For all of the thousands of individuals I have mentored when it comes to setting up a home business, the one question that gets asked the most is – “What is the fastest way for me to make money online?” I usually follow this up with, there is no true get rich quick opportunities out there, unless you are one of the lucky ones to hit the lottery.  A true legitimate business opportunity takes time, hard work, money and dedication to make it successful.  This is no different when it comes to a legitimate dropshipping opportunity.  eBay is a huge dropshipping opportunity that all who own drosphipping businesses need to be taking advantage of.

With all that aside, one of the fastest ways I have made money myself, and seen others make it, is through eBay.  I would suggest starting with the stuff you have in the garage to sell (no kidding), so you can become more familiar with the in’s and out’s of eBay.  There is nothing better then just diving right into it, and learning the whole process, so when you start to list products that you have access to from a dropshipper, it is less intimidating, and you have more of a chance to make money.

It will take a little research, and I have narrowed down the 3 most important research steps you need to be taking in order to succeed selling dropshipping products on eBay.

1. Search The Completed Auctions – The single best method I have ever used for research is the completed auction feature.  There are so many companies out there that want to sell you eBay research tools, and products, but I have used them all, and for the most part they are all garbage.  Nothing really beats the tools eBay offers you right on their site.  Oh yea, and they are free.  After signing into eBay you will see a link on the top right of the page that is called “advanced search” this is where you can do a completed auction search.  Just make sure to put your item keyword, and select the “completed auction button”, then hit search.  The results you get are the most recent completed auctions.   The prices in green are the ones that sold, and the ones in red did not sell.  You can also see how much was charged for shipping.  What does all this mean to you? It means a lot, it means that you have every single bit of information you need to find products that will actually sell online, and eBay.  You then can go to your supplier prices and see with shipping and everything what your cost will be, and if you are going to be able to sell those products on eBay.  Researching this way is also a good way for you to find out if the type of products you want to sell on eBay are even selling.  If you see a long line of red prices in the completed listings, then no one is buying those products, and it would probably be a waste of time to try and sell them as well.
2. Researching Other Sellers (your Competition) – When you use eBay to find completed auctions, it also helps you find your biggest competitors and what products they are selling.  You can see what prices they are offering products for, and shipping as well as the most sold items.  This may give you a better idea of the products that you can sell on eBay, and other auction, classified and shopping type sites (and be successful at it).
3. Competitive Pricing – If your prices are not competitive, then you will never be able to sell products on eBay.  Doing this research will give you a better idea of what you need to set your prices at.  This can also help you be able to talk to your supplier about giving you better prices.  If you can give them (supplier) your eBay marketing research results, and prove to them that you will do a better job selling their products with better prices, they will be more likely to listen.  They want to work with those people who show them they are willing to do what it takes to sell products including this kind of research.

The bottom line here is to do better research then your competition, and not be afraid or intimidated by eBay, or selling on it.  Many people have been turned into millionaires because of eBay.  If you are looking for products to sell on eBay, The Shipper is offering a free 7 day trial membership that gives you full access to all of our dropshippers.  JOIN TODAY!

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Something you may not have realized that you are able to take advantage of with The Shippers dropshipping list is purchases for yourself.  I usually share these kind of (personal purchase) stories around the holidays because they are obviously more appropriate then any other time of the year.  When you have access to thousands of suppliers you can gain access to more then just the ones you are using on your website.  You can give them your business information and set up an account and do your entire Christmas shopping for about 1/2 of what it would probably normally cost you.

A few birthdays ago for a sister of mine, I purchased a (retail value) $500 Kitchen Aid Mixer from a supplier that I gained access to through The Shippers dropshipping database of suppliers for only $180.00.  The savings that were made on that gift alone paid for membership fees many times over.  The point here is helping you understand why paying for a membership to The Shipper can actually help you save money in the long run.  This is true for personal and all of your business expenses.

