7 Strategies for Surpassing Your Dropshipping Store Competition!
Are you seeking ways to outperform your dropshipping store competition in 2023? Well, look no further! Join me on a guided journey through this comprehensive manual on how to surpass your rivals. Together, we will elevate your dropshipping store to new heights!
Before we delve into strategies for surpassing the competition, it is crucial to identify who your competitors are or will be.
When I say “will be,” I mean it’s important to know who else is selling within your niche. Even if your dropshipping store is not yet online, this step, known as competitor research, is vital.
Utilize a reverse image search on Google to discover other stores utilizing the same product images. Remember to use images from your supplier rather than custom-made ones, which we will discuss further below.
Conduct a Google search using the product or niche name. This approach is highly effective in identifying others who are selling the same products. You can even include terms like “myshopify” or “Shopify” for more specific results. Alternatively, you can broaden your search by focusing solely on your niche, such as pets or cooking.
By conducting thorough competitor research, you gain valuable insights into the market landscape and the competition you are up against. This knowledge will be instrumental in developing effective strategies to outshine your rivals.
So, let’s embark on this journey together and uncover the secrets to surpassing your dropshipping store competition!
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If you’re unable to find direct competitors, broaden your search a bit. For example, search for “pets” instead of just “dogs.”
This approach allows you to still observe what others are doing in a similar space and identify opportunities to surpass them!
How can you outperform the competition in your dropshipping store?
With more people entering the e-commerce world to claim their share of the $23.445 trillion global market, it’s crucial to learn how to stay relevant and ahead of your competitors.
According to Smart Insights, now that you know who your competition is, it’s time to learn how to surpass them!
By “surpassing,” I mean being better than other dropshipping stores.
For instance, think of Coca-Cola vs Pepsi or Apple vs Samsung!
While you may not directly compete with major brands, this example helps illustrate the concept.
In your case, it could be petsandtoys.com vs pets24.com (just an example).
Are you ready to discover the strategies for outperforming your dropshipping competition? Let’s get started!
1.Embrace uniqueness
To beat the competition in your dropshipping store, it’s crucial to be unique.
Many people struggle with their dropshipping stores because they lack uniqueness.
Currently, numerous individuals are learning about dropshipping and starting their own stores.
For instance, if you search “Dropshipping” on Google Trends, you’ll see its popularity.
Everyone wants a piece of the pie, as it has been advertised by many “gurus” as an easy way to make money online.
But here’s the unfortunate truth: most of them put minimal effort into their dropshipping stores.
They simply open a store, import products without making any changes, and start advertising.
This results in many dropshippers selling the same products with identical information, possibly even from the same suppliers.
While having the same product isn’t necessarily a problem, using the same images, descriptions, and other elements will not help you stand out.
So, how can you establish a unique presence among other dropshipping stores?
Avoid trying to copy everything to save time.
Here are some valuable tips for enhancing your uniqueness (I will provide a link to an article that teaches you how to do that):
Use your own product images. Most dropshipping stores rely on the same product images as everyone else. Stand out by showcasing unique product images.
Craft your own product descriptions. Instead of copying the descriptions provided by your suppliers, create compelling descriptions that effectively sell your products. Consider learning more about copywriting techniques.
Optimize your site design. Present a more professional and trustworthy appearance compared to your competitors. You can find the top 10 Shopify dropshipping themes in 2023 by clicking here. Additionally, ensure you have essential pages such as a refund policy.
Incorporate videos on your product pages. Differentiate yourself by including videos on your product pages, as not all dropshipping stores do this. Check out this article on the importance of video marketing for dropshippers and the following quote:
“Adding product showcases through videos is still a rare practice, but it can significantly boost organic traffic by up to 157%, giving you a clear advantage over the competition.”
Additionally, I understand that implementing these changes for all the products in your dropshipping store may require some time and effort.
That’s why I recommend focusing on perfecting only 1-3 products initially.
These selected products will be the ones you start advertising with, while the rest serve to enhance the overall appearance and credibility of your store.
