How to start an online store without inventory: A step-by-step guide to dropshipping success

Many prospective business owners are apprehensive about starting new ventures, lacking the upfront capital to launch their careers. But what if you could start your own online store without inventory, following tried and tested business models that empower online entrepreneurs?

The ecommerce industry is growing rapidly, with an abundance of ways to start online businesses with limited budgets. One of the most powerful and profitable methods is dropshipping.

The dropshipping market is projected to grow to $372.47 billion by the end of 2025, rising exponentially to a staggering $476.1 billion by 2026. 

It’s quickly become a favorite among entrepreneurs due to minimal upfront costs and no need for inventory management. Indeed, the low overhead, low risk, and the ability to sell a wide range of products make it an incredibly appealing prospect. 

If you’ve considered entering the realm of dropshipping, but you’re not sure where to get started, don’t worry.

In this guide, we reveal the exact steps, strategies, and tools you can use to launch and market a dropshipping store, so you can reap all the benefits without spending a dime.

What is dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a retail fulfillment method where the store owner doesn’t actually hold physical inventory. This is because the supplier takes responsibility for all aspects of fulfilling the product. This includes storage, picking, packing, shipping and in many cases, returns.

This model has a heap of benefits for owners, not just delegation and storage, but also budget, as dropshipping also makes it possible to sell inventory without investing any money upfront.

As well as this, it also gives you the flexibility to sell products from multiple niches and suppliers, in turn expanding your market reach. It also grants owners flexibility in terms of location, as dropshipping businesses can be run from anywhere with a stable internet connection.

Here’s an introduction to how the dropshipping model works, with each of the essential steps broken down:

1. You choose a product you want to sell or a niche you’re interested in. It doesn’t matter what category the product falls into, whether that’s phone accessories, or fashion, as long it features a dedicated customer base.
2. After you’ve chosen your product/niche, you’ll locate a supplier who offers dropshipping services. For those who are just getting started with dropshipping, platforms like AliExpress, SaleHoo, and Temu are good starting points.
3. After finding a seller, it’s time to set up an online store. It needs to be visually appealing, as well as easy to navigate, and optimized for conversions. Buyers will then place orders via the online store. 
4. Once a customer places an order, you will forward the details to the supplier. You pay the wholesale price (what your supplier charges for the product) and keep the difference between your set retail price and the wholesale cost.
5. The supplier then picks, packs, and ships the product directly to the customer. Sometimes, the supplier will provide you with a tracking number, which you can use to follow the shipping process.

• What is Dropshipping?
• High Ticket Dropshipping: The Ultimate Guide
• How to start dropshipping for free and make money fast

Dropshipping is a great way to establish yourself in the world of ecommerce, but, as with any new venture, there are a few things to consider before diving in. 

Dropshipping pros and cons

Before we jump into our guide, it’s essential to consider the key pros and cons associated with dropshipping. Though it has many benefits as we established earlier, it comes with challenges too. 

Pros

✅ Low overheads: Because you don’t need to worry about handling inventory, storage, or shipping, overhead costs are minimal compared to other business models. 

✅ No inventory management: Because all your stock is handled by the supplier, When you make a sale, you forward the order to a supplier (or manufacturer), you won’t need to manage stock levels, track product quantities, or organize storage.

✅ Flexibility: Dropshipping offers owners a great deal of flexibility, in both location and time. You can run your business from home, while travelling, or anywhere with an internet connection. 

✅ Organic reach: With a great deal of organic reach on social media platforms like TikTok, you can easily sell your product with little to no ad spend. 

✅ No product development: One of the biggest costs in creating a new product, there’s no need for product development. 

Cons:

❌ Saturation: Winning products can become overly saturated, making competition among sellers fierce. 

❌ No control over shipping: Because the supplier handles every aspect of the transaction, there’s no control over shipping time, which could be long, leading to negative feedback from customers. 

❌ Trend-chasing: The business model could lead to never-ending trend-chasing, where drop-shippers rush to sell the same products, driving prices down and reducing profit margins.

