What Is Blind Dropshipping + Step-By-Step Guide To Start Today

Ever wondered how you can run a successful eCommerce store without ever touching the products? In this article, I dive into blind dropshipping, a business model that lets you sell items without holding inventory.

Imagine your customers receiving packages that look like they came directly from you, with no clue about the actual supplier.

Intrigued? Keep reading to discover how blind dropshipping can transform your online business and boost your profits.

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What Is Blind Dropshipping?

Blind dropshipping is a business model where you, the retailer, sell products without holding any inventory. Instead, when a customer places an order, you forward the order to a supplier who then ships the product directly to the customer.

Here’s the twist: the supplier’s information is kept hidden from the customer. The package appears to come directly from you, the retailer.

Have you ever watched a magician pull a rabbit out of a hat? You marvel at the trick, but you have no idea how it’s done. Blind dropshipping works similarly.

It’s a method where your customers receive their orders without knowing who the original supplier is, just like the audience sees the rabbit without understanding the magician’s secrets.

So, let’s learn more!

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How Does Blind Dropshipping Work?

Blind dropshipping means that the products you sell on your website appear to be sold and shipped by you, not by a wholesaler or another vendor. To do this, you list the items on your eCommerce site without any hint that you don’t keep the inventory yourself.

So, here’s how it works:

• You list items on your website as if you are the seller.
• When a customer places an order, you pay the wholesaler directly.
• The dropshipping company ships the product to your customer but uses a blind shipping method. This means the package looks like it came directly from you. In fact, the true supplier’s name and information are not included in the shipment, so your customer will never know who the actual supplier is.

Thus, let me explain it even better.

The supplier replaces their name with your company’s name on the bill of lading (BOL). Next, the BOL given to the consignee hides the supplier’s information. Finally, the BOL is handed to the carrier, and the product is shipped directly to your customer.

How To Start Blind Dropshipping? (My Approach)

In this article, I’ll guide you through starting your blind dropshipping business, from finding reliable suppliers to effective marketing strategies. Let’s dive in!

1. Pick Your Dropshipping Product

First off, when curating your product range, it’s essential to choose products that cater to your target customers’ needs and preferences. You want to offer a variety of items, including trending products and custom options.

To stay ahead, keep yourself updated with industry trends and understand your target market’s needs. So, for example, checking product demand using tools like Google Trends is a good start.

For example, if you’re interested in dropshipping vitamins and supplements like let’s say, protein powder, type in the keyword and see what’s trending.

If the demand looks steady or growing, you’re on the right track.

Also, using product research tools like Minea can help you discover lucrative products by monitoring social media ads. This way, you can find popular items with high demand and make informed decisions.

2. Find the Right Blind Dropshipping Supplier

Next up is choosing a reliable supplier who offers blind dropshipping services. This step is crucial as the right supplier will offer high-quality products, affordable prices, and quick shipping.

Therefore, I suggest you to pay attention to customer service because you need a supplier who is responsive and helpful. Also, good customer service ensures a smooth partnership.

Additionally, check the supplier’s return policy to make sure they offer a hassle-free return process, which builds customer trust. Remember, customers do not know that it is not you behind the shipping and producing goods.

Therefore, to find the best suppliers, I suggest you explore directories like Dropshipping.com, which offers over 2,000 trustworthy suppliers.

Hence, I personally use the DSCOM supplier base, and I can customize my search based on my niche, location, shipping costs, and other factors to find the perfect fit for your business.

For example, since you want to start blind dropshipping, you can also think about working with white-label suppliers like Supliful which lets you choose your product, customize it, and personalize your packaging and branding.

Also, Printful is another great option for delivering custom products. Hence, with their easy-to-use mockup generator, you can customize your products as you want. You can choose your design, images, fonts, colors, etc.

3. Set Up Your Dropshipping Store

Alright, now it’s time to launch your store. Creating a user-friendly and visually appealing website is key. You want to make it easy for customers to navigate and find products.

So, showcase your products effectively by including detailed information like features, benefits, and usage instructions. High-quality photos and videos can also enhance the customer experience.

For instance, using Shopify as your platform is a great choice because it’s super user-friendly and offers a wide range of themes and customizable features.

Thus, this website builder lets you personalize your store using Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor, which makes it easy to create and modify your store.

Shopify also integrates with dropshipping apps, making automation a breeze. The Shopify Magic AI tool can help you create product descriptions, emails, and blog posts effortlessly.

