Dropshipping is a method that has been taking the internet by storm for more than 10 years now. It’s a business model in which eCommerce entrepreneurs sell products without having to carry any inventory. One common question is that do you have to be 18 to start dropshipping.
The answer is no, you do not have to be 18 years old to start dropshipping. In fact, anyone of any age can start a dropshipping business. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a willingness to learn and work hard. One thing people under 18 years old may need to do is get their parents involved. This way they could help with any legal issues that may come up, such as setting up a business bank account.
There are many reasons why dropshipping is a good business model for young entrepreneurs. Below we will get into them.
Why Is Dropshipping a Good Business For People Under 18?
Dropshipping is a great method for people under 18. Let’s get right into the main reasons.
Dropshipping Has a Low Business Cost
The likelihood that people under 18 years of age can start a business that has high expenses is not likely. One of the reasons why dropshipping is a good business model for people under 18 is because it has low business costs.
According to Oberlo, you can start a dropshipping business with as much as $100. This is a very low amount compared to other business models and traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.
Teens Today Are Good With Computers
Being good with computers is a must if you want to start a dropshipping business. This is because most of the work will be done online.
Luckily, people under 18 are some of the best at computers. Teens today have grown up using computers and are very comfortable using them. This is because the use of computers starts when they’re very young at school.
They Know What Is Trending
I don’t know about you, but I felt the most up-to-date with trends when I was in high school when it came to trends. As you get older you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and don’t have time to keep up with trends as much.
Putting those trends to use for a drop shipping business could be very profitable.
They Have More Time To Figure Things Out (Less Responsibility)
When you’re older, starting side hustles get harder and harder. Being young though, you have plenty of time. There’s no better way to take advantage of that time than to start a dropshipping business.
You can use the extra time you have to learn about eCommerce, social media marketing, and other important aspects of running a successful online business.
How To Start Dropshipping Under 18
Below we will go over the steps you need to take to start a dropshipping business under 18.
1) Get Your Parents Involved
If you’re under 18, then you will need to get your parents involved. This is because there are some legal issues that need to be taken care of. For example, setting up a business bank account usually requires someone over the age of 18.
Secondly, taxes are very important when running a business. You will need to make sure that you are up-to-date on the tax laws, the money you make might have to reflect in your parents’ taxes. It’s important to consult with an expert.
2) Choose A Niche
One of the most important parts of starting a dropshipping business is choosing a niche. This is because you need to focus on a specific group of people with your marketing efforts.
There are two ways you can go about finding a niche. The first way is to think about something you’re passionate about. For example, if you’re passionate about makeup then you could start a dropshipping business that sells makeup products.
The second way is to show whats trending. Look for niches that are growing in popularity. This can be done by using Google Trends.
3) Find A Supplier
After you have chosen a niche, the next step is to find a supplier. This is the company that will be shipping the products to your customers.
There are a few things you need to consider when finding a supplier. The first is shipping times. You need to find a supplier that can ship the products to your customers in a timely manner.
The second is quality. You need to make sure that the products you’re selling are of good quality. The last thing you want is to get negative reviews because the products you sold were poor quality.
The third is price. You need to find a supplier that can provide you with the products at a good price. This is important because you need to be able to make a profit.
4) Set Up A Store
Now it’s time to set up a store. You can do this by using a platform like Shopify. They have everything you need to get started and they’re very user-friendly.
Once you have set up your store, the next step is to add products. You can do this by going to your suppliers’ websites and adding their products to your store.
Make sure to add high-quality photos of the products and write good descriptions. This will help you convert visitors into customers.
5) Start Marketing
The final step is to start marketing your store. This can be done by using social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. You can also use Google Ads to drive traffic to your website.
This is just a broad overview of everything. It’s important to really dive into each step so that you can be successful. Don’t rush things and take your time to learn as much as you can.
Is It Dangerous To Start Dropshipping As a Minor?
People under 18 usually get sucked into purchasing very expensive drop shipping courses. This is because they see a YouTube ad of a “guru” promoting dropshipping and how they make $200k per month.
This sets them up for failure for many reasons. The first reason is that they already spent way to much money on the course. The second reason is that they see the course creator making $200k and if they don’t match up to that in a month or two they get discouraged and give up.
The key is to learn to make $10 per day and get better from there. You can do this by watching free resources like YouTube videos and reading blog posts (like this one!).
Why Is Starting a Business Good For Younger People?
Being a younger person in business could teach you many valuable lessons.
Some of the lessons you could learn by starting a business at a young age include:
- How to manage money
- How to work with other people
- How to handle customer service
- How to market and sell products or services
All of these lessons are important no matter what age you are. However, they can be especially valuable if you learn them at a young age. This is because you will have more time to implement them into your life and career.
Conclusion
As you can see starting drop shipping for people under 18 has its challenges, but it is definitely possible. If you found this blog post helpful, please share it wherever you can! To see related posts click on the tags below:
