Why Are Top Competing Brands and Sellers Considering Dropship Programs
What is the most challenging part for a shopper after completing a purchase online? Waiting for the shipment to arrive.
The average customer is no longer happy paying the least for shipping or tracking his or her shipment in real-time. They want instant gratification after buying from any retail eCommerce platform.
Why do you need dropshipping?
It is no longer enough for the private label companies and sellers on eCommerce platforms to offer 48-hours assured delivery. You need a delivery solution that accommodates eCommerce integration, secure and effective EDI compliance, and vendor outreach. Research shows that an increasing number of retailers (close to 86%) want their suppliers to remain involved in dropship trends.
Is the dropship program you are considering legal?
Although quite a few sellers ask us this question, dropshipping is legal. There might be some confusion as to the responsibilities of the different steps since quite a few people are part of the process – the seller or store owner (you), the manufacturer, the eCommerce platform (Shopify or BigCommerce) and the customer.
Therefore, the compartmentalization of responsibilities can be ambiguous for the newbies. However, here are some critical questions, which can help you realize how to simplify dropship programs:
1. Do you have a registered trademark for your brand?
Trademarking your brand name is the first step towards protecting your brand. In the super-competitive landscape, you need to take care to protect your brand before jumping into a new venture.
2. Are you complying with anti-spam laws?
By dropshipping products, you will be collecting consumer emails. Ensure that your email marketing strategy is up-to-date and you are obeying anti-spam laws when sending them updates via email.
3. Are you taking enough care of your customer data?
With GDPR and CCPA, you need to be careful about storing and protecting consumer data. Ensure the complete safety of your database before you begin collecting sensitive customer information.
What features should you consider while choosing a platform?
With the rising trend of integrated dropship services, you might find it difficult to zero-in on a cloud-based vendor that offers a complete solution. In case you are here looking for the best dropship programs for your brand, here are the features you should focus on:
- Full integration with the eCommerce platform
- Secure and complete data tracking and reporting
- 24/7 engineer or expert support for your company
- Secure communication between the businesses (encrypted B2B channel)
- Streamlined and real-time view of the inventory
- Vendor outreach programs and features to facilitate the communication of particular necessities
- Easy-to-use and customizable dashboard depending on seller preferences
Dropshipping and eCommerce rely on similar platforms since their services are similar too. While choosing a platform for dropshipping, consider the market share of the eCommerce platform. If possible, go with a self-hosted platform. It might cost you more. Still, you will enjoy complete freedom in terms of store customization, a booming community of developers, full control of your platform, and access to additional plug-ins that will make your experience smoother.
