What You Need To Invest To Make It In Dropshipping

Kgomotso Jafta -

Thinking of starting a profitable online business in South Africa? Dropshipping could be just what you need. Although dropshipping is a popular and low-barrier-to-entry e-commerce model, you need to have a good understanding of the investment you need to make for it to succeed. To give you a better idea of what to expect, I’ve put together some valuable tips based on my own entrepreneurial experience.

What is Dropshipping?

Imagine running an online store where you don't have to stress over coming up with product ideas, making them from scratch, or finding a place to keep them. That's the beauty of dropshipping!

Here's how it works: you set up your shop on the web and team up with suppliers who take care of manufacturing, storing and organising the products which you can market to your audiences. When someone places an order, the supplier steps in and ships it directly to your customer. So, what is your actual job as a dropshipper, you ask? Attracting shoppers, handling transactions, and making sure everything goes off without a hitch. No need to clutter up your space with stock – let the experts handle that while you focus on delivering a seamless shopping experience.

Can You Start Dropshipping With No Money?

Starting a dropshipping business might seem like a low-cost route, but here's the real scoop: while you skip the costs of creating, making, and storing products, you're not off the financial hook just yet. You'll want to put some money into setting up a slick online store, getting the word out about your cool stuff, and giving your customers the best support ever. So, having a bit of a budget to cover these things is a good idea.

What Costs To Factor In To Make It In Dropshipping

This is what you’ll need to invest in when starting a dropshipping business:

  1. E-commerce Platform & Website Design: Select a platform that's easy to use and supports dropshipping. This lets you handle orders, products, and customer stuff hassle-free. And remember, a snazzy website design is a big deal – it builds trust and turns window shoppers into happy buyers. I recommend Squarespace, Ecwid or Shopify, who also have templates to save you time. These sites will roughly cost between R450-R700 per month depending on the plan you choose for your business’s best needs. You do also have the option of purchasing templates which could cost between R3500-R7000 once-off.
  2. Product Sourcing: Partner up with trustworthy suppliers who provide top-notch products and swift shipping, ensuring that your customers stay happy and content. Some popular suppliers who deliver to South Africa include AliDropship, Amazon, Printful and Shein Africa.
  3. Marketing: Set aside funds for boosting your online presence: think online ads, social media promotion and SEO magic. This trio will steer a steady stream of curious customers right to your digital doorstep. A budget of R1500 per month should be enough to start – you just need to find social media trends to leverage so that your audience can grow.
  4. Payment Gateways: Choose a payment gateway that is safe, instant, and secure such as PayFast, Zapper and Ozow.
  5. Customer Support: Deliver top-notch customer service to create a loyal following of customers. Be quick to address questions and concerns to keep everyone satisfied.

What You Need To Know To Start A Dropshipping Business

Navigating the world of dropshipping is like embarking on an exciting journey to potential profits. But let's be real – while dropshipping can be a goldmine, it's no "get-rich-quick" scheme. Building a dropshipping business that's not just a flash in the pan requires a dose of dedication and some strategic moves.

So, before you dive in headfirst, here's the lowdown on what it takes to turn your dropshipping venture into a genuine success:

 - Find your niche. Imagine your chosen niche as a roadmap for your business journey. It's like a compass guiding you towards success. When you pick a niche, you're basically saying, "Hey, this is what I'm all about!", and that's super important.

Think about it like this: let's say you're diving into the world of pet supplies. But wait, that's a big sea with a lot of fish, right? So, to catch the right fish (your customers), you need to use the right bait (your products).

So, instead of just throwing a net and hoping for the best, you decide to focus on animal treats. And not just any treats – you're all about those vegan tail-wagging wonders for small dogs. 🐾

See, that's what a niche does. It helps you zoom in on the stuff you're awesome at and the folks who are dying to buy it.

 - Don’t forget product quality. The quality of your products directly influences how satisfied your customer will be, and your brand's reputation. Only work with reputable suppliers who offer high-quality products to make sure your customers receive value for their money!

 - Get your pricing strategy right. Think of pricing like finding the sweet spot between making money and staying competitive. Here's a trio of pricing strategies to consider, each with its own flair:

  1. Cost-Based Approach: This one's like adding a dash of extra spice to cover your costs and make a little profit – think of it as adding 20% to what the product and expenses cost you. But this doesn't pay much attention to what folks out there might think or where your product stands in the market.
  2. Competitor-Based Method: Imagine you're at a market with soap stalls. Some soaps go for R5, others for R15. If you put your soap at R10, you're slotting in the middle of the crowd. This strategy is like joining the party where others are dancing.
  3. Value-based strategy: Now, this one's cool. It's like tuning in to your customers' vibes and setting your price based on how much they value your stuff. Perfect if your product is special or you're in a new territory.

 - Plan your marketing efforts. Tailor your marketing strategies to your target audience and the platforms they’re on. Make sure your marketing is consistent and engaging to create a strong brand presence and build customer engagement.

 - Provide great customer service. Customer service can make or break your dropshipping business. Brilliant customer support builds trust, loyalty, and many word-of-mouth referrals. Be responsive to customer enquiries and concerns, offer quick resolutions and always be friendly and patient.

Put In The Work

Dropshipping is like any puzzle – it needs planning, a pinch of strategy, and a steady flow of energy. Just remember, it's a journey that takes brainpower, investment and ongoing dedication. If you're up for rolling up your sleeves, taking on challenges head-on and staying strong in the face of obstacles, dropshipping could very well be your ticket to making it big in the world of entrepreneurship. Good luck!