How to Start Dropshipping for Free: 5 Detailed Steps

technologhy
Dec 25, 2022
10m
Anna Pham
How to Start Dropshipping for Free

How do you feel you have a successful product idea that you can sell quickly, but don't have the money to start a dropshipping business?

What if I told you that with the free dropshipping model, you can dropshipping without money? 

Yes, you heard right! 

The original idea of dropshipping was that there was no physical contact with the product you were selling.

Of course, today's shippers pay for all sorts of tools to make their business better. All that aside, the free dropshipping model is possible and real.

But, how to start dropshipping for free? Let's find out together!

Free Dropshipping: What Is It?

Fre dropshipping orders to consumers for no charge is known as free dropshipping. This is done without maintaining an inventory or ever having contact with the actual goods.

There are various dropshipping models available, some of which call for a particular upfront commitment (for example, if you buy in bulk and sell private label products). However, as a beginning, dropshipping can be started for free.

You must adhere to these three rules in order to drop ship without any money:

  • Never order in bulk, just single things after they have been bought;
  • Utilize a free dropshipping platform like AliExpress;
  • Utilize free platforms, tools, plugins, and services to build an online store, import products, fulfill orders, …

Let's proceed and examine in detail how to start dropshipping for free.

Advantages to dropshipping businesses

You won't need any money to start a profitable dropshipping business. However, running a dropshipping business demands dedication, focus, and time.

Why then create a free dropshipping store? Is the effort worthwhile? Anyone who requires convincing should be persuaded by a few compelling advantages. Let's look at a couple of them.

Proven dropshipping strategy

The dropshipping business model is not a flimsy start-up concept.

It's a sizable industry that has over the years enabled business owners to earn anything from thousands to millions of dollars.

According to experts, dropshipping companies will generate $196.78 billion in revenue in 2022. That confirms that this is a tried-and-true tactic that produces tangible outcomes.

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 1

Automating dropshipping is possible.

You'll have greater freedom and time management with an internet business you can automate. With a dropshipping model, you can encounter that.

Your eCommerce store will speak with your dropshipping supplier directly when you use dropshipping. The fulfillment is then handled entirely by your provider.

All you have to do is advertise your business and spend some time helping customers. You could even outsource certain areas of your business once your store starts generating revenue.

Many drop shippers enjoy time and leisure, which enables them to pursue other passions and lead fulfilled lives.

Dropshipping is productive

Running a company that isn't profitable is pointless.

Luckily, drop shipping has the potential to be quite lucrative.

Companies with dropshipping suppliers and in-demand products are more likely to generate greater profits than other online businesses in today's world of billions of online shoppers.

In actuality, successful dropshipping firms have the potential to generate 50% more revenue than conventional eCommerce enterprises.

How to Start Dropshipping for free 2

Dropshipping is really simple.

It won't be easy to launch your own dropshipping business. But it's still lot easier to do than setting up a physical store.

To start selling online, you don't need any specialized training or technical expertise. Dropshipping is a relatively simple method of product distribution to learn.

You may create a list of dropship suppliers, a working online store using the dropshipping concept, and a marketing plan in just a few hours of labor.

You may run a single internet store or several sites, each of which would sell dozens to hundreds of things. Because anyone can develop a dropshipping platform, the sky is the limit.

How to Start a Dropshipping Business for Free?

We really don't want to keep saying this again and again.

However, we want you to keep in mind that even if you may set up your dropshipping store for free, you will undoubtedly need to make financial investments in your company sooner or later.

We will now concentrate on how to start a Dropshipping Business for Free.

#1. Choose a niche and products.

It's not that easy to select your dropshipping niche and products. It is best to select goods with low to moderate levels of competition, high profit margins, and goods you are enthusiastic about.

Unfortunately, many great tools for finding dropshipping products that sell well are not available for free. But try not to be let down!

In 2022, there are numerous free methods for finding goods to dropship.

To find items to sell online without spending any money, follow these steps:

 Google Trends

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 3

A straightforward yet useful technique for finding a dropshipping niche and online products to sell is Google Trends. The best thing, though? Use of it is totally free.

This tool helps you examine the popularity of the top search questions on Google by taking into account a number of variables, such as time (weeks and years), location, and language.

In essence, it can assist you in determining whether a market is evergreen or trending.

We have published a thorough manual on using Google Trends for dropshipping. So, go ahead and read it.

 AliExpress Dropshipping Center

AliExpress developed this tool to assist dropshippers like you in finding profitable products for their shops. It is also cost-free to use.

And if dropshipping from AliExpress interests you, you might want to add this tool to your arsenal of product research resources.

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 4

#2. Identify a supplier

If you can't find a dropship provider, you can't start your dropshipping journey.

Finding a dropshipping supplier from which to purchase goods is important, but you also need to ensure the seller is authorized, reputable and trusted.

However, that procedure will be challenging, especially if you have a lot of money.

Of course, even if you have a limited budget, you can still discover a reliable supplier. Here's how to go about it:

Search on Google

You won't pay anything for a straightforward Google search. Still, it's a fantastic method to conduct some preliminary study.

If you want to dropship apparel, for instance, simply search "dropshipping clothing providers" into Google.

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 5

You'll be able to locate the ideal suppliers for your online corporation in the majority of circumstances. Just make sure the vendor you're willing to do business with is reputable.

Consult a free supplier database.

