- The Shopify Ninja Masterclass, created by Kevin David, is a comprehensive course designed for individuals looking to start or scale their online dropshipping business using Shopify.
- The Oberlo 101 course is an online program designed for aspiring dropshippers, offering a comprehensive guide on how to run a successful online store.
- The eCom Inner-Circle course, created by Arie Scherson, is an online training program designed to teach the fundamentals of starting and running a successful dropshipping business.
Let me tell you, it’s like starting a new adventure! Imagine setting up a small online store where you don’t have to keep any products stocked.
Instead, when someone buys something from your shop, the product is sent directly from the supplier to your customer. It sounds pretty cool, right?
You don’t need a big warehouse or lots of money to start. But, like learning to ride a bike, it takes a bit of practice to get it right.
I’m here to explore this journey with you and show you how dropshipping can be a fun and exciting way to start your own business, even if you’re just starting out.
Let’s get into this together and see if dropshipping is as beginner-friendly as it sounds!
What is Dropshipping?
Dropshipping is a business model in which a retailer sells products to customers without actually stocking the items in their own warehouse.
Instead, the retailer partners with a supplier or manufacturer who stores and ships the products directly to the customer on the retailer’s behalf.
This means that the retailer does not have to worry about creating and maintaining an inventory, which can be a significant advantage for beginners who may not have the capital or experience to invest in a large inventory.
Is Dropshipping Easy for Beginners?
Yes, dropshipping is generally considered suitable for beginners for several reasons:
1. Low Startup Costs:
Unlike traditional retail, dropshipping doesn’t require a large upfront investment in inventory. You only purchase products from suppliers after your customers have bought them from your store.
2. Ease of Setting Up:
With platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce, setting up an online store is relatively straightforward, even for those with limited technical skills.
3. Risk Reduction:
Since you’re not buying inventory upfront, the financial risk is lower. You won’t be left with unsold stock if products don’t sell as expected.
4. Flexibility:
Dropshipping allows you to operate from anywhere with an internet connection. It’s a business model that’s flexible in terms of location and time commitment, which is appealing to beginners.
5. Learning Opportunity:
It offers a hands-on way to learn about e-commerce, online marketing, customer service, and supply chain management, which are valuable skills in the digital economy.
6. Access to a Wide Range of Products:
You can sell products from various niches without being limited by storage space or capital for inventory.
Challenges of Dropshipping:
1. High Competition:
Dropshipping is a popular business model, so competition can be fierce, especially in popular niches.
2. Dependence on Third-Party Suppliers:
Your brand reputation can be impacted by factors outside your control, such as supplier reliability and product quality.
3. Marketing and Customer Acquisition:
Successfully attracting and retaining customers usually requires effective digital marketing strategies and a clear understanding of your target audience.
4. Profit Margins:
Profit margins in dropshipping can be lower compared to other business models, so volume and efficient marketing are key to profitability.
5. Learning Curve:
There is a learning curve in understanding how to effectively run and market an online store, manage customer relationships, and handle logistics.
Which Course is Best For Dropshipping?
1) Oberlo 101
Course Introduction:
The Oberlo 101 course is an online program designed for aspiring dropshippers, offering a comprehensive guide on how to run a successful online store.
It covers various aspects of dropshipping, from the basics and product selection to marketing strategies and scaling a business.
The course is praised for its structured and systematic approach, providing insights and tips from experienced dropshippers. It’s suitable for both beginners and those with some e-commerce experience.
Oberlo 101 is the right course for all beginners, as you start right from the very basics. It covers basic topics like finding the right products for you, setting up your Facebook Ad, etc.
If you want a quick preview of the course, there is a 5-minute YouTube video by the course presenter itself. The video might help you get a better idea of the course and its entails.
Know Your Course Presenter:
This is a course on the Oberlo website, and the presenter is Jessica Guzik. She is an eCommerce mentor and business owner as well and she helps entrepreneurs with starting their own business and launching it successfully. Other than this, not much is known about her.
