Start dropshipping for free
What Are the Risks of Dropshipping & How to Avoid Them?
Author Picture
by
Martin -
Author Picture
CO-founder at Dropshipping.com
Martin is an agency owner and SaaS projects maker. His work is featured in the leading ecommerce brands, magazines and podcasts. Talks about Marketing, Business Development, and Growth Hacking!
Learn more about our editorial process
CO-founder at Dropshipping.com
13 minutes

What are the risks of dropshipping? Let’s find out.

More and more people are successfully using different strategies to broaden their income base. One of these strategies is the dropshipping business model.

Running a dropshipping business eliminates the huge overheads associated with investing in a traditional store and physical supplies. This is equivalent to minimal initial investment and less risk.

What’s more, operating online also throws your store open to customers from all over the world. And this gives you scope for considerable growth.

ArticleAIStoreDesktop

What Are The Risks Of Dropshipping?

Although dropshipping is known to be a low-risk business model when looking at its pros and cons, there is a certain amount of risk involved in it. This means that running a dropshipping business is not all roses.

First of all, let’s clarify something. There is no such thing as a business opportunity without risk.

To start out as a dropshipping entrepreneur, you need to consider the dropshipping risks involved and weigh them against the benefits. Also, you need to know how to avoid the risks.

Let’s get started!

πŸ‘‰ Check out What Are The Most Common Pitfalls and Mistakes In Dropshipping?

ArticleAIStoreDesktop
ArticleAutoDSMobile

Top 9 Dropshipping Risks To Consider When Starting Your Dropshipping Business

It seems undeniable that the majority of online store owners are risk-takers by nature.

However, with little to no experience under your belt, you are probably not totally aware of all the risks you must watch out for when committing yourself to business ownership.

Here are some of the most common dropshipping risks that you need to evaluate and minimize when starting a dropshipping business.

1. Intense Competition

Did you know that many dropshipping entrepreneurs are unsuccessful as dropshipping is a highly competitive industry? They think that dropshipping is easy money.

If you are one of those people, we are sad to say that it will be hard to get your dropshipping business off the ground due to the intense competition. This is one of the biggest risks of dropshipping. However, you can try to avoid it. Just read on…

How to minimize the risk:

β€’ Be unique. Sure, this is broad advice. But we will nudge you towards the right steps. You must do your best to be different from other online stores selling the same items.

Let me give an example. Many dropshippers sell, let’s say, smartphone accessories. Still, their stores are not the same. Some have poorly designed websites, low-quality photos, terrible product descriptions, no dropshipping apps, low-quality products, long shipping times, only a few payment gateways, etc., whereas others are quite the opposite.

So, you need to be unique and go further than your competition! Also, you should provide exceptional customer service for dropshipping stores.

β€’ Invest in marketing & advertising. To attract customers, your business must have a clear message. People like to know what you can do for them that nobody else can, and that’s how you will bring customers to you. Be creative and invest in digital marketing.

For instance, before I dive into any niche, checking out the competition for me is a crucial step. So, what I personally do is using keyword research tools like  Semrush, which provides comprehensive information on competitors and their top-performing keywords.

Not only that, but providing information about keyword difficulty speaks a lot whether this is a competitive market. Thus, if the keyword difficulty is low, so it is the competition. Let’s try this out for my next idea about dropshipping candles. πŸ‘‡

Based on this results, it is a green light for me to proceed.

πŸ’‘ Tip: Check out the 8 Most Profitable Niches With Low Competition For Dropshipping.

2. Low-Profit Margins

It is universally acknowledged that dropshipping profit margins are not very high. In fact, the average dropshipping profit margin is about 20%.

With dropshipping, you sell other people’s products and take a cut for yourself. You are actually a reseller, i.e., you sell premade items to your customers, meaning that the manufacturer and the dropshipping supplier have already built their profit margins in.

Furthermore, as I have already said, when you enter the dropshipping industry, your business will face high competition, and that is one of the common dropshipping risks.

As a result, when you add an item to your dropshipping store, you will have to ensure that your pricing is competitive in comparison to other stores selling the same item. And this may also contribute to lower profit margins.

