How to Start a Dropshipping Business in India?

How to start Dropshipping business qikink
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DropShipping

Introduction

Hey there! Are you looking to start your own dropshipping business in India? Good news, it’s easier than you think with Qikink! Getting started has never been easier – no experience necessary, just a passion for entrepreneurship! We’ll guide you through the following simple and easy steps.

Table Of Contents

Dropshipping Business: A Step by Step Guide!

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll have all the tools and knowledge you need to start and grow a successful online selling business. So, let’s dive in!

1. Identify a Niche or Market Gap For The Dropshipping Business

Businesses in general are started with niche finding or finding a gap in any existing market to start something new. In dropshipping too, identifying a potential niche in any existing business category is very important.

This is the first place to start your dropshipping business. Check tools like AppSumo and others to analyse and compare various niche areas to start your dropshipping journey.

For any niche to be selected, you must acquire enough product knowledge and market knowledge to keep growing up with the trends. Do not start with too many niche areas or products. Select one or two niche products that have good market potential and venture into other niche areas after establishing a good sales base on the first one.

How to Start Dropshipping Business Images Niche

2. Study The Competitors & Plan Your USP

Competition proves one thing, ie. validation for your product and business. Competition is not bad. Too Much competition with no product innovation and no future growth for the product/market is bad.

Study the competitors in depth. Gather whatever information you could find about their sales, suppliers, overheads, profits, etc. Analyse them to find a stronghold that is unique to your business.

Learn more about your competitor’s customers than they do. Study what they value the most and list down areas of improvement from the competitor’s services and products.

How to Start Dropshipping Business Images USP

Create a USP based on that which appeals to your customers. USP is a unique selling proposition. Every business (however small) should have one. It defines what separates your products and services from the competition. It answers the question of why should your customer pay you instead of your competitor. It can be price, value addition, packing, shipping options, product combos, branding, offers, delivery time, extra features, etc.

3. Choose Your Dropshipping Products

Product selection is the most important part of dropshipping business. Select products after gathering as much information as possible about the same.

Products can also be showcased as combos with their attributes of color and size with a discounted offering. While selecting the product, study and gather information about its packing, branding, returns handling, user guide, product photos, and product video aspects.

4. Find a Competitive Supplier

After finalizing the dropshipping product, the next step is to find the right supplier. It is not the same as finding someone who manufactures and distributes the product. The Supplier should be able to deliver the products individually to your customers. This involves Quality checks, proper packing, arranging to ship, updating tracking numbers, handling returns, and taking ownership of the quality of products and services.

Once you find a suitable supplier, your journey toward selling for profits becomes easier. Get all the product information like, photos, videos, user guides, wash care, warranty details, shipping insurance, delivery timelines, handling time, value addition and branding possibilities, etc.

5. Plan Prices & Offers

Pricing the products determines the profit and loss aspects of your business. Consider the following facts before finalising the pricing

  1. Cost
  2. Competitor’s Price
  3. Packing and Shipping Costs
  4. Returns % expected and its cost involved
  5. Overheads including software tools etc.
  6. Profit Margin

It is advisable to price at least 3x the cost of the product and work around the pricing from there as per the competition. Remember price is just one of the factors which determine sales.

Focus more on offers such as combo discounts, free shipping, gift packing, Rush delivery, freebies, etc.

6. Plan Return / Refund Policies

Returns and refund policies are to be defined on day one. This part of the business can spoil your peace of mind. So this has to be defined properly and updated on the product page.

It is important to set the right kind of expectations for the customer at the time of purchase. Also check out the supplier’s returns, replacement, and refund policies and define yours in line with the same.

7. Setup Your Online Store

Setting up an online store is an easy process with multiple options available. Shopify is leading the pack with options like WooCommerce, Wix, Dukaan, etc.

The following are the points to be considered while setting up an online store.

  1. Register Domain Name
  2. Apply for Brand Trademark in the respective class
  3. Choose the appropriate e-commerce platform
  4. Check for integration from Supplier’s fulfillment system
  5. Opt for cloud hosting with CDN and HTTPS options if separate hosting is required
  6. Keep a check on page loading from the development stage
  7. Optimise images in new age formats like AVIF or WebP
  8. Do keyword research and Implement SEO from the first-page design
  9. Install a secured payment gateway
  10. If opting for Cash on Delivery, have proper checkpoints in place
Dropshipping Business Store Setup Qikink

8. Setup Dropshipping Business on Marketplace Stores

Have a business mindset and explore all possible avenues of sales. The more place you distribute the product, the more sales you are going to get. Online Marketplaces are very relevant to most people’s shopping habits. They do not use social media or never click on ads but chose marketplaces for all online purchases.

Chose one or two top marketplaces like Amazon which resonate well with your future customers. List the products, do small promotions, and get reviews and ratings for every sale. This will update the algorithm to show your products to a larger audience. More sales will follow. Price the products in marketplaces accordingly after factoring in marketplace commissions and listing fees if any.

9. Plan Marketing & Creatives

Dropshipping Business Digital Marketing Qikink

Any online business needs some kind of promotion. Having a physical store will have natural walk-ins. Which is not the case with online stores. Pay-per-click advertisement(PPC) methods on social media(SMM) and search engine(SEM) will bring traffic to the online store.