❌ Customer service issues: Since you’re not handling the products directly, this can cause complications with customer service issues like returns, refunds, or product quality problems. These can be difficult to resolve when you have little control over the whole process. 

❌ Supplier dependability: You need to ensure you find a reputable supplier, as the success of your business depends entirely on the reliability and quality of your suppliers. 

How to start an online store without inventory

Now that we’ve covered the basics of dropshipping, and provided some pros and cons to give you a better idea of the business model, we can move on to our guide. Here, we provide powerful step-by-step details to get you started on your dropshipping journey. 

1. Product research 

As with most business models, you’ll need to conduct thorough product research before diving in. This will be the foundation of your business. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to conduct effective product research that are completely free. 

Google Trends

One of the most tried and tested methods for generating ideas, Google Trends can provide insight into consumer trends across the globe. 

It’s a completely free tool that allows you to track a trend’s trajectory, giving you important insights into niches and product categories. If that product or category is experiencing a surge in search interest, you’ll know it’s a good time to capitalize on that demand.

Google Trends also provides location insights, so you’ll see where a product is generating the most interest geographically. This is great for targeting specific test markets, and customizing your marketing strategies based on region-based demand. 

Finally, Google Trends can also help you spot seasonal trends. So, for example, products or categories related to the holidays might experience a surge in popularity at particular times in the year, which can help you plan product launches and promotions. 

Social media

Social media is another powerful tool for dropshipping research, as it gives business owners real-time insights into trends, consumer behavior, and product preferences. 

Platforms like TikTok will often showcase viral products that are generating a lot of interest. By paying attention to what these brands, influencers, and users are posting, you’ll be able to spot emerging products and niches. 

Social media platforms allow you to interact directly with potential customers. This can help you gauge interest, ask questions, and look for feedback on products before you decide to buy stock. 

It’s also incredibly easy to conduct product research on social media, simply by acting as a customer. Search for terms like ‘Must have beauty products’ and ‘Best products for (current season)’, and take note of what appears. You can use this information to follow a funnel to a dropshipping store.

Make note of products that could be sourced from suppliers, then once you have a list of products you want to pursue, you can start sourcing them. 

Bestseller lists

Bestseller lists like the ones found on Amazon are another great tool for sourcing potential dropshipping products. These lists are a great tool for identifying consumer preferences and purchasing behavior, ultimately helping you pinpoint items generating high demand.

Amazon, eBay, and Shopify all provide sales performance metrics, allowing you to view detailed sales data, including how frequently a product is sold or how it's ranking over time. You can access the Best Seller Rank (BSR) on Amazon, sold listings on eBay, and Shopify Analytics. 

Bestsellers also give you insight into the top players in a specific niche and what they’re offering. You’ll be able to analyze their pricing strategies, product offerings, and marketing tactics to give you an edge over the competition. 

By monitoring trends regularly, you can stay ahead of the curve, and adapt your store’s listings in tandem.

To put your product research skills to the test, look for trending items featured on Amazon, eBay, Shopify (etc…) on a supplier database. You can use this to calculate their estimated profit margin.

So, for example, if you find a user selling viral lip plumper on their store for $20.99,  you can visit dropshipping platforms like AliExpress or Temu, then scroll through their products until you find a match, making note of the price which in this case might be in the $5.99 range. This provides a great opportunity to offer a more competitive price, while also earning a good profit margin. 

Ads 

It’s also important to pay close attention to the ads that are being served to you. Many dropshipping stores have generated success to the point where they’re able to utilize large ad budgets. 

So, if you spend enough time scrolling through social media, you’ll eventually be shown ads for products fulfilled through dropshipping. It’s not always clear whether or not the product is being drop-shipped, but there are a few ways to tell:

• Stock photos: Many drop-shipped products use stock photos from suppliers, which usually look generic and can be found across multiple sources on the internet. 
• No clear branding: Drop-shipped products will lack clear branding, or just be labelled genetically e.g. ‘Wireless Earbuds’ instead of recognizable brand names like Apple or Samsung. 
• Reverse image search: You can use the Google Reverse Image Search function to see where else the product images appear. If the same images are found in many different ads or stores, it’s most likely a dropshipping product.

