What Dropshipping Means

If you’ve looked into starting an online brand, you’ve probably come across the term dropshipping. But do you know what dropshipping means and why it is a great opportunity for those just starting out?

Dropshipping is simply selling a manufacturer’s product to a consumer without having to warehouse or keep an inventory of that item. In turn, the company then sends the item directly to the buyer on your behalf.

While some people feel that it is a complicated business model, dropshipping for beginners is usually a good place to start. Not only does it give you time to build up a brand and a customer base, but the process is also ideal for determining the likes and dislikes of your target customers.

Now, let’s be clear. We’re talking drop shipping meaning direct-to-consumer sales—not retail arbitrage, which is a little different.

So, what’s the benefit and appeal of dropshipping? Well, the most popular is the fact that you don’t have to come up with the funds to purchase an item until the customer has paid you for it. In turn, it is an excellent place to start for those new to eCommerce or shops just defining their brand.

Is dropshipping for beginners in 2021 possible? Absolutely. And it isn’t looking to slow down at all into the next year and beyond.

If you’re looking for more information, we can help. It isn’t a dropshipping for dummies book, but this guide from our Ordoro team will tell you how dropshipping works.

Is Dropshipping Worth It?

If you’re thinking about getting started with dropshipping, now is a great time. Not only do online platforms like BigCommerce and Shopify make it simple to create an online store, but integration with Ordoro makes the whole process as simple as possible.

Is dropshipping worth it? Absolutely. The low cost to start selling items via the drop shipping model is a real draw to a lot of new online sellers. There’s also minimal risk, as you don’t actually order a product until someone makes a purchase.

Others want to know, is dropshipping legal and is dropshipping profitable? The answer to both of these questions is yes. Since there’s a low risk level, the ability to make a profit is a lot easier than with other business models. Plus, it is a legal practice that businesses have always used to help move items from manufacturers to the hands of consumers.

Think about it for a minute. Big retailers like Amazon and Walmart don’t usually make their own products. Instead, they sell items made by other companies. Dropshipping is similar, but it leverages a relationship with the manufacturer or distributor, who then is so happy that you made a sale that they’re willing to send it directly to the customer on your behalf. That means no warehouse fees, no shipping materials, and no need to pack-and-pick orders yourself.

Sounds like a great plan, right? Which is why dropshipping is such a popular entry level for many within the eCommerce industry.

Drop Shipping Wholesalers

When you’re learning about dropshipping, it is important to realize that there are two different types of companies that you’ll most likely deal with: manufacturers and wholesalers. Understanding the difference between the two is important.

Manufacturers, as you might guess, are the ones that actually make the product. Dropshipping wholesalers are companies that buy products in bulk at a large discount from the manufacturer.

Often, manufacturers only sell to wholesalers. Why? They want to move products as fast as possible to clear space to make more items. This enables them to increase sales and profits, which is ultimately the goal of any business, including a dropshipping one.

Wholesalers know this, which is why they capitalize on what the manufacturers have available. Companies involved in the wholesale trade have access to warehouses and staff, which allows them to keep items in supply until they find a retailer to purchase them.

If you’re considering dropshipping as a business model, you’ll need to check with the wholesalers to see if it is a service they offer. Most are very picky and require a minimum number of orders, simply due to the fact they’re handling the fulfillment and shipping process on your behalf.

The good news? Tools like Ordoro make it easy to pair up with dropship-friendly wholesalers and manufacturers without all the hassle. With the click of a button, you can place orders from some of the biggest dropshipping companies around the globe—making it easier to scale and grow your business from the very start.

Shopify Dropshipping

If you’re new to eCommerce, you’ve probably seen YouTube videos or read online guides about Shopify dropshipping. The truth is that learning how to start dropshipping on Shopify is a lot easier than you might think.

After you’ve started your store and configured it to your brand, you’ll want to find a quality Shopify dropshipping app. While there are many out there, the best one for beginners is Ordoro.

With Ordoro, you can connect with tons of quality dropshipping manufacturers and wholesalers to sell thousands of different products. Then you add the items that you feel your target market will like best to your online store. When a customer places an order, you can immediately contact the dropshipper to fulfill the order. It’s really that simple.

In fact, most of our users agree that there is no easier way to find dropshipping suppliers for Shopify — just read Shopify dropshipping reviews. Instead of spending hours, days, or weeks trying to locate the ideal wholesaler for your store’s products, Ordoro simplifies the entire thing. Plus, you can automate many processes and sell on multiple marketplaces outside your Shopify store.

If your brand eventually grows beyond dropshipping and you have your own warehouses, you can still utilize the best features of Ordoro for your business. Think of it as the best ecommerce tool to grow with your business.

In addition, Ordoro is always adding new features specifically for those who dropship items to customers. We truly feel as though the dropship business model is a stellar option for eCommerce beginners, which is why we highly suggest it if you’re just starting out with Shopify.

Dropshipping Amazon

Did you know that even big retailers like Amazon offer dropshipping services? It’s true. Through a special process, manufacturers and brands can take part in Amazon dropshipping where the company stores your items in their warehouses, then ships them out when a customer places an order on your website or online storefront.

Wondering how to start dropshipping on Amazon? Usually, this starts with your company sourcing the product. Then, you need to follow specific guidelines to create an agreement with Amazon. Next, you send products directly to their warehouses for them to store on your behalf.

Once an order is placed by a customer via your online store and not the Amazon website, you collect the money from the shopper. Then you tell Amazon, who picks, packs, and ships the order directly to the buyer.

What’s the benefit of doing this? Well, the biggest one is that you don’t have to worry about paying for warehouse space. Second, Amazon gets a much better deal on shipping due to the large level of logistics they handle on a daily basis. The end result is that your small eCommerce brand is able to sell more items without the burden of warehousing or shipping, as the mega-retailer takes on those aspects for you.

We must warn you, though. Amazon dropshipping for beginners can be a little tough. You must be willing to follow their specific rules exactly or the process won’t go as smoothly. Thankfully, Ordoro can help with this, too.

Best Drop Shipping Companies

So, who are the best drop shipping companies to partner with? The answer, hands down, is Ordoro.

While we aren’t a dropship company exactly, our special dropshipping platform makes it easier to get in touch with multiple manufacturers and wholesalers at once. The end result is that you’re able to execute several dropshipping business ideas simultaneously, leading to better growth and scalability for faster success.

The end result? You’re able to spend more time selecting products and promoting your brand, while we take care of all the so-called back-office operations like shipping, communication, and dropshipping.

Not only is Ordoro simple to use, but it also keeps everything in a single, easy-to-read dashboard for added convenience. You can also utilize our advanced features, like multi-carrier shipping, inventory management, kitting, automation, pick-and-pack lists, and running analytics reports.

In fact, out of all the dropshipping platforms out there, Ordoro is the best at integrating with multiple marketplaces. That means you can drop ship items from eBay, Walmart, Amazon, and your own eCommerce store via the same dashboard.

Furthermore, Ordoro offers online merchants free thirty-day onboarding training, lifetime support, and a whole list of robust features designed for both small and enterprise-level eCommerce merchants alike. And we’re always adding new features to help our users thrive in this ever-changing world of online retail.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to streamline workflows, Ordoro is your absolute best inventory and online sales automation tool. Please schedule a demo for further information.