Dropshipping in Saudi Arabia: how to get started step by step

Dropshipping is a business model in which eCommerce entrepreneurs sell products without carrying any inventory. Instead, when a store owner receives an order from a customer, they contact the supplier, who will ship the products directly to the customer's doorstep.

Dropshipping is a popular business model for many reasons, but the main advantages are that it's easy to set up and doesn't require a significant investment.

Saudi Arabia is a dropshipping-friendly country with many benefits and incentives for entrepreneurs looking to start their online stores. The Saudi Vision 2030 is making room for the digital economy to prosper, hence a huge potential for e-commerce and startups, including drop shippers.

Let's see how you can take advantage of shifting consumer behavior, with 83% of Saudi consumers planning to increase their e-commerce spending to achieve success.

Why dropshipping in Saudi Arabia is a good idea?

As dropshipping has gained popularity in recent years, more and more entrepreneurs are looking for new opportunities to start their businesses. And with good reason – dropshipping is a great way to start an online business with little to no upfront investment.

One of the most promising dropshipping markets is Saudi Arabia. The country has over 35 million people, with a middle age of 32. This means that there is a large potential customer base for dropshipping businesses.

In addition, Saudi Arabia has good logistics and shipping infrastructure, with major international shipping companies such as Aramex and DHL operating in the country. This makes it easy to ship products to Saudi Arabia from dropshipping suppliers anywhere in the world.

Finally, Saudi consumers are increasingly turning to online shopping. According to a recent report, approximately 83% of consumers in the region say they'll maintain or increase their eCommerce spending year on year in 2022.

This makes Saudi Arabia an attractive dropshipping market for entrepreneurs starting their businesses.

The steps to take to start dropshipping in Saudi Arabia

If you're thinking about starting a dropshipping business in Saudi Arabia, there are a few steps you'll need to take. First, you must choose a niche and find a dropshipping supplier. Next, create your online store and start marketing your products. Finally, start processing orders.

Let's break down the process into small steps.

Acquiring a License

Dropshipping offers more freedom than other business forms, yet you still need to abide by national laws and regulations. For example, before starting dropshipping in Saudi Arabia, you must obtain a business license from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority. Not getting a permit can subject you to heavy fines.

Choose the products you want to sell

You can sell any product, but what products sell better? Probably new items that have yet to take the local market by storm. Exclusive items and unique handmade artifacts are also good choices to pick.

How to find dropshipping suppliers in Saudi Arabia

Try to find dropshipping suppliers that are based in Saudi Arabia or at least have a dropshipping presence in the country. This will make it easier for you to communicate with them and get needed support. Otherwise, international suppliers are okay.

Once you have found some potential dropshipping suppliers, the next step is to check their reputation. Look for online reviews of the dropshipping supplier and see what other people say about their experience. Also, try to find out if the dropshipping supplier has an excellent dropshipping program in place.

This includes quality control, customer support, shipping times, etc. Once you have found a dropshipping supplier you feel good about, the next step is to contact them and discuss your dropshipping needs. Be sure to tell them what products you are interested in and ask about their dropshipping program. If they have a program that meets your needs, then you can move forward with working with them. Otherwise, consider finding another dropshipping supplier.

Creating your online store

The first step is to choose the right platform for your store. If you want to have complete control over your store and be able to customize it to match your brand, then you will need to create your website. However, a platform like Shopify will be better if you are uncomfortable with web design or coding. Several platforms can offer you an online store ready to be exploited.

Set up payment methods so you can accept payments from customers. Consider your targeted audience and what payment methods are available for them.

Marketing your products

If you're dropshipping in Saudi Arabia, it's crucial to have a marketing strategy to ensure potential customers see your products. Dropshipping has several benefits, including reaching a global market and the flexibility to set your prices. However, dropshipping can be a competitive business, so setting your products apart from the rest is essential.

You can take a few steps to market your dropshipping products:

• Run ads on Google and other search engines to drive traffic to your website.
• Offer discounts and coupons to encourage people to buy from you.
• Use social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook to promote your products. Visual platforms are great options for dropshippers. They hook customers with high-quality pictures and lure them into buying.
• Conversational channels: You might consider email marketing to reach more potential customers, but before doing so, ask yourself this: is your target audience still checking their emails in an era of instant messaging platforms?

It's a crystal clear answer. Then take a leap of faith and try out WhatsApp Business Platform, the trending platform, thanks to its outstanding features. It will allow you to handle customer service more efficiently without needing a sophisticated team. You will get a highly qualified chatbot to assist you with customer service and sending marketing campaigns at scale for an opted-in audience.

To get started with the platform, contact Kartly, your promising conversational platform, to unlock the potential of WhatsApp API.

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