Marketing starts with product photos/videos and store setup. These need to be planned to visually attract the customer. Having a casual use case video of your product will do wonders in conversion from ads. Order a sample yourself, shoot a video with your phone, and use that for ads and on the storefront. Creating a good Adv creative can increase your revenue on ad spent (ROAS).

Other than PPC, there are many new ways of getting traffic to your online store as,

  1. Influencer Marketing
  2. Organic Traffic via SEO
  3. Affiliate Marketing
  4. Guest Blogging
  5. Content Marketing
  6. Brand Partnerships with cross promotions on social channels
  7. Giving your products as freebies for other high-ticket sale products

10. Start Selling & Setup Fulfillment

You should start selling your product as soon as you set up the store. Do not wait for the marketing campaign to take shape. Call up friends and family and insist on placing orders. Track the initial orders and get them delivered sooner with a lot of personal attention. Get feedback about the product, service, and packing and update the supplier if anything significant.

Promote the store through your personal social media pages to get initial sales. Give coupon codes and send a personalised email for all purchases. Ask the initial customers to post photos and videos with your products and give them coupon codes or freebies.

11. Setup Customer Support

Customer Support is an integral part of any online business. Answering customer calls gives a chance for interaction and to know them better which is not possible otherwise. Any unique demand from the customer is justifiable.

Have a customer support desk with clear operational timelines mentioned on the online store with a timezone. Implement a ticketing system with TAT. Getting feedback and sincerely assisting customer queries to improve customer lifetime value(CLTV) which reduces the dependency on ads for sale.

12. GST And Accounting For Dropshipping Business

Good accounting practice is essential for the long game. Keeping books and filing taxes on time will give clear business numbers without any future liability.

GST is mandatory for any business operation in India with an annual turnover crossing 40L INR per year. If you are planning to cross 40L INR of revenue in the current year, apply for GST and start filling out monthly. It will give benefits of Input Tax Credit (ITC) and eligible for various bank loans.

Dropshipping Process

Dropshipping is the process of fulfilling your orders from a supplier. Set up an online store with the suppliers’ products. The orders generated are passed on to the suppliers. The supplier will do packing and shipping to the customer’s address.

Dropshipping Process Qikink 858 × 744 px

The supplier will also custom print the products with your design, and do custom branding before packing and dispatching. Qikink is one of the leading suppliers for print on demand products in this space.

What is Dropshipping Business?

Dropshipping is a retail business model that eliminates the need for a store to hold inventory. When a customer places an order, the store forwards the order to the supplier/manufacturer, who then ships the product directly to the customer.

For example, let’s say that you want to start an online store selling t-shirts, but you don’t want to hold inventory or manage shipping. You find a supplier who offers dropshipping services, and you choose the t-shirts that you want to sell on your website.

Next, you set up an online store and add the t-shirts to your product catalog. When a customer orders a t-shirt from your website, you forward the order and shipping details to the supplier. The supplier then ships the t-shirt directly to the customer.

As a dropshipper, you make a profit on the difference between the price you charge the customer and the price you pay the supplier. This profit margin can vary depending on the product and the supplier.

One advantage of dropshipping is that it allows you to start an online store without investing in inventory or handling the shipping process. This can save you time and money, especially if you’re just starting out. However, it’s important to choose reliable suppliers and maintain good customer service to ensure that your customers receive their orders on time and in good condition.

Is Dropshipping Legal in India?

In the context of GST in India, a dropshipping business involves the transfer of goods from the supplier to the customer, and the GST liability depends on the location of the supplier and the customer. If the supplier and the customer are located in the same state, intra-state GST will apply. If the supplier and the customer are located in different states, inter-state GST will apply.

Here’s how GST works in a dropshipping business:

  1. GST Registration: As per the GST regulations in India, businesses with an annual turnover of over Rs. 40 lakhs (Rs. 10 lakhs for northeastern states) must register for GST. A dropshipping business must obtain a GST number and register for GST if the annual turnover exceeds the threshold.
  2. GST on the Sale Value: In a dropshipping business, the supplier will charge GST on the sale value of the product. The rate of GST varies based on the type of product.
  3. GST on the Margin: As a drop shipper, your revenue is the difference between the price you charge the customer and the price you pay the supplier. The GST liability is applicable only on the margin you make from the sale of the product, not the full sale value.
  4. Invoice Requirements: As per the GST regulations in India, a drop shipper must issue an invoice to the customer and the supplier. The invoice must include details such as the GST number, the name, and address of the customer and supplier, the HSN code, the quantity and value of the goods, and the applicable GST rates.

In summary, a dropshipping business in India must register for GST, charge GST on the margin, issue proper invoices, and comply with GST regulations to avoid any legal consequences.

What You Need To Start Dropshipping?

Do eCommerce as a Dropshipping Business. eCommerce in India has come a long way now. A lot of commerce activity is happening online, and India is one of the fastest-growing markets globally.

