When it comes to making money online, one of the most popular ways to do so is through dropshipping.
What is Dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a business model that enables a company to operate without maintaining inventory, owning a warehouse to store their products, or even having to ship their products to their customers.
Which is the right dropshipping business model for me?
When it comes to making money online, one of the most popular ways to do so is through dropshipping. Dropshipping involves selling products without ever having to store or handle the inventory yourself. With dropshipping, you purchase products from a manufacturer or wholesaler and then have the items shipped directly to your customers.
When setting up your dropshipping business, you need to decide which third-party platforms you want to sell on. This article will compare Walmart to Amazon, eBay, and Shopify to help you determine which one is right for you.
Walmart
Walmart is one of the world’s biggest retail stores and it has a very large selection of products. You can easily set up your own dropshipping business with Walmart, however, the fees and restrictions are quite high. They require you to pay a monthly fee, have a minimum order quantity, and they have very strict shipping guidelines.
If you’re looking to pursue a dropshipping business with Walmart, you should be prepared to invest a considerable amount of time and money upfront.
eBay
eBay is one of the most popular third-party online marketplaces that offer dropshipping services. The fees for dropshipping on eBay are lower than those for Walmart, and there are fewer restrictions.
Like Walmart, eBay also has rules and regulations that you must abide by when dropshipping on the platform. Unlike Walmart, however, the rules aren’t as strict and it’s much easier to start selling on eBay.
This makes eBay a great option to start your dropshipping business.
Shopify
Shopify is an ecommerce platform that allows you to create an online store. With Shopify, you can create your own website and start selling products without ever having to purchase any inventory upfront.
Shopify makes it easy to get started but you will need to pay a monthly subscription fee, as well as transaction fees. There are also plenty of resources available to help you set up and manage your Shopify store.
Shopify is an excellent choice for those looking to launch a dropshipping business with minimal upfront costs.
Amazon
Amazon is an online marketplace that is one of the largest in the world. While Amazon does have a dropshipping program called FBA (Fulfillment By Amazon), there are quite a few restrictions when it comes to using it. Furthermore, you must be an Amazon seller in order to use FBA, which requires approval from Amazon itself.
What are the pros and cons of Dropshipping with Walmart, Amazon, eBay and Shopify?
Pros of Dropshipping with Walmart, Amazon, eBay and Shopify:
Walmart:
-Easy to get started: Walmart makes it easy for both established and new sellers to get up and running with their dropshipping platform.
-Low cost: Some items can be sold for as low as $3.
-Wide range of products: Walmart carries a huge inventory of products which makes it perfect for dropshipping.
-Free shipping: Most products sold through Walmart come with free 2-day shipping which can help sellers save time and money.
Amazon:
-Large customer base: Amazon has a large customer base which means more potential buyers for your dropshipping products.
-Quick delivery: Amazon’s FBA program allows dropship suppliers to send their products directly to Prime customers within one to two days.
-Prime eligibility: Products sold through Amazon are eligible for Amazon Prime and may be eligible for free shipping.
eBay:
-Global reach: eBay has customers from all over the world, so dropshippers can expand their reach to new countries and markets.
-Low set up costs: It costs nothing to set up eBay listings, so dropshippers can get up and running quickly.
-Variety of products: eBay carries a wide variety of new and used products which gives dropshippers more room to price competitively.
Shopify:
-Easy to use: Shopify makes it easy for entrepreneurs to create a beautiful website without needing to learn any coding skills.
-Self-hosting: Shopify allows dropshippers to host the website and store all customer information on their own platform.
-Customer support: Shopify provides full customer service and tech support for its users.
Cons of Dropshipping with Walmart, Amazon, eBay, and Shopify:
Walmart:
-Competition: With so many sellers on Walmart, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. This can lead to lower product prices and fewer sales.
-No branding: As a Marketplace seller on Walmart, it can be difficult to build a strong brand presence.
Amazon:
-Fees: Amazon’s fees can be quite high and may eat into dropshipping profits.
-Not personalized: Amazon is not the best platform for creating a personalized storefront or customer experience.
eBay:
-Competition: eBay can be quite competitive with many sellers selling the same or similar items.
-Not all items can be dropshipped: eBay does not allow dropshipping for certain items.
Shopify:
-Monthly Fees: Shopify requires sellers to pay a monthly fee for their service.
-Fees for third-party apps: Shopify also charges extra for certain third-party apps, such as inventory control software.
Conclusion
When deciding which third-party platform to use for dropshipping, it’s important to consider your budget, the types of products you’re selling, and the amount of time and effort you’re willing to invest in setting up and managing your business.
Walmart is a great option but the fees and restrictions are quite high, making it difficult for new entrepreneurs to get started. eBay and Shopify, on the other hand, both offer lower fees and fewer restrictions, making them better options for those just starting out.
In the end, the decision of which platform is right for you comes down to your personal preferences and needs. Do your research and consider all the factors mentioned above to make the best decision for your dropshipping business.
