Dropshipping is a business model in which e-commerce entrepreneurs sell products without carrying any inventory. When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s doorsteps.
Dropshipping is a popular business model for many Etsy sellers as it’s a low-risk and low-cost way to start an online business.
However, there are also some downsides to dropshipping on Etsy that sellers should be aware of before getting started. In this article, we’ll list the pros and cons of dropshipping on Etsy so you can decide if this business model is right for you.
Can you use dropshipping on Etsy?
This is the most commonly asked question when starting a dropshipping venture.
Yes, you can use dropshipping on Etsy. Dropshipping is a popular business model for many Etsy sellers as it’s a low-risk and low-cost way to start an online business.
In addition to being a low-risk and low-cost way to start an online business,
dropshipping is also a hands-off business model that allows you to offer a wide range of products.
However, there are some downsides to dropshipping on Etsy that sellers should be aware of before getting started, so it's important to weigh up both sides before exploring this avenue.
Etsy dropshipping: The benefits
There are several reasons why Etsy sellers opt for dropshipping:
1. It’s a low-risk business model
Dropshipping is a low-risk business model as you don’t need to invest any money in inventory upfront. This means that you can start your business with very little capital.
2. It’s a low-cost way to start an online business
In addition to being a low-risk business model, dropshipping is also a low-cost way to start an online business. This is because you don’t need to invest any money in inventory upfront.
3. You can offer a wide range of products
Since you don’t need to carry any inventory, you can offer a wide range of products in your store. This is because you can source products from multiple suppliers.
4. It's a hands-off business model
Dropshipping is a hands-off business model as you don’t need to deal with any of the logistics involved in shipping products to customers. This includes packing and shipping orders and dealing with returns and refunds.
5. You can run your business from anywhere in the world
Since dropshipping is a completely online business model, you can run your business from anywhere in the world. All you need is an internet connection and a computer.
Etsy dropshipping: The cons
There are downsides to dropshipping on Etsy, too. Let’s take a look at some of the cons of dropshipping on Etsy:
1. You'll have to deal with competition
One of the downsides of dropshipping on Etsy is that you’ll have to deal with competition. This is because there are many other sellers who are using this business model.
2. You'll need to find reliable suppliers
Another downside of dropshipping on Etsy is that you’ll need to find reliable suppliers. This can be a challenge as unfortunately, there are many scams in the dropshipping industry.
3. Shipping times can be long
Since your products will be shipped from your supplier, shipping times can be quite long. This can be a problem as customers are used to receiving their orders quickly when shopping on Etsy.
4. You’ll need to deal with returns and refunds
Another downside of dropshipping on Etsy is that you’ll need to deal with returns and refunds. This is because your customers will expect the same level of customer service as they would from any other online store.
5. It can be a challenge to stand out from the crowd
Since there are many sellers using the dropshipping business model on Etsy, it can be a challenge to stand out from the crowd. You’ll need to find a way to differentiate your store from the competition.
How to implement dropshipping on Etsy
If you’re interested in using the dropshipping business model on Etsy, there are a few things you need to do in order to get started. Let’s take a look at how to implement dropshipping on Etsy:
1. Find a niche
The first step is to find a niche for your store. This will require some extensive market research on your part. You’ll need to find a niche that is in demand and that you can compete in.
2. Find suppliers
Once you’ve found a niche, the next step is to find suppliers. This can be a challenge as there are many scams in the dropshipping industry. You’ll need to do your due diligence in order to find reliable suppliers.
There are a few things to keep in mind when sourcing products for your Etsy store. Firstly, you’ll need to find suppliers that offer quality products at competitive prices. Secondly, you’ll need to find suppliers that offer dropshipping services. Dropshipping is a type of product fulfilment where the supplier ships the product directly to the customer on your behalf. This is a great way to save time and money on shipping costs.
3. Create your listings
Once you’ve found a few potential suppliers, you can start creating listings for your products. You’ll need to take great photos of your products and write detailed descriptions. Be sure to set your prices competitively.
4. Promote your store
The final step is to promote your store. You’ll need to do some marketing in order to drive traffic to your store. You can use social media, pay-per-click advertising and search engine optimisation to help you get started.
Syncing Etsy and Shopify with Athlete
Etsy is a great platform for selling products, but it can be time-consuming to manage your inventory and orders. If you’re also selling on Shopify, you can use Athlete to sync your Etsy and Shopify stores.
Athlete is a Shopify app that helps you automate your e-commerce business. With Athlete, you can sync your orders between Etsy and Shopify. This means that you only have to manage your business in one place, saving you lots of time.
Athlete also offers a number of features to help you automate your business. For example, you can use Athlete’s order tracking feature to keep track of your orders and customers.
If you’re looking for a way to streamline your e-commerce business, Athlete is here to help. With Athlete, you can save time and money by automating your business.