However, what really made things easier for me was using the  AI-Generated Shopify Store service from Dropshipping.com.

For just $1, they use AI to perfectly set up your Shopify store. This includes filling it with top products in your niche and creating pages optimized for dropshipping profits.

The process is incredibly simple. You pick a niche, their AI builds your store with excellent products, and you’re ready to start selling.

4. Promote Your Business

With your store set up, it’s time to focus on promotion. Attracting customers and driving sales is crucial. Social media marketing is an effective strategy.

So, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are perfect for creating engaging content, running targeted ad campaigns, and interacting with potential customers.

Moreover, leveraging affiliate marketing can also be beneficial. So, partner with influencers or bloggers in your niche and provide them with unique affiliate codes or links so they can promote your products.

Creating engaging videos is another powerful technique. This way, you can show your products in action, explain their features, and highlight their benefits. Also, videos can effectively attract and inform potential customers.

Top 6 Blind Dropshipping Suppliers

1. AliExpress

AliExpress is a popular platform for dropshipping, offering a wide range of products. So, whether you’re looking for gadgets, clothes, home items, or accessories, you’ll find millions of options. It’s like a treasure trove full of goodies.

So, many suppliers on AliExpress offer blind dropshipping services, meaning they can ship products without including any invoices, promotional materials, or supplier details in the package.

For AliExpress, standard shipping usually takes 15 to 30 days, but it can sometimes take longer depending on the supplier’s shipping method and the countries involved.

If you need your items sooner, AliExpress offers Premium Shipping, which typically delivers within 7 to 15 working days. This is a great option for faster delivery.

👉 Read about Temu vs AliExpress: Which One Is Better For Dropshipping?

2. CJ Dropshipping

CJ Dropshipping provides extensive dropshipping services, including blind dropshipping. They offer warehousing, order fulfillment, and even custom packaging options. CJ Dropshipping also integrates well with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce.

CJ Dropshipping is a popular platform for several reasons. They fulfill over 1 million orders each month and have earned the trust of more than 300,000 registered users, including many Shopify merchants.

One standout feature is CjPacket, their own global logistics resource, which ships orders in just 1 to 2 weeks. This is at least a week faster than many competitors.

Additionally, CJ Dropshipping integrates seamlessly with Shopify, eBay, WooCommerce, and more, making it a versatile choice for various e-commerce needs.

3. Modalyst

Modalyst is known for its high-quality products from US and EU suppliers, and they offer blind dropshipping services.

They provide fast shipping times and have a wide variety of products, including fashion, electronics, and home goods.

Also, with the Modalyst app, you can add items with just one click, modify them extensively, and connect with a variety of top-notch dropshipping suppliers.

The platform’s direct connection to supplier inventories makes it easy to find suitable goods to offer in your store.

Additionally, Modalyst offers three pricing plans:

• Hobby: $0/month
• Start-Up: $35/month
• Pro: $90/month

👉 Read my comparison of Oberlo vs Modalyst Review – Which Is The Best Dropshipping App?

4. Printful

Printful specializes in print-on-demand products, which can be branded with your logo and designs. They also offer blind dropshipping, ensuring that no Printful branding appears on the packages sent to your customers.

Printful stands out with its built-in mockup generator, allowing you to review designs and start sales easily. They offer a wide range of customizable products, including apparel, accessories, home decor, and more.

Their high-quality printing methods, such as embroidery, direct-to-garment (DTG), and sublimation services, ensure your products look great.

Furthermore, you can integrate Printful with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy. They handle end-to-end fulfillment, taking care of printing, packaging, and direct shipping to your customers.

Also, with worldwide shipping, white-label options, and branding customization for packaging materials, Printful makes it easy to maintain your brand’s identity.

In terms of pricing, Printful uses a per-item pricing structure with an additional shipping fee. There are no minimum order requirements, making it easy for small businesses to get started.

 👉 Read about Print on Demand Dropshipping: Apliiq vs Printful – Which is Better?

5. Doba

Doba aggregates products from various suppliers, many of whom offer blind dropshipping services. This platform simplifies the process of finding and managing products from multiple suppliers in one place.

Doba offers a range of pricing plans, starting at $24.99 per month, and they also provide a 14-day free trial. Here’s a breakdown of their plans:

The Free Trial lasts for 14 days and costs nothing during this period. After the trial ends, it transitions to $24.99 per month.

