{"id":1184,"date":"2024-04-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/retail\/how-to-start-dropshipping\/"},"modified":"2025-05-22T13:11:43","modified_gmt":"2025-05-22T13:11:43","slug":"how-to-start-dropshipping","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/knowledge\/retail\/how-to-start-dropshipping\/","title":{"rendered":"How to start dropshipping \u2013 a beginner\u2019s guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dropshipping has become a popular business trend over the last few years, with people setting up online shops as a side hustle or a full-time job.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But is dropshipping an effective way of starting a business with limited investment? Read our guide for an overview of how dropshipping works, how to launch your own shop, plus the downsides and risks involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#how-does-dropshipping-work\">How does dropshipping work?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#how-to-start-a-dropshipping-business-in-4-steps\">How to start dropshipping in 4 steps<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#how-to-make-money-dropshipping\">How to make money dropshipping<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#revealed--the-pros-and-cons-of-dropshipping\">The pros and cons of dropshipping<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"#what-kind-of-insurance-do-dropshipping-businesses-need\">What insurance do dropshipping businesses need?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-does-dropshipping-work\">How does dropshipping work?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dropshipping is a type of business model that allows online retailers to sell products without owning them, storing them, or shipping them.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dropshippers can use a platform like Shopify or Amazon to sell products from a supplier. When a customer places an order through your shop, your supplier prepares and sends out the order on your behalf.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the online retailer, you set the retail price paid by the customer and pay the supplier the wholesale price of the product, allowing you to keep the rest as profit.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To run a successful dropshipping business you\u2019ll need to:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">choose popular products with a good profit margin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">work with a quality and reliable supplier<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">market your shop effectively to maximise orders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"871\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/DropshippingBusinessModel_Infographic_V3.1_MC.png?w=1024\" alt=\"Dropshipping business model explanation for small businesses\" class=\"wp-image-3213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/DropshippingBusinessModel_Infographic_V3.1_MC.png 1271w, https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/DropshippingBusinessModel_Infographic_V3.1_MC.png?resize=800,680 800w, https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/DropshippingBusinessModel_Infographic_V3.1_MC.png?resize=768,653 768w, https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/DropshippingBusinessModel_Infographic_V3.1_MC.png?resize=1024,871 1024w, https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/DropshippingBusinessModel_Infographic_V3.1_MC.png?resize=150,128 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-start-a-dropshipping-business-in-4-steps\">How to start a dropshipping business in 4 steps<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The idea of selling products without having to manage stock may appeal, so how do you get into dropshipping?<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can launch a dropshipping business fairly quickly and without having to invest too much of your own money. However, it\u2019ll be time-consuming and it\u2019s unlikely you\u2019ll see instant results.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below is an overview of the four main steps you need to take to get started.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-decide-on-your-product\">1. Decide on your product<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is one of the first and most important decisions you\u2019ll make. Ultimately, you\u2019ll need to choose the right products to sell if you want to be a successful dropshipper.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may want to pick a niche for your product, for example something to do with cycling, coffee, or chess.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A lot of dropshippers choose products related to animals, from toys for pets to clothing with animals on.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Launching a clothing brand is one of the most popular types of dropshipping. Sites like <a href=\"https:\/\/everpress.com\/creator-toolkit\/t-shirt-dropshipping-with-everpress\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Everpress<\/a> allow you to create your own t-shirt dropshipping business.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are 10 of the most popular products sold by dropshippers, according to Shopify:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">electric kitchen scales<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">insulated mugs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">yoga socks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">LED face masks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">organic baby clothing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">pet supplements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">blackout curtains<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">notepads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">air purifiers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">ring lights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019ve got some ideas about what to sell, you\u2019ll need to validate them. It\u2019s important to make sure that they\u2019re popular with consumers and have a big enough <a href=\"\/knowledge\/income\/how-to-calculate-profit-margin\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1422\" >profit margin<\/a> for you to make money.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some steps to help validate your product ideas include:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">browsing Shopify\u2019s trending products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">using Google Trends<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">checking dropshipping supplier order volumes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Related guides<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/marketing\/how-to-do-a-competitor-analysis\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1229\" >How to do a competitor analysis for your small business<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/strategy\/how-to-do-business-swot-analysis-template\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"944\" >What is SWOT analysis and how can it help your business strategy?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-pick-a-dropshipping-platform\">2. Pick a dropshipping platform<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dropshippers use an ecommerce platform to build their store and manage orders.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have the knowledge, you could <a href=\"\/knowledge\/starting-out\/how-to-create-a-business-website\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1424\" >build an ecommerce website<\/a> yourself. However, most dropshipping entrepreneurs use an established platform.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you receive an order, your ecommerce platform sends the details to your supplier which then fulfils the order for your customer.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The platform you use will need to integrate with your supplier, so it\u2019s important that you research both options around the same time.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most popular ecommerce platforms for dropshipping is Shopify. This is because you can use it to launch your own shop without needing web development or graphic design skills.