21 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
21 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Business model advice please!

by pmac06
20 replies
  • ECOMMERCE
    • |
Hey everyone, first post here. I am new to the E-commerce scene and have some questions about a specific type of business model for drop shipping. I am planning on selling mid to high ticket products for already existing brands. My plan is to create an incredible looking website for whichever product I choose to focus on. Then reach out to already existing brands asking for their permission to sell their products on my site. Ideally they would handle the shipping and management of the products while I am simply the middle man for the transaction.

My question is, does anyone have experience with a similar business model or have any advice in general? I am currently in the process of designing my website but I am unsure of how to reach out to these brands.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance!
#advice #business #model
  • Profile picture of the author blairquane
    I haven't done what you're planning but I am interested to know how you plan to go to these brands and present your website to them... what is going to be on the website when you have no brands yet. You won't have anything to display.
    I don't know what brands you intend to approach but I can't see why they would want to work with you. Any established brand will be established online with their own website, branding, eCommerce store etc. You would need an established site with a sales reputation and traffic proof to even start talking to these brands, because it'll take a lot more than just an incredible looking website to convince them to work with you.
    Not trying to burst your bubble here, but its good to flesh this stuff out before you spend time and money creating you site for nothing.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720160].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Old Molases
      In total accord with what he said. Your reputation proceeds you, no brand would be interested in collaborating with you unless you have a decent traffic/stats on your site.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720192].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author pmac06
        Understandable.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720691].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author pmac06
      That makes sense.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720690].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author aliotrent
    Defining your site's purpose and strategy
    Researching the latest web design trends
    Choosing your platform
    Deciding on your branding
    Adding in and optimizing content
    Publishing your site
    Analyzing and improving along the way
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720168].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ChristopherAndreas
    Banned
    You should make your website brilliant and then only letters to your niche websites. Don't use spam or cold letters. It won't help, just make you a spammer. This is a long way, but you can do it!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720177].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author pmac06
      Thanks alot!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720689].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dave_hermansen
    It's the dropship model which we have focused on almost entirely for the past 2 decades and created several courses on, which are free.

    As far as some of the comments go, you don't necessarily need to sell anything that is viewable on your website when reaching out to brands. On more than one occasion, we have loaded up our site with all of the brands we want to carry before reaching out to those brands. When we make a call to a brand, we turn off that particular brand's products, so that it looks to them like we are already selling everything from their competitors and they are missing the boat.

    If we land that brand, we make their products visible again and then we contact the next brand, hiding their products before contacting them, etc. etc.
    Signature
    StoreCoach.com - FREE TRAINING - Learn How to Build Your Own eCommerce Website
    My PROVEN ecommerce process, as seen on: Fox Business News, the NY Times & Flippa
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720213].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author pmac06
      Thanks for the reassurance!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720686].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Artkantos
      Originally Posted by dave_hermansen View Post

      It's the dropship model which we have focused on almost entirely for the past 2 decades and created several courses on, which are free.

      As far as some of the comments go, you don't necessarily need to sell anything that is viewable on your website when reaching out to brands. On more than one occasion, we have loaded up our site with all of the brands we want to carry before reaching out to those brands. When we make a call to a brand, we turn off that particular brand's products, so that it looks to them like we are already selling everything from their competitors and they are missing the boat.

      If we land that brand, we make their products visible again and then we contact the next brand, hiding their products before contacting them, etc. etc.
      Interesting ^^ Where can I find those courses? Thanks
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11720698].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dewiclements
    In my opinion, choosing your platform is a key
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11723911].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Forum rules prevent me from directly adding

    But there's that lovely and descriptive signature.....
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Your comfort zone is where your dreams go to die.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11723935].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author dave_hermansen
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      But there's that lovely and descriptive signature.....
      What can I say? I don't make the rules. I just try to follow them.

      You know how things go on forums. You could have the most perfect article that answers a person's question exactly but if it is on your own website, it is forbidden.

      If forums existed 100 years ago and Einstein was a member, he wouldn't be allowed to link to his theory of relativity when someone asked about the time/space/gravity relationship.
      Signature
      StoreCoach.com - FREE TRAINING - Learn How to Build Your Own eCommerce Website
      My PROVEN ecommerce process, as seen on: Fox Business News, the NY Times & Flippa
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11725308].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
        Originally Posted by dave_hermansen View Post

        If forums existed 100 years ago and Einstein was a member, he wouldn't be allowed to link to his theory of relativity when someone asked about the time/space/gravity relationship.
        Something tells me he'd have been smart enough to get people to check out his sig.
        Signature


        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11725313].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author savidge4
          Originally Posted by Frank Donovan View Post

          Something tells me he'd have been smart enough to get people to check out his sig.
          He had lines painted on the road at Princeton, to get him to his house, his lab, and his class room... are you sure about that? HAHAHA
          Signature
          Success is an ACT not an idea
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11725361].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Leecool
    You can find much more dropshipping information on google. Plus, you don't have to resell branded products. Many dropshipping suppliers provide white-label products and you can build your own brand.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11725227].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Allison Garner
    Drop-shipping can be profitable to merchants. Drop-shipping is a low-risk business model that allows you to sell products to your customers without incurring any overhead/physical cost. You just need to make sure your marketing tactics are above par in order to make the business successful.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11725265].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Dave - my point was that you HAVE a clear, concise, descriptive signature...
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    Your comfort zone is where your dreams go to die.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11725352].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author henrymillers
    Hey! That's a solid plan you've got for your e-commerce venture. Selling mid to high-ticket products from existing brands is a smart move. So, about reaching out to brands - it's all about the pitch. Make it personal, you know? Craft a killer email introducing yourself, your idea, and why their products are the perfect fit for your site. Be genuine, show you've done your homework on their brand.

    And when it comes to the website, man, aesthetics matter. It's like a first date - make it look incredible! Brands will be more likely to jump on board if they see a polished, professional site.

    Oh, and one more thing, transparency is key. Let them know you want to be the middleman, and they handle the logistics. Most brands appreciate that.

    Good luck, dude! Let me know how it goes.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11777245].message }}

Trending Topics