💡 Top tip: If you find a great product idea in real life, but it doesn’t come from a recognizable source that’s easy to pinpoint, Google Lens can be a great tool for uncovering unidentifiable products. To use Google Lens, simply load the app and take a screenshot of the object. Google will use image intelligence to find the same or similar products, along with links to where they’re currently being sold.

You can then use this to cross-reference the product with listings from dropshipping websites to find new sales opportunities. 

For more information on finding dropshipping products, check out these guides:

• Best dropshipping products for beginners
• Best dropshipping niches for launching winning products

2. Find your supplier

Now it’s time to find a reputable supplier you’re comfortable doing business with regularly. You can spend money on a vetted database to locate suppliers, but there are other ways to find information for free, which is usually preferable if you’re just getting started. 

Networking 

One of the most traditional ways to find suppliers is by networking with sellers face-to-face at trade shows and wholesale events. You can attend industry-specific events or general dropshipping-focused trade shows. Some of the best dropshipping events take place in China–Shenzhen, where you’ll be able to find trending products to test early before they hit worldwide markets. 

Alternatively, if you’re not able to attend in-person events, you can simply contact manufacturers directly. Just Google the name of the product or category and dropshipping supplier to locate contact details. 

You can also use B2B platforms like ThomasNet (for U.S.-based suppliers) and Global Sources list manufacturers and wholesalers to find dropshipping services. 

Before you decide to work with anyone, make sure to take the time to vet each supplier, paying careful attention to how well they communicate (a good indicator of what your relationship will be like in future) and reviewing their buyer protection policies. 

Public groups 

You can also leverage the power of community to find your ideal dropshipping supplier. Search for subreddits, Facebook groups and local meetups that are focused on dropshipping. If you can’t find a suitable thread with recent posts asking about suppliers, make one yourself. 

If joining a dropshipping community is something you’re interested in, make sure to check out our list. Here, we take a look at the ‘Best dropshipping Discord servers’ you can sign up to today. You’ll find each community’s top features along with why it’s a good idea to join each of them. 

Public ecommerce supplier platforms

An alternative method for locating suppliers is to independently explore public ecommerce supplier platforms. A great example is AliExpress, which hosts a vast array of suppliers across various specific niches. 

AliExpress is one of the most popular dropshipping platforms, especially for those just getting started out. The marketplace on AliExpress is incredibly vast, and includes a variety of products that can be used for dropshipping. Plus, it’s completely free to contact sellers. 

Temu, DHGate, and CJ Dropshipping are some other examples of popular dropshipping suppliers. Bear in mind, however, that some users featured on these platforms have minimum order quantities, so make sure to check these details before committing to a product and supplier to ensure they align with your dropshipping model.

Though it’s not considered to be as popular, some sellers on eBay offer dropshipping as a business model. Sift through their profile’s feedback to figure out how they operate, and read customer testimonials to get a better picture of their offerings. 

💡 Top tip: When testing suppliers, make sure to start small, ordering a few items to begin with to help mitigate risk and potential let downs. Read through our guide to finding the best dropshipping suppliers.

3. Order product samples

Before you decide on the products you want to sell, we’d recommend you purchase a physical to conduct quality testing. This not only allows you to check the integrity of the packaging and the functionality of the product itself, but also allows you to simulate the customer experience as a whole. 

Take note of the shipping time and if it’s as quoted, and when the product arrives, scrutinize everything just as a customer would. 

Everything should arrive as per the dispatch and delivery time advertised on the website, and if there are any issues, investigate the supplier to see if they’re understanding and willing to offer a solution in terms of a refund or a replacement. 

Good suppliers will always do their best to make sure that every single order satisfies the needs and wants of the customer.

