If you’ve been scrolling through social media, you’ve probably seen people talking about making six figures with drop shipping. It sounds good, right? No inventory, no packing orders, just set up a store and watch the money roll in? Whew, if only it were that simple! Before you jump into the drop shipping game, let’s break down what it really takes!
What Is Drop Shipping & How Does It Work?
Let’s start with the basics. Drop shipping is an e-commerce business model where you sell products without holding inventory. Instead of storing products yourself, you list items on your online store, and when a customer places an order, a third-party supplier ships it directly to them. Your job? Marketing, customer service, and making sure your store runs smoothly.
Sounds easy, right? But there’s more to it.
The Drop Shipping Process (Step-by-Step)
- Set Up Your Store – Use Shopify, WooCommerce, or another platform to create a professional online store.
- Find & Upload Products – Choose trending or niche-specific products and upload them to your store with descriptions and images.
- Market – Run ads, use social media, and optimize SEO to drive traffic to your store.
- Get Orders, Forward to Supplier – When customers buy, your supplier gets the order and ships it.
- Handle Customer Service – Provide tracking info, answer questions, and make sure your customers are happy.
Finding the Right Drop Shipping Suppliers (Because Everybody Ain’t Reliable!)
The biggest mistake new drop shippers make is choosing the wrong supplier. Your supplier is the backbone of your business, so picking the wrong one could leave you dealing with:
- Slow shipping times (Customers will be blowing up your inbox asking, “Where’s my order?”)
- Low-quality products (Because the last thing you want is bad reviews!)
- Unreliable service (They disappear when issues arise.)
How to Find a Good Drop Shipping Supplier
- Use trusted platforms. Websites like AliExpress, CJ Drop Shipping, Spocket, and Zendrop are great places to start.
- Order samples first! Never sell a product you haven’t personally tested.
- Check reviews and ratings. Don’t just rely on supplier descriptions—see what real buyers are saying.
- Ask about processing & shipping times. A supplier taking 10 days just to process an order? No.
- Make sure they offer tracking numbers. Customers want to follow their orders, and you’ll save yourself headaches.
Partner with multiple suppliers so you always have a backup plan if one doesn’t work out.
The Good vs. The Ugly Side of Drop Shipping
The Good:
- Low startup costs – No need to buy inventory upfront.
- No need for a warehouse – No packing or shipping on your end.
- Easy to scale – Add more products anytime.
- Flexibility – Run your business from anywhere.
The Bad:
- Longer shipping times – Depending on the supplier, some orders can take 2-4 weeks to arrive.
- Slim profit margins – Because you’re paying suppliers, your cut might not be as high as expected.
- Little control over quality & fulfillment – If a supplier messes up an order, your brand takes the hit.
- Higher return rates – Customers get impatient with shipping delays.
How Long Does Shipping Take With Drop Shipping?
Shipping times vary depending on the supplier and where they’re located. Here’s a rough breakdown:
- China-based suppliers (AliExpress, CJ Drop Shipping) – 10-30 days unless using faster options like ePacket.
- U.S. & Europe-based suppliers (Spocket, Zendrop) – 2-7 days, much faster but sometimes more expensive.
Offer incentives for long waits – If delays happen, offer discount codes or freebies to keep customers happy.
If possible, work with suppliers who have warehouses in the U.S. or Europe for faster shipping times. A way you can go around long shipping times is to have a processing time and a shipping time in your policy.
Is Drop Shipping Worth It? My Thoughts
I mean of course drop shipping isn’t a get rich quick scheme, it takes marketing skills, patience, and the right suppliers to make it work. If you’re looking for an easy way to make money online, this ain’t it. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, learn the ropes, and stay consistent, you can definitely make it profitable.
Disclaimer: I wanted to be transparent with you - some of the links I share may be affiliate links, meaning I could earn a commission if you choose to buy a product or service after clicking the link. There is no additional charge to you! Your support means the world to me and helps me keep creating valuable content, so thank you for being a part of this journey!