Are you aspiring to become an entrepreneur with an online business but feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of inventory management, sourcing supplies and stocking inventory? If your answer is “Yes,” then exploring the potential benefits of dropshipping companies in India might be the perfect solution for you to grow your business rapidly.
Dropshipping is a business model that allows you to sell products directly to customers without the need to maintain inventory. Instead, when a customer makes a purchase, the order is forwarded to a third-party supplier who handles the manufacturing, shipping and logistics.
These 3rd party options are commonly known as dropshipping services companies. The dropshipping market has expanded rapidly over the last few years as more Shopify and e-commerce firms have shifted to dropshipping. According to recent statistics, the global dropshipping market is expected to exceed $400 billion by 2030, with significant potential in India. So let’s understand more about dropshipping and how it works.
What is Dropshipping?
Dropshipping is an online order fulfillment method used in the eCommerce industry. In this, a business doesn’t need to keep the products it sells in its stock to store. Instead, it can purchase the items from a 3rd party vendor who directly supplies the requested order to the customer’s address.
Due to this, the seller never has to handle the products in its warehouse for delivery physically. This is one of the unique business models and is profitable for everyone.
Your first step to getting started on this business journey is to select a reliable dropshipping company. However, with a plethora of options available, it’s essential to carefully check which one aligns best with your business needs in terms of cost, reach, software capabilities, and more.
To make this entire process simpler, here are some of the most popular dropshipping companies in India that you can consider to choose from.
Top Dropshipping Companies in India to Grow Business Online
1. Oberlo by Shopify
Shopify is one the most popular eCommerce marketplaces and provides a unique platform to host your online store and resell products at affordable rates. The dropshipping feature of Shopify is backed by Oberlo. This further eliminates any upfront inventory costs. They have clear operations, profit potential, and robust support. Shopify is a preferred choice for dropshipping. It offers a 14-day free trial and its plans start at $29 per month.
2. IndiaMART
It was initially started as a simple B2B company. And later IndiaMART became a top-rated drop shipping company in India. It provides a range of categories & dropshipping products across different niches. IndiaMART operates on a pay-as-you-go model based on deliveries & services.
3. Meesho
Meesho is a homegrown social commerce platform and it helps millions of resellers and manufacturers across India to connect and grow together. Meesho works on a commission-based model and they have a strong anti-counterfeit policy. Meesho’s main objective is to help digital entrepreneurs and maintain product authenticity.
4. Wholesalebox
Specializing in wholesale dropshipping, Wholesalebox offers products at nearly wholesale prices. It focuses on niche market segments like women’s clothing and apparel. Registration is free, requiring only basic contact details to get started.
5. Seasonsway
Seasonsway partners with leading brands to offer affordable products for dropshipping. It provides end-to-end support, from storage to shipping, relieving sellers of inventory management stress.
6. SaleHoo
SaleHoo is another well-known online platform for Drop-shipping that is successfully fulfilling the online sellers’ requirements. They have over 8,000 vetted wholesale and dropship suppliers. It offers a range of products at competitive prices, along with 24/7 support and free training resources.
7. Baapstore
Baapstore simplifies dropshipping with a vast collection of over 70,000 products available at wholesale rates. Notable features include free delivery and shipment tracking, enhancing customer experience. Baapstore collaborates with multiple courier partners and allows selling across different channels without platform fees.
8. Printrove
Printrove offers a unique dropshipping service focused on custom artwork. As a print-on-demand platform, it handles printing, packaging, and shipping options. This helps the artists and brands to expand their product range effortlessly.
These dropshipping companies provide a convenient and hassle-free way to start an online business, offering flexibility and control over product sales and delivery processes. Choose a suitable supplier and turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Tips to Find Reliable Dropshipping Suppliers and Wholesalers:
The below-mentioned strategies and tips will help you find the right dropshipping suppliers and wholesalers for your business growth.
