Finding a Product
The most common reason why beginners fail on Shopify is poor product selection. It is important to understand the principles of customer psychology and why people buy products online to avoid this pitfall. There are two key principles to consider when selecting a product to sell: the value the product provides to the customer and why they would buy it, and finding a product that is already trending and successful.
There are two core principles to keep in mind when selecting a product to sell:
Principle 1: What's in it for me?
People buy products for selfish reasons, usually to improve their lives or increase their status. When selecting a product, consider how much value it provides to the customer and why they would buy it. A good example is the Sleep Band, a headband with built-in headphones that helps people fall asleep faster. This product is a great example of a product that provides value to the customer and solves a problem.
Principle 2: Don't reinvent the wheel
You don't have to be the first person to sell a product to make money. If you focus on products that are already trending, you can learn from the stores and ads that are succeeding with that product, reducing your learning curve significantly. By engaging with every ad you see, you can trick Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok into forcing more ads in front of you, allowing you to find potential winning products.
Building Your Store
After finding a product that fits the three principles, the next step is to build a store. There are three main types of stores, but the author recommends the following for beginners:
1. A generic, scammy looking dropshipping store - This is the easiest type of store to set up, but it is not recommended as it does not provide much value to the customer and can harm your brand in the long run.
2. A custom-designed store - This is the recommended type of store for beginners. You can use platforms like Shopify to create a custom-designed store that is easy to navigate and provides value to the customer. This type of store requires more time and effort to set up, but it is worth it in the long run.
3. User Experience - Ensure that your store provides a smooth and seamless user experience. This includes fast load times, easy navigation, and clear product descriptions.
Payment Processing: Choose a payment processor that is reliable, secure, and easy for customers to use. Consider options like PayPal or Stripe.
4. Shipping - Make sure you have a system in place for shipping your products to customers. You can use a third-party shipping provider or utilize the shipping options provided by your dropshipping supplier
Getting Customers
The final step in starting a successful dropshipping store is getting customers. To achieve this, you need to create a marketing strategy that includes social media, paid advertising, and SEO. Here are some tips for each:
Social Media:
Social media is a powerful tool for reaching a large audience. Utilize platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote your store and reach potential customers.
Paid Advertising:
Paid advertising can help you reach your target market quickly. Consider using platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads to drive traffic to your store.
SEO:
SEO is essential for long-term success and will help you rank higher in search engines, attract organic traffic to your store, and improve your visibility. This can include optimizing your website for keywords, creating high-quality content, and building backlinks.
Websites That Can Help
Shopify is one of the most popular platforms for starting a dropshipping store. It offers a wide range of features and a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for you to create your store, manage your products, and process orders.
Oberlo is a dropshipping app that integrates with Shopify and allows you to find and import products directly into your store. It also provides real-time order tracking and inventory management to help you keep your store running smoothly.
AliExpress is a popular website for finding products to sell in your dropshipping store. It offers a wide range of products at competitive prices and has a large selection of suppliers.
Spocket is a dropshipping platform that allows you to access a network of suppliers from all over the world, including the US and Europe. It offers a wide range of products at competitive prices and has a user-friendly interface for managing your store.
Wholesale2B is a platform that provides a wide range of products from multiple suppliers. It integrates with popular e-commerce platforms, including Shopify and BigCommerce, and offers real-time inventory updates and order tracking.
Google Trends is a valuable tool for researching and staying up-to-date on popular topics, including products that are in demand for dropshipping.
ExplodingTopics is a useful tool for dropshippers as it provides insights into popular and trending topics on the internet.
In conclusion
starting a dropshipping store requires finding the right product, building a store, and getting customers. By following these steps and tips, you can start your own successful dropshipping store this year. Good luck!
