All Five, Always! Dropshipping Setup
LYNNIE VERSION
Would you like to read this article in more grown-up words, still easy to understand? Jump here.
Hi! I’m Lynnie! Today I’m telling you about dropshipping setup. Remember the five setup jobs from our setup checklist? Dropshipping is the way that ALWAYS needs all five. Every single one!
Why? Because you’re always the official seller. So delivery is your job too, even though you never touch the product.
Job 1: your offer
Your offer is the product you picked, how you show it, your price, and the whole shopping experience. From the first page people see, to the “thanks for your order!” email.
Other shops might sell the exact same product from the same helper. So what makes you special? Your new job for the product! Our value-added dropshipping article explains it.
Names, descriptions, pictures and how your shop feels are all yours to decide. Spend time here before you spend money on ads! Your own photos showing the new job are worth WAY more than copied helper pictures.
Job 2: a helper agreement
This one’s a must. No helper, no dropshipping! You might use a helper platform like Spocket, DSers or Zendrop. Or make a deal straight with a factory or a big seller.
Either way, it’s a real promise between you. It covers prices, delivery, returns, and if you can use their pictures and words.
Check these things
- What happens when something sells out?
- How do problems and returns work?
- How long does delivery REALLY take to each country?
- Can you use their pictures and words?
- Do they put their own logo in the box?
Job 3: rules pages
You’re the seller from your very first sale. So your shop needs a privacy page, terms, return and refund rules, and shipping rules. The shipping rules must show your helper’s REAL delivery times.
These pages protect you and your customers, and in most places they’re required by law. Tools like Termly or Shopify’s built-in page makers are a good start. But change the shipping and return parts to match your real helper, not some made-up text! And have a law expert check them.
Job 4: getting paid
Customers pay you directly, so you need a payment helper. Shopify Payments, Stripe and PayPal are the popular ones.
Job 5: shipping responsibility
You’ll never pack or mail a package. The helper does it. But for your customer, YOU are the one shipping. If a package is late, lost or squished, they come to you. Even if you say clearly that you use helpers!
Three oopsies
- Copied rules pages that promise delivery times your helper can’t keep.
- Ads before your offer is ready.
- No money saved for helper payments and refunds.
A story
A shop owner shows a stretchy silicone lid as a way to keep half-eaten fruit fresh. She starts a Shopify shop on a free trial, connects a helper and orders samples. She takes her own photos of lids on cut lemons and avocados. Yum!
She makes her rules pages, fixes them to match her helper’s real delivery times, and has them checked. She turns on payments and keeps a small cushion. Only then does she try a little ad test.
What’s next?
The next article compares dropshipping and print-on-demand. Very similar setups, very different added value! The whole module is in the book on our products page. Want a grown-up to help you set up? Go to our services page.
What grown-ups usually ask (and I answer)
Can I use a free trial for my shop?
Yes! Lots of shop tools have free trials to get ready first.
What do I need?
All five: your offer, a helper agreement, rules pages, payments and shipping responsibility.
What makes my offer special?
Your new job for the product, plus your own pictures and words.
Which rules pages do I need?
Privacy, terms, returns and refunds, and shipping.
Which payment helpers?
Shopify Payments, Stripe and PayPal.
Why is shipping always my job?
Because you’re the seller!
Will there be step-by-step lessons for each of the ten ways?
Maybe! If lots of people want them. Join the waitlist and you’ll know first.
Can I start dropshipping for free or almost free?
Lynnaider shows you ways that cost nothing, or very little. You’d be surprised! And a free robot helper called Lynnaider Compass helps you step by step.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and should not be regarded as legal, tax, or business advice. Pursuing an online business does not guarantee income; results depend on many factors including the business environment, individual effort, skills, and consistency. Some links on this site may allow Lynnaider to earn a commission at no additional cost to the reader.
