The 20 Most Asked Dropshipping Questions in 2024: A Guide

A lot of people have dropshipping questions these days as they dive into starting their own online stores.

From picking the right platform to dealing with customers and finding products, there's a lot to learn.

This guide answers the 20 most common questions beginners have about dropshipping. It gives you simple, clear info to help you get started and succeed.

Are you ready? Let's begin!

1. What is the best platform for creating a dropshipping store?

Shopify is widely considered to be the best platform for creating a dropshipping store.

One of the key reasons for its popularity is its seamless integration with many dropshipping apps and suppliers. These allow you to easily add and ship products!

Additionally, Shopify offers an interface that even beginners can easily use.

You'll be able to create a professional-looking online store without needing to learn complex web design or coding.

Shopify also shines in customer support. They offer 24/7 customer service through chat, email, and phone, so you can get help whenever you encounter problems or have questions about your store.

Sounds great, right?

Tip: Have you already created your Shopify account? If not, sign up by clicking this link here to get a free 3-day trial + 1 month for $1!

While Shopify stands out, it's important to know there are other platforms available that might be better suited to your specific needs.

For more information, check out our article on the best ecommerce platforms for dropshipping!

2. Can dropshipping make me rich in 2024?

It's possible, but it does take a lot of time and effort. It's definitely not a get rich overnight type of thing.

Although some 'internet gurus' make it look like it is.

Spend your time building a store where you look first at what the customer wants and not what your pocket wants.

Do keep in mind that a lot of people are interested now in starting or growing a dropshipping store.

My tip for you is to be unique, and put your time into your store!

I say this because a lot of people that open a dropshipping store only do it for the money.

They use a default theme, import some products, and make some default advertisements (or worse: they copy them from other dropshipping stores).

You can beat them by putting your time and effort into your dropshipping store.

Lucky you though; there is a new way to upgrade your dropshipping store and be unique!

You can use the new Glorify app.

This tool will help you create beautiful and unique product images!

It will even help you with removing the background of your image. This way, you can make your product image as beautiful as you want.

I suggest going to their website to see all their features, or you can watch their video below:

Glorify 3.0 Promo - AI powered graphics & video creator for e-commerce & marketers

Are you interested in learning more about Glorify? Click here to see their current pricing.

3. How long does shipping take when you dropship from China?

When you're dropshipping from China, shipping usually takes about two to four weeks to reach your customer.

This might sound long, but trust me, there are plenty of reasons why people are okay with waiting that long!

Here's a great example to think about:

Would you wait 2-4 weeks for a regular sandwich maker you could buy at the store next door?

I don’t think so…

But what if it's a super special sandwich maker you've never seen before, and it comes in your favorite color? Would you mind waiting 2-4 weeks for that to show up at your door?

If you're thinking, "Wow, that's still a long shipping time," don't worry! I've got some resources for you:

• Check out my article on how to get faster delivery times when dropshipping.
• Or take a look at all the alternatives to AliExpress here.
• Learn some tricks to deal with these long shipping times (and even make them shorter)?

Here's a quick tip to get you started: Always try to use the fastest shipping method possible!

And if you're looking for suppliers with speedy shipping, don't miss my guide on the 11 Best Dropshipping Suppliers in China.

4. Who handles customer problems: you or your dropshipping supplier?

When it comes to customer issues, it's all on you.

Your dropshipping supplier does a lot behind the scenes一storing and shipping products 一but you're the face of your business.

It's your job to fix their problems and answer their questions!

But don't worry, this doesn't mean you're totally on your own. You'll still need to chat with your dropshipping suppliers sometimes. For example:

If your customer has a question regarding where their package is, you check the tracking information, but if you can't figure it out, you should contact your supplier.

This is why it's important to select the best supplier, not the cheapest.

You want someone who's quick to respond, not someone who leaves you hanging for a week.

And hey, if you're interested in learning more about customer service while dropshipping, then I suggest reading my other article here!

5. How do you handle refunds and returns when dropshipping?

Handling refunds and returns in dropshipping can be straightforward if you follow a few key steps.

First, see if it’s cheaper to let your customer keep the item and just send them a new one. This can save a lot of hassle.

If that’s not an option, have your customer return the item to your supplier. The main choice you’ll need to make is whether to cover the return shipping costs or not.

