Dropshipping – If you’re a newbie to dropshipping but have yet to get into it, there’s plenty to learn before you set up your kids’ clothing business (and after, of course). The more you know about and prepare for the process, the better it may be moving forward, especially if you’re starting from scratch. Continue reading for beginner tips to help you utilize the popular dropshipping option to launch your kids’ clothing business.
Table of Contents
Narrow down the kids’ clothing you want to sell
It’s great that you’ve decided you love kids’ clothes enough to sell them via dropshipping. Still, it can be a good idea to narrow down the styles for the beginning stages of your business, like if you want to sell Bella + Canvas kids’ pullover sweatshirts instead of formal dresses. There’s a lot to learn, and offering fewer products can help you ease into it rather than jump in with dozens of different clothing pieces.
Do extensive research on the dropshipping process
Be aware of the seemingly-simple concept of dropshipping. Many parts make the process more complex than it initially comes across. As exhausting as it may seem, extensive research can be worth it.
Dropshipping isn’t some get-rich-quick scheme. Building success takes a lot of work, but doing research can be a great stepping stone to learning much more beyond the general concept.
Take a dropshipping course
Another part of your research for using dropshipping to launch your kids’ clothing business can be to take a dropshipping course. There are many online, so that you can take it from home, and the prices are reasonable. However, read the reviews to ensure you’re taking one that’s worth it for the sake of your business.
Expect difficulties in the beginning
Just because dropshipping seems easy doesn’t mean it is. As with any business and anything new you’re learning about, there are likely to be difficulties you’ll face as a beginner, such as when you get your first return request or your first not-so-nice customer. So take things one situation at a time with your kids’ clothing business, but prepare for possible future circumstances.
Talk to people who have done it before
Dropshipping isn’t a new concept, which means many have already done it. Even if you don’t know anyone personally who has, there are plenty of places to find dropshippers online to speak with, including on forums.
Feel free to ask questions about using dropshipping to launch your kids’ clothing business, but research first to see if you can pull up the answers before you post and ask in any forums. Chances are you’re not the first beginner who has had the questions you do, and you’re not going to be the last.
Avoid selling kids’ clothes you don’t have experience with
Although dropshipping doesn’t involve holding onto inventory, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see what the products are like before you start selling them. For example, it can be beneficial to order the same kids’ clothes you’re considering selling to evaluate the quality first-hand, allowing you to have a similar experience to what your customers would have.
Read the fine print
Only get involved with a supplier until you read all the fine print. You’re essentially getting into business with them, so doing your due diligence about everything from the fees to what happens if there’s a return of kids’ clothes is essential. In addition, you want to avoid finding out something in the future should a situation come up that you would have learned about in the beginning if you read the information readily available on their website.
Compare the costs involved to what you’re willing to spend
Suppliers typically have the various costs detailed on their website, but if you need help locating the information, ask ahead of time. Then, learn more about these costs, including fees, to see if you’re comfortable with everything.
Don’t jump into a business relationship with a supplier
Wait to jump into a business relationship with them immediately if you want to use one supplier or more (yes, you can have multiple). Remember, you have less control over the dropshipping process than if you were handling the products yourself, such as buying wholesale clothing and selling it in your brick-and-mortar shop, but what you have control over is what you take the time to research and learn. As exciting and reputable as a particular supplier may seem, put the work in to see what customers and other dropshippers say.
Determine where you’re comfortable selling products
You can only do dropshipping with a place to sell the kids’ clothing. So, just like you’re researching suppliers, do the same with where you plan to sell the clothes. Even if you’ve already used the site before in some capacity, it can be a whole different world when you’re using it to launch your kids’ clothing business.
If you want your kids’ clothing business to be successful and feel dropshipping can help you do that, treat it like it is: a significant part of your business. Once you feel confident that – as a beginner – you’ve learned enough to get started, you can move forward as you begin the following stages. As always, before launch, make sure you have all your legal paperwork and permits in order.
