How Do You Build a Dropshipping Store With Fast Shipping Times?

Introduction.

Building a successful dropshipping store isn’t just about finding the right products and setting up an online platform.

If you’re serious about growing your business, fast shipping times are crucial.

Customers today expect quick delivery, and if you can’t meet those expectations, they’ll move on to competitors who can.

But how do you set up a dropshipping store that offers fast shipping, especially when you’re relying on suppliers from overseas?

It might seem like a challenge, but there are practical ways to shorten shipping times.

From choosing the right suppliers to using fulfilment centres, there are proven strategies that can improve delivery speed and customer satisfaction.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to build a dropshipping store that ensures faster shipping times, so you can stay competitive and keep your customers happy.

How Do You Build a Dropshipping Store With Fast Shipping Times?

Dropshipping is an attractive business model because it requires minimal upfront investment.

You don’t need to hold inventory or manage logistics, but one major challenge is ensuring fast shipping times.

Many dropshipping businesses lose customers because long shipping times from suppliers kill the shopping experience.

However, it’s possible to build a dropshipping store with fast shipping times, and here’s how you can do it.

1. Choose the Right Suppliers.

The biggest factor in your shipping speed is where your suppliers are located.

Many dropshipping businesses rely on suppliers from China, which often means delivery can take 2 to 4 weeks.

To speed things up, find suppliers that have warehouses closer to your customer base, especially if you’re targeting a specific region like the U.S. or Europe.

• AliExpress and local suppliers: Some sellers on platforms like AliExpress have warehouses in various countries, allowing for faster local shipping. Filter products by warehouse location when you’re sourcing.
• Supplier directories: Sites like Spocket, Oberlo, and SaleHoo help you find suppliers in countries with better shipping times, including the U.S. and Europe.

By choosing suppliers closer to your customers, you can cut shipping times down to as little as 3–5 days.

2. Use ePacket Shipping.

ePacket is a shipping option offered by many Chinese suppliers, specifically designed to speed up delivery for products being shipped to countries like the U.S. and Canada.

It’s faster than standard shipping and provides tracking, usually delivering packages within 7 to 20 days.

While ePacket isn’t as fast as domestic shipping options, it’s still significantly quicker than traditional international shipping and a solid option if you have suppliers in China.

3. Focus on a Niche Market.

Building a niche store means you can focus on specific products that you know have fast shipping times.

A general store with hundreds of products often leads to inconsistent shipping experiences, as suppliers may vary in speed.

However, a niche store allows you to work with a few select suppliers that consistently deliver quickly.

For example, if you’re selling fitness gear or home office supplies, find reliable suppliers with warehouses in countries where your primary customers are located.

Once you’ve locked in a solid supply chain, you can easily scale your business without worrying about delays.

4. Opt for Private Label or Custom Fulfillment.

If your dropshipping store grows, you can start negotiating directly with manufacturers for private labelling or custom fulfilment.

This is where a manufacturer or fulfilment centre can store your products in a local warehouse and ship them as soon as a customer orders.

Working with a fulfilment centre in your country can drop shipping times to 2–5 days, creating a much better customer experience and reducing return rates.

5. Use Shopify Apps for Faster Shipping.

If you’re using Shopify, some apps specialize in finding fast-shipping suppliers. Here are a few to consider:

• Spocket: Connects you with suppliers from the U.S. and Europe who offer fast shipping options.
• Modalyst: Offers a range of products with fast shipping from suppliers based in the U.S. and globally.
• Oberlo: A well-known app for AliExpress dropshipping, it helps you find products that are eligible for ePacket shipping.

These tools help streamline your supplier selection process, ensuring that you work with sellers who can meet your shipping expectations.

6. Communicate Shipping Times Clearly

Even if you’re able to cut shipping times down, it’s crucial to set clear expectations with your customers.

Be transparent on your website about how long shipping takes and provide tracking information.

I’ve found that customers are more patient if they know exactly when their package is going to arrive. This transparency builds trust and reduces complaints.

You can also offer faster shipping at an additional cost if possible. Some customers will be willing to pay extra for expedited delivery if they need their products urgently.

7. Use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

If you’re selling certain products that you want to ship faster, you can consider using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).

While Amazon isn’t traditionally known for dropshipping, you can buy products in bulk from your supplier, send them to Amazon’s warehouses, and have them handle the fulfilment.

Amazon’s fast and reliable shipping network can ensure 2-day shipping or even next-day delivery in some areas.

This hybrid approach can help you maintain faster shipping times while still enjoying the benefits of the dropshipping model.

8. Track Your Supplier’s Performance.

I recommend keeping an eye on your suppliers’ shipping performance over time.

Some suppliers may promise fast shipping but fail to deliver.

Use tracking tools or services like Oberlo to monitor shipping times and make sure your suppliers are consistent.

If you find that a supplier’s shipping times are slowing down or their products aren’t arriving as promised, switch to a more reliable one.

Conclusion.

As you can see, building a dropshipping store with fast shipping times requires a strategic approach.

It’s not just about choosing a fast supplier; it’s about optimizing every aspect of your business, from your product selection to your customer service.

I’ve shared some valuable tips and strategies in this post, but the journey doesn’t end here.

The dropshipping landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices.

What are your experiences with building a dropshipping store with fast shipping times? Share your insights and questions in the comments below.