She presents the course in a very interactive manner and goes slow and steady while explaining the basics of drop shipping.
The Course Structure of Oberlo 101:
The course is divided into five modules, each focusing on a particular topic. Each module is divided into module topics; there is no fixed number of module topics per module.
- Oberlo 101 is a video series with over 40 lectures covering a range of topics essential for dropshipping success.
- The course is divided into several modules focusing on different aspects like product selection, store setup, marketing, and scaling.
- It provides a combination of theory and practice, with well-structured lesson summaries and additional resources.
Module 1 – Getting Started with Oberlo 101
This module helps you navigate the course. It gives you a brief idea about what to expect.
You are introduced to the concept of dropshipping, and the three basic business models are explained as well.
Module 2- Find Great Dropshipping Products To Sell
Once you have a basic idea about dropshipping, the second module helps you find the right products. Brainstorming assists you in finding the right probable product/products.
After deciding on the products to sell, finding trustworthy suppliers on AliExpress is made easy with Oberlo 101.
Module 3- Set Up Your Online Store
In this module, you learn to sign up on Shopify, and then you create a business name, so basically a brand.
You also learn to link Oberlo and Shopify and how you can add dropshipping products with Oberlo’s help. So basically, this module concentrates on building the foundation of your business.
Module 4- Launch Facebook Ads
So, in this module, they introduce you to Facebook ads.
They also explain how the whole concept of Facebook ads works and how you can create successful ads with the help of deciding your target audience and making eye-catching videos.
This module also teaches you to analyze the ads data and how you can achieve the most out of it to boost your sales.
Frankly speaking, this is a great module for those who are new to Facebook ads.
Module 5- Scale Your Business
You learn to accomplish your order, how you can track your shipping, and what you should do in a crisis. They also teach you to handle your refunds.
Pricing of Oberlo 101:
If you sign up right now, the course is free to all for a limited time. The usual course fee is $49.90.
This is a major advantage if you just want basic knowledge about dropshipping and are not ready to invest hundreds of dollars in a course at the moment.
The three types of plans available in Oberlo include:
1. Oberlo Starter Plan- $4.90 per month
2. Oberlo Basic Plan- $29.90 per month
3. Oberlo Pro Plan- $79.90 per month
Pros & Cons of Oberlo 101:
Pros
- It is a well-designed course & is quite cheap.
- The presenter is quite interactive & explains the ideas well.
- They start from the basics.
- The course offers great value for money, especially as it has been made free.
- It’s beautifully designed, easy to navigate, and provides a positive learning environment.
- Strong emphasis on data analysis, particularly in the module on Facebook Advertising.
- Suitable for complete beginners, offering a foundational understanding of dropshipping.
Cons
- No inputs about other apps that can be used from the Shopify App Store to uplift your sales.
- No information on which ads to scale and which to kill.
- No information about Google ads or other platforms where you can run a campaign.
- The course heavily promotes the Oberlo app, which may influence the content.
- Some users reported confusion and a lack of clarity in certain areas.
- Criticisms include ineffective Facebook ads strategy, absence of training on sales funnels & more.
- Lack of comprehensive coverage on Google Ads, Instagram, Pinterest, & email marketing.
Summary of Oberlo 101:
In conclusion, Oberlo 101 is a worthwhile starting point for beginners in dropshipping, offering a broad overview of the business model and practical steps to start an online store.
However, for more advanced learners or those looking for in-depth training in specific areas like ad scaling and sales funnels, additional resources or courses may be necessary.
2) Shopify Ninja Masterclass
- Great for Ads/Product Selection Choice for Dropshipping Course For Beginners & Advanced
- Coach: Kevin David
- Price: $997
Course Introduction:
The Shopify Ninja Masterclass, created by Kevin David, is a comprehensive course designed for individuals looking to start or scale their online dropshipping business using Shopify.
The course is structured into five main modules, each covering different aspects of building and growing a Shopify store.
Best For: People who need a simple, straightforward, and highly actionable course.
Know Your Course Presenter:
Kevin David might be a bit too much for me, but he knows what he is doing.
