how to start dropshipping business in India ?
Before diving into these strategies, it is important to understand dropshipping. It is a popular choice for anyone wanting to start an online business, so it is important to know how the model works.
Whether you’re a beginner or a side hustler, these basics will help. They are key to a low-risk business model. They will maximize your dropshipping success.
Introduction to Dropshipping
Dropshipping is an online business where you sell products without keeping any stocks. You set up an online store, find the best supplier, and list products. When a customer buys the products, the supplier ships to them. It’s low risk because you don’t need to invest in inventory upfront.
In this, you act as a middleman. You earn the profit on the difference between what the customer pays and the supplier’s charges. The best part is that you can reach customers worldwide and don’t handle shipping or inventory.
Dropshipping Model
Why Start a Dropshipping Business in India?
India’s e-commerce market is booming and is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. With a huge population and the growth of online shopping, this is the best chance to do dropshipping.
Dropshipping in India is an affordable, easy way to start an eCommerce business. This offers huge opportunities for business owners. Dropshipping is an ideal way to explore the market, no matter which products you choose to sell. In this model, you sell products without the need to manage inventory or store goods. Also, your suppliers handle shipping and order fulfillment. Dropshipping is a low-risk, simple way for Indian entrepreneurs to enter eCommerce.
Step-by-Step Guide to how to start Dropshipping Business in India
Starting a dropshipping business in India is a simple way to sell online. It does not need to keep inventory. You don’t need a big investment, and it’s easy to manage alongside a full-time job. Let’s break it down step by step so you can start your own dropshipping business.
Step 1: Pick a product niche.
First, decide what kind of products you want to sell. Choose products that people want to buy, but that aren’t too competitive. This could be a difficult process to find the right products. You can use tools to find trendy products.
Google Trends:
AliExpress (India Shipping):
Social Media (Instagram/Facebook):
Step 2: Find reliable suppliers
Suppliers are the people who will ship the products to your customers. Finding best dropshipping suppliers india you can trust for quality and timely delivery is important. You can look for suppliers at:
- IndiaMART – for Indian suppliers
- AliExpress – for international suppliers
Check the product reviews and comments to make sure the product is good.
First, decide what kind of products you want to sell. Choose the best dropshipping products that people want to buy and that aren’t too competitive. Finding the right products could be a difficult process. You can use tools to find trendy products.
Google Trends:
AliExpress (India Shipping):
Social Media (Instagram/Facebook):
Step 3: Set Up Your Online Store
Now, create your online store. This is where customers will buy your products.
- Choose a platform: Create your online store using Shopify or WooCommerce. It’s easy and you can build it without any coding.
- Visit Shopify to make your online store.
Step 4: Set Up Payments
For payments, you need a payment gateway. In India, popular options are:
- Razorpay
- PayU
- CCAvenue
These allow customers to pay with credit cards, debit cards, UPI, and digital wallets.
Step 5: Add products and set prices.
Now, add the products that you want to sell. Remember to mention these things.
- Write clear descriptions of each product.
- Use high-quality images so customers can see what they’re buying.
- Set your prices. They must cover the supplier’s cost and shipping. You should also make a profit.
Step 6: Market Your Store
Once your store is ready, you need to let people know about it. Here are some ways to promote your store:
- SEO: Use the right keywords on your website to show up in Google Search results.
- Social Media: Promote your store on Instagram, Facebook, and other social platforms.
- Google Ads/Facebook Ads: Run paid ads to reach a larger audience quickly. This might drain your savings.
Step 7: Manage Orders and Customer Support
When a customer orders, it goes to your supplier. The supplier ships the product to the customer. Your job is to:
- Keep an eye on orders; ensure everything is delivered on time.
- Provide customer support: Answer customer questions or handle returns. You can offer support through email or social media.
how to start a dropshipping business in India for free?
There are many ways to start dropshipping for free, but it can take a lot of time and effort. As you know, hard work always pays off; even if you cannot do dropshipping for free, you can still learn many things.
But still, it is possible to do free dropshipping. Everything here needs skills; skills are going to work.
Step by Step guide to start a dropshipping business in India for free
Step 1: Find Trending Products
- Browse Instagram and TikTok: Look for trending products using hashtags like #trendingproducts.
- Check Meesho and IndiaMart. After finding trending items, search for suppliers there.
Step 2: Find a Good Supplier
- Choose reliable suppliers: Look for suppliers with good reviews and reliable delivery times.
- Negotiate: On platforms like Meesho, you can negotiate with suppliers. You can discuss prices and payment terms. This helps manage costs.
Step 3: Offer COD to Build Trust
- Cash on Delivery (COD): Indians trust COD, so offer it to attract more customers. It reassures buyers and builds credibility for your business.
Step 4: Create Engaging Content
- Product Demos: Post videos showing how your product works.
- Use reviews: Share customer testimonials to build trust.
- Stay active: Post regularly and use popular hashtags to grow your audience.
Step 5: Sell on Instagram
- Set up Instagram Shop: Enable direct purchases from your Instagram profile.
- Build trust: Respond to comments and share real reviews to create a trusted brand.
Step 6: Use Ecwid for free.
- Sign up on Ecwid: Create a free online store with Ecwid to start selling immediately.
- Learn the basics: Get comfortable managing orders and suppliers.
Step 7: Scale with Shopify
- Switch to Shopify: After you have consistent sales, consider it for a better store.
How do I find reliable suppliers for dropshipping in India?
Finding a legitimate supplier could be an effortful task. Fortunately, there are several platforms in India, some free and some paid, where you can find suppliers.
Qikink:
Shopify:
IndiaMART:
Baapstore:
Wholsalebox:
Meesho:
Spocket:
Printrove:
SaleHoo:
Seasonsway:
Whichever platform you use, you need to start your products research . Find the product you want to sell. Check its reviews and comments.
You can buy some products from a supplier. Use them to check their durability and reliability. This ensures product quality.
If the reviews are good and enough people have purchased products from that supplier. Visit that supplier and negotiate with the supplier about the products. Create good communication so you can buy products and pay for them in the future.
What is the minimum budget for dropshipping in India?
When starting a dropshipping business in India, the amount you need to invest can vary widely based on your knowledge, strategy, and the market you target. Here’s a breakdown:
Dropshipping Model
You don’t need to worry about inventory or shipping in this model. Most of your investment will go into ads, website hosting, and product testing.
Budget Breakdown:
- Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) for 15 Days: With a daily budget of ₹350 for 15 days, the total cost will be ₹5,250.
- Website Hosting: Premium hosting for your website will cost around ₹2,500 per month.
- Product Testing: Start with a minimum investment of ₹1,000–₹2,000 for testing different products.
Total Budget:
- Meta Ads: ₹5,250 (15 days of ads at ₹350/day)
- Website Hosting: ₹2,500 (for 1 month)
- Product Testing: ₹1,000–₹2,000
Total Minimum Budget: ₹8,750–₹9,750
Key Advice:
If you have a budget between ₹10,000–₹20,000, you can comfortably start dropshipping in India. However, if your budget is lower, it’s best to save money while gaining knowledge and experience. In the beginning, consider drop shipping as a side income, and once you become an expert, you can transition into doing it full-time.
Remember, success in dropshipping requires hard work, consistency, knowledge, and skills.