1. Differentiate Between Legitimate Wholesalers and Retailers:
Before you start your research process; it is important to identify genuine wholesale suppliers from retailers masquerading as wholesalers. It is because authentic wholesalers buy products directly from manufacturers and also provide competitive pricing. You need to be aware of ongoing fees and suppliers selling products at “wholesale prices” to the general public.
2. Contact the Manufacturer:
You can reach out to manufacturers of the products that you intend to sell to find legitimate wholesale distributors. Here, request a list of their authorized wholesalers. This helps in the direct sourcing of products.
3. Utilise Supplier Directories:
You can also explore reputable supplier directories within your niche. These are Worldwide Brands, SaleHoo, Doba, and Wholesale Central. Although some directories may require a fee, they also provide a convenient way to discover a range of suppliers.
4. Attend Trade Shows:
One can also participate in industry trade shows to connect with major manufacturers & wholesalers in the country. This is because trade shows help in providing valuable networking opportunities. It also allows you to research potential suppliers from a single location.
5. Use Oberlo or Similar Platforms:
You can use services like Oberlo to import products from suppliers directly into your online store. These platforms help in proper dropshipping business management. They provide unique features like real-time inventory updates and automated order fulfillment.
6. Conduct Google Searches with Keyword Modifiers:
You can perform Google searches using keyword modifiers. These are distributor, reseller, bulk, warehouse, supplier. This will further improve your search results and help you discover potential suppliers.
7. Order from Competitors:
Consider placing small test orders with competitors suspected of dropshipping. By examining the return address on the package, you can identify the original supplier.
8. Assess Supplier Qualities:
When evaluating potential dropshipping suppliers, look for key characteristics such as:
- Skilled Staff and Industry Focus: Suppliers with knowledgeable sales representatives familiar with their products and industry.
- Dedicated Support Representatives: Seek suppliers offering individual support representatives for seamless communication.
- Investment in Technology: Look for suppliers with advanced technology enabling real-time inventory updates and other beneficial features.
- Ability to Take Orders via Email: Choose suppliers that allow convenient order placement through email.
- Centrally Located: Consider suppliers located centrally to ensure faster delivery times and potentially lower shipping costs.
- Organized and Efficient: Test suppliers with small orders to evaluate their efficiency and order fulfillment processes.
Conclusion
At last, selecting the best drop shipping company in India is important for the success of your e-commerce business. The top dropshipping companies such as Meesho, Indiamart, and WholesaleBox provide customers with an extensive range of product catalogs, reliable delivery services, and robust technological integrations.
This makes them excellent choices for new-age online entrepreneurs. These platforms provide the necessary tools to properly run normal operations, manage inventory, and make timely deliveries. It allows you to focus on marketing and customer service.
Additionally, companies like Oberlo and Spocket offer global reach, connecting Indian businesses with international suppliers. As a result, they help in expanding your product range and customer base. Local players like TradeIndia and BaapStore take care of the niche markets and make sure that you can find unique products to differentiate your store from the competition.
When selecting a dropshipping partner, you need to consider factors like product variety, shipping times, customer service, and integration capabilities with your existing eCommerce platform. Using these services can help in maintaining you to reduce overhead costs, minimize the need for warehousing, and provide a risk-free unsold inventory.
You may also like...
How 3PLs Are Revolutionizing Last-Mile Delivery for eCommerce in 2024
A recent Economics Times report says that the demand for small warehouses within the city limits is going to rise in the coming years. This is...
read moreHow to Reduce Product Weight Discrepancies: 5 Essential Tips for E-Commerce
Accurate product weight is crucial for smooth shipping operations in the e-commerce industry. It is the basic metric that influences your shipping...
read moreMastering NDR Management: The Key to Reducing Failed Deliveries in eCommerce
What is NDR or Non-Delivery Report? In the Indian eCommerce market, NDR is also known as Non-Delivery Report and it is a common occurrence that...
read more