Dropshipping vs Print on Demand – Complete Guide for 2025

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, […]

Is Dropshipping Still Worth It Today? Absolutely! Dropshipping continues to be a solid choice in the e-commerce world, and the market is far from slowing down. In fact, recent studies show that the global dropshipping market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.8% from 2021 to 2026, reaching a value of $557.9 billion by 2026. （The data based on market research reports from Grand View Research）This growth is driven by increasing demand for online shopping and the convenience dropshipping offers to both sellers and buyers.With more tools and platforms available than ever before, it’s even easier to start and scale your dropshipping business today. So, whether you’re just curious or ready to dive in, there are plenty of opportunities to make dropshipping work for you! Why is dropshipping still popular in 2024? If you want to see how popular “dropshipping” is, and want to know is dropshipping working. Google Trends is a great tool for you. Just take a look at the chart, and you’ll notice that the search term “dropshipping” has grown a lot over the last five years. Sure, there have been some ups and downs, but overall, the trend is climbing steadily. Now, let’s talk about the market size. In 2024, the global dropshipping market hit $351.8 billion, up 23.6% from last year. Experts say that from 2020 to 2026, it’s going to grow at an average rate of 24.39% per year. By 2026, it’s expected to pass $500 billion. Grand View Research shows that as more people prefer online shopping, dropshipping is getting more and more popular. It’s a great chance for entrepreneurs—they can start their own business without ever […]

Do you know about dropshipping? It’s a highly popular business model, particularly in the e-commerce sector. According to Statista, European e-commerce sales are projected to reach €500 billion in 2023, with dropshipping—a no-inventory model—gaining traction among merchants. Especially after the pandemic, many small businesses and entrepreneurs have turned to online sales, and dropshipping offers a low-cost, low-risk entry point. But what exactly is the dropshipping business model? Is it complex to operate? Does it require significant startup capital? Are specialized technical skills necessary? As a newcomer, is the entry barrier high? Let’s explore these questions. What is Dropshipping Model? The dropshipping model is an e-commerce business model. The dropshipping process typically includes the following steps: First, the dropshipper displays products in their online store and receives customer orders. When a customer places an order, the dropshipper forwards the order information to the supplier or manufacturer. Next, the supplier ships the product directly to the customer, while the dropshipper is responsible for maintaining communication with the customer and handling after-sales service. Throughout this process, the dropshipper does not need to purchase or store inventory in advance, which reduces operating costs and risks. In this model, the dropshipper does not need to buy and hold inventory upfront. When a customer places an order on the dropshipper’s online store for a product, the dropshipper sends the order and the customer’s shipping information to the supplier. The supplier then ships the product directly to the customer. Benefits of Dropshipping Dropshipping has quickly surged in popularity and created a global buzz, largely due to its unique business model and distinct advantages over traditional e-commerce.Dropshipping has rapidly risen to prominence and sparked a global trend primarily […]