If you’re looking for some more inspiration, we’ve got a full list of the top in-demand products to sell right now. We show you how to identify these products, define the most profitable trending products guaranteed to stand the test of time, and give you information on how to start selling them online. 

4. Setting up your online store

Now you’ve found a reputable supplier for your dropshipping business, it’s time for the fun part - setting up your online store. The ideal platform for your dropshipping business will depend entirely on your target audience, along with your long-term business goals. 

Let’s take a look at some of our top picks, along with a summary of each option to help you make the best decision. 

Your own website

Perhaps the most obvious option is setting up your own website, complete with a payment gateway that customers can use to check out products. 

Creating your own website is a great option if you’re looking for more control over your brand, without having to pay a hefty monthly fee. Though getting this done might need some tech skills or involve some costly outsourcing, it will give you complete customization over your storefront, helping you to stand out as an authority in your niche.

When creating your own product website, make sure to include and build out a blog section, so you can establish authority and gain organic traffic with SEO. 

Amazon

With a huge storefront that boasts massive reach and brand credibility, Amazon is an ideal dropshipping platform for a wide array of dropshipping sellers. 

Bear in mind that if you choose to sell via Amazon, the site does have some pretty strict rules regarding dropshipping, so you’ll need to make sure to read these carefully. 

For example, as the seller, you are responsible for customer service, returns, and handling any issues that arise with an order. Even if you’re using a third party, any problems, such as late shipments or defective products, are considered your responsibility. 

The platform is well-known for suspending or banning sellers with little to no warning, so it’s better to rest easy knowing that you’re not at risk for this hassle. 

Amazon FBA is a good alternative to dropshipping on Amazon. It is a paid, premium service for sellers aimed at increasing efficiency and streamlining all aspects of fulfillment so that store owners can scale without worrying about having to store, pack, pick, and ship their own inventory.

Shopify

Shopify is another solid option for those looking to establish a dropshipping website. It’s incredibly user-friendly, making it easy to set up and launch your dropshipping store. You don't need any specialized coding or design experience to make a professional-looking website using the platform. 

It’s also a favorite because of its extensive customization options, with numerous editable themes and dropshipping-specific acts along with integrations.

Shopify integrates with several popular dropshipping apps, including Oberlo, DSers, Spocket, and Printful. These apps make it easy to monitor every aspect of fulfilment, including automating orders that have been placed, and tracking inventory.

Shopify also comes with a range of handy in-built SEO tools, including SEO optimization, email marketing, discount codes, and abandoned cart recovery. These tools can help drive traffic to your storefront. 

Finally, Shopify also boasts 24/7 support, with a team of dedicated workers always at hand to help solve any potential issues. So, whether you run into technical issues or have questions about setting up your dropshipping store, there’s plenty of help at hand. 

TikTok Shop

TikTok has over a billion active users, making it a powerhouse for reaching a wide, thriving audience base. It’s considered to be one of the most influential social media platforms in dictating trends and buyer habits, making it a great space for selling drop-shipped goods. 

You’ll need to create a business account to get started, however, the good news is there’s no minimum threshold of followers required to be able to open a TikTok shop as a seller. But, you must be located in the US, UK, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, or Singapore to get started. 

TikTok Shop allows direct product integration, so you can sell directly via the platform. TikTok Shop allows product links in videos and live streams, so you can easily engage users and prompt immediate purchases. This creates a seamless shopping experience for users without ever having to leave the app.

Bear in mind that because TikTok is so trend-dependent, often with a short window of opportunity, you’ll need to act fast and early for your products to go viral. It’s also a good idea to try and build a follower base early on, taking advantage of the TikTok Live feature to interact with customers and run exclusive promos while streaming. This way, you’ll be able to foster a greater sense of connection and loyalty. 

Finally, TikTok offers robust advertising tools so you can target specific demographics based on interests, behavior, and location. So, whether your product is targeted toward a broader audience, or a niche set of users, TikTok’s advertising tools will ensure they’re seen by the right people. 

