate, then you can research to find out what people are searching for in that niche. This gives a foolproof idea of which products to sell.
2. Customer Support Sets You Apart from Your Competitors
Yes, you will have to provide customer support. This is because in dropshipping, only you care about your customers. Not the supplier. So, you have to entertain their complaints and requests. However, there is a silver lining.
Since dropshipping is highly competitive (more on that later), apart from your products, your customer support might be the only thing that sets you apart. So, if you make your customer support unparalleled, then you can stand out from your competition.
For instance, the Cox servicio al cliente en español specifically caters to its Hispanic clientele by providing customer service in their native language for internet and phone-related problems. This ensures trust and improves customer loyalty.
Similarly, you can research your target audience really well through tools like Google Trends, Survey Monkey, and Facebook Insights. By finding out about their preferences, you can customize your customer service to establish yourself apart from your competitors.
3. The Competition is High, But Don’t Let That Deter You
Dropshipping is a very competitive field because literally anyone can start it. With minimal investment and no technical skills required, it’s possible for everyone.
However, I am not saying this to demotivate you. I am saying this to prepare you before you step into the field. Before you make plans to drop the idea altogether, you should try what I did.
I chose a niche that was not popular. If you look it up online, you can see how some niches are more popular than others. For instance, many dropshipping businesses sell health and wellness products. So, I chose one that was not popular, i.e., eco-friendly products. While it may not have as many buyers as clothes do, marketing to the right audience proved to be fruitful for me in terms of profit.
Moreover, I also prioritized getting customer reviews online and building a name that people would trust. It took a couple of years, but as we say, slow and steady wins the race.
4. Finding a Reliable Supplier is Super Important
Your product is the base of your dropshipping business, so make sure it is worthwhile for your customers.
You can do that by getting reliable proveedo (suppliers) that have good quality products. This is why sampling is super important before you launch your business.
Moreover, you should also be prepared for issues like supply chain delays, etc. For that, you should scout more than one supplier. It is always a good idea to have multiple suppliers on standby.
You can find good sellers by either visiting them directly in Yiwu Market in China, or you can read reviews of sellers on Ali Express.
As the dropshipping industry continues to thrive, it is important to dedicate all your energy in creating your name in it and providing stellar customer support. Only then can you survive the high competition.