This guy is a serial entrepreneur who has been successful in almost every sort of e-commerce business including Facebook ads management and Instagram ads, FBA (which stands for “Fulfillment by Amazon”), print-on-demand, and dropshipping.
I recommend this course to anyone who gets stuck thinking about things too much and want to get done with something.
He is a YouTube star. He has a lot of different courses about online business. You will see his face on the internet when you google “how to make money online as a beginner.”
The Course Structure of Shopify Ninja Masterclass:
Module 1 – Finding Hugely Profitable Products to Dropship on Shopify:
This module focuses on niche research, identifying profitable products, avoiding common mistakes by new dropshippers, and using tools like AliExpress for sourcing products.
Module 2 – World Class Dropshipping Suppliers:
The course covers how to find and negotiate with suppliers, manage import taxes, and handle shipping issues. It also includes strategies for getting the best prices and establishing good relationships with suppliers.
Module 3 – Shopify Store Setup/Optimization:
This module guides you through setting up a Shopify store, including selecting a domain, designing a logo, and optimizing the store for SEO and conversions. It also covers choosing themes and plugins for the store.
Module 4 – Marketing Explosion:
This module is focused on marketing strategies, particularly mastering Facebook Ads. It covers ad creation, targeting the right audience, ad objectives, calculating costs, and utilizing influencers for marketing.
The module also touches on Instagram and blog marketing, though these are more basic in nature.
Module 5 – Scaling to the Moon:
This module teaches how to scale the business, including advanced Facebook marketing techniques, using Snapchat ads, and influencer marketing on Instagram and YouTube.
It also covers using Google Analytics to gain a business advantage.
- Additional bonuses include creating a Facebook ad funnel, a Ninja Instagram blueprint, and using messenger bots.
- His course called Shopify Ninjas Masterclass is just like his YouTube persona: too much and too salesy at times. It costs more, but it has good information that will help you set up your store.
Pricing of Shopify Ninja Masterclass:
The course is priced at $997 for lifetime access, with an option to split the payment.
While there is no free trial, many users have found the course valuable. While some content may be basic, it lays a foundation for success. The course requires hard work and dedication but provides a solid foundation for starting and scaling an online business.
Pros & Cons of Shopify Ninja Masterclass:
Pros:
- Extensive content on starting and scaling a Shopify dropshipping business.
- In-depth focus on Facebook Ads and influencer marketing.
- Provides useful scripts and tools for direct application.
- Access to Kevin David’s successful strategies and experiences.
- One-time fee for ongoing access to course materials and updates.
Cons:
- At $997, the course may be costly for beginners or those with budget constraints.
- Some content may be too elementary for experienced dropshippers.
- Certain marketing channels and advanced topics are not deeply covered.
- Success requires more than course knowledge, including financial investment in ads.
- It may lack extensive coverage of other marketing platforms and techniques.
Summary of Shopify Ninja Masterclass:
Kevin’s class is a great way to learn how to use Facebook ads for your business. Kevin also teaches you about niche selection and Shopify store optimization.
He provides a lot of value for growing your business beyond the $1,000-$5,000 range per month. I personally think that the price is a bit high, and I wish that he had more details about his prices.
Overall, the Shopify Ninja Masterclass is recommended for those who are serious about starting a dropshipping business and are willing to invest in a comprehensive training program.
It is particularly suited for beginners or those with some experience who want to deepen their understanding and improve their dropshipping strategies. The course covers a wide range of topics, from product selection to advanced marketing and scaling techniques.
However, it’s important to note that success in dropshipping requires not just knowledge but also consistent effort and adaptability to market changes.
The high price point of the course might be a consideration for some, but the comprehensive content and lifetime access can justify the investment for those committed to building a successful online store.
3) eCom Inner-Circle
The eCom Inner-Circle course, created by Arie Scherson, is an online training program designed to teach the fundamentals of starting and running a successful dropshipping business.
