You’ve probably heard the saying: “Selling Price = Cost × 2.”Sounds simple and reasonable, right? But anyone who’s done dropshipping knows the harsh truth:If you really follow that formula, there’s only one outcome — the more you sell, the faster you lose money. This article will break down exactly where your profits are going in the dropshipping model, and guide you step-by-step on how to price your products smartly — so you can avoid falling into the “the more you sell, the more you lose” trap. The True Cost Structure of Dropshipping  Don’t be naive and think your cost is just the supplier price you see on 1688, AliExpress, or TEMU.The real cost = product price + international shipping + platform fees + ad spend + refunds & returns + taxes + your own labor or expected profit. Let’s break it down with a simple example — selling one T-shirt: Cost Item Example (1 T-shirt) Product Cost ¥20 (AliExpress) International Shipping ¥15 (ePacket or Yanwen) Platform Fee (Payment) ¥5 (e.g. PayPal or Shopify transaction fees) Advertising Spend ¥30 (Facebook Ads) After-sales/Refund Reserve ¥3 (Estimated based on 10% return rate) Other Fees (domain, CS, etc.) ¥2 Total Cost ¥75 How to Calculate the “Bottom-line Price” Many people price like this: “My cost is ¥30, so I sell at ¥60—double up, I’ll always make money, right?” But this slapdash pricing method in dropshipping is basically slow suicide. Your real cost isn’t just the product price; it’s the sum of a whole bunch of expenses. If you don’t tally them all up, you’ll fall into the illusion of “looks profitable, but actually losing money.” Let’s introduce a crucial concept: Bottom-line Price. • Formula […]

In the world of cross-border e-commerce—whether you’re selling on Amazon, running a Shopify store, or operating on platforms like TEMU, SHEIN, or TikTok Shop—there’s one thing you simply can’t ignore: product selection. Choosing the right product is the lifeline of your entire business. You might be a master at running ads, have sharp operational skills, or even be ready to throw money at the problem—but if the product is wrong, none of that will matter. A bad product means no sales, inventory piling up, ad budget going to waste, and cash flow drying up. Best case? You lose money and exit the game. Worst case? Your company goes under. But if you pick the right product? Even if you’re just starting out—with little experience and a limited budget—you still have a real shot at turning a single product into tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit. That’s what we mean when we say: “It’s the product that makes you take off.” So don’t treat product selection as just a step in the process. What is Google Trends? If you want to know whether a product is truly “riding the wave,” then Google Trends is a tool you simply can’t afford to ignore.It’s a free data platform officially launched by Google, designed specifically to track how users across the world behave on the Google search engine.Put simply, it’s a powerful trend analysis tool that shows what people are searching for, when they’re searching for it, and where those searches are most active. A lot of beginners think “trends” just means looking at what’s popular right now.But the truth is, Google Trends offers way more than that.It […]

For many cross-border e-commerce and dropshipping sellers, AliExpress may be the main supplier channel during the entry stage. However, as business grows, the platform’s shortcomings gradually become apparent — long shipping times, slow customer service response, and inconsistent product quality. In today’s fiercely competitive environment with rising customer expectations, these issues can no longer meet operational needs. Especially with the increasing popularity of emerging platforms like TikTok and TEMU, logistics efficiency and service experience have become critical factors affecting repeat purchases and brand reputation. Continuing to rely on AliExpress not only fails to guarantee customer satisfaction but also seriously limits brand development. Therefore, choosing more efficient, stable, and one-piece dropshipping-supported professional domestic suppliers has become a consensus among more and more sellers. This article will introduce several domestic dropshipping platforms worth your attention, helping you achieve a better balance between efficiency, quality, and customer experience. What Problems Does AliExpress Actually Have? AliExpress is essentially a retail platform targeting C-end consumers, not specifically designed for dropshipping scenarios. Although it has certain advantages in product variety and pricing, as market competition intensifies, its drawbacks have gradually surfaced. It is especially unsuitable for sellers aiming for long-term brand building and operation. Below are the most common problems sellers face and their direct impacts: Problem Impact Long shipping times (often over 7 days) Customers wait too long, leading to order cancellations or negative reviews High shipping costs Profit margins get squeezed, limiting marketing and ad budgets Severe hijacking and unstable links Pages just launched get delisted or copied by competitors first Lack of professional customer service and after-sales support Customer issues can’t be resolved timely, store ratings drop, affecting ranking Unstable product quality control […]

