A question about 'Dropshipping'

[flowerpoyhead]

Hi there,

I'm new on this forum, just stumbled accross it. I have been self employed most of my working life. I really would like a change but suspect anything which does not involve backbreaking work over long hours as probably no use except for pin money.

You guys mention 'Dropshipping' and i looked at a company website called dropshipland who will sell you a fully working website with all their 'gear' on it, you can also list your own stuff etc.they want just short of £80 for the website etc. though you dont have to have one, I guess you all know this, but it's new to me, I only used e-bay once to sell a small sailing yacht I had, the guy re-sold it same day at a profit............. oh dear.

Anyway, is dropshipping with a 'provided' customisable website a workable thing, i.e. can I make money depending on products etc. etc.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

[skeeter]

They make their money when you buy your drop ship off them.
Think about it. No comment.

It is a kind of, pay up front and off you go. If you sell anymore...great. That's it.

Generally speaking, that is what I have understood from their business models. Drop ship really is distribution from wholesaler, where you retail. Problem is they wholesale in the same market place as you. Not exactly credible.

[flowerpoyhead]

Yeah.... Cheers, I get your point, and obviously I am new to this, I'm involved in 'practical hands on Industry/contracting' obviously have so, so, much to learn and wise up on.........

[Mike Seddon]

Have you considered affiliate marketing through someone like Clickbank?

Start small. Learn how it's done.

You will learn all about driving traffic to a website, converting that traffic to take an action, etc.

[Alvin]

Drop shipping can be money for old rope.

But does depend on getting lots of traffic for the products you are selling.

It also works best if you deal direct with manufacturers.

Alvin

[flowerpoyhead]

Drop shipping can be money for old rope.

But does depend on getting lots of traffic for the products you are selling.

It also works best if you deal direct with manufacturers.

Alvin

Alvin, thanks for the reply, now clearly I am new to this and new to the forum so i don't know what I can ask without becoming really tiresome. Now obviously product type matters as does traffic, but to be frank it's the 'building' of the shop which I don't understand yet. You say deal with manufacturers, o.k. no problem with who they are etc. but how do I get product lists, brochures, photo displays? Do I have to catalogue, photograph (thus lots of travel/expense and more importantly time.) or is this sort of thing downloadable via the manufacturers own files? I have contacts who can build a website etc. but as this is presently only a seed of a notion I haven't spoken with them.

Apologies if I am 'intruding' on a forum which is more for established people wishing to develop their own 'brands'. All I can say is that I have been in business for over 20 years and am well able in my field, so though I may appear 'green' I am just trying to understand enough about this field to make a sensible decision as to whether I am capable of making such a directional change.

[Indizine]

You really are looking for a step-by-step guide to setting up a droppshipping website so I would suggest you seek out a dropshipeprs forum - there will be one somewhere if you Google for it - and you would find and get loads of specific help. Not saying we can't, but someone who is a dropshipper is best person to advise and we don't have too many of them on here from what I know.

[flowerpoyhead]

Have you considered affiliate marketing through someone like Clickbank?

Start small. Learn how it's done.

You will learn all about driving traffic to a website, converting that traffic to take an action, etc.

Hi Mike,

O.K. to repeat myself, I am new to all of these things so, 'Clickbank' if I understand correctly would work something like this: I have a website, lets say regarding sailing yachts, or a blog perhaps about sailing around the world. This attracts people who like tavel, boats, foreign destinations and information about such; now on this site/blog having previously set up a 'Clickbank' account, I advertise and promote other folks products. I may be talking of storm sailing tactics and perhaps promote an e-book regarding this, or provide a link to a video advertising the merits of a product or products related to boats/heavy weather sailing. Then for each of the sales this produces I get paid,...... or is it for each 'click' of the link/advert?

I know sailing isn't the best example to use, it's just that I am a 'Yachtie'.

Cheers

[flowerpoyhead]

You really are looking for a step-by-step guide to setting up a droppshipping website so I would suggest you seek out a dropshipeprs forum - there will be one somewhere if you Google for it - and you would find and get loads of specific help. Not saying we can't, but someone who is a dropshipper is best person to advise and we don't have too many of them on here from what I know.

Yeah, fair point and will do, however this has/is helping me. I'm coming from a place of Industrial Contracting, so I'm a bit like a caveman learning to use a knife and fork. All comments are new and interesting and helpful.

Thanks.

[Mike Seddon]

Hi Mike,

O.K. to repeat myself, I am new to all of these things so, 'Clickbank' if I understand correctly would work something like this: I have a website, lets say regarding sailing yachts, or a blog perhaps about sailing around the world. This attracts people who like tavel, boats, foreign destinations and information about such; now on this site/blog having previously set up a 'Clickbank' account, I advertise and promote other folks products. I may be talking of storm sailing tactics and perhaps promote an e-book regarding this, or provide a link to a video advertising the merits of a product or products related to boats/heavy weather sailing. Then for each of the sales this produces I get paid,...... or is it for each 'click' of the link/advert?

I know sailing isn't the best example to use, it's just that I am a 'Yachtie'.

Cheers

You've got the idea. You get paid by Clickbank if the person buys the product.

You can also put up a website that display ads (using adsense) and you would get paid if someone clicks on the ad. However this requires some serious traffic to make it worthwhile, so I would suggest that Clickbank route first. Also, some of the traders on Clickbank provide a lot of help for their affiliates (images for the website, etc) so it would be a good starting point.