It is a way of doing e-commerce without investing in inventory, printing, and logistics setup. Dropshipping is selling a product online by having its manufacturer directly deliver the goods to your customer.

India’s e-commerce market is expected to reach US$ 350 billion by 2030. By 2021, total e-commerce sales are expected to reach US$ 67-84 billion from the US$ 52.57 billion recorded in 2020.

There are multiple ways to start an ecommerce business and selling merchandise online in India. Most of the businesses requires huge upfront capital in merchandising team, inventory, photoshoot, store setup, printing, logistics, marketing etc.

This proves starting something online that too an ecommerce store makes a lot of sense and it is a future proof business.

Pros and Cons of Dropshipping

Let’s include the Pros and Cons of Dropshipping business model.

Pros:
  1. Fast and easy to start a business online
  2. No huge upfront capital is required
  3. No inventory, logistics hassles
  4. Print on Demand and huge possibilities
  5. Access to the catalog of various supplier’s products
  6. Sell profitably without worrying about dead inventory
  7. Scalable business system
  8. Option to work from anywhere
  9. Business can be stopped and started whenever required without overhead expenses
  10. Easy to quit if it is not generating profits (without any loss)

 

Cons:
  1. Profit margins will be lower when compared to an inventory-based model
  2. Supplier may go out of stock or business
  3. Quality control issues
  4. Competition

The pros outweigh the cons. Dropshipping is the best way to start a business first time the online way of doing business with merchandise sales.

Conclusion

Dropshipping is a new-age model of starting a business or a side hustle. Starting a dropshipping business in India with Qikink is a simple and easy process. By following the steps mentioned in this blog, you can kickstart your dropshipping business and achieve success in the world of e-commerce.

Dropshipping Business FAQs

How to grow a dropshipping business?

Here are some tips on how to grow a dropshipping business:

Choose the Right Niche:

Select a niche that you are passionate about and one that has a high demand. Research your competition and identify any gaps in the market.

Find Reliable Suppliers:

Identify reliable suppliers who can provide quality products and fast shipping. Check their reviews and ratings and order samples before finalizing a supplier.

Optimize Your Website:

Ensure that your website is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and has a professional look. Optimize it for search engines to increase organic traffic.

Focus on Customer Service:

Provide excellent customer service and promptly address any issues or concerns. This can lead to positive reviews and repeat customers.

Expand Your Product Line:

Add new products to your catalog and test their performance. Keep an eye on trends and introduce new products accordingly.

Utilize Social Media:

Use social media platforms to promote your products and engage with your audience. Consider influencer marketing to reach a wider audience.

Offer Discounts & Promotions:

Offer discounts and promotions to attract new customers and retain existing ones. This can include free shipping, discounts on bulk orders, or limited-time offers.

Optimize The Pricing Strategy:

Optimize your pricing strategy to remain competitive and profitable. Monitor your competitors’ pricing and adjust your prices accordingly.

Monitor Your Metrics:

Keep track of your metrics such as website traffic, conversion rate, and customer acquisition cost. Analyze the data to identify areas for improvement and optimize your marketing efforts.

How much does it cost to start dropshipping?

The cost of starting a dropshipping business can vary depending on several factors. Here are some of the common costs associated with starting a dropshipping business:

E-commerce Platform:

You’ll need an e-commerce platform to build your online store. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce offer monthly plans starting from $29 to $299.

Domain Name and Hosting:

You’ll need a domain name and hosting to host your online store. The cost can range from Rs.500 to Rs.1000 per year for the domain name.

Website Design and Development:

You can choose to design your website yourself or hire a web designer. The cost can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

Product Costs:

You’ll need to pay for the products you sell. The cost will depend on the products and the supplier.

  • Marketing Costs: You’ll need to promote your store through advertising, social media, or influencer marketing. The cost can vary based on the marketing strategy you choose.
  • Miscellaneous Costs: You may incur other expenses like legal fees, taxes, software, and office supplies.

Overall, the cost of starting a dropshipping business can range from a few thousand to a few Lakhs, depending on the products you sell, the supplier you choose, and the marketing strategy you adopt. However, compared to starting a traditional retail business, the cost of starting a dropshipping business is relatively low.

What is shopify dropshipping?

Shopify dropshipping is a type of e-commerce business model in which a retailer (the drop shipper) does not keep a physical inventory of the products they sell. Instead, the drop shipper partners with a third-party supplier who handles the storage, packaging, and shipping of the products directly to the customer.

With Shopify dropshipping, the drop shipper uses the Shopify platform to set up an online store, select the products they want to sell, and integrate with a dropshipping supplier. The supplier is responsible for fulfilling the orders, while the drop shipper handles the marketing, customer service, and other aspects of the business.

Shopify offers a range of tools and features to help drop shippers manage their businesses, including product management, order fulfillment, shipping, and payment processing. Additionally, Shopify has a large app marketplace where drop shippers can find apps to help with marketing, customer service, and other aspects of their business.

Shopify dropshipping has become increasingly popular due to its low startup costs, flexibility, and ease of use. However, it is important for drop shippers to carefully choose their suppliers and products to ensure they are offering high-quality products at competitive prices.

Are you ready to get started with Qikink?

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