The straight truth about dropshipping

Hi all!
As a web developer who builds almost exclusively dropshipping stores, I recently found myself to reply to the same questions again and again...
So I would like to share few things with anyone who is seriously interested about dropshipping...

1. Dropshipping is NOT a get rich quick scheme!
Despite what many people think, you are NOT going to make few thousands of dollars in just a couple of months with the minimum or no effort.
YES, you can have a profit from first month, and YES, you can generate a decent (or even a considerable) income but NOT without effort! You should work, and work seriously to get results. How soon you will succeed is totally dependable to how prepared and committed you are.
It works exactly as every other legitimate job in the world!

2. Dropshipping is EASIER not EASY
Of course, it's way easier to run a shop when you don't have to pay rent, reserve stock, fulfill orders, worrying about packaging and shipping, or even get dressed to go to work!
But this doesn't mean that everything is automated and you don't have to worry at all.
You still have to find reliable suppliers, build a shop properly designed for conversions, promote this shop, convince your visitors to buy, and ultimately keep your clients happy.
If an item isn't delivered on time or it's defective or simply the client changed his mind, you are the one who should handle it.
In simple words, for your clients a dropshipping shop is still a shop. They don't care if the product is shipped from your warehouse or from your supplier's one. They care about what they buy and the support they get.

3. The best niche is the currently best selling niche.
WRONG! The best niche is the one you love most and you know best!
I think I made clear that you have to promote your shop and provide an excellent customer support.
To do this, you need to know your product as best as you can.
Selling car parts just because they sell good, while you don't even know what an alternator is, its like a fat dietitian... Nobody trust him! Fail is already in your doorstep.
"But I am willing to learn anything around my niche" you will say... I agree with this. As long as you get educated first and then start selling.
Believe me, if you try to learn while you sell, you will end up either working even more or to not be able to get/serve your clients or both.
Pick something you know well and love, find the right suppliers and you're halfway there.

4. Finding the right suppliers
It's more than crucial to find reliable suppliers.
Look for established businesses with experience with dropshipping and check the reviews of their existing clients.
Check their prices, any additional fees, subscription fees, shipping methods, times, and costs, accepted payment methods, dispatch time, products variety, stock updating frequency, integration, compatible e-commerce platforms, shipping location, customer service, refund policy, blind dropshipping, promotional materials.

5. Payment & Shipping are more tricky than you think
As a dropshipper you need to get paid fast. If your payments take 3-4 days to be cleared then your shipping time is extended accordingly. Plus, if the products you sell are very popular, they might not be available anymore and you might end up refunding the client.
Except, if you have already a "working capital". But if I remember well the point of dropshipping is to not being in need of a working capital or stock.
Choose your payment provider carefully and make sure that the chosen solution works for both, you and your clients.
Another thing you should know is that if you plan to sell through marketplaces, the most possible is to not get paid before you ship the product. But to ship you need to get paid first, right?
Shipping is another big issue.
If you want to succeed, you have to be very clear about your shipping costs and times. You should take special care that your shipping costs aren't intimidating and the shipping times are respected by your supplier. You should provide tracking numbers (this will help in cases of disputes too) and notify your clients about eventual custom fees.

6. Selling on marketplaces
Selling on Amazon or Ebay is very tempting and many of my clients started this way. They soon realized it's not as easy as it sounds. Besides of the payout issues, they had to work hard to gain visibility first and then trust. They put the same effort and money (if not more) that they would spend if they ran their own stand-alone shop.
Established sellers come always first in search results and you have to compete with them. If you know what to do it's possible but you might want to consider to invest your time, money, and efforts to your own eshop.
Last but not least, you have to consider the fees of each marketplace that come on top of your payment provider's fees. Selling through your own eshop you avoid this kind of fees.

7. Marketing & Ads
Marketing is vital for your sales. BUT marketing isn't just running few Facebook ads... It's about socializing, connecting with your audience, promoting products, building trust, and more... Product videos, quality content, memes, quotes, polls, contests will not only help you to do all these but also to boost your ads and make them even more meaningful for your target audience.
Regarding ads now...
Before starting an ads campaign you have to identify and understand the purpose of each type of ads and what's best for your case. If you are brand new, the best ads that you should run is to gain more followers, not to get traffic to your website. Traffic means nothing with no conversions and it's really hard to get conversion without building trust.
Please note: I am not saying it's impossible to get conversions if you are brand new! I say that it's harder and more expensive.
In any case, you have to target your audience carefully, create your graphics properly, pick the right words, and the most importantly, to set realistic goals and know what to expect.

8. The lowest price wins
WRONG! The best combination of price - quality - service is the winning one.
Think the grocery next door... The prices are higher but at the same time you get a more personalized service, it's more convenient for you, and at the most of the times the products are better.
You would buy anything just because it's cheap? I don't think so...
You would buy from an unknown seller without reviews a TV just because it's cheaper? I know I wouldn't...
Don't concentrate only on the price. Get the whole picture. Price your product correctly and make your clients to realize that it's worth it.

I think these are the most crucial points that you should consider before starting your dropshipping business.
I don't want to intimidate you but to make you realize that dropshipping isn't a magic formula for making money fast. If you are serious and you are willing to set up an actual business then dropshipping is for you. It's a very good way to work from home and generate a considerable income as long as you realize it's a real business whatever this means to you.