Are you thinking about starting a business on Etsy, but not sure if you can dropship on the platform? The good news is that yes, you can. Dropshipping is a business model in which you sell products without having to carry any inventory. When a customer places an order on your Etsy shop, you simply contact the supplier and they will ship the product directly to your customer’s door
In this article, we’ll give you an overview of how Etsy Dropshipping works and how you can start your own Etsy Dropshipping business. We’ll also provide some tips on dropshipping success and how to find dropshipping suppliers for your Etsy store.
Ready to get started? Let’s jump right in!
How Etsy Dropshipping Works
Have you ever wondered how Etsy dropshipping works? It’s actually a pretty simple process. Essentially, dropshipping is a type of ecommerce where you sell products that you don’t physically have in stock. When a customer makes a purchase, you simply order the product from a supplier and have it shipped directly to the customer.
This type of business model has a few advantages.
- Firstly, it’s relatively easy to get started since you don’t need to invest in inventory.
- Secondly, you can run your business from anywhere since you don’t need to store any inventory.
- Finally, it’s a great way to test out products before committing to a large inventory order.
If you’re thinking about starting an Etsy dropshipping business, there are a few things you need to know.
For starters, you’ll need to find a reliable dropshipping supplier that can provide high-quality products at a reasonable price. You’ll also need to create compelling product listings and market your store effectively. And last but not least, you’ll need to provide excellent customer service to keep your customers coming back.
Setting up Your Etsy Shop
Etsy is a great way to sell your handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. But before you can start selling, you need to set up your Etsy shop. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up your Etsy shop, step-by-step.
Creating an Etsy shop is quick and easy. Just follow these steps:
- Go to Etsy.com and click “Sell on Etsy”
- Click “Open your Etsy shop”
- Select your shop language, country, and currency, then click “Save and continue”
- Choose your shop name, then click “Save and continue”
- Stock your shop
- Choose how you’ll get paid
- Choose the payment methods you want to offer in your shop
- Set up billing
How to Find Dropshipping Suppliers for Your Etsy Store
Luckily, there are a few different ways to find dropshipping suppliers for your Etsy store. You can start by searching online directories, such as SaleHoo, or by contacting suppliers directly. You can also find suppliers at trade shows or through online marketplaces, such as Alibaba. Many sellers are buying from AliExpress as well and selling on Etsy.
Once you’ve found a few potential suppliers, be sure to vet them carefully to make sure they’re reputable and reliable. Once you’ve found a good dropshipping supplier, you’ll be well on your way to running a successful Etsy store.
Advantages of Etsy dropshipping
1. There is little rivalry among dropshippers
Few merchants actually use dropshipping since Etsy makes it so challenging for them to do so. Due to the lack of competition, new dropshippers on Etsy have a clear edge.
2. It is simpler to promote vintage or handcrafted goods
The best third-party marketplace for handmade and vintage goods is Etsy. Due to its highly targeted customer base, it makes sense if you’re dropshipping products that fit into one of those categories.
3. Higher margins
Most people who use Etsy are seeking a particular kind of custom goods. Additionally, people are often willing to pay more for unique vintage or handcrafted items.
Disadvantages of dropshipping on Etsy
1. High fees
It can be expensive to dropship on Etsy. The marketplace’s fees will quickly eat away at your profits-and they will continue to rise. If you sell two of the same item, Etsy will charge you the listing fee twice. Etsy also charges a 6.5% transaction fee plus shipping and gift wrapping when you make a sale.
2. Lack of tools for dropshipping
Etsy clearly doesn’t like dropshipping and doesn’t welcome the business model on its platform. Etsy doesn’t have any tools or features dedicated to help merchants dropship. It’s unlikely that they’ll be released anytime soon.
3. Time-consuming listing process
Etsy isn’t as easy to use as an ecommerce platform like Shopify for listing items. Since Etsy doesn’t allow bulk uploads, you must list each item individually. The time it takes for their listing to appear in search results is also reported by some merchants to be delayed.
4. Low scalability
On Etsy, items are typically not mass-produced at a rapid pace due to their nature. Since Etsy items are carefully designed, made, and/or sourced, they can’t produce as many items as large manufacturers. Not to mention the finite nature of inventory when it comes to vintage and antique items. You will have a hard time growing your business and increasing sales as a result.
Conclusion
Dropshipping is a great way to start an Etsy business because it is low risk and low investment. You can find plenty of Dropshipping suppliers online, and you can start selling products right away. So if you’re looking to start an Etsy business, don’t hesitate to give dropshipping a try.