A list, i.e., a database, of suppliers makes up an online wholesale & dropshipping supplier directory. Typically, the information is arranged by sector, specialty, or product.

Additionally, the majority of directories use some sort of screening procedure to ensure that the supplier you wish to work with is reputable and authentic.

Some of the top dropshipping and wholesale supplier listings online charge for their services.

There are, however, certain internet directories that give you free access to their database of verified vendors. Dropshipping.com is one such listing.

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 6

#3. Establish your dropshipping website.

Create your dropshipping store right away. What does opening a dropshipping store actually mean, though?

In order to accept orders, you must design your store (including the site and graphics), add products, set up payment options, add checkout and shipping settings, purchase a domain, and launch your store.

No need to worry; we won't veer off subject with this sentence. We are aware that this article's goal is to show you how to start dropshipping for nothing.

Almost all eCommerce platforms provide free trials, as we've already mentioned.

That enables you to open your store with no financial outlay. The following are some of the most well-liked dropshipping platforms:

Shopify

A 14-day free trial is available from Shopify. Unlike many other platforms, this one lets you register without providing your credit card information.

This indicates that there aren't any additional fees or clauses like "if you neglect to terminate the free trial, you will be charged" when using Shopify.

Simply click the green "Start Free Trial" button in the top-right corner of the Shopify website to register for a free trial.

However, you will need to select one of the paid plans once the free trial is over. Just glance at the image below.

 WooCommerce

A great shopping cart plugin for WordPress is WooCommerce.

So that you may download, install, and use WooCommerce for free, you'll need a WordPress website.

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 7

Both WooCommerce and WordPress can be used for free.

Although utilizing WooCommerce to build up a dropshipping store may allow you to save money, you will still be required to pay fees like hosting and domain registration.

Software called WooCommerce is open-source. As a result, the costs that might be incurred can be altered.

In comparison to many other eCommerce platforms, you will also have more control over your spending.

#4. Make use of free dropshipping software

You can get all you require from a dropshipping software solution to manage and expand your store.

There are several software programs available for dropshipping. While some are free to use (and some even have free trials), others are not.

Additionally, some integrate right into eCommerce systems. Choose the appropriate free dropshipping software for your online business based on your chosen ecommerce platform.

Oberlo is closing down, which is important news! The top Oberlo alternatives are listed below. Check out our personal choice and begin selling with an all-in-one platform in 5 minutes.

For instance, if you are using the Shopify platform, Oberlo is a great dropshipping software option for you.

You can import products from AliExpress into your Shopify store and automate key procedures with its assistance. Also, a free trial is available.

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 8

#5. Utilize free (organic) marketing strategies to promote your business.

You must advertise your shop and your products no matter what you offer, which eCommerce platform you use, or where you sell.

As was already established, the best way to develop a successful dropshipping marketing strategy is to use both free and paid marketing techniques.

However, you can initially use free strategies.

The following are some of the best free marketing strategies to use in your dropshipping marketing plan:

SEO

The subject of search engine optimization, or SEO, is complicated. But if you want to boost organic traffic to your online store, you don't need to be an SEO expert.

Your primary marketing goal as a dropshipper should be to attract targeted website traffic to your store and turn that traffic into paying customers. You can accomplish it with an effective SEO strategy.

It will take time to see results from SEO, a free marketing strategy.

To rank higher in Google Search results, you can, however, optimize your dropshipping site around a number of specialized keywords by using an effective SEO approach.

Google Analytics

One of the best free SEO tools for monitoring and enhancing your site's performance is this one.

Additionally, it aids in improving your comprehension of website visitors so that you may use this knowledge to take appropriate action.

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 9
 Google AdWords Keyword Planner

Another free SEO tool is this one. However, it aids in obtaining suggestions for keywords associated with your goods or online shop, seeing how frequently a specific phrase is looked up in a month, determining how your keywords fit into other categories associated with your brand, etc.

How to Start Dropshipping for Free 10

Content marketing

One of the cornerstones of a successful content marketing approach is starting a blog.

When your online store has a fantastic blog (with relevant, educational content with the appropriate keywords), you can easily get organic visitors.

In other words, if your blog post appears highly in Google Search results, customers will visit your drop-shipping store.

Consider the case where your blog post ranks for the search term "Best winter boots for ladies."

If this is the case, it is likely that a lot of people will visit your online store. They'll all undoubtedly purchase some of your winter boots.

However, there is one consideration to make when starting a blog for your online shop. You shouldn't try to bully readers into buying something by trying to persuade them to do so in your blog entries.

Instead, you should try to spread educational material so that more people may make wise purchases.

Using social media

Want to be successful in a society where everything is tweeted, liked, and shared?

Then, you cannot just treat social media marketing for your dropshipping store as an afterthought.

Before you even launch your new dropshipping store, you must incorporate social media into everything you do.

Even better, you can use social media to advertise your business for free.

Therefore, before starting your business, it is a good idea to set up social media profiles like an Instagram account, a Twitter account, a Facebook page, etc.

Conclusion

Overall, free dropshipping is a great opportunity for beginner drop shippers to test their marketing and sales skills as well as a variety of items.

With your newfound knowledge of dropshipping for free, you can hopefully launch your own online store and begin looking for the right goods to sell.

We hope that our comprehensive how to start dropshipping for free has helped you get started. Once you identify your best seller, you can scale and invest right away. Start dropshipping now even if you have no money!