Dropshipping alternative

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The main advantage of dropshipping is a low budget and low risk. But also it means not that good income. 

However, the most important thing on the Internet is to understand how to attract customers. By choosing dropshipping or similar schemes, you concentrate on lead generation. When you learn how to get guaranteed orders, then you can already think about changing dropshipping model to wholesale purchase of goods.

 

Similar to dropshipping

1. Drop servicing (Agency)

Formally it is very similar to dropshipping. The difference is that you sell services, instead of goods. The main problem with this model is that services require more active communication with customers, and the completion of work can depend on a variety of extraneous factors. For example you need to find good worker to hire him with lower price than you sell. Also, every man to his own taste, so it's quite possible that you will accept the job and it won't be accepted by the client.

Also it is hard to get first clients as you don't have any reputation at the start. And you cannot do some portfolio by youself.

2. Affiliate marketing

There are many CPA platform on the Internet where you can get partners.

It means a lot of various activivty possilbe. You may have your blog about some products and publish refferal links. Also you can create advertising to attract clients. But in this case you don't have to comunicate with clients. Orders are handled and proceed by third parties.

This activity can bring you passive income. You don't have to think about customer support. But this way you won't be able to gather a customer base and generate recurring sales. And you also have to abide by the terms and conditions of the affiliate marketing program. And there can be unpleasant restrictions.

3. Print on demand (POD)

If you're looking for an alternative to dropshipping that is most similar to dropshipping itself, take note of print-on-demand (POD). You can sell T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, phone cases, and other accessories that can have a picture printed on them using this model. 

By the way, you can use symbols of current events as pictures. In 2022, such a symbol was the symbols of Ukraine. There is an increased demand for such things, but you have to catch this trend in time.

 

What is better than dropshipping?

There are several types of small businesses that you can start with a low budget and have a higher income that dropshipping.

1. Home manufacturing business

• Hand made cards
• Hand made cosmetics
• Make homemade food
• Craft wooden furniture

2. Selling of small products that are bought by cheap wholesale prices

There are a lot of products you may buy bulk with wholesale prices and it's not going to cost a fortune.

Examples of such products are:

• Bijouterie;
• Housewares;
• Kitchen Accessories;
• Basics clothing;
• Tempered glass protective glass for smartphones and other accessories

It's definitely better than dropshipping, because you can start with a small budget and have a good income. But unlike home manufacturing business, there's no lengthy process with producing something in your home. You'll still have a lot of time to do just the customer acquisition, not the production. All in all, in my personal opinion, this is the best alternative to dropshipping.