There's nothing like a good book on dropshipping to get your creative business ideas flowing!

The online environment has taken the world over. These days you can shop, research, play and even work online. When it comes to online businesses, they are more difficult than they seem at a first glance. While it looks like everyone can start an online business, you need a bit of education, research and lots of work. Dropshipping is the hype these days – you can start an online store with literally no inventory at all. Here are some of the dropshipping books.

What Is Dropshipping in One Sentence?

Dropshipping is a business model in which ecommerce entrepreneurs (store owner) sell products without having to carry any inventory.

When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s doorsteps. The store owner usually uses an online platform which delivers orders to thrid-party suppliers automatically.

What Are The Advantages of Starting a Dropshipping Business?

There are several advantages to the dropshipping business model:

  1. Low startup costs: One of the biggest advantages of dropshipping is that it requires very little upfront investment. Because you don't have to purchase inventory upfront, you don't need to have a lot of capital to get started.
  2. Flexibility: With a dropshipping business, you have the flexibility to sell a wide variety of products without being limited by the amount of physical space you have to store inventory. This allows you to easily test different product categories and quickly pivot if a product isn't selling well.
  3. Ease of scaling: Because you don't have to worry about managing inventory, it's easy to scale a dropshipping business. As your sales grow, you can simply place more orders with your suppliers.
  4. Reduced risk: With dropshipping, you don't have to worry about being stuck with unsold inventory. This can be a major risk for businesses that carry a lot of inventory, as it can tie up a lot of capital and potentially lead to financial losses if the inventory doesn't sell.
  5. Low overhead: Because you don't have to worry about maintaining a physical storefront or warehouse, the overhead costs of a dropshipping business are typically much lower than those of a traditional brick-and-mortar business.

What Are The Top 5 Platforms and Suppliers?

Dropshipping Platforms

  • Shopify
  • Wordprerss – WooCommerce
  • Magento
  • OpenCart
  • Square

Dropshipping Suppliers

  • AliExpress
  • Doba
  • Spocket
  • CJ dropshipping
  • Megagoods

What Are The Best Dropshipping Books?

Ecommerce Empire, by Peter Pru (2022)

Ecommerce Empire is a must-have resource for anyone who wants to start an online business and be successful. Plan your Ecommerce business from the ground up using this comprehensive guide. The author dive deep into the strategies and tactics that can help you to build a successful online business.

The author covers topics like sales funnels, monthly subscription as business model, dropshipping, sales funnels and paid advertising. But most importantly the CEO mindset to succeed in dropshipping business.

You will not just mastering technical skills pertaining to an online business but also developing a wide range of competencies that will be helpful for your private life and as an entrepreneur.

Dropshipping E-Commerce Business Model 2022, by Phil Ortiz (2022)

Dropshipping may be the simplest way to earn a 6-figure profit every month from the comfort of your home with just a few hundred dollars as a starting point, according to the author.

In case of dropshipping, you're able to avoid the costly mistakes that come with starting your own business. You don't need to worry about inventory, shipping, or customer service. All of that is taken care of by your supplier. All you need to do is find a great supplier and market their products to your customers.

In this dropshipping book Phil tells how to find the right niche and the product that is easy to market. How to cope with competitors and how to superpower your online store to sell a great amount of product in no time.

Dropshipping: How To Make Money Online & Build Your Own $100,000+ Dropshipping Online Business, Ecommerce, E-Commerce, Shopify, Passive Income, by Anthony Parker (2017)

This book is about building a successful dropshipping business, which is an online business model where a seller does not keep goods in stock, but instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to either the manufacturer, another retailer, or a wholesaler, who then ships the goods directly to the customer.

The book covers topics such as how the dropshipping order fulfillment process works, how to find a niche and products for a dropshipping store, how to find suppliers, how to set up a store, and how to scale the business. It is intended for anyone who is interested in building a dropshipping business, regardless of their level of technical expertise or capital.

The goal of the book is to help readers understand what it takes to build a dropshipping business and to be able to start their own $100,000+ dropshipping business from scratch.

