Top 5 mistakes to avoid when starting a dropshipping business

Dropshipping can be a tricky business, but it's not all doom and gloom. In fact, some of the mistakes that dropshippers make can be avoidable. Here are some of the dropshipping mishaps that you need to avoid:

Mistake #1: Choosing a niche that you know nothing about We get it, sometimes you just want to jump on the latest trend and start dropshipping without really understanding the products. But this can lead to some pretty embarrassing situations, like the time a dropshipper started selling yoga pants without realizing that they were see-through. Let's just say that their customers were not impressed.

Mistake #2: Partnering with unreliable suppliers It's important to do your research when it comes to suppliers, but sometimes even the most diligent dropshippers can get burned. Take the dropshipper who partnered with a supplier who promised fast shipping, only to find out that the supplier was based in a country with notoriously slow shipping times. Needless to say, their customers were not happy about waiting weeks (or even months) for their products to arrive.

Mistake #3: Neglecting your website design Your website is your storefront, so it's important to make a good first impression. But sometimes dropshippers neglect their website design, leading to some cringe-worthy moments. One dropshipper we know of had a website that looked like it was straight out of the 90s, complete with Comic Sans font and flashing GIFs. Needless to say, their customers didn't stick around for long.

Mistake #4: Ignoring customer complaints We get it, dealing with customer complaints can be a drag. But ignoring them is not the solution. One dropshipper we know of had a customer complain about a faulty product, but instead of addressing the issue, the dropshipper just blocked the customer on social media. Needless to say, that customer did not become a repeat customer.

Mistake #5: Underestimating shipping costs Shipping costs can add up quickly, but sometimes dropshippers don't account for them in their pricing. One dropshipper we know of had a product that was so heavy that the shipping costs actually exceeded the cost of the product itself. Needless to say, that was not a profitable venture.

Mistakes are costly, and could even cost you your store. By avoiding the top 5 mistakes that we've outlined in this article, you can set yourself up for success in the world of dropshipping. Just remember to do your research, prioritize customer service, and always double-check your website design (no flashing GIFs, please).