The Best Way to Start a Dropshipping Store in Europe

Dropshipping is an e-commerce business concept in which the retailer has no physical location. They order the things from the supplier, who then sends the products straight to the buyer.

Those who have never done it before may view it as a frightening proposition

Ultimately, you are surrendering control over your inventory and income sources. With the correct mentality and a strategy, it may be an excellent method to establish a business or even a side hustle.

There are actually thousands of dropshippers generating money every day. If you’re ready to begin, you’ve arrived at the correct location.

This article contains all the information you need to establish a dropshipping company in Europe.

By the conclusion, you will have all the knowledge necessary to launch your own firm.

Let’s get started!

Dropshipping in Europe: Five Important Facts to Know

In the following list, we have outlined the five most crucial aspects of opening a dropshipping store in Europe.

• Consider Europe’s three primary advantages. There are other excellent nations to target, competition is less intense than in the United States, and the e-commerce industry is expanding.

• Try to locate a European dropshipping supplier. This will reduce your shipping times!

• Implement “Europe-specific” local payment options. Some European nations have their own payment methods. Giropay is popular in Germany, whilst iDEAL is prevalent in the Netherlands.

• Targeting a certain market might be a wise decision. If you are fluent in German, for instance, you might build a business that caters only to German consumers.

• Register for One Stop Shop. This will make it simple for you to comply with your VAT tax requirements while operating an e-commerce shop in Europe.

Also, check out the Best Dropshipping Shipping Methods in 2022.

How do you start a dropshipping store in Europe?

Step 1. Decide between a general, niche, or one-product store

In general, we advise beginning with a niche or a single-product store. This is because the advantages and disadvantages of these establishments typically outweigh those of ordinary stores.

A niche or one-product business will make it easier to develop a long-term dropshipping store!

Step 2: Select the appropriate things to sell online

If you’re just getting started with dropshipping, it may be difficult to decide what to sell.

Nonetheless, this is not a decision to disregard. In addition to your supplier and promotion, your product is one of the most important factors that will decide the success of your dropshipping company.

It is usual for some things to be quite easy to market while others are extremely difficult.

Therefore, consider these features when searching for things to offer!

Step 3: Specify your ideal audience

After determining which things to sell, it is time to define your target market.

Your target audience is the particular set of individuals that are the focus of your marketing activities. These individuals frequently share similar interests and activities, as well as a similar age or gender. In summary, you anticipate that they will have the greatest likelihood of acquiring your goods!

Step 4: Identify a dropshipping vendor (in Europe)

A dropshipping vendor is a supplier that ships goods to your consumers on your behalf.

Ideally, your dropshipping vendor should be based in Europe so that you can reduce delivery times!

Step 5: Choose the best eCommerce platform for your store

There are a few well-known eCommerce platforms available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most significant distinction between them is whether they’re self-hosted or hosted. This simply refers to whether the software is installed on your server (self-hosted) or if it’s provided by the platform (hosted).

The majority of new businesses should start with a hosted eCommerce platform because they’re simpler to establish and maintain. Plus, they tend to be less expensive!

Hosted eCommerce platforms also provide a higher degree of customer service and support. This is vital for new businesses that might not have the in-house expertise to deal with technical issues.

We suggest using Shopify, BigCommerce, or Woocommerce. These are all hosted platforms that come with a wide range of themes, plugins, and apps to assist you in building your dream store!

Step 6: Register for One Stop Shop (OSS)

If you’re based outside of the European Union, you may need to register for something called “One Stop Shop” (OSS). This is a system that makes it easy for you to comply with your VAT tax requirements while operating an e-commerce shop in Europe.

If you take orders from customers in the EU, you’ll need to register for OSS and charge VAT on those orders. Once you’re registered, you’ll be able to file your VAT returns and make payments through the OSS portal.

And that’s it! You’re now ready to start dropshipping in Europe. Just remember to focus on building a strong foundation for your business by selecting the right products, suppliers, and eCommerce platform. With a little hard work, you’ll be well on your way to success!