Testing new products is a crucial part of running a successful Shopify dropshipping business. One of the most accessible platforms for this purpose is AliExpress, thanks to its vast product range and global shipping options. However, to test a product effectively, you need to know how to find reliable products, accurately calculate costs, and use these insights to run successful ads. This guide will walk you through the process of quickly testing new product ads using AliExpress.
1. Finding Reliable Products on AliExpress：
When testing new products, reliability is more important than finding the lowest price. Here’s how to find trustworthy products on AliExpress:
– Look for High-Rated Suppliers: Focus on suppliers with high ratings (4.7 stars or above) and a large number of orders. These metrics indicate that the supplier is consistent in delivering quality products.
– Read Customer Reviews: Reviews provide insights into the product’s quality, shipping times, and customer satisfaction. Look for products with detailed, positive reviews, and avoid those with frequent complaints about quality or delivery.
– Check the Supplier’s Longevity: Suppliers who have been on AliExpress for several years are generally more reliable. You can find this information in the supplier’s profile on AliExpress.
-Evaluate Shipping Options: Reliable suppliers typically offer multiple shipping options, including express shipping through services like AliExpress Standard Shipping or ePacket.
By focusing on these factors, you’ll be able to find products that are not only popular but also reliable, reducing the risk of customer dissatisfaction during your testing phase.
2. Determining Product and Shipping Costs on AliExpress：
Understanding the full cost of the product, including shipping, is essential for accurate ad testing. However, new buyers on AliExpress may encounter misleading discounts, so here’s how to get the real numbers:
– Access Costs Using Established Accounts: If possible, use a seasoned AliExpress account to view more accurate pricing. New accounts often show discounts that may not reflect the true cost.
– Check Multiple Shipping Options:When viewing a product, explore all the available shipping options to see the range of costs and delivery times. AliExpress usually provides options like free shipping, standard shipping, and expedited shipping with varying costs.
– Factor in AliExpress Discounts: Be aware of temporary discounts and promotions for new users. These can affect the initial cost you see, but they won’t apply in the long term. Make sure you calculate based on the regular price.
Once you’ve identified the product and shipping costs, you can proceed to calculate the total cost for delivering the product to your target market.
3. Calculating Costs for Shipping to a Specific Country：
To test ads effectively, you need to know the exact cost of shipping the product to the country you’re targeting. Here’s how:
– Select the Target Country: On the product page, choose the country you plan to target with your ads. AliExpress will display the shipping cost and estimated delivery time for that country.
– Total Cost Calculation: Add the product cost and the shipping cost to get the total cost of delivering the product to your customer. This is the amount you’ll base your ad testing budget on.
– Consider Customs and Taxes:Depending on the destination country, customs duties and taxes may apply. While AliExpress sometimes provides this information, you should research or estimate these additional costs for accurate pricing.
With these calculations, you’ll have a clear understanding of your cost per product and can set up your ads accordingly.
4. Running Ads to Test Product Viability:
Now that you have a reliable product and accurate cost information, you’re ready to test your ads. Here’s how to do it efficiently:
– Set a Modest Budget: Start with a small daily budget, focusing on platforms like Facebook or Instagram. This allows you to test the product without committing too much money upfront.
– Monitor Key Metrics: Keep an eye on metrics such as click-through rates (CTR), cost per click (CPC), and, most importantly, conversion rates. These will help you gauge the ad’s effectiveness and the product’s market potential.
-Adjust Based on Performance:If the ad performs well and generates sales at a profitable margin, consider scaling up the budget. Conversely, if the ad underperforms, review your targeting, ad creative, or product offering before deciding whether to continue.
5. Scaling Up with an Agent:
If your ad testing shows promising results, it’s time to scale your operations. Here’s how to do it:
– Find a Reliable Agent: Once a product proves successful, consider partnering with a dropshipping agent. An agent can help you source the product at a lower cost, provide faster shipping, and handle quality control.
– Negotiate Terms: Work with your agent to negotiate better pricing and shipping terms based on your expected sales volume. This will help you improve your profit margins as you scale.
– Automate and Optimize: As you scale, look into automating parts of your process, such as order fulfillment and customer communication, to handle increased order volumes efficiently.
Conclusion
Testing new products quickly and effectively is key to staying competitive in the Shopify dropshipping space. By carefully selecting reliable products on AliExpress, accurately calculating costs, and running targeted ads, you can validate product ideas before investing heavily in them. If your tests are successful, scaling with the help of a dropshipping agent like Aplusfulfill can take your business to the next level, offering better pricing, faster shipping, and higher profit margins.
Ready to start testing your next big product? Follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to finding winning products and scaling your Shopify dropshipping business successfully.
