Dropshipping is a method of selling products online that allows you to sell items for which you do not have any inventory. Instead, the company that makes the product will ship it directly to the customer when they place their order. In this article, you will learn the ins and outs of how to dropship supplements.
What is Supplement Dropshipping?
Supplement dropshipping is having a website that sells supplements while you work with a partner who becomes your inventory source. You can offer 3rd party brands or a private-label supplement company.
Dropshipping is not having to worry about stocking inventory or managing returns since customers receive everything directly from the manufacturer. The downside is that you’ll also be paying more than usual for inventory because of this lack of control over shipping costs.
What Types of Supplements Can You Dropship?
You can dropship every nutritional supplement category with the right partner, including vitamins, herbal products, fitness supplements, sports nutrition supplements, CBD products, and more.
You can even target animal lovers by dropshipping private-label pet supplements.
The Benefits of Drop Shipping Supplements
Dropshipping supplements is a business model that allows you to sell vitamins and other health products on your e-commerce store without having to stock them yourself. You advertise the products you want to sell and then send customers directly to the supplier’s website, where they can place their orders. A dropshipping partner does all the work related to shipping, handling returns and refunds, and providing customer service.
They’re Easy to Set Up
You won’t need special equipment or skill sets (beyond basic computer skills) to dropship supplements online. You only need a website hosted on a platform like Shopify or Squarespace.
They’re Scalable
You can start small with just a few dropshipping products and expand your selection as your audience grows.
They’re Easy-To-Manage
You don’t have to worry about packaging or shipping because your suppliers will do that for you!
They’re Inexpensive
Dropshipping supplements cost less than starting an actual store. Plus, there are no upfront costs involved with dropshipping.
There’s Less Risk
Dropshipping allows you to remove products without running clearance sales or disposing of expired inventory.
There are Less Operational Costs
When you work with a dropshipping partner, the operational costs, such as shipping, packaging materials, and label printing, are less.
How Much Can You Make Dropshipping Supplements?
The worldwide dietary supplements market was worth $151.9 billion in 2021, and experts predict an increase of 8.9% CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Depending on the size and age of your dropshipping business, you can make up to $9000 per month.
The Risks of Dropshipping Supplements
Dropshipping supplements can be a great way to grow your business quickly. You don’t have to store inventory, and you can focus on the marketing side of things. Jason Vaught from Better Body Sports says, “Going from stocking supplements to dropship supplements gave me the time to focus on content marketing and driving website traffic. The result was profitably exiting the business.”
But before you jump into this strategy, make sure you understand the risks of dropship supplements.
First, there’s quality control. When you dropship products from other companies, there’s not always a guarantee that the company follows safe manufacturing practices or tests for potency and purity.
At Dropified, we only work with NSF & CGMP-approved facilities who perform meet or exceed the FDA’s testing requirements.
Another risk is that your customers might not get what they ordered when buying through your site. It’s easy for someone else’s packaging to get mixed up with yours.
Dropified’s proprietary dropshipping software reduces this risk by generating specific item numbers for each product and every order. We build on-site technology and manage this technology for the supplement manufacturer.
Finally, at first glance, dropshipping supplements may not be as profitable. It’s standard for vendors to charge a per-order fee or require minimum purchase quantities before selling their products through third-party sites like yours.
At Dropified, we are transparent with our costs. You will quickly understand your costs for each order and receive an invoice that breaks down the minimal costs of shipping and processing.
Can You Lose Money From Dropshipping?
There are several reasons you could lose money in dropshipping. These could be due to the following:
- Long waiting and shipping times
- Refunds
- Returns
- Chargebacks
- Account closures
- Negative return-on-investment
- Unreliable dropshipping suppliers
- Lawsuits
How to Start Your Dropshipping Supplements Business
If you’re ready to start your own dropshipping supplements business, there are a few things to consider. The first thing is what supplements you want to sell. Do you want to focus on vitamins or protein powder, or do you like to offer various products?
Next, you’ll need to decide if you want to create your brand or if you’d rather have an established brand that already has customers. If you build your brand, it will be easier for you to start because there aren’t any restrictions on things like packaging. However, suppose there is already an established brand with loyal customers. In that case, it may be better for you because the company will provide the training and support for setting up your website and marketing strategy.
Insider Tips for Jump-Starting a Supplement Business?
One of the best ways to gain credibility in the fitness enthusiast industry is to become a Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist. Formal education in sports nutrition will help you market your products to an audience that increasingly relies on evidence-based information to make purchasing decisions.
Choose Your Niche
Don’t just sell any old supplements. Instead, focus on a specific group of people who need a particular supplement. For example, if you’re interested in weight loss supplements, target men and women who are beginning their journey toward weight loss or maintenance.
Set up an Online Store
You can use Shopify or another platform to create an online store selling products. If you’re not tech-savvy, hire someone who is. They’ll save you hours by setting up the store for you and allowing it to run smoothly without hiccups.
Choosing Your Dropship Supplier
Many dropship suppliers will allow new businesses like yours to advertise with them for free to attract customers worldwide.
Dropshipping eCommerce Platforms
If you’re looking to start your own dropshipping business, you might wonder which eCommerce platform will best meet your needs. You can learn about each of the ecommerce platforms in our complete guide to dropshipping.
What to Look For in a Supplement Dropshipping Partner
If you’re looking to start a dropshipping business, you’ll have to find a supplier first. You can either go with a manufacturer or a third-party drop-shipper. While both offer their benefits, there are key differences between them. Here are some things to consider when choosing between the two:
1. What products do they carry?
2. How much experience do they have?
3. Do they offer wholesale pricing?
4. Are they willing to work with me on my budget?
Here’s what we recommend looking for in a supplement dropshipping partner:
Quality Products
List quality products that will be attractive to your customers and sell well.
Good Customer Service
Customer service is essential because it helps build trust with new customers. Suppose you have questions about your order or need help finding something specific. In that case, someone who can help solve those problems promptly must be available.
A Reliable Shipping Partner
You don’t want your customers’ orders lost in transit or damaged when they arrive at their destination. Your drop shipper must have a reliable shipping partner with fast turnaround times and low rates.
An Easy-To-Use Interface
You want an easy-to-use interface to add products quickly and easily without coding.
How to Market Your Dropship Supplements
When marketing your dropship supplements, you can do a few things.
First, you need to have an excellent product that people want. People who don’t like what you’re selling won’t buy it, no matter how much money you spend on advertising. Make sure that the products you’re selling are high quality.
Next, consider where your target audience is online. It’s important to know where people who might be interested in your products hang out so that you can reach them with your ads and content.
Third, back any paid advertising with organic content. People may see one of your ads but miss the link or read an article or blog post about something else entirely.
Is There Any Product You Might Source Yourself Down the Line?
Yes, you will offer items to clients, establish your prices, and advertise your brand.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this guide to dropshipping supplements. We know it’s a lot to take in, but following these steps and performing research, you’ll be on your way to making money selling supplements online.
Thanks for another great post.