Dropshipping is a business model in which ecommerce entrepreneurs sell products without having to carry any inventory. When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s doorsteps. Dropshipping is a popular business model because it’s relatively easy to set up and it doesn’t require a large investment. However, one of the common questions that people ask about dropshipping is, “Do dropshipping stores sell a bunch of stuff or only a few items?” The answer to this question is that it really depends on the store owner and what they’re trying to achieve with their business. In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of dropshipping stores and how many products they typically sell.
The Different Types of Dropshipping Stores
There are three different types of dropshipping stores
1. General Stores: These stores sell a wide variety of products from different suppliers. They typically have a large number of SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) and orders can come from anywhere in the world.
2. Niche Stores: These stores focus on selling a specific type of product or products from a specific type of supplier. They typically have a smaller number of SKUs but may get a higher volume of orders from a specific region or demographic.
3. Custom Stores: These stores are created by dropshippers for a specific client or group of clients. They may sell products from multiple suppliers but typically have a smaller number of SKUs than general stores.
Pros and Cons of Dropshipping
There are several advantages and disadvantages of dropshipping to consider before starting a store.
PROS
-No need to carry inventory or manage shipping logistics
-Can be started with little up-front investment
-Low overhead costs
-Flexible location – can be run from anywhere with an internet connection
CONS
-May be difficult to find reliable suppliers
-Can be difficult to stand out in a crowded market
-Prices may be higher than if you were to buy and ship products yourself
What Products to Sell in a Dropshipping Store?
When it comes to dropshipping, there are two schools of thought in terms of what products to sell. The first school of thought is to sell a wide variety of products in your store. This approach has the advantage of giving your customers a lot of options to choose from, which can increase the chances that they’ll find something they want to buy. The downside to this approach is that it can be difficult to manage a large inventory and you may end up with a lot of slow-moving items.
The second school of thought is to focus on selling a smaller number of high-quality items. This approach has the advantage of allowing you to really focus on promoting and selling a limited number of products, which can make it easier to generate sales. The downside to this approach is that you may miss out on potential sales from customers who are looking for a specific product that you don’t carry.
So, which approach is best? There’s no right or wrong answer – it depends on your individual business goals and what you think will work best for your store. If you’re just starting out, we recommend starting with a smaller number of high-quality items so that you can get a feel for the dropshipping business and build up your customer base before expanding your product line.
How to Start a Dropshipping Store
When it comes to dropshipping, there are a lot of options and potential ways to set up your store. You can sell just a few items, or you can sell a bunch of items. There’s no right or wrong answer – it all depends on what you’re looking to achieve with your store.
If you’re looking to set up a dropshipping store, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Choose your niche
The first step is to choose your niche. This is the market or topic that you’ll be focused on. When choosing your niche, think about what products you’re passionate about and what would be popular with your target audience. Once you have a niche in mind, do some research to see if there’s demand for the products you want to sell.
2. Find suppliers
Once you know what products you want to sell, the next step is to find suppliers who can provide those products. When dropshipping, you don’t need to carry any inventory yourself – instead, when a customer orders from your store, the order is forwarded to the supplier who then ships the product directly to the customer. There are a few different places where you can find suppliers, such as AliExpress and Oberlo. These platforms make it easy to connect with suppliers and add their products to your store.
Alternatives to Dropshipping
There are a few alternatives to dropshipping that you can use to sell products online:
1. Sell products through an online marketplace: There are many online marketplaces that allow you to sell products without having to set up your own website. This can be a great option if you’re just starting out and don’t have the time or resources to create your own eCommerce store.
2. Use an existing website: If you already have a website, you can add eCommerce functionality to it and start selling products online. This option is ideal if you want to keep your existing branding and website design.
3. Create your own eCommerce store: The most popular way to sell products online is to create your own eCommerce store. This option gives you the most control over your brand and allows you to build a loyal customer base.
Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the number of items that a dropshipping store sells depends on the store’s niche and target market. However, in general, dropshipping stores tend to sell fewer items than traditional retail stores. This is because dropshippers typically specialize in a particular type of product, which allows them to focus their efforts on sourcing quality items and providing excellent customer service. So, if you’re thinking about starting a dropshipping business, don’t be afraid to start small and gradually expand your product selection as you build up your customer base.