If you want more details on handling returns, you're in luck! Here are some helpful guides:

• How Do You Handle Print on Demand Returns in 2024?
• How Do You Handle Returns When Dropshipping From China?
• Dropshipping Returns & Refunds: Everything You Need to Know

Plus, you can check out this article here if you're interested in learning how to create a return policy for your store. (It contains a template!)

6. Can you start dropshipping without money?

No, you most likely need some money to start a dropshipping business, but knowing how to spend that money when you're just beginning with dropshipping will definitely help you save money!

The costs will all depend on your experience and what kind of plan you're going to follow.

Are you going to self-host your store, or are you going to use an ecommerce platform like Shopify? (You can see all the Shopify alternatives here.)

If you’re really on a super tight budget, I’ve written an article on how to create a free dropshipping store with WordPress. It’s a great option if you need to keep costs down.

For a deeper dive into this topic, read my full guide on starting a dropshipping store with minimal costs. It also includes all the expenses you might face and even things you can do for free!

• Complete Guide: Can You Start Dropshipping Without Money?

Understanding the potential costs can be tricky, so we’ve calculated and combined everything into one easy-to-follow article: How Much Does It Cost to Start an Online Store in 2024?

7. Do you know any dropshipping store examples in 2024?

Yes, I do!

I know a lot of them and I've included them all for you in a few easy-to-follow articles.

One of them currently includes 21 awesome dropshipping store examples! These articles include tips and insights from each store to help you learn from the best.

I hear you thinking, 'Can I get one example already?'

Yes, of course! It's a general dropshipping store named Inspire Uplift.

If you want to see more examples, here are some articles you should read:

• 7 Great General Dropshipping Store Examples
• 8 Best Spocket Dropshipping Store Examples for 2024
• 10 Pet Niche Dropshipping Store & Product Examples in 2024!
• 12 Branded Dropshipping Store Examples (Inspiration in 2024!)
• 5 Bad Dropshipping Store Examples & What They Can Improve
• 23 Most Successful Shopify Dropshipping Store Examples | Inspiration

You can find the rest of our dropshipping store examples here!

8. How do you know if a store is dropshipping?

This is another great dropshipping question that people ask when researching other online stores.

They are researching, but they don't know if a store is dropshipping or not.

One way to tell if a website is dropshipping is to look at the shipping information in their product description, FAQ page, or Shipping page.

If it takes more than two weeks to get delivered, that's a big indicator that the store is dropshipping.

Another clue is the product images. Most dropshippers just copy the images from their dropshipping supplier, like AliExpress.

These images usually have a white background and don't look very unique.

You can do a reverse image search on Google; if you find the same images on multiple sites, it's a good sign that the store is dropshipping.

Want to know more? I've got ten awesome tactics to help you figure out if an online (Shopify) store is dropshipping or not.

You can click here to learn all the tactics to be 95% sure if a store is dropshipping or not.

9. How do you get free traffic to your dropshipping store?

You don't need to spend any money on marketing when you're just beginning with dropshipping.

This is also great if you don't have any experience yet with marketing.

But do keep in mind that these free traffic tactics do cost time and effort. So, please don't give up!

There are many ways to get free traffic to your dropshipping store. Here are a few ideas:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Optimize your store so it ranks higher on search engines like Google.
• Create a blog or YouTube channel. Share useful content related to your products.
• Be present on social media. Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to reach your audience.
• Answer questions on niche forums. Engage with potential customers by being helpful and answering their questions.

For more details, click here to learn 8 amazing ways to get free traffic to your dropshipping store.

10. Are there other paid advertising methods besides Facebook for dropshipping?

Absolutely!

While Facebook Ads are popular, they're just the tip of the iceberg. There's a whole world of advertising options out there, and some might work even better for your store.

Let's break it down:

• Google Ads. Great for catching people who are already searching for your products.
• Instagram Ads. Perfect if your products are visually appealing.
• TikTok Ads. Awesome for reaching younger audiences.
• Pinterest Ads. Works wonders for home decor, fashion, and DIY products.
• YouTube Ads. Ideal if you can create engaging video content.

Each platform has its own strengths. For example, Google Ads might bring in customers who are ready to buy, while TikTok could help you go viral with trendy products.

