How to Start a Successful Dropshipping Business in Kenya

Ngozi Enelamah

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Have you ever thought of what a successful dropshipping business in Kenya entails? Ever dreamt of owning your own business but don’t know how to start? Let’s go through the steps and how Grey can help you achieve success.

Suppose you’re unfamiliar with the term dropshipping. Dropshipping is an excellent option for entrepreneurs who want to start their businesses with little upfront investment, and it is a great way to create your own business with little or almost no risk. 

Dropshipping is an order fulfillment strategy where a company doesn’t hold inventory of the goods it sells. Instead, the seller buys stock as required from a third party to fulfill orders, typically a wholesaler or manufacturer.

It is a business model in which e-commerce entrepreneurs sell products without carrying any inventory. 

The process usually involves the drop shipper creating a platform where they display products from other vendors who sell in large quantities; when an order comes on the drop shippers’ website or forum, the supplier ships the products directly to the customer’s door.

Eight Steps Needed to Start a Successful Dropshipping Business in Kenya

Different things are required to ensure your success when starting a dropshipping business, and here is a guide. 

1. Choose a niche

A niche refers to the specialized segment of the market for a particular kind of product or service. 

When choosing a niche, you must consider the product demand, knowledge, interest, and passion you have for the product. It is essential to pick something you are passionate about or like, as this could result in a successful business. 

2. Find your supplier for your business

Soon after you have found your niche, it’s essential to research and finds suppliers for your products. There are many ways to find suppliers, but some of the most accessible platforms are Alibaba and AliExpress.

We mentioned these two because they offer a variety of offers and suppliers. Thus, making it easy for anyone to find the products they are searching for. 

However, some things to consider while searching for suppliers are 

  • Product quality, such as the quality of the product, 
  • Shipping (Suppliers’ willingness to ship to your clients),
  • Product price. 
  • Supplier’s reputation: Before registering or communicating with suppliers on the mentioned platform, check supplier performance and review before proceeding to work with them.

3. Choose a platform

A few platforms are used for dropshipping: Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, WIX, and many more. 

The most accessible platform to use for your dropshipping business is Shopify. It is easy to set up and has the features required to run a successful online store. If you’re using a WordPress website for your dropshipping needs, WooCommerce is an excellent option.   

4. Set up your store.

Different platforms have different requirements. If you are using Shopify, the process is relatively straightforward. You can use the Shopify themes to customize the appearance and feel of the store. Use the Shopify app to add features to the store.

5. Add products to your platform.

This step requires you to add products to your platform. You can use the Oberlo app to add products from Alibaba and AliExpress to your store. This app automatically adds product images, descriptors, and prices to your store.

You can use the AliExpress plugin on other platforms to add products to your store. Although, you will have to manually put the product images, descriptors, and prices to your store.

6. Set up delivery

Delivery can make or break your dropshipping business. So to successfully run a dropshipping business, ensure you either work with trusted delivery agents or set up delivery if you are hosting on the Shopify shipping app, which could be pretty straightforward. You can choose various shipping options. 

Another way to ship is by using WooCommerce. With the WooCommerce shipping plugin, you can set up shipping for your store. Also, various shipping options offer free shipping to your customers. 

7. Setting up your payment system

This should be straightforward, based on your platform. However, if you use platforms such as Shopify, they have payment apps and getaways to set up your payment processor. 

With the introduction of Grey, you can create a payment getaway in Kenya, whereby you can receive and manage your well-earned profits, especially if your customers and suppliers come from outside Kenya.

With Grey, you can send money to any foreign account directly from your Grey account without any stress or hidden fees. 

Grey Guide: Opening A Dollar Account In Kenya

8. Promote your dropshipping business.

Social media is the most effective way to promote your business in this digital age. Use Google, Instagram, and Facebook ads to generate traffic for your business. 

You can also use blogs and TikTok to generate traffic, generating sales, which will lead you to create a successful dropshipping business in Kenya.

Advantages of Starting a Dropshipping business in Kenya

Little or no capital 

Drop shipping has many advantages, but one of the biggest is that you can start with little or no upfront investment; all you need is a domain name and hosting if you choose this method, and you can launch your online store.

You can also read about other businesses that require little to no capital here .

It allows flexibility

Another great advantage of dropshipping is that it’s very flexible. You can run your business from anywhere worldwide, as long as you have an internet connection.

Kenya is a growing market

Kenya is a rapidly growing market with a young and vibrant population. And with a growing middle class, there is a massive opportunity for e-commerce entrepreneurs to tap into this market.

But starting a business in Kenya has its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is finding reliable suppliers.

So, if you’re looking for an excellent opportunity to start your own business, dropshipping might be the perfect option for you. 

Fortunately, a few dropshipping companies in Kenya can help you get started. These companies will source products for you and handle all the shipping and logistics. All you need to do is focus on marketing and selling your products.

How To Receive Foreign Payments In Kenya As A Freelancer Or Remote Worker

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can set up and start a successful dropshipping business in Kenya and make money. However, since you will be making frequent payments, you will need a payment system that caters to your needs, and that’s where we come in. 

With Grey, you can open a foreign currency account to receive payments from anywhere in the world, make international payments or convert foreign currencies to Kenyan Shillings. Receive USD, GBP, and EUR with ease in Kenya with your free international bank account 

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