Dropshipping 101, by Frederic Gosset (2020)

Frederic Gosset's guide is one of the leading names in this field. You get a step by step guide with modern techniques to make money over the Internet and achieve financial freedom. The author assumes you have no experience whatsoever, so it takes newbies from scratch.

Find out how to start your business, how to open a good looking store and how to find a niche that you can make a profit in. You need reputable suppliers for longterm connections too. But this is not everything though. You will learn about the optimal budget, most common mistakes, optimization and so on.

At the end of the day, you need a bit of marketing as well. You need to stand out in the crowd and there are ways to overcome this problem. You will even learn how to come up with a unique brand for products, as well as the ideal online platforms to try your luck.

Amazon FBA, Dropshipping Shopify, Social Media & Affiliate Marketing, by Steven Sparrow (2020)

In this book, you learn how to establish your online business on Amazon FBA, Shopify or dropshipping. You will also find out about affiliate marketing and social media. The book is for those who want to start their own online business, but don't know where or in which direction to start from.

This book is your ticket to a successful, profitable and rewarding online business. The four books cover all the critical aspects of starting an online business, from choosing a niche and setting up ads to designing a website and generating traffic. It's one of the best self-help books on ecommerce self-publishing on the market today.

Dropshipping, by Ronald Anderson (2020)

Ronald Anderson aims to teach the reader what dropshipping actually means and what kind of mindset you need for it. There are, of course, pros and cons associated with this industry, but you will also find out how to research potential niches.

Find a good supplier too and you are ready to go. There are more platforms to try your luck on and each of them comes with advantages and disadvantages. The author compares all of them to help you make a more informed decision.

Other than that, you will discover some great dropshipping techniques, marketing channels, optimization tips and ideas on how to create a great brand. Simply put, this guide takes you through every step associated with this industry.

Dropshipping & Shopify – A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners, by Robert Kasey (2021)

Anyone interested in dropshipping could get some help from this guide. It is not suitable for the complete newbie though. Basically, it will not teach you how to do it step by step from scratch, so you should have some clues about this industry first.

Then, the author goes through the most common mistakes associated with dropshipping, as well as the best techniques to monetize your work. Find out why certain marketing channels work for experienced users and not for beginners, for example.

Other than that, you will gain access to a few techniques to automate the store – meaning you can make money while you relax or sleep. Simply put, this guide is all about secrets that you would normally discover overtime.

Dropshipping, by Lauren Hawkins (2020)

This is one of the best books about the dropshipping business because everything is crystal clear and straightforward. There are no general tips and ideas that you may already know, but direct instructions on how to succeed.

Dropshipping is clearly explained, as well as its necessity and demand. Big suppliers cannot reach all the customers, hence the necessity of middle people to ease things. Lots of entrepreneurs have noticed this channel and taken advantage of.

Whether you want to set a store through Amazon, eBay or another platform, this guide will direct you accordingly and help you make more informed decisions. Practically, it is only a matter of time until your store becomes successful.

E-Commerce Business Model 2020, by Jim Work George Brand (2020)

This book is all about electronic commerce and ideas to monetize your effort and overcome your 9-5 stagnating job. There are three different guides in this set and all of them target e-commerce. One of these guides is specifically designed for dropshipping.

This book will bring in a detailed guide on how to succeed in dropshipping. There are a few steps you have to go through, as well as some techniques to choose. Obviously, there are a few common mistakes that everyone makes – find out how to avoid them.

Whether it comes to setting up a store, optimizing it, finding suppliers and choosing the right strategies to stand out in the crowd, the book will provide critical advice and tips and tricks to make everything work while you sleep. What else could you ask for?

Shopify Ecommerce, by Matt J. Marswood (2020)

While most dropshipping guides target multiple platforms and ideas, this one is specifically aimed at those who want to succeed on Shopify – one of the most popular platforms for ecommerce. The guide will teach you how to start an online company from scratch and develop it into a giant.

You will find out what dropshipping really means and what kind of benefits it can bring in. The author will teach you how to find a niche that you can actually embrace with passion, as well as profitable products. Create a brand and create a loyal customer database.

The book will introduce you to over 50 marketing solutions that are already proven to be efficient. You will discover management techniques, profit management and the most common mistakes to avoid while getting into this industry.