How to minimize the risk:

Fortunately, there are several ways out there to increase your profit margins. But, now, we will focus on the most effective ones:

β€’ Increase your prices. Yeah, I know that this may sound counter-intuitive. But the truth is that the lowest prices aren’t always the best thing. So, try to elevate your brand and increase the perceived value of your products. Then, try to increase your prices a little bit.

β€’ Negotiate with your dropshipping suppliers. Another effective way to minimize this risk is to negotiate a better deal with your suppliers to get a bigger discount on your products.

What’s more, it is always a good idea to check on product’s profitability and potential sales before diving into. Therefore, you can use various tools like AutoDS, and check on product’s profitability by setting your filters.

For example, let’s take a glance at my product directory, where you can check on supplier prices vs market prices.  Thus, fitness products hold profit margins between 50% to 60%, and some of them are even higher.

Also, here’s a tip for beginners:

Also, are you just starting with dropshipping?

At the beginning, set your prices lower than your competition to get a foothold in the market and increase your sales. Once you’ve built up a good number of customers, you can slowly start to raise your prices.

Moreover, if you re ready to invest, high-ticket products are always the most profitable ones. Hence, imagine reselling luxury sneakers.

Thus, if you set a 20% profit margin, on a sneaker with $20 supplier prices, you will earn around $4. But, there are other expenses related, so maybe your earn will be $2 per pair.

Now, let’s say you are selling shoes with supplier price od 200. Thus, now you will earn $40 per pair. Thus, as you can se the hire the price, higher the profit.

3. Lack Of Control

In standard e-commerce, if a customer complains about fulfillment speed and product quality, you will be able to address the problem yourself because you have total control over the supply chain.

On the other hand, when operating a dropshipping business, you will be at the mercy of your suppliers β€” but you will be the one who will have to communicate with your customers directly. This means that you have no control over the supply chain and fulfillment pro.

As a dropshipper, you will have to contact your supplier and ask them to address the problem. At the same time, you will also have to reassure your customers about something that is out of your control. And this is also one of the biggest risks of dropshipping. But there is a way to minimize it.

How to minimize the risk:

β€’ Partner with trustworthy suppliers. You do not physically hold your dropshipping products. Still, you need to make sure that products get to your customers in the same way you advertised them. Therefore, it is imperative to find and work with trustworthy suppliers. Here are some of the best dropshipping suppliers – they are also the best alternatives to AliExpress for your dropshipping business.

β€’ Communicate with your suppliers. Be ready to ask your suppliers many questions about product quality, materials used, shipping methods, processing and shipping times, packaging, dropshipping refunds & returns, etc.

Thus, you can use an all-in-one dropshipping platforms in such case and have more control over things. And, AutoDS is a great example. Thus, here you can have full access to trustworthy suppliers, establish relationship with them, track your orders, inventory, shipping times, and all.

πŸ‘‰ Check out my AutoDS Review: Pros & Cons, Demo, Features and Pricing.

4. Scammers

Well, let me tell you this – dropshipping itself is not a scam. It is actually a legitimate business model.

The problem is that while engaging in your daily business activities, you can encounter various scammers, including dropshipping agents and suppliers. They may fool even the savvy dropshipper. Unfortunately, this is one of the risks of dropshipping.

So, you must stay vigilant when choosing new dropshipping partners to collaborate with. And do not just partner with any supplier you find on Google.

How to minimize the risk:

β€’ Use wholesale supplier directories to find suppliers. These directories list some of the best wholesalers and dropshipping suppliers in the industry. And all these suppliers are certified. Sure, you still need to do your own research to evaluate the reliability of each supplier.

β€’ Beware of any business that tells you profits will come with little or no work involved. Remember that any business that promises you that you will make a lot of money fast may not be legitimate. They may just want to hook you in and make you pay their upfront fees.

β€’ Avoid dropshipping suppliers or agents without all contact information clearly listed on their websites. It’s no more complicated than that!

For example, I never go in this step blindly. So, I personally use reliable supplier directories like Dropshipping.com to assist me in my suppliers research.

It offers a wide directory of more than 2000 dropshipping suppliers. You can organize the suppliers by category, niche, or use filters like shipping costs, location, and product prices.

Plus, you can get useful details about each supplier, including pricing, how long it takes to process orders, minimum order quantity (MOQ), where their warehouse is located, the variety of products they offer, and more.

