Do you want to learn how to do dropshipping in Nigeria but don’t know where to start?
Are you struggling with launching your own Dropshipping business in Nigeria? Keep reading!
Dropshipping and e-commerce are hot topics these days, and it’s only getting hotter with each passing day. From the trendiest of blogs to the corporate e-commerce departments, you can’t seem to get away from the word dropshipping.
But how many people really know what dropshipping is? For those who are relatively new to the business, dropshipping can be quite an intimidating subject but that shouldn’t stop anyone from trying to pursue his or her dreams because if you can dream it, you can do it
That said, If you want to make some extra cash online, then dropshipping might be the perfect option for you.
It’s easy compared to most completely offline Businesses, convenient, and can even be lucrative – but how does it work?
In this article, we discuss how to do dropshipping in Nigeria, starting with the very first step to the last, more like from the basics and moving on to more advanced details that will help you get started right away.
So keep reading if you want to know more about what it takes to get started in this exciting business model
What Is Dropshipping By The Way?
Dropshipping is a kind of business strategy that allows you to sell things without ever having to store inventory rather your supplier delivers yours goods to the clients after you have a sake
Read the comprehensive guide on everything about Dropshipping business
So, quickly look at the steps to get started.
How To Do Dropshipping In Nigeria In 11 Simple Steps
This 10 simple but proven steps shows you how to do Dropshipping in Nigeria and excel at it.
#Step 1: Know The Different Types Of Dropshipping
The most common type of dropshipping is known as marketplace or store-based dropshipping.
This involves setting up a store, marketing it, finding a supplier and then buying goods directly from them (also known as buy-on-demand).
As you can imagine, in order to do that, you’ll need capital to invest in inventory, supplies and your website or store
However, another option is possible if you have fewer startup funds:
Sourcing products from wholesalers at cheaper prices than those available on websites. This way, your startup costs are smaller since you’re not buying directly from manufacturers but rather cheaper middlemen that sell to retailers.
You will still be responsible for shipping orders out to customers but with less money invested upfront, there’s less risk involved.
A final option is known as drop shipping direct – where you don’t even own an online shop; instead, all customer orders are fulfilled by third parties who ship directly to buyers.
This kind of dropshipping business model works best when selling physical items such as clothing and accessories. What’s more, you won’t need any stock so there’s no initial investment required at all!
The first step to knowing how to do dropshipping in Nigeria is knowing what you’re going up against. What’s more, figuring out your business model will help you better determine which method of dropshipping to use.
So these three approaches above are basically divided into two. The two main ways are: direct and indirect.
Each has its pros and cons, but neither is inherently better than the other. The choice simply depends on your preferences, goals, and what resources you have available to you.
#Step 2: Find A Reputable Supplier
When it comes to how to do dropshipping in Nigeria, you have to be very careful about who you’re buying from. Be sure to thoroughly vet your prospective wholesaler before agreeing to do business with them.
This is probably one of the most important and difficult parts of starting a dropshipping business. A good wholesaler will give you a list of products to sell, as well as provide pictures and product information.
Reputable suppliers are honest and transparent in their dealings and provide clear invoices that show all details about an order. If a supplier does not provide all of these things, don’t work with them.
Trust is a key part of doing successful dropshipping, so don’t take any chances when it comes to your supplier.
But how do you know what kind of companies are reliable? This is where your research comes in.
Make sure to look up reviews online; check out company websites, social media pages, and whatever else you can find. If at all possible, make sure to deal with individual people rather than companies; these may be harder to find, but it’s worth it when you get a business that sticks around for years rather than months or weeks.
Next thing you need to find out from a wholesaler: what shipping methods do they offer? Do they offer tracking numbers? Are there any hidden fees involved? How long does it take them to ship an order once they receive payment?
All of these things should be discussed before you start doing business with a new company. Also, ask about their return policy (if applicable).
#Step 3: Register On Online Marketplaces
Before you start promoting, or even listing your products on online marketplaces, you need to first register for an account.
There are many online marketplaces where you can register to sell your products. The primary benefit of doing so is to gain access to an already established audience.
There are different online marketplaces that cater to different types of products, such as art and crafts, fashion, electronics, office supplies, etc.
Some examples include Amazon MarketPlace, Shopify Marketplace, eBay, and Etsy. You might want to set up a separate account on each one so you don’t get confused with customers.
While most online marketplaces do have simple registration processes, certain ones will ask you to provide information such as names of directors, location of the business, and/or office address.
It is important that you are able to provide them with accurate details because they usually carry out verification procedures before listing your products on their platform.
This is normally done by checking if there is a registered physical address and valid contact number for your business before allowing you to register with them. If not, some may deny your application!
Sign up with an online marketplace like Alibaba to connect with Chinese suppliers. This is how you get your goods manufactured cheaply.
However, there are two caveats: you need to buy in bulk (which will reduce your cost per item) and be prepared for quality-control issues. If you’re selling smaller items that aren’t likely to be counterfeited, then there isn’t as much of a risk of bad quality control.
#Step 4: Narrow Down Your Product Range
Once you’ve decided on your niche, it’s time to think about what kind of products you want to offer. It’s one of the top tip if you want excel in how to do Dropshipping in Nigeria
You need enough variety that you don’t end up limiting yourself in terms of sales and traffic (this applies more if you are a generalist site), but not so much that you cannot create a well-curated collection.
It also helps if you stick with categories which have some crossover potential; for example, a sports/health & fitness site may be able to use some travel articles and vice versa.
Once again, there are plenty of ecommerce sites out there which do just one thing – usually clothing or specific accessories – very well.
But we always feel that specializing makes sense for entrepreneurs just starting out with their Dropshipping ventures. There is less competition in smaller niches, and you can gain better knowledge about a particular market as you grow.
The latter is particularly important because once you start generating significant revenue from your online store, every additional dollar will become crucial to future growth!
#Step 5: Plan Your Website Design:
Now that you know what type of product range you want to sell online, it’s time to consider how exactly those products will look on your website.
If they are digital goods like ebooks or music files then the design isn’t really an issue – but if they are physical items then things get trickier.
Firstly, do consider whether selling these items through an e-commerce platform is even necessary at all?
Depending on where you live, it might make more sense to open a separate storefront rather than go down the dropshipping route.
This could mean taking out a lease on retail space, hiring staff, and working longer hours – but if you believe in your brand then why would you want to limit its exposure by hiding behind someone else’s e-commerce site?
Secondly, do remember that customers expect high-quality images when shopping online nowadays. A smartphone camera is not going to cut it anymore- especially when dealing with expensive items such as electronics or fashion apparel.
So unless you are happy doing all of your own photography (which would take lots of time) then hiring a professional photographer might be a worthwhile investment.
Finally, while we are talking about visuals, don’t forget to include social media icons on your homepage. They are now standard practice and will help drive engagement with both existing and new followers across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
#Step 6: Consider Legalities
Since you’re dealing with potential customers and a service that people pay for, you need to consider how to handle money matters.
There are a few things you’ll want to look into if you haven’t already: taxation rules, intellectual property laws, and advertising regulations. You don’t want to risk legal trouble just because you weren’t aware of what laws applied to your business idea.
Since you’re dealing with potential customers and a service that people pay for, you need to consider how to handle money matters.
There are a few things you’ll want to look into if you haven’t already: taxation rules, intellectual property laws, and advertising regulations.
You don’t want to risk legal trouble just because you weren’t aware of what laws applied to your business idea.
This means researching laws, registering with local agencies and following regulations. You’ll also want to do everything possible to ensure that your customers can trust you.
One way of doing that is by offering guarantees. For example, if a customer purchases an item on your site but doesn’t receive it within 14 days of purchasing it, you can offer them a refund or reshipment without question.
By building trust in yourself and by taking every necessary step before launching, you can build long-term success while keeping yourself out of trouble.
#Step 6: Place Order With Distributor
Placing an order with a dropshipper is simple. Just contact them to let them know what you want, and provide them with your payment information.
Most of them will give you a brief description of their payment process and how much you will be expected to pay in fees.
Most retailers also have requirements that need to be met in order for them to drop ship for you, including past sales history and security deposits.
#Step 7: Get Shipping Supplies
There are a number of different shipping supplies you will need to get before you start your dropshipping business.
The most important ones include: packaging tape, labels, boxes, and more. These items can be picked up from any office supply store or bought in bulk online for cheap. You will also need to get a digital scale for weighing your products accurately.
This can be done at most department stores as well as Wal-Mart or Target. Even if you don’t plan on doing retail dropshipping right away it is important to weigh your products anyway because you never know when someone might want to buy wholesale instead of retail!
#Step 8 : Sort Out Payments
Another very important and sensitive step on how to do Dropshipping in Nigeria is to plan your payment model seriously.
Ensure your payment platform is secure. You can use Shopify Payments if you’re dropshipping on Shopify and focusing mainly on international audience
This payment provider will automatically refund customers who contact their credit card company to report unauthorized charges.
If you’re not using Shopify Payments, look for a payment provider that offers chargeback protection and dispute resolution, especially in your marketplaces.
Alternatively, look into PayPal Seller Protection if you’re selling directly on Facebook or another social network.
While many ecommerce stores accept credit cards, PayPal and other forms of digital payment, most are wary of making payment transactions with you. It’s a matter of trust; they don’t know you, so they may be afraid you will take their money and run.
This is especially true in Nigeria where fraud and internet scam is prevalent. So before going live, get some kind of payment processing set up.
Shopify has an easy integration tool for companies like Stripe and PayPal that can help you get set up quickly and start accepting payments through your online store immediately.
The great thing about these services is that it doesn’t require any special skills to use them – just sign up, create a merchant account, then connect them to your store and go from there!
#Step 9 : Start Marketing Your Products On Social Media
One great way to market your new business is to offer special deals and discounts for your followers on social media. This is a must have skill if you are learning how to do Dropshipping in Nigeria or anywhere else.
If you have a Facebook page, Instagram profile, or Twitter account with thousands of followers, leverage those numbers to get even more sales.
If you don’t have much of an audience yet, consider using paid promotion platforms such as Google AdWords or Facebook Ads to quickly build up a following.
For example, if you sell clothing items and accessories, offer people a little discount off their first purchase if they like or follow your brand’s Facebook page—or simply send them a direct message on Instagram or Twitter.
You can also try creating referral programs that give a cut of all future sales to current customers who get friends or family members hooked on your products.
However, remember that social media will only drive people to your store if you have an exciting page that is updated on a regular basis and have interesting updates.
You should also make use of hashtags in order to increase your exposure within social media and search engines.
Have your products on sale from time to time as well so that people will buy them at a discount instead of purchasing them at their full price and hence driving more traffic to your store. This can help increase conversions and sales tremendously!
You can also drive traffic with videos created using Camtasia or Screenflow.
#Step 10 : Start Selling And Invoicing Clients.
This is where your hard work pays off and the end point of learning how to do Dropshipping in Nigeria. Although there are many ways to sell products, such as through an online shop or a store-front, for dropshipping purposes you can simply invoice your client and then have them purchase directly from your supplier using a purchase order.
There are so many suppliers for most common items that finding one won’t be difficult; usually all you have to do is find one with reasonable prices and good customer service, order from them once or twice to check their product quality/customer service, and then make it clear to your clients that they will be invoicing you directly when they want to order something.
You can also offer free shipping if your supplier offers free shipping (many of them do). When it comes time to pay for orders, just tell your client how much they owe and let them know how long until you expect payment.
I would recommend setting up a separate bank account just for these transactions in case anything goes wrong (which rarely happens) but I realize not everyone has access to multiple bank accounts.
It may also be helpful to set up a PayPal account solely for accepting payments from clients if you don’t already have one. Despite Nigerians restrictions to receive money, there are ways to get around it
Conclusion
Dropshipping is one of the simplest methods for starting an online business. Huge capital is not required to start a dropshipping business.
If you’re not sure where to start or want to expand without taking on too much risk, it may appear to be a very enticing business plan.
However, before you get started, make sure you grasp the concept and how it works so you can start a profitable dropshipping business right away.
I hope my dropshipping in Nigeria piece was helpful in getting you started with this profitable business technique.