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It also allows you to take an unlimited number of orders and stock an unlimited number of products.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some other well-known ecommerce platforms used by dropshippers include:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Volusion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Ecwid<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">BigCommerce<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Six<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Squarespace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also set up a dropshipping shop on well-known consumer sites such as:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/retail\/how-to-sell-on-etsy\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1141\" >Etsy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">eBay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/retail\/what-is-amazon-fba\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1573\" >Amazon<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you go down this route, be careful to make sure you\u2019re following their guidelines. Read our <a href=\"\/knowledge\/retail\/how-to-set-up-an-online-shop\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"985\" >ultimate guide to setting up an online shop<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"815\" height=\"549\" src=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/dropshipping-customer.jpg?w=815\" alt=\"Customer of dropshipping business opening a package\" class=\"wp-image-3214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/dropshipping-customer.jpg 815w, https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/dropshipping-customer.jpg?resize=800,539 800w, https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/dropshipping-customer.jpg?resize=768,517 768w, https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/05\/dropshipping-customer.jpg?resize=150,101 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>insta_photos\/stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-choose-your-supplier\">3. Choose your supplier<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alongside choosing your selling platform, you\u2019ll also need to choose a supplier. Most dropshippers use an online marketplace that gives them access to a huge range of products and suppliers.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, it\u2019s important to make sure the supplier marketplace you choose integrates with your ecommerce platform.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the most popular marketplaces for dropshippers include:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">AliExpress<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">DSers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">Avasam<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">SaleHoo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s an overview of their starting costs, benefits, and features at a glance:<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supplier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cost range<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Features<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AliExpress<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">5% to 8% commission<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buyer protection if items arrive late or not as described<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compare which products to sell using analysis tool<\/p>\n\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DSers<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Free up to $499 a month<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Process 100+ orders at once<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Automated pricing, shipping, and supplier messages<\/p>\n\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avasam<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Free up to $246 a month<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Automate shipping and order processing<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Integrates with major ecommerce platforms<\/p>\n\n<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Salehoo<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">$27 p\/m basic &#8211; $97 p\/m premium<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Access to trending products from AliExpress<\/p>\n\n<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Access to over 1,000 product suppliers<\/p>\n\n<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-key-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-dropshipping-supplier\">Key questions to ask when choosing a dropshipping supplier<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are some of the things you\u2019ll need to consider when choosing a supplier:<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Where are the products shipped from?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your supplier\u2019s products are shipped from China, you\u2019ll need to factor in longer delivery times and higher shipping costs. For example, ePacket shipping is a cheaper and faster way to get products from China to the UK.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. How does the marketplace\u2019s technology work?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A marketplace that integrates with your shopping platform is essential. But you\u2019ll also need to think about things like automation and inventory management. The bigger your shop gets, the more important the platform\u2019s technology will become.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Do the products and suppliers have a good reputation?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As well as working out whether the supplier marketplace has the right products for your shop and target audience, you\u2019ll need to do some research into its quality. Make sure you choose suppliers with good reviews for both the quality of their products and shipping.<\/p>\n\n<div id=\"nba-body-001\">\n<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-build-your-brand\">4. Build your brand<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019ve set up your store, the next step is promoting it to customers.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You could have a slick store, brilliant products, and an interesting brand, but if no one can find your online shop, you won\u2019t get any orders.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Building your brand will take a lot of time and effort. You\u2019ll need to consider how you\u2019ll make your store stand out in a crowded market. This could be visually, <a href=\"\/knowledge\/marketing\/what-is-tone-of-voice-in-business\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1120\" >how you speak to customers<\/a>, or the type of content you post.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also worth checking on your competitors when creating your marketing strategy to get an idea of what works with your target market and what doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lots of successful brands build loyalty through reward schemes or discount codes. Promoting these online can create a buzz and encourage repeat orders.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the most effective ways to build a dropshipping brand from scratch include:<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/marketing\/advantages-of-social-media-advertising\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1121\" ><strong>social media advertising<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 alongside organic posting (sharing content for free on your feed), putting advertising budget into Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok can help you to reach a wide and engaged audience. Think carefully about what you\u2019re going to promote and frequently analyse performance<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>SEO and content marketing<\/strong> \u2013 getting your shop to rank for key terms and phrases on Google can be highly effective. Make sure your content is helpful and written for consumers, rather than for the search engine<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>email marketing<\/strong> \u2013 if you can build a database of subscribers, sending them regular email communications can be a great way of generating business. Try not to oversell your products and consider personalisation to boost results<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read our <a href=\"\/knowledge\/marketing\/how-to-advertise-your-business\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1410\" >complete guide to marketing<\/a> for in-depth tips on how to build your brand.