The great thing? It doesn’t cost anything!

Additionally, you have the option to ask the Dropshipping.com team to get in touch with the suppliers on your behalf.

5. Sudden Stock Shortages

Dropshipping risks like sudden stock shortages are some of the most common problems dropshipping store owners have with their suppliers.

Simply imagine that your customers suddenly want to buy a certain item from your store, but your supplier has sold all of the supply that they have of that item. This will put you in a situation where you will be β€œout of stock” of that particular item, resulting in unhappy customers.

How to minimize the risk:

β€’ Ask the supplier upfront how much stock they usually have on hand. Perhaps this is the best solution to the problem. Also, ask them how fast they can have the right products in the right quantity on hand when inventory runs out.

β€’ Consider working with more than one supplier. Though this may add complexity to the supply chain, it can reduce the risk of running out of stock.

For instance, if you want to track your inventory and have more control over stock availability, I recommend you try Inventory Source. πŸ‘‡

6. Picking the Wrong Niche

Unfortunately, many dropshipping entrepreneurs take dropshipping risks like this and face failure by choosing the wrong niche. To avoid this, consider a few things when selecting a niche for your dropshipping business.

My advice: Avoid going for a niche that’s too broad.

Some entrepreneurs opt for broad niches, thinking it will attract a large market. However, the reality is that a more specific niche tends to work better.

By narrowing down your niche, you can identify your target audience and focus on meeting their specific needs.

Furthermore, when choosing a niche, you need to make sure it is in demand. Thus, you can use Google Trends, to check on customers interest over any particular product or niche.

So, let’s say I want to dropship wall art. Hence, I will simply, type in the keyword “wall art” on Google Trends, and check on results.

7. Choosing the Wrong Platform

Next, sometimes is healthy to take dropshipping risks, but not with this one! The dropshipping platform is crucial for running you business.

And, with numerous e-commerce platforms available, how do you choose the right one and avoid the wrong one?

Fortunately, there are essential features to look for when selecting an e-commerce platform. So, here’s my advice:

  • Opt for a platform that’s easy to navigate and user-friendly if you’re not tech-savvy.
  • Choose a platform with multiple payment gateways for processing payments.
  • Select a platform with flexible pricing that fits your budget.
  • Ensure that the chosen platform easily integrates all the necessary plugins for a smooth online shopping experience.

For instance, Shopify is a no.1 platform for me, because it has all of the above. It is user-friendly, it offers multiple payment methods, and you can start at only $32/month.

Moreover, the platform has excellent website builder with numerous customizable templates. And, it seamlessly integrates with various dropshipping apps.

So, you can make sure your business will be completely automated in its supply chain processes.

8. Lengthy Checkout Process

A lengthy and complex checkout process is also not-a-good one dropshipping risks. It can lead to customers abandoning their carts, posing challenges for dropshippers reliant on high sales volumes.

Additionally, poor website navigation can frustrate customers and lead to lost sales.

The reasons behind these issues include customer frustration, time consumption, and potential technical glitches.

To prevent such problems, focus on creating a simple and streamlined checkout process with fewer steps. Offer multiple payment options to enhance convenience for customers.

For example, Taylor Stitch checkout process is a great example of a single page process with a few easy steps. Check it out. πŸ‘‡

9. Neglecting a Proper Marketing Strategy

Intense competition is a significant challenge in dropshipping, making it crucial to have a proper marketing strategy.

Many dropshippers overlook the importance of a robust marketing plan, underestimating its significance in the industry.

Hence, developing a proper marketing strategy is essential to stand out and thrive amid tough competition.

However,here’s my advice:

Final thoughts on the risks of dropshipping

Dropshipping business failure happens when online store owners act too late.

So, as you are a new dropshipper, it is important to be aware of and avoid the risks of dropshipping to ensure that you are on the right track for success.

Luckily, you can minimize the chance of business failure if you take the above-mentioned simple, risk-reducing steps.

Also, learn how to start a dropshipping business the right way and do a few things before you launch your store

About the Author

Profile picture of Martin
Martin Stoimenov
Martin is an agency owner and SaaS projects maker. His work is featured in the leading ecommerce brands, magazines and podcasts. Talks about Marketing, Business Development, and Growth Hacking!