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Low Capital? Learn How To Sell On Shopify Without Inventory

Want to learn how to sell on Shopify without inventory? We talked to a lot of experts to come up with the best solution: A Print-of-Demand Dropshipping Shop.

By Shubham AnandPublished 4 years ago 5 min read
Low Capital? Learn How To Sell On Shopify Without Inventory
Photo by Bench Accounting on Unsplash

Want to learn how to sell on Shopify without inventory and build a good source of passive income? We talked to experts to come up with the best solution for you.

The answer we found is to start a print-on-demand dropshipping shop.

POD Drop shipping is a way for individuals with little capital and no inventory to start an online store on platforms like Shopify.

It's also a fantastic place to start because a new hustler can offer a variety of things without having to own or manage inventory. And you can quickly learn the fundamentals of online selling by dabbling in this 3rd party fulfillment business before moving on to a larger, inventory-based one.

Below, we go in-depth into all facets of print-on-demand for Shopify, including whether it is legal, What are the benefits? How difficult is it? And how to start it effectively?

First: Is Dropshipping Illegal on Shopify?

It is reasonable to be concerned about legality while trying to figure out something complicated like "how to start a dropshipping business with no money." It is understandable for people to be wary of it, but it is simply a way to unite customers who want to buy a product with the manufacturers who make that thing.

It is used by the majority of the online shopping companies you're already familiar with. This includes well-known brands such as Amazon and Wayfair.

They don't have all of the things mentioned on their website in their warehouses, and they don't fulfill orders directly to clients. Instead, they're focusing on attracting new clients. Drop-shippers provide all the products to the customers.

In short, Print on Demand dropshipping is perfectly legal, and Shopify even encourages it by promoting integrated tools like Oberlo.

Here's a good video about this issue...

Why Print-on-Demand Dropshipping Is Perfect For Shopify

Let's discuss the advantages of Print on Demand for Shopify now.

First and foremost, it facilitates the creation of a brand image. How? Print-on-demand services, for example, are frequently white-labeled. This means you can mark the products and packages with your logo without worry. Your consumers can't tell whether the orders came from a third-party source when they receive them.

You can also experiment with POD as it also lets you take more risks with the designs you offer. You can easily add new designs to your store and test if your potential visitors like them or not. Because things are printed on-demand, you don't have to invest a lot of money in them and they might not sell. You can easily add new designs to your store and test whether or not your customers like them. And then you can easily delete a design from your store if it isn't as successful as you'd want.

Furthermore, because your POD partner handles the entire technical side of your business, including order fulfillment and shipping, you may save time on the technical side of running a business. You'll be able to focus more on the enjoyable aspects.

Is dropshipping easy?

Now, all said and done, is dropshipping easy? The answer is: not really. Well, let us explain.

Like any other business, dropshipping isn’t easy. It is just an innovative alternative solution for people who want to enter the e-commerce business without inventories. Thus, like any other business, this fulfillment model comes with inherent challenges. Some of them are:

Cut & Margins: First and foremost, even if things like POD, dropshipping, or free listings from Shopify appear to be a no-investment business, there are always hidden costs, if not on production and inventories, then on earnings directly. The marketplace will deduct a percentage of the sale price. The drop-shipper/wholesaler will get a part as well. Add in the returns and other expenses. So, your profit margins will be minimal until you start to see some success.

Competition: Every month, many hustlers try to learn how to start a dropshipping business with no money, so to stand out, you must take a strategic approach, focusing on unique marketing, promotion, and viral-able content. Why? Because of the low barrier to entry and the low cost of doing business, there will always be a slew of competitors. And the only way to differentiate yourself is to offer a unique design product.

Bad Reviews: Any business with a high return rate will suffer from bad reviews. And because you are the face of the Shopify shop in this business, you will be held responsible for the supplier's error. Moreover, it's a risk you have to handle because the shop's success is entirely based on its internet presence.

So, how to handle drop shipping returns and other problems effectively?

Straightforwardly An online shop's reputation is built on meeting strict delivery deadlines to stay competitive. When it comes to dropshipping, a seller must rely on a third party to carefully dispatch the items. However, because faults are unavoidable in any service, you must ensure that you do not rely on a single source.

When it comes to learning how to sell on Shopify without inventory, the most important thing for a beginner to learn is to start with a support system. Choosing at least two, if not more, partners not only secures your business up-time but also allows you to evaluate the providers in your specific areas. And it gives you peace of mind when you've severed ties with those who don't follow through on their promises.

What Companies Do Dropship On Shopify?

We at KnowSwiftly consulted with many pros in the field to figure out which three companies are time-tested in quality and performance and are perfect to start your print-on-demand business on Shopify.

PrintFul:

Printful offers to take care of your Print on Demand business on Shopify from start to finish, with their expert team handling all of the hard work for inventory, equipment, and shipping.

It currently has over 290 high-quality products ranging from apparel and accessories to homeware to help you get started with your eCommerce journey. You don't have to pay anything to begin; you just have to pay Printful once you sell a product.

Teelaunch:

They can deliver products all over the globe in as little as 3-6 business days, and at a lower cost than other Shopify POD providers. Customers can also use Teelaunch's customization tool to add their name or a photo to a product.

Since its inception in 2015, teelaunch has established over 170,000 POD production facilities. All of which are ensured to be of good quality and performance.

SPOD:

The SPOD order return rate is less than 1%, thanks to high-quality products and quick delivery. So you do not have to worry about unhappy consumers at your Shopify store.

Also, SPOD has earned a reputation for providing the fastest print-on-demand dropshipping in the United States and Europe, with manufacturing times of 48 hours or less. For your Shopify store, SPOD may be one of the best POD services.

Here is a behind the scene video I find...

Conclusion

So, we hope now you understand how to sell on Shopify without inventory. TLDR: Using the print-on-demand dropshipping approach, you can sell various interesting and creative products on Shopify even if you don't have inventory. Furthermore, dropshipping does not necessitate large capital inputs. On the contrary, all that is required is time, effort, and commitment.

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About the Creator

Shubham Anand

"Wisdom is knowing how little we know." So let's keep exploring.

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