Regarding why focusing on a few products is advantageous and what to do with the remaining products in the meantime (hint: you shouldn’t leave them with the default supplier information), you can find more details in this resource.
2.Offer the best prices
How to Beat the Competition of Your Dropshipping Store | Offer the best prices
Infographic from Visiture
One effective way to outperform your competition is by offering lower prices than them.
For instance, selling your product at $19.99 instead of their $21.
To learn how to price your products correctly, I recommend reading this comprehensive guide.
However, it’s important to note that competing solely on price isn’t always the solution.
Therefore, I suggest reading “Why You Shouldn’t Compete on Price in Ecommerce” by SaleHoo.
3.Incorporate product ratings and reviews
How to Beat the Competition of Your Dropshipping Store | Incorporate product ratings and reviews
From Ali Reviews
According to a study, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, and 72% of consumers indicate that positive reviews increase their trust in businesses.
Notably, millennials have a 50% higher trust in user-generated content compared to other forms of media.
However, customers are more inclined to share negative experiences rather than positive ones.
4.Surpass your competition
How to Beat the Competition of Your Dropshipping Store | Surpass your competition
This tip emphasizes the importance of going the extra mile compared to your competitors.
For instance:
To outshine your competition, aim to surpass their offerings. If they sell cotton t-shirts, elevate your game by offering 100% cotton t-shirts sourced from local manufacturers who prioritize ethical practices and do not rely on sweatshops.
If they offer black t-shirts, expand your inventory to include t-shirts in red, green, and blue.
The underlying message is simple: enhance the superiority and quality of your products or services to the extent that shoppers have no reason to seek alternatives.
From RepricerExpress
Here are a few additional examples specific to dropshipping:
If your competitor does not provide PayPal as a checkout option, make sure to offer PayPal.
If your competitor lacks trust badges, incorporate trust badges into your website.
If your competitor does not have essential pages like a refund policy (note: you should always have these pages), ensure that your store includes them.
And many more examples exist!
5.Expand globally
How to Beat the Competition of Your Dropshipping Store | Expand globally
This approach applies if your competitor does not engage in dropshipping or focuses solely on a specific country.
One of the significant advantages of dropshipping is the ability to sell worldwide.
Your supplier can ship packages to nearly any location.
If you observe that your competitor only operates within a particular country, a fantastic strategy to surpass them is by expanding your reach to other countries.
By targeting a broader international audience, you increase your chances of attracting more customers than them!
6.Provide exceptional customer service
How to Beat the Competition of Your Dropshipping Store | Provide exceptional customer service
Customer service is a crucial aspect of your dropshipping store that requires your utmost attention.
And more importantly, it should be done right!
Shift your focus to prioritize your customers’ needs over your own profits. This approach will not only help you establish your dropshipping store successfully but also sustain its growth.
Believe me, you don’t want to receive negative reviews.
But I understand if you’re skeptical.
To illustrate the consequences of delivering poor customer service, I have provided some examples below. They demonstrate the impact such actions can have on your online reviews or Facebook page.
Rewarding loyal customers
Another effective way to excel in serving your customers is by rewarding their loyalty.
By implementing loyalty programs or incentives, you increase the likelihood of retaining your current customers and encouraging them to continue patronizing your store.
Isn’t that amazing?
Absolutely!
7.Expedite delivery times
Lastly, strive to offer faster delivery times compared to your competitors.
For instance, if your competitor relies on AliExpress for dropshipping and has a delivery time of 2-4 weeks, you can outperform them by partnering with a local dropshipping supplier that ensures significantly shorter delivery times of just a few days!
Don’t forget to clearly communicate to your visitors that your shipping time is indeed a matter of a few days.
In conclusion, these are the 7 strategies to outperform your competitors in the dropshipping industry.
I hope these tips will assist you in taking your store to new heights!
If you have any additional tactics to surpass the competition or if you need any guidance on dropshipping, please visit the “Resources” section on the homepage.
Wishing you the best of luck in becoming the top player!
Remember, achieving success requires time and continuous improvement each day.