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-make-money-dropshipping\">How to make money dropshipping<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dropshipping is sometimes described as a <a href=\"\/knowledge\/income\/what-is-passive-income\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1581\" >passive income<\/a> stream. However, it takes a lot of work to build a shop that delivers consistent sales and income.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starting your own dropshipping business could cost up to \u00a31,000 (although it can be done for less). Most shop owners look for a profit margin of around 20 per cent.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The amount a dropshipper can earn varies significantly, depending on how long their shop has been running and the type of products they sell.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shopify estimates that new dropshipping businesses can generate between \u00a3850 and \u00a31,750 a month within the first 12 months. This is based on a workload of 10 to 15 hours a week spent building your business.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, Shopfiy also says that only 10 to 20 per cent of dropshipping businesses succeed in the long term.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-revealed-the-pros-and-cons-of-dropshipping\">Revealed \u2013 the pros and cons of dropshipping<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starting a dropshipping business can be lucrative but as we\u2019ve covered above, there\u2019s a lot to think about before you can start making money.<\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-advantages-of-dropshipping\">3 advantages of dropshipping<\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">you don\u2019t have to store stock or manage shipping of your products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">dropshipping has an unlimited income potential and can be a full-time job or <a href=\"\/resources\/running-a-side-business\/\">side hustle<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">it has low startup costs and the cost to maintain the business once it&#8217;s up and running can also be relatively low<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-disadvantages-of-dropshipping\">3 disadvantages of dropshipping<\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">it\u2019s a highly competitive market so it can be difficult to build an audience and get your shop noticed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">growing a dropshipping business takes a lot of time and effort<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\">dropshippers have limited control over the quality of their products, <a href=\"\/knowledge\/retail\/definition-of-supply-chain-management\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1090\" >supply chains<\/a>, and logistics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-kind-of-insurance-do-dropshipping-businesses-need\">What kind of insurance do dropshipping businesses need?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s important that dropshippers protect their business with <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/online-retailers-insurance\/\">online retailer insurance<\/a>. This type of cover usually includes:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/business-insurance\/product-liability-insurance\/\"><strong>product liability insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 in case your product causes injury or damage <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/business-insurance\/public-liability-insurance\/\"><strong>public liability insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 in case a claim is made against you by a third-party for injuries or property damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/business-insurance\/employers-liability-insurance\/\"><strong>employers\u2019 liability insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 in case an employee gets sick or injured while working for you<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/business-insurance\/business-legal-protection-insurance\/\"><strong>legal expenses insurance<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 in case your business has legal problems, such as an employee dispute or tax investigation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a dropshipper, one of your main concerns will be protecting items from being lost, stolen, or damaged during shipping.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most dropshipping platforms cover this risk with a buyer protection guarantee that allows consumers to get a refund. However, make sure you research this thoroughly before choosing a dropshipping platform and launching your business.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you start a dropshipping business, you\u2019ll also need to pay tax once you make a certain amount of money. Read our guides to <a href=\"\/knowledge\/business-tax\/self-employed-tax-changes\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1514\" >Self Assessment<\/a> and <a href=\"\/knowledge\/self-assessment\/tax-on-second-job\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1546\" >side hustle tax<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What are your tips for starting a dropshipping business? Let us know in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-useful-guides-for-small-business-owners\">Useful guides for small business owners<\/h3>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/marketing\/how-to-start-affiliate-marketing\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1451\" >How to make money from affiliate marketing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/funding\/small-business-grants\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1525\" >What types of small business grants are available in the UK?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/knowledge\/business-tax\/side-hustle-tax\/\" data-type=\"knowledge\" data-id=\"1038\" >Is work life balance possible when you have a side hustle?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-list-item\"><a href=\"\/business-insurance\/faq\/is-business-insurance-a-legal-requirement\/\">Is business insurance a legal requirement?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-azure-200-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94e519ba wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-ready-to-set-up-your-cover\">Ready to set up your cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">As one of the UK&#8217;s biggest <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"5152\" >business insurance<\/a> providers, we specialise in <a href=\"\/business-insurance\/public-liability-insurance\/\">public liability insurance<\/a> and protect more trades than anybody else. Why not take a look now and build a quick, tailored quote?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-a89b3969 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/quote.simplybusiness.co.uk\/business\">Start your quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Monkey Business\/stock.adobe.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n<div id=\"nba-body-end\">\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How does dropshipping work and how can you make money from it? Read on to find out everything you need to know about starting a dropshipping business.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3212,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"sb_hreflang":"","sb_hreflang_url":"","disable_breadcrumbs":false,"sb_breadcrumbs":[],"sb_reviewed_by":"","sb_review_date":"","sb_enable_content_gating":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[347,110],"hidden-category":[],"coauthors":[20],"class_list":["post-1184","knowledge","type-knowledge","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-retail","category-business-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to start dropshipping \u2013 a beginner\u2019s guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How does dropshipping work and how can you make money from it? 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