Aimed primarily at beginners, the course covers a variety of essential topics, including setting up a Shopify store, product research, understanding and effectively utilizing Facebook ads, and strategies for maximizing profits.
The course is known for its actionable content, with Arie providing live videos and step-by-step guides, especially in areas like store setup and Facebook ad creation.
The inclusion of a private Facebook group offers an opportunity for students to interact with Arie and fellow course members, enhancing the learning experience.
The course aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for those new to dropshipping, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to start and grow their online business.
Know Your Course Presenter:
If you haven’t heard of him yet, Arie Scherson is a man who teaches about building an eCommerce business. He doesn’t show off rich people’s cars like many fake coaches on YouTube.
Instead, he talks about real things that will help your business become successful.
His program is a full course on how to build an e-commerce business and includes how to use Facebook advertising to market your business. And the answer is yes- his program will help you if you are doing dropshipping, too.
Course Structure of eCom Inner-Circle:
Module 1- Creating a High Converting Store:
- This module is crucial as it lays the foundation for your online store. Arie Scherson guides students through the entire process of setting up a Shopify store.
- It covers essential decisions like choosing between a general store or a niche-specific store.
- The module also deals with the design elements of the store, including creating a professional logo and implementing necessary apps and tools for optimization.
- Additionally, it touches upon important aspects like GDPR compliance, which is essential for stores catering to European customers.
- The aim is to ensure that the store is not only visually appealing but also optimized for conversions, providing a seamless shopping experience for visitors.
Module 2 – Researching 6 and 7 Figure Products:
- Product selection is a critical component of dropshipping, and this module focuses on finding profitable products that can drive significant sales.
- Arie introduces various strategies and techniques for product research, ranging from basic methods suitable for beginners to more advanced strategies for seasoned dropshippers.
- The module includes using different tools and software for product research, such as ProductListGenie.io, which Arie co-owns.
- The goal is to equip students with the skills to identify high-demand, low-competition products that have the potential to become bestsellers in their stores.
Module 3 – Understanding Facebook Ads:
- This section serves as an introduction to one of the most powerful marketing tools for any e-commerce store – Facebook Ads.
- Arie provides a conceptual overview of Facebook advertising and explains why it is essential for the success of a dropshipping business.
- The module covers the basics of setting up and testing products with Facebook Ads and offers insights into budgeting and ad optimization.
- It’s designed to help students understand the fundamentals of Facebook advertising before they explore more complex strategies in subsequent modules.
These sections of the eCom Inner-Circle course represent a comprehensive approach to starting and growing a dropshipping business.
They cover the foundational elements of e-commerce, from store creation to product research and initial marketing strategies, providing a well-rounded education for aspiring dropshippers.
The course is designed to ensure that students not only learn the theoretical aspects but also acquire practical skills and strategies they can immediately apply to their businesses.
Pricing of eCom Inner-Circle:
The standard course will cost you $397 to enrol. But, if you want more help, you can get it for $997 from the Full VIP version.
You’ll have access to 400 mentors in the private Mastermind Group and live calls with Arie on a weekly basis.
Pros & Cons of eCom Inner-Circle:
Pros:
- Extensive coverage of Facebook ads, including advanced strategies, split testing, and scaling techniques.
- It covers a wide range of topics crucial for setting up and running a dropshipping business.
- Provides guides, live video examples, and practical tools for setting up a Shopify store & creating effective ads.
- Reasonably priced compared to other courses, making it accessible for beginners.
- Regular course updates & access to a private Facebook group for interaction with the course creator.
Cons:
- While extensive in Facebook ads, other marketing channels may not be as thoroughly covered.
- Certain advanced topics and tools might not be comprehensively addressed.
- It might be too basic for those who are already well-versed in dropshipping.
- The course promotes tools owned by the creator, which might not always be the best or most cost-effective options.
- There may be limited direct coaching or personalized guidance from the creator.
Summary of eCom Inner-Circle:
eCom Inner-Circle is a solid choice for beginners in dropshipping, offering a good balance of comprehensive content and affordability. The course’s strength lies in its detailed Facebook Ads training, practical approach, and community support.
