Dropshipping vs Print on Demand – Complete Guide for 2025

The increasing internal competition and the sharp decline in seller traffic have led many to seek new growth opportunities and channels. Recently, the American e-commerce platform Chewy announced that it is opening its doors to Chinese sellers, offering three cooperation models for sellers to choose from: Dropship, Procurement , and Import. Among these, the Dropship model is similar to Temu’s semi-managed model, where sellers are required to maintain inventory in the U.S., while Chewy sets the prices and handles logistics, with sellers only needing to supply the goods. Over the course of its development, the cross-border e-commerce industry has given rise to a variety of outbound models: from the initial policy regulation model, to later fully-managed platforms, independent sites/DTC, industrial cluster collaborations, and even comprehensive ecological outbound expansion. The approaches have become increasingly diverse as the market environment evolves. In response to the various outbound models prevalent in today’s cross-border e-commerce industry, we will compare and analyze the different models. Platform E-commerce Models For the majority of sellers, especially newcomers and beginners in the cross-border e-commerce industry, relying on third-party platforms such as Amazon, Temu, AliExpress, Shopee, and others is a common approach. These platforms provide essential traffic and infrastructure support. Let’s take Amazon and Temu as examples: Amazon Platform Model  To enhance the trustworthiness and visibility of your products, you can apply for A+ Content certification or establish a dedicated Brand Store. These features allow you to present your brand more professionally, potentially increasing conversion rates. However, these services are not free; you need to invest in them. Additionally, Amazon charges a referral fee, typically ranging from 6% to 15% of the product’s selling price, depending on the category. […]

The fourth quarter (Q4) represents the peak sales season for e-commerce businesses, driven by major shopping events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season. For sellers aiming to maximize revenue, a well-structured strategy combining data-driven decisions, operational efficiency, and targeted marketing is crucial. Here’s how to set your store up for exponential growth in Q4. 1. Data-Driven Product Selection Success in Q4 starts with choosing the right products: Analyze Market Trends: Use historical sales data and trend analytics to identify categories with rising demand. Focus not just on high-volume items, but also on products with strong profit margins and low saturation. Prioritize Potential Best-Sellers: Evaluate sales velocity, reviews, and competition. A product that is trending but not oversaturated can yield significant returns. Leverage Predictive Tools: Tools that forecast market demand can help you anticipate popular items before competitors, giving you a first-mover advantage. Tips: Regularly monitor “hot product lists” and update your inventory weekly to ensure you’re stocking items that buyers are actively searching for. 2. Optimize Your Store for Conversion High traffic alone does not guarantee revenue. Conversion optimization is essential: Improve Product Listings: Craft clear, benefit-focused product titles and descriptions. Include keywords that match search intent for Q4 shoppers.   Visual Content: High-quality images and short product videos showcasing usage scenarios increase buyer confidence and engagement. A/B Testing: Test different layouts, call-to-actions, and promotional messaging to identify what drives higher click-through and purchase rates. Tips: Prioritize mobile optimization—Q4 shoppers often browse and purchase via smartphones. 3. Strategic Promotions and Discounts Promotions during Q4 are a major driver of sales, but they need to be planned carefully: Limited-Time Offers: Create urgency with flash sales, countdown timers, and exclusive bundles. Early-Bird Campaigns: Launch promotions ahead of major […]

These past few years, whether you’re scrolling through TikTok, watching YouTube, or browsing Reddit, you can’t miss people talking about “Dropshipping”—stuff like “zero inventory startups,” “passive income,” or “hundreds of orders a day,” all hyped up to get your blood pumping. But here’s the real question: Is dropshipping a legit money-making opportunity or just a cash-grab harvesting newbie sellers? Don’t rush to decide. Today, we’re going to tear off the filter for a brutally honest analysis—whether this business is worth your time and if it actually has a future. What Is Dropshipping?  Dropshipping (i.e. zero-inventory e-commerce) simply means you open an online store, sell other people’s products, and pocket the difference. No need to stock inventory, no need to handle shipping yourself—just a computer and an account, and you’re ready to go. The process is actually super simple. First, you set up a shop on Shopify, Shopee, or TikTok Shop, and list products you’ve found on Alibaba, 1688, or AliExpress. When someone sees your ad or video and likes what they see, they place an order in your store. You then take that order, go back to your supplier to place the same order, and the supplier ships the product directly to your customer—without you ever touching the item. For example, a customer buys a pair of pants in your store for $39.99. You then order it from AliExpress at a cost of $15 plus $5 shipping, so you net $20 on that sale (of course, you still have to deduct your ad spend and other miscellaneous costs). Sounds pretty sweet, right? A lot of people get hooked on this model and think it’s the “ultimate light-startup”: no purchasing stock, […]