Want to dive deeper? Check out my article on 14 different paid advertising methods for dropshipping. It'll open your eyes to all the possibilities out there.

And if you do want to start advertising with Facebook Ads, I suggest reading this complete Facebook Ads beginner's guide.

11. Do you need a paid theme for your dropshipping store to get sales?

No, you don't! But let's dig into this a bit more.

When you're just starting out, a free theme can work just fine. Here's why:

• Budget-friendly. When you're new, every dollar counts. You might want to save that cash for other things, like marketing or inventory.
• Learning the ropes. Free themes let you get comfortable with your store's setup without spending extra money.
• Focus on basics. In the beginning, it's more important to focus on product selection, pricing, and customer service than having a fancy design.
• Upgrade later. You can always switch to a paid theme once your store starts making money.

That said, paid themes do have some perks:

• They often look more professional.
• They might have extra features that make your store run smoother.
• Some are designed specifically for dropshipping.

But here's the thing: a great-looking store won't matter if no one sees it. Your money might be better spent on things that'll help grow your store, like ads or better product photos.

Want to learn more about why you don't need to splurge on a paid theme right away?

Check out my article that dives deeper into this topic. It'll help you make the best choice for your store and your wallet.

And since we're talking about themes, I'll just drop a few links below to help you choose free as well as paid themes:

• 10 Best WooCommerce Dropshipping Themes in 2024
• 9 Best Shopify Themes for Clothing in 2024 (Free & Paid)
• 9 Best Unique Shopify Themes (To Beat Your Competition)
• 12 Best Free Shopify Themes for Your Online Store in 2024
• 27 Best Shopify Themes for Your One-Product Store (2024)

12. Can you dropship copyrighted or trademarked products legally?

No, you cannot.

The only exception to this is that you get (or have) a license from the company that owns the product to officially sell the copyrighted product that you want to sell.

Yes, you might think this will be easy and quick money if you can sell stuff with someone else's logo on it, but what do you think is going to happen when these companies find out and pursue you in court?

Do you think that you will survive that?

Here is one example of Nike's Air Max shoes on AliExpress:

And you can see, there are some 1-star reviews of that product in the screenshot below:

If you're interested in seeing all the products that are best to be avoided when dropshipping, I suggest reading the article I've linked below:

13 Products You Should Avoid Dropshipping | Be Careful!

13. Should you write your own product descriptions or use supplier descriptions?

It's not a simple yes or no answer.

Writing your own product descriptions is definitely the way to go if you want to boost your sales.

Why?

Because good product descriptions can be the difference between a customer clicking 'buy now' or hitting the back button.

But when you're just starting out, this will take a lot of time if you want to do it perfectly for all your products.

That's why I suggest you make one to three products perfect (including their product descriptions). These are going to be the products that you're going to start testing with.

For the rest of your products, don't stress too much. A few solid sentences for each one is fine to start with.

This way, you're not overwhelming yourself and you can focus your energy where it matters most!

If you're using Shopify, take advantage of the built-in AI tool, Shopify Magic. Check out my article to learn how to write product descriptions on Shopify in both English and your native language.

You can also explore various AI copywriting tools to create product descriptions that highlights benefits, not just features.

14. How many products do you need before you can open your dropshipping store?

When you’re just beginning, I would suggest you import five to 20 products in your dropshipping store, but only really focus on one to three products at the same time.

These products are going to be the first products that you’re going to start advertising with.

The rest of these products are there to make your store look alive and real!

Want to know how to make those one to three products absolutely perfect? I've got a whole article that dives deep into this.

15. How do you find winning products for your dropshipping store?

This is one of the most asked questions that dropshippers have: 'What do I sell on my dropshipping store, and how do I find products that a lot of people want?'

In case you don't know what 'winning products' are: they are basically products that are selling well and could bring your dropshipping store to the next level. (Source)

You can click here to learn 15 awesome dropshipping product research methods!

If you don't want to do the product research yourself, I highly recommend you check out Sell The trend.

You can find my full review of Sell The Trend here, or you can click here to view the 17 best product research tools for dropshippers in 2024!

16. Will your customer find invoices and promotions from the supplier in the package?

This is a super common worry for new dropshippers. You don't want your customers getting stuff from your supplier that might confuse them or give away your business model.