• The Start-up Plan is priced at $24.99 per month.
• The Business Plan costs $49.99 per month.
• The Business Pro Plan is available for $174.99 per month.
• For the best value, the Enterprise Plan costs $299.99 per month.

6. Wholesale2B

Wholesale2B integrates with multiple eCommerce platforms and offers blind dropshipping. They provide access to millions of products across various categories and ensure that the supplier’s identity is kept confidential.

Also, with this supplier, you can dropship products on other platforms, such as:

• Your own Wholesale2B store
• Amazon
• eBay
• Shopify
• WooCommerce
• Magento
• BigCommerce
• Weebly

👉 Discover my Wholesale2b Review: Is It A Good Platform For Dropshipping.

Difference Between Blind Dropshipping and Dropshipping

It’s easy to mix up the terms ‘blind shipping’ and ‘dropshipping’. Let’s clarify the difference.

Dropshipping is a method where orders are shipped directly from the manufacturer to the customer. On the other hand, blind shipping means keeping the shipper’s identity hidden by removing supplier information before it reaches the customer.

Dropshipping is great for retailers who don’t want to store products. They simply pass customer order details to the manufacturer, who then ships the products directly to the customer.

The dropshipper earns a commission on each sale. Most dropshipped products are white-labeled, but dropshippers can also add their own branding.

💡 Learn How Does Dropshipping Work – Everything You Need To Know.

Blind shippers attract customers through web advertising. They might promote a product as their own, even if it’s re-labeled. This helps manufacturers boost sales without extra marketing costs.

Sometimes the manufacturer re-labels the product and adds a blind packing slip with the retailer’s information. Other times, a logistics company takes care of this process.

So, the key differences come in these aspects:

➡ Supplier Involvement

In dropshipping, the supplier’s details might be included in the packaging, invoices, or return addresses. Customers may know that the product is coming directly from a third-party supplier.

When it comes to blind dropshipping, the supplier remains anonymous to the end customer. The packaging, invoices, and return addresses do not disclose the supplier’s identity.

➡ Branding

When it comes to dropshipping, the supplier may include their branding or even send marketing materials with the product, making it clear that the item is from them.

On the other hand, with blind dropshipping, the product appears to come directly from the dropshipper’s store, not a third-party supplier. This helps maintain a consistent brand experience.

👉 Read about Branded Dropshipping: Best Tactics For Building A Strong Brand.

➡ Customer Experience

With dropshipping, customers might have a slightly disconnected experience if they receive products from various suppliers with different packaging and branding styles.

When it comes to blind dropshipping, the end customer gets a seamless experience that makes it appear as though the product came directly from the dropshipper’s business, enhancing the store’s brand image and credibility.

Benefits Of Blind Dropshipping

✅ Keep Your Supplier Hidden from Customers

When you dropship, it’s important that your customers feel like they are dealing directly with you, not with an unknown third party.

For instance, if your store is called ‘Cozy Home Essentials,’ your customers shouldn’t receive packages branded as ‘Home Supplies Co.’

Initially, they might be confused, but soon they will realize that their order was fulfilled by someone else. This can harm your long-term relationship with your customers.

✅ Hide the Actual Product Cost

If you don’t use blind dropshipping, your supplier might include an invoice in the package, revealing the actual price of the product.

For example, if you’re selling a luxury candle for $30, but the invoice shows it only cost you $10, your customers are likely to feel deceived. This makes them less likely to order from your store again.

✅ Ensure Customer Satisfaction

One major benefit of blind dropshipping is that your customers won’t be frustrated. Most customers will be happy as long as they receive a product that meets their expectations and arrives within the promised timeframe.

For instance, if you’re selling a high-quality water bottle for $25 with a 7-day delivery time, and it arrives on time in a plain package, your customers will likely be satisfied.

However, if they see promotional material from your supplier or an invoice showing a lower price, they might feel frustrated and misled.

Conclusion

Blind dropshipping is a powerful way to build a successful eCommerce business while keeping your suppliers hidden from customers.

It allows you to maintain your brand’s integrity, provide a seamless shopping experience, and manage your business without the hassle of inventory.

The key benefits include keeping the supplier hidden, hiding the actual product cost, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

In my opinion, blind dropshipping is a fantastic option for those looking to start an online store without heavy upfront investments.

However, before diving in, make sure to choose reliable suppliers who offer quality products and timely shipping.

Consider the importance of branding and how you can maintain a consistent brand image. Finally, ensure you have a solid marketing strategy to attract and retain customers.