Is dropshipping profitable for beginners in 2021?

Before we arrive at the answer to the above question, let us first look into what exactly dropshipping is and analyze its pros and cons. 

In a dropshipping business, the seller has an online store where a customer can place orders for products. The seller then contacts the manufacturer/supplier, a retailer, a wholesaler, or a fulfillment house, which will deliver the products directly to the customer. So, the seller does not hold or store the products. The seller does not take care of the inventory or shipping of the products, and he/she can do dropshipping from anywhere if there is a stable Internet connection. Only a low investment is involved.

Many have seen success in this business, and many others have failed to do so. So, dropshipping is definitely not a “one-size-fits-all” business model. 

Many people wonder if starting a dropshipping business in 2021 is a good idea. It CAN BE a great idea because of the following reasons:

1. Lots of information available:

Many years ago, when people started a dropshipping business, they did not have access to proper information. But now, the scenario has seen a sea-change. If you just enter the word “dropshipping” in Google, you can access tons of instructional videos and guides for beginners and see the lists of all the promising dropshipping products. 

A lot of these materials and videos are available for free. So, you just have to put in some effort in reading them. The only thing you have to remember is not to get blown away by the ideas and suggestions of some dropshipping “gurus.” Many of them would tell you that anyone can start a dropshipping business in 2021, which is not true.

2. The COVID-19 scenario:

Because of the pandemic, a lot more people are shopping online. A large part of the population is now avoiding brick-and-mortar stores and ordering goods online. The ecommerce market is flourishing more than ever, and 2021 should be the ideal time to start your dropshipping business.

You will need a list of the products that people often buy (currently) and some uniqueness in the way you sell them online. You have to be aware that there is a lot of competition in this type of business. So, you have to attract customers to your website and find ways to retain them. Avoid copying the product descriptions from another website and try to sell your goods using unique marketing strategies.

3. Availability of numerous tools:

There are several tools and services readily available to boost your dropshipping business. Five years ago, ecommerce entrepreneurs did not have access to the add-ons that are specifically developed for dropshipping. Today, you can simply install a plugin on your website and revel in running your own business. 

The delivery times of goods have also become less. It would take weeks to deliver products to customers some years ago. These days, customers get their orders delivered quickly, right at their door-steps.

Thus, from the above discussion, we can conclude that dropshipping CAN BE profitable for beginners in 2021. You must have the right attitude and the right strategy to promote your business. Only with a lot of effort and time put into your dropshipping business you can reap the benefits. Any business might have to face issues and fail to provide a decent income during the initial stages. So, be aware of the limitations of the dropshipping business and come to a decision based on all the risk factors. 

The bottom line is, if you are ready to make dropshipping a “real business” and not some “quick way to make money,” go for dropshipping in 2021 (of course, after you think about all the risk factors in it).