You’ve probably heard the saying: “Price = Cost × 2.” Sounds nice, doesn’t it?But anyone who’s done dropshipping knows — if you really follow that, you’ll basically end up eating dirt. This article will walk you through, step by step: where your profits actually go, and how to calculate a realistic pricing strategy to avoid the nightmare of “the more you sell, the more you lose.” The Cost Components of Dropshipping  Don’t fool yourself into thinking the cost is just what you pay on 1688, AliExpress, or Temu. The real cost = product price + shipping + fees + marketing expenses + returns/customer service + taxes + your own salary/profit expectations. Let’s break it down: Cost Item Example Data (Selling One T-shirt) Product Cost ¥20 (AliExpress cost) International Shipping ¥15 (ePacket or Yanwen small package) Platform Fees ¥5 (e.g., PayPal + Shopify transaction fees) Marketing Cost ¥30 (Facebook ad spend) Returns/After-sales Allocation ¥3 (average 1 return per 10 orders) Other Expenses ¥2 (Shopify subscription, domain, customer service, etc.) Total Cost ¥75 Note: This doesn’t include your profit expectations yet. How to Calculate Your “Bottom-Line Price” Many people set prices on a whim: “The product cost is ¥30, so I’ll sell it for ¥60. That should be enough to make a profit.” But in dropshipping, this kind of pricing is basically suicidal. Your costs are much more than just the product price — you have shipping, advertising, platform fees, after-sales costs, and more. If you don’t calculate these clearly, you might think you’re making money on a sale, but in reality, you’re losing. So let’s get clear on a crucial concept — the bottom-line price. What is the bottom-line price?The bottom-line […]

In recent years, e-commerce has steadily risen to a prominent position in the global economy. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping became the preferred choice for most people, turning e-commerce from an optional channel into an almost unavoidable part of doing business. However, once you dive in, you quickly realize the challenges: heavy inventory pressure, complex logistics management, and soaring costs often leave you overwhelmed. That’s when dropshipping becomes an extremely attractive option. With dropshipping, you don’t need to build your own warehouse or handle packing and shipping yourself. You can focus your energy on marketing and sales, while inventory management and logistics are all handled by your suppliers. This model not only saves you upfront investment but also gives you the flexibility to test products and market responses more easily. Depending on your resources and goals, dropshipping actually comes in several types — traditional dropshipping, collaborative dropshipping, and even reverse dropshipping. Each model fits different scenarios and operational styles, with their own pros and cons. There’s no absolute “best,” only what works best for you. Next, we’ll break down these main dropshipping models one by one, revealing the logic, advantages, and potential pitfalls behind each. This will help you choose, plan, and implement your e-commerce strategy more wisely. Traditional Dropshipping If you’re new to e-commerce, the traditional single-item dropshipping model (which is the most common form of dropshipping) is undoubtedly the easiest way to get started. This model has been around for many years and countless e-commerce sellers have built their businesses on it. Its operation is very straightforward:You find suppliers willing to offer dropshipping services and list their products in your store. When a customer places an […]

If you’re thinking about starting or scaling your dropshipping business in 2025, one of the biggest questions on your mind is probably: What’s the best product to sell for maximum profit? With so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But don’t worry—I’ve done the homework for you. After analyzing market trends, customer demand, and profit margins, one product stands out as the top contender for 2025: wireless earbuds. Here’s why they’re a goldmine for dropshippers, and how you can take advantage.  Why Wireless Earbuds Are the Best Dropshipping Product in 2025  Exploding Market Demand Wireless earbuds have moved beyond being just a luxury gadget—they’ve become an essential part of daily life for many people. Whether you’re commuting, working out, working remotely, or just relaxing at home, earbuds are almost a must-have accessory. According to reputable market research, the global wireless earbuds market is projected to reach nearly $1 billion by 2029, with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.94%. This rapid growth shows the demand is far from saturated—more and more consumers are adopting wireless earbuds every year. The widespread adoption of smartphones and Bluetooth-enabled devices is accelerating this trend. Additionally, the rise of remote work and online learning has increased the need for high-quality audio devices, further expanding the potential customer base. High Profit Margins From a profitability standpoint, wireless earbuds are extremely attractive. You can source them from suppliers for around $10 per unit and sell them for $50 or more, which means your markup can easily range from 300% to 400%. What makes this even better is that wireless earbuds are compact and lightweight, so shipping costs remain low. For dropshipping businesses, […]