DropShipping

DropShipping is a sales formula whereby you can market products without physically having them in stock, by forwarding the order, once the sale has been concluded, to your supplier who will then send the parcel to the end customer.

What it is and why sell with DropShipping

Dropshipping is not a business model, as many believe, but rather a logistics model that allows the business to potentially make high profits due to the fact that it will almost exclusively cover variable costs. The process on which DropShipping is based is very simple: the customer makes a purchase on an online shop, the supplier of the online shop immediately receives the order and proceeds to send the product directly to the customer.

Usually, the packaging of the shipment is anonymous as it arrives from the supplier directly to the end customer who, despite having the tracking number, does not have to perceive the presence of a third-party supplier. Dropshipping, therefore, allows the e-commerce entrepreneur to sell a product via their website without physically having it in stock or even having a warehouse. The seller does not purchase the products he sells, but only acts as an intermediary between the buyer and the supplier.

Practical example of how Dropshipping works

Imagine that you run an online sports shop called 'SportShop'. You decide to sell running shoes without having to buy them in advance or store them in a warehouse.

Steps in the Dropshipping Process

1. Creation of the Online Shop
   • Create your 'SportShop' website and add various models of running shoes to the catalogue, complete with descriptions, pictures and prices.
2. Customer Place an Order
   • A customer visits your website and decides to buy a pair of running shoes. He completes the purchase and pays 100€.
3. Forwarding the Order to the Supplier
   • You receive the order and forward it to your dropshipping supplier, who sells the same shoes for 70€. At this time, you pay the supplier the wholesale price of the shoes.
4. Shipment to Final Customer
   • The supplier receives payment and order details. He prepares the parcel and ships the shoes directly to the customer with anonymous packaging or with your own branding, if offered by the supplier.
5. Shipment Confirmation
   • The supplier provides you with a tracking number, which you then communicate to the customer. The customer can then follow the shipment through to delivery.

Advantages

• Cost Reduction: You do not have to buy stock in advance, reducing financial risks.
• Logistical Simplicity: You do not need a warehouse or to manage shipments.
• Flexibility: You can easily add or remove products from your catalogue without inventory management problems.

Which CMS platforms are used for Dropshipping?

As already mentioned, dropshipping is not a business model, but a logistics model, so the same logic applies to any e-commerce shop:

• Small shop (up to 1,000 products): WordPress WooCommerce
• Medium-sized shop (up to 20,000 products): PrestaShop
• Medium-sized shop with sales beyond national borders: Magento

Can you have more than one dropshipping supplier?

Yes. Leonardo Network can synchronise multiple dropshipping catalogues on any e-commerce platform.

Can I mix products I physically have with products from dropshipping suppliers' catalogues?

Yes. All import scripts of the e-commerce platforms used by Leonardo Network, whether WooCommerce, PrestaShop or Magento, can handle stock and dropshipping products.

In addition to web development, do you also implement dropshipping suppliers?

We mainly deal with web development, but in some cases we can suggest and implement suppliers.

What are the prices of a dropshipping site?

Basically, prices are 10-15% higher than on traditional e-commerce sites. This is due to the implementation of the catalogue import script and possibly, if you wish to automate them, the order export script.

I already have an online e-commerce site, but I want to add a supplier in DropShipping, is that possible?

Yes, it is absolutely possible! Leonardo Network can integrate a supplier into DropShipping on any e-commerce platform you are using. Our team is experienced in the implementation and synchronisation of dropshipping catalogues, ensuring that new products are easily managed alongside those already on your site.

Final considerations on DropShipping

DropShipping allows you to start an e-commerce business with low upfront costs and focus on marketing and sales, leaving inventory and shipping management to the supplier. However, it is important to choose reliable suppliers to ensure product quality and timely shipments.

Contact us to request a quote (Tel. 0566 196 63 59WhatsApp 333 50 89 814), whether for a new dropshipping project or for servicing or customising an existing website.

Do you need a consultation, a quote, or more information?

Please fill in the contact form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.