However, for those seeking advanced strategies beyond Facebook advertising or personalized coaching, it might fall short.
How to Choose The Best Drop Shipping Course?
When evaluating a good dropshipping course, there are several key factors to consider to ensure that you get the most value for your investment and time. Here’s what to look for:
1. Comprehensive Curriculum:
The course should cover all the essential aspects of dropshipping, including niche selection, setting up an online store (like Shopify), product sourcing, order fulfillment, and customer service.
It should also explore various marketing strategies, such as SEO, social media marketing (especially Facebook ads), email marketing, and content marketing.
2. Practical, Actionable Content:
Look for courses that offer practical, step-by-step guidance. The theory is important, but the ability to apply what you learn is crucial.
Courses should include real-world examples, case studies, or live demonstrations that show the application of concepts.
3. Up-to-Date Information:
The e-commerce and dropshipping landscapes evolve rapidly. The course should reflect the latest trends, tools, and strategies in the industry.
This includes updates on changes in platforms like Shopify, evolving social media algorithms, and current best practices in digital marketing.
4. Instructor Credibility and Experience:
The course creator or instructor should have proven experience and success in dropshipping.
Look for instructors who actively run their own dropshipping businesses and have a track record of success.
5. Community and Support:
Access to a community, such as a private Facebook group or forum, where you can interact with fellow students and the instructor, can be invaluable.
This provides an opportunity for networking, sharing experiences, and getting answers to specific questions.
6. Positive Reviews and Testimonials:
Check for reviews and testimonials from past students. This can give you insight into the course’s effectiveness and the type of results students have achieved.
7. Affordable Pricing:
While investing in your education is important, the course should be reasonably priced. Expensive doesn’t always mean better. Compare the price against the value offered, including course content, resources, and support.
8. Money-Back Guarantee:
A money-back guarantee can be a sign of the course creator’s confidence in the material provided. It also reduces your risk in case the course doesn’t meet your expectations.
9. Bonus Resources:
Additional resources like templates, tools, recommendations, checklists, or guides can enhance the learning experience and provide extra value.
10. Flexibility and Accessibility:
The course should be accessible on various devices and allow you to learn at your own pace. This is especially important for those balancing learning with other responsibilities.
By considering these factors, you can select a dropshipping course that not only teaches the basics but also provides in-depth knowledge, practical tools, and ongoing support to help you succeed in the competitive world of e-commerce.
FAQs
🤔 Is Dropshipping Suitable for Beginners?
Yes, dropshipping can be suitable for beginners. It's a low-risk model since you don’t need to purchase inventory upfront. However, like any business, it requires effort, research, and learning, especially when you are new to e-commerce.
👀 How Much Initial Investment is Required for Dropshipping?
The initial investment for dropshipping is relatively low compared to traditional retail businesses. You'll need money for setting up your online store (like a Shopify subscription), purchasing a domain name, and marketing expenses.
🤷♂️ How Challenging is it to Manage a Dropshipping Store?
Managing a dropshipping store can be challenging, especially in handling customer service, managing supplier relationships, and executing effective marketing strategies. Time management and organizational skills are essential.
👍 Is Dropshipping Still Profitable?
Yes, dropshipping can still be profitable. However, success in this field now requires more innovative strategies, a focus on building a strong brand, and providing excellent customer service to stand out in a crowded market.
👉 Can Dropshipping Be a Full-Time Business?
Yes, many entrepreneurs have turned dropshipping into a full-time business. The key is scaling the business effectively and ensuring a steady flow of sales and profits.
Quick Links:
Conclusion: Is Dropshipping Easy for Beginners in 2024?
Overall, dropshipping can be a good option for beginners who want to start an online business without the upfront costs and risks of stocking and maintaining an inventory.
However, it is not a “get rich quick” scheme and will require hard work, dedication, and persistence in order to be successful.
If you are willing to put in the effort and overcome the challenges, dropshipping can be a rewarding and profitable business venture.