5. Create product listings 

Now your store is all set up, it’s time to start listing your products. When it comes to your online storefront, one of the most important aspects of the overall layout and design is the product listing page. 

Make sure no matter which platform you choose, that it allows for the creation of listings that are easy to browse and attractive to look at. This is important if you plan to stock multiple products.

When creating listings, make sure to choose images that present the highest quality possible. If you’re not satisfied with the images provided by your supplier, then you can take some new photographs yourself. 

To take professional product photos, make sure to:

• Use a tripod: While this might be optional for some photos, we highly recommend using a tripod when taking product pictures. Tripods ensure your product photos are clear and sharp, and also prevent blurring associated with shaky cameras. 
• Plain background: When taking images of your products, plain backgrounds are always best. By keeping things simple and clean-cut, you’ll help the product stand out while avoiding any unnecessary distractions in the background. 
• Natural light: To give images a softer, warmer look, take your photos in a space with plenty of natural light. Place your product perpendicular to a window so that light is evenly distributed throughout. 
• Edit: Even if you’ve done everything possible to ensure you take the best images possible, chances are you’ll still need to perform some editing afterward. There are a ton of editing software programs out there, but we recommend using Adobe Photoshop. It’s considered one of the more user-friendly programs, plus it has all the tools you need to create the perfect product images. 

After you’re satisfied with the images for your product listings, whether they’re stock images, or images you’ve taken yourself, you can upload them to your product listing page. As well as images, you’ll need to create attractive descriptions along with easy-to-follow CTAs for listings. 

Some platforms include direct integrations for products and their images, as well as descriptions directly from the supplier so you can automate the process. However, we’d recommend double-checking these, and making sure they’re up to date and sound as appealing as possible. 

6. Register your business

Though you can informally establish your business by using marketplaces like Aliexpress to source products, it is a good idea to properly register your business as early as possible. This will bring you a lot of benefits further down the line. 

One of the key advantages of formally registering your business is that you'll be able to work more freely with a range of different suppliers. Some suppliers will only work with registered businesses, so you don’t want to shut out these opportunities.

Registering your business also ensures you comply with local, state, and federal regulations, which will help you avoid legal issues further down the line. Plus, if you set up your business properly early on, you’ll avoid complications when tax season comes around. 

Finally, registered businesses are eligible for tax deductions on business expenses, including marketing and shipping fees. Business-related expenses are also covered, including home office spaces, utilities, and internet bills), ultimately lowering your taxable income. 

If you’re not sure where to get started with registering your dropshipping business, we’d recommend you consult with a business attorney who has previous experience dealing with ecommerce owners. This way, you’ll be able to set up a business structure that caters to your individual needs.

7. Marketing 

Now we come to what is debatably the most important step in establishing a successful dropshipping business: marketing. There are several different ways to approach this, however, we’d recommend switching things up and using a few different methods. 

After all, no matter how good your product or store is, you won’t make any sales until you learn how to reach as many potential customers as possible. 

Social media 

Perhaps one of the easiest and most effective ways to market your business is utilizing the power of social media. Since it’s totally free to create an account on any popular platform, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest, getting started couldn’t be any simpler.

To get started, focus on creating engaging, high-quality content that showcases your products in a shareable, entertaining way. You can post a wide variety of content styles, including product demos, customer reviews, behind-the-scenes looks, and user-generated content. You can also use paid advertising through targeted ads to reach tailored audiences based on their demographics.

It’s also a good idea to collaborate with micro-influencers to expand your reach, and harness the power of hashtags to enhance your discoverability. Make sure to engage with followers regularly, with consistent posts and direct replies to messages. This will help build trust, drive traffic, and ultimately boost your business sales. 

Online forums 

Similar to social media marketing, online forums are another free way to spread word about your business. Targeted spaces on Reddit, Facebook groups, and Quora can be particularly lucrative environments to interact with potential customers. 

To make your presence known, be sure to contribute to conversational topics and add value by offering helpful and relevant advice. Wherever possible, try to suggest your storefront or product as a solution. 