Think about it, and if you are looking to sell products online, or even just want to save this holiday season, The Shipper can help.  The Shipper is offering a FREE 7 day trial with full access to all of our product sourcing databases.  If you are looking for dropshippers, manufacturers, wholesalers, trade show hook ups or anything else product sourcing related – we are your only source.  JOIN TODAY AND SAVE!

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I love social networks and communities, and do not talk a whole lot about them on this blog, but I wanted to share a site with everyone that I have been testing out and using for a while.

Most everyone who reads this blog has heard about Digg, a social network that shares stories with a community of users, and those same users vote for stories and have control which stories make it to the top, and which ones don’t.  Think about how that whole system of submitting stories, and voting, and dip it in green, and you get Hugg.  Hugg is simply just a green Digg where you can submit environmentally friendly stories, videos, links and share green information with the community of users.

I have seen Hugg become a great source of traffic and connection makers for those with green, or environmentally friendly websites.  Social communities that are “niche” like Hugg give you very targeted link that you can’t put a price tag on.  Some of the connections I have made with new friends on Hugg have paid off in more ways they I can even describe in this post.  If you are trying to market a site that is green, then you need to become a member of Hugg and feel the love!

If you are new to The Shipper and are looking for environmentally friendly products, we can help.  Join Today free 7 days, and find the products that are perfect for your green website.

internet marketing, online business social networks, wholesale

Just a reminder if you are trying to build up your blogging presence, and working to become a useful contributor of the community, you need to go read related blogs and post useful comments about the topics you care about.  Just leaving comments because you are trying to link build will do you no good.  You will probably get your comments deleted, or no followed.  No one reading your comments will be interested, and they will not click to see who you are.

If you are leaving useful comments that get people thinking, they are more likely to click on your link and see if they can find out a little more about you.  Who knows, they may start leaving comments on your blog.  For example; If I come across a blog talking about 5 ways to link build, and I find it interesting I can share what tips they gave that I have used, and maybe suggest some other tips to add to the post.  You do not have to write a novel to be a useful commenter, but leave something that you would enjoy reading if the tables were turned.

You do not need to worry about anchor text, and your name so you get a link that way.  Just use your real name, or the name of your company or website.  Doing this will still get you a relevant link, and will do you some good because the link is a part of super targeted content.  It will also not get you labeled as a comment spammer, but a contributor.

I have seen on many occasions loads of traffic from comments that I have made on related blogs.  Many people find out about your website this way, and start to link to you as well.  This is a better way of link building, as it is more natural. Bloggers link to stuff they like, so if you have stuff that is worthy of being linked to, then its pretty much a no brainer you will get some links from your efforts.

If you are curious to see how leaving useful comments on related blogs is working for you, then you can always opt to purchase some sort of Web Traffic Analysis tool that help you figure out what is happening with all of your potential customers and traffic on your site.   I always think that is a good idea!

If you are reading this blog for the first time and are looking to get into a dropshipping business, The Shipper can get you access to thousands of product suppliers that will dropship products you want to sell on a website.  Join today free for 7 days.

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I know there are many that read this blog that are very familiar with what a dropshipping list is, but I get questions sent in (quite a bit) asking me; What is a dropshipping list?  So, those are the people I want to address with this post.

A dropshipping list is a database of product supplier companies who will dropship items for you that is compiled by a company (like The Shipper) to make finding suppliers who dropship easier.  You can do a search for suppliers online with ease, but figuring out which one dropships, and is legit is another story.  Thats where a dropshipping list comes into play.  Once you get access, our dropshipping list has a search function to make it easier finding the products you want to sell on your website.

We even have a suggestion option, where you can tell us what products you are wanting to sell, if we do not offer them currently in the database.  Since we attend multiple trade shows all around the world every year, its a pretty good bet that we will be able to find the products you are wanting to sell.

The list that has been complied here at The Shipper is full of legitimate dropshippers that have been pre-screened, and have been