One great way to deal with this is to leave a custom note with each AliExpress order that will automatically be written at the checkout:

DSers even provides a template to use for this note. Here it is:

I'm dropshipping. Please DO NOT put any invoices, QR codes, promotions or your brand name logo in the shipments. Please ship as soon as possible for repeat business. Thank you!

It's short but powerful.

It informs your AliExpress supplier that you're dropshipping and that there shouldn't be any invoices, QR codes, promotions, or brand logos in the packages.

It also lets your supplier know that you're planning to buy more products from them if they ship out the package fast.

17. How can AI tools improve your dropshipping business?

AI tools can significantly improve your dropshipping store in many ways!

Firstly, they can generate compelling product descriptions that highlight benefits. Then, you have AI-powered chatbots that can provide 24/7 customer support.

Personalization is another big win. AI analyzes customer behavior to offer tailored product recommendations.

It also optimizes your pricing by analyzing market trends and competitor prices.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. To know more, check out the articles below to discover AI tools (both free and paid) to help you automate or optimize tasks for your dropshipping store:

• 16 Best Dropshipping AI Tools in 2024 (Free & Paid)
• The 15 Best AI Tools for Shopify in 2024 (Free & Paid)
• 8 Best Print on Demand AI Tools in 2024 (Free & Paid)
• 20 Shopify Flow Examples for Every Shopify Seller (2024)
• Automated Dropshipping: Optimize Your Business Correctly

18. Do suppliers sell to the general public?

Some do, some don't.

If a supplier sells to the general public, this can lead to increased competition, as you'll be competing directly with your supplier.

This might result in price wars and reduced profit margins for your store.

On the other hand, suppliers who sell exclusively to businesses often offer better pricing and exclusive products, which gives you a competitive advantage.

Plus, if customers can purchase directly from the supplier, it may affect their trust in your business and question the value you provide.

That's why you must check if a supplier sells to the general public.

How?

Well, check the supplier's website to see if they have a retail section or offer products for individual purchase.

You can also directly ask the supplier if they sell to the general public.

Also, suppliers that cater exclusively to businesses often have a dedicated wholesale section, requiring business verification for access.

And if you're using any dropshipping platform like Spocket or Syncee, you’ll likely meet suppliers who sell exclusively to sellers.

19. Do suppliers have minimum order requirements?

Typically, dropshipping suppliers do not have minimum order requirements. This is one of the key benefits of the dropshipping model.

Since you only purchase products after making a sale, there's no need to buy in bulk or meet a minimum order threshold.

However, you should verify this with each supplier, as policies can vary.

Some suppliers may have minimum requirements for specific products or during peak seasons.

Always check the terms and conditions of your chosen suppliers to ensure their policies align with your business needs.

20. Why do dropshipping businesses fail?

I personally know a few dropshippers who have failed (but learned from their mistakes).

One of them had poor customer service. If customer service isn't up to par, negative reviews and lost business can quickly follow.

Another chose a niche for their store just because they thought it would make money, without considering their interest in the niche.

Many dropshippers overlook the future and the hard work required before seeing success. For example, it might take a while before you see your first sale.

If you're not interested in your niche, this period will be really hard for you.

These are just a few reasons why dropshipping businesses fail.

I've written an article, 12 Reasons Why Most People Fail With Dropshipping in 2024 | Beat Them! where I list the reasons and explain how to avoid these pitfalls.

Dropshipping questions: Conclusion

That's the end! Those were 20 of the most asked dropshipping questions answered for you.

I hope one or more of these questions were (not anymore!) on your mind as well.

If you’re motivated now to get started with dropshipping, I suggest reading my complete guides below:

• Shopify Dropshipping: A 20-Step Guide to Starting Your Store
• AliExpress Dropshipping: A 20-Step Getting Started Guide (2024)

If you've got any more questions to ask about dropshipping or if I have missed any FAQs, let me know by commenting below or contacting me directly by pressing the 'Contact Us' button at the top!

Good luck with your dropshipping store!

Want to learn more about dropshipping?

Ready to move your dropshipping store to the next level? Check out the articles below:

• Do You Need a Business License to Sell on Shopify? (2024)
• How Can a Dropshipping Store Compete With Amazon in 2024?
• How Do You Manage a Dropshipping Store? (Know This in 2024)

Plus, don’t forget to check out our in-depth guide on how to start dropshipping here!