Email marketing

Email marketing is one of the best ways to foster relationships with customers, as well as build brand loyalty. 

To get started, build an email list on your website, offering incentives like discounts or freebies in exchange for your subscribers’ email addresses. Once you start building your list, start sending personalized emails to customers, including pertinent news about your business, including product releases and stock updates. 

You can also offer informational or advice-driven sections based on products you have on sale. For example, if your store focuses on selling beauty items, you can include some make-up based tutorials for subscribers showing them how to create different looks using products bought from your store. 

Email marketing can also be used to automate abandoned cart reminders to recover lost sales, as well as follow-up emails after customers have purchased an item to encourage reviews. If a subscriber has bought items from your storefront, but has been inactive for a while, re-engagement campaigns are a great way to reignite interest. 

If you’d like to find out more about the power of email marketing, we’d recommend reading our ‘Best email newsletter software review.’ Here, we guide you through the best options on the market today, complete with details related to pricing, pros, and cons, plus all the top features to look out for. 

8. Find and use the right tools

Though the idea of dropshipping might seem overwhelming at first, you don’t need to do everything yourself. There are a hoard of tools out there you can use to aid the success of your business. Here are some handy integrations to help you get started:

• Inventory management tools: Even though you’re not dealing with physical stock yourself, you can still run into issues with suppliers. It’s good to look into tools that synchronize your inventory with your supplier, preventing customers from ordering out-of-stock products.
• Automation tools: Automation tools cover a wide range of different functions that can help streamline dropshipping processes. These include product listing creation, order processing and autoresponders to answer common customer questions and queries. 
• Spy tools: Designed to find relevant data surrounding competitors, spy tools can check out things like ad strategies, alerts for new products being stocked, and find relevant data surrounding sales volume. Some popular options include SEMrush, Ahrefs, Similarweb, Kompyte, Prisync, and VisualPing which provide insights into competitor pricing, website traffic, and product listings. 
• Customer service tools: As your business grows, it can be difficult to keep up with demands associated with customer service. We’d recommend downloading a chatbot, a computer program that uses artificial intelligence to mimic human conversation. Chatbots can address common concerns and answer simple questions without the need for human intervention. 

9. Start scaling

Now it’s time to start scaling your dropshipping venture. The best way to do this as a dropshipper is to expand your product line. Focus on a winning product with steady sales and satisfied customers, then start searching for similar or complementary products your customers will love. 

Once your foundation is in place, it’s time to start adding additional layers to your ecommerce empire, one level at a time. While it might be easy to operate your dropshipping business alone to begin with, chances are, you’ll need to hire additional staff as you begin to scale. 

Handling customer service, order fulfillment, social media, marketing, or inventory management can take up a great deal of time, and more often than not, more than one person can handle alone. Hiring staff can help you focus on strategic growth, improve your customer’s overall experience, and ensure tasks are completed effectively. 

As your business continues to grow, you may even consider entering different regional markets. When your current region has proven demand for your products, and you have the tools to handle bigger orders, expanding to different regions will give you a larger customer base, ultimately boosting your sales. 

Getting a head start in new areas can establish your brand as a frontrunner in different markets, giving you the edge over competitors who might come in later. 

If you want to learn more about expanding your business without spending a fortune, we’d recommend checking out our guide: ‘Bootstrap your business: How to grow your business without breaking the bank.’ You’ll learn how to take control of your businesses’ finances, and make money doing what you love. 

Free dropshipping suppliers

If this is your first time entering the dropshipping game, it’s best to secure some free suppliers to begin with. Below, you’ll find a list of platforms or suppliers that you can sign up to completely free of charge, without needing to commit to a paid subscription plan. 

AliExpress

As we briefly touched on in our guide, AliExpress is one of the popular choices for novice dropshippers. It’s a great fit for all budgets, with products ranging vastly in price scales. It houses a diverse range of products, with unique and interesting offerings that make perfect dropshipping items. 

It also has a public review system along with messaging features that make it easy to contact suppliers.