Product Research 101, by Renae Clark (2015)

Everyone goes around the same thing – how to set a store, find suppliers and market for it. Sometimes, it still does not work. This is because you have missed the most important thing in the process – do you have the right product to skyrocket your business? Have you actually researched it correctly?

Author Renae Clark goes in two different directions. Some products are more profitable than others. Niches like smart technologies and artificial intelligence are killing these days. There are new digital innovations popping up on a regular basis. Then, there is your passion – things that you actually like.

The secret is to find something that can go in both directions. This book will teach you how to research products. Think about products that you are passionate about, as well as products that could make your shop successful. Find the middle option and research it accordingly.

DropShip Institute, by Cory Eckert (2019)

At over 500 pages, this is one of the best dropshipping books in this field. With no filler content and random stuff, it will take you to everything you need to know to make a good impression on the electronic market. In fact, it will even help you determine whether or not dropshipping is for you.

Figure out what kind of products would work for you – a bit of research needed, as well as a good dose of passion. Learn how to find suppliers and optimize the website for a successful approach. In a sea of Shopify websites that look like they were optimized by kids, this aspect could make the difference.

Finally, the last part involves the customer interaction. Learn how to drive traffic to your website and interact with your customers. More importantly, you will find out how to turn random visitors into actual buyers, but also how to maintain a good relationship and ensure they return at some point.

Own Your Niche, by Stephanie Chandler (2012)

Anyone can start an ecommerce website, but this is not the hardest part in the process. Even if you are not a big fan of technology, there are plenty of platforms that can be installed with just a few clicks. But this is not the hardest part – the big thing is choosing a product and connecting with your target audience to drive sales.

Identifying the ideal customer is the most important part. Once you know who this person is, you can target people with the same passions and interests. As a direct consequence, your shop will experience a constantly growing traffic. Find out how a blog could help you rank well in search results, not to mention social media interactions.

You do not need an expert for all these – you can lead and manage your own public relations and let the media come over. From online revenue streams to direct mail campaigns for loyalty, anything is accepted in the marketing industry. Besides all these, you will need to activate over multiple channels to see some results.

The StorySelling Method, by Philipp Humm (2023)

The StorySelling Method is a proven system designed to help individuals unlock their storytelling potential and improve their sales skills. It offers straightforward and effective tactics that have been used by professionals at renowned companies like Google, Oracle, and Visa to win more business. The book provides step-by-step guidance on turning any moment into a captivating story, identifying the five fundamental story types for optimal results, and integrating storytelling seamlessly into sales conversations.

The techniques taught in this book aim to leave a lasting impression, establish trust with clients, communicate value, overcome sales resistance, and inspire and influence others. With practical exercises and real-life examples, the book offers actionable advice on using storytelling to impress customers and emphasizes that anyone can become a great storyteller with the right techniques, mindset, and practice.

Future of Dropshipping Business

There's no doubt that dropshipping is on the rise. In the last few years, the industry has boomed and more businesses are using this fulfillment method to sell their products. But what does the future of dropshipping look like? Here are a few predictions:

  1. The industry will continue to grow despite the economic downfall. Dropshipping is still a relatively new industry, so there's a lot of room for growth. We can expect to see more businesses using this fulfillment method and more entrepreneurs getting into the space.
  2. There will be more competition. As the industry grows, there will be more competition among dropshippers. This means that businesses will need to differentiate themselves in order to succeed. Creating a charming brand will be essential for success.
  3. Technology will play a bigger role. Technology has already made dropshipping easier and more efficient, and this trend will continue in the future. Most likely platforms and suppliers will get closer, maybe some of them will even merge.

Final Thoughts on the top Books on Dropshipping

As a short final conclusion, these are some of the most helpful books about the dropshipping business. The list could be a bit longer, but these are the best guides in this industry. Some of them will take you from scratch and introduce you to every little detail that can make the difference. Some others will target more channels and guide you from the beginning to the very end. Bottom line, choosing the right one could be tricky, but the more you educate yourself, the better you will become in this industry.

You can also check our Shopify book list to find out more about that ecommerce platform.

Featured on Joelbooks