However, the vast range of products can prove overwhelming, and you’ll need to filter through a hoard of suppliers and read through reviews to vet sellers before ordering samples. 

Shipping usually takes approximately 15-45 days, with standard shipping being the most common and affordable option. Shopping times can sometimes extend past 45 days depending on the destination and customs processing.

DHGate

DHGate is a Chinese marketplace that was first established back in 2004. It’s a popular AliExpress alternative for entrepreneurs, and is primarily used as a B2B solution for sellers wanting to order products in bulk. 

It’s easy to vet sellers on DHGate, as the website has comprehensive reviews from fellow buyers. It’s great for sourcing goods in the electronic and gadget niches, so if this is a category you’re interested in exploring, DHGate is definitely worth checking out. 

Similar to AliExpress, one of DHGate’s downsides is that it takes a lot of time to sort through the extensive list of categories and suppliers. Supplier quality can also vary significantly, because of the vast amount of sellers currently using the platform. 

Orders typically take 10-30 days to deliver, with both options for standard shipping and ePacket. Faster shipping can be arranged but this depends on the individual seller. 

Printful

If you’re looking for a unique product that stands out from the crowd, or something to help build a personal brand, then Printful is a great option for putting your own stamp on products. It’s one of the top print-on-demand options, with a collection of over 300 different products that can be customized on demand and shipped directly to customers.

Some of the most popular options include t-shirts, hoodies, and leggings, as well as accessories like hats, tote bags, mugs, and phone cases. 

The pricing, fulfilment times, customer service, and product quality are all exceptional, making this a fantastic option for those looking to sell customized products without the need for personal production and fulfilment.

Production usually takes 2-7 business days before shipping for print-on-demand, depending on the item. Once products are shipped, US domestic shipping takes approximately 3-7 business days, while international shipping usually takes 5-20 business days.

Wholesale Central

Wholesale Central is a free directory with a diverse selection, including domestic options as well as overseas suppliers. It provides access to thousands of suppliers across numerous categories, from electronics to apparel to beauty products, so you can explore multiple niches for your dropshipping venture. 

Suppliers listed on Wholesale Central are also vetted, which reduces the risk of working with untrustworthy sellers. The platform also boasts detailed product listings along with specifications and pricing, helping you make informed decisions on every purchase. 

As you may have guessed from the brand’s name, Wholesale Central typically serves the wholesale market, but with some effort and outreach, it’s totally possible to find a supplier that’s willing to dropship for you. 

Wholesale Central also has live trade shows you can attend, helping you to network and build profitable business relationships. 

Standard, same-country shipping usually takes 3-7 business days for most suppliers, while international orders can take anywhere from 7-21 business days.

Spocket

The product catalog featured on Spocket features a wide range of items sourced directly from the US and EU, with fast shipping already priced into the reasonable product cost. This is an excellent solution for many drop-shippers, as products ordered from China come with waits that can be in the two-week range or even longer.

Furthermore, expedited shipping rates often come with a hefty price tag, making it costly for business owners. Thankfully, Spocket, a dropshipping app that integrates with Shopify, easily solves this issue. 

Spocket’s vast range of Western suppliers also comes with other benefits, with products generally exhibiting higher quality and being more likely to meet the standards that customers expect, reducing the risk of returns and customer dissatisfaction.

Finally, Spocket provides real-time updates on inventory levels and pricing, so you can guarantee product listings are always up-to-date, reducing the risk of selling out-of-stock items.

Shipping times usually only take 2-7 days. 

Temu 

Temu has risen in popularity exponentially over the past few years. It offers incredibly low product prices, making it easier for drop-shippers to sell at competitive prices and maintain good profit margins. It also features products across a multitude of categories, including fashion, electronics, home goods, beauty, and more.

Another great feature of Temu is that the platform often offers bulk discounts and promotional deals, helping dropshippers lower their costs, leading to even higher profitability. 

Furthermore, Temu doesn’t require buyers to meet minimum order quantities for the majority of products, making it ideal for dropshipping.

Because it’s considered one of the biggest up-and-coming dropshipping platforms, it’s attracting a wealth of suppliers from various industries. As the platform grows, it’s likely to offer an increasing number of suppliers catering to different niches, ultimately giving buyers more trending product options to explore. 

As most items arrive from overseas, shipping typically takes 10-30 business days, depending on location and local customs procedures. 

Taobao 

Taobao was first launched back in 2003 by Alibaba as a marketplace for a wide range of items and is positioned more as a direct-to-consumer platform for purchasing items individually.

It’s also become a fast favorite among dropshippers. This is because the platform is generally considered to be much cheaper than alternatives like Aliexpress and often features more unique items, especially gadgets and accessories.

Many Taobao sellers offer no minimum order quantity (MOQ), which makes it ideal for dropshipping. This allows purchasers to buy products one at a time, rather than needing to buy in bulk.

Some Taobao suppliers offer customizable products (like branding or design modifications), which is an added benefit if you’re interested in putting a personal touch on items. 

However, because the platform was made to serve the Chinese market, international shipping can prove difficult. Plus, dropshipping requires third-party assistance. 

Domestic shipping to China only takes 2-5 days, but international shipping generally takes much longer than other similar Chinese-based platforms like Temu or AliExpress, as most Taobao suppliers only serve the domestic market. 

Oberlo

Though Oberlo isn’t considered to be a dropshipping platform in the traditional sense, it is incredibly handy as a resource for sellers searching for products to dropship.

Oberlo is an app that integrates with platforms like Shopify and Aliexpress, helping you streamline the dropshipping process. 

You can easily import products from suppliers directly into your online store with just a click of a button. You can also automate product updates, including price inventory changes so that all your listings are up to date, helping you stay organized.

Oberlo lets you check out real-time dropshipping statistics, which assist in discovering top trending products. Oberlo also has an incredibly intuitive, user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to get started. 

If you’re on the hunt for more dropshipping platforms for your online business, we’d recommend checking out our full list, ‘AliExpress Alternatives.’ You’ll find a stack of great options, including websites that are stacked with full product catalogs, curated directories, and easy-to-integrate apps

Whop

The number one place to start a digital dropshipping business. As a marketplace designed to buy and sell digital goods of any kind, it’s easy to use for both buyers and sellers. 

Whop is tailored specifically for digital product dropshipping, which makes it a perfect option for people who want to sell software, courses, memberships, templates, or other digital assets.

Once a customer purchases one of your products, they’re delivered automatically, so you don’t have to manually fulfill orders, and your customers have instant access to their items - ideal for both parties. 

Starting a store is super fast and simple, thanks to a user-friendly design that offers a top-notch shopping experience for your customers. The sign-up process is quick and completely free, plus Whop comes with a built-in payment processor to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. 

As a digital product seller, it’s incredibly easy to scale your business. Because you’re not tied to physical products, you can expand your offerings at an expedited rate without worrying about supply chain issues and constraints. 

If you want to find out more about scaling your business on Whop, check out our handy guide, ‘How to start digital dropshipping: Must-know tips and tricks.’ In this article, we take you through the whole process from start to finish, which includes a list of common challenges of digital dropshipping (and how to tackle them).

Launch your dropshipping business today with Whop

If you’re ready to start making money with ecommerce and dropshipping, you’ve come to the right place. 

Whop is home to hoards of high-quality private, niche-specific, and expert-driven communities that can take your business to the next level, including those dedicated solely to dropshipping success.

With an assortment of pre-vetted groups including those that are Whop-verified and boast hundreds of five-star reviews, joining one will give you the guidance, tools, and resources to help you make money as a dropshipper, all in one handy space. 

Check out dropshipping courses and communities on Whop.

As well as joining a leading community filled with like-minded individuals, you can become a Whop seller yourself. Whether your digital dropshipping business is focused on courses, software, templates, ebooks, or artwork - you can easily sell it here. Whop is fast, free, and allows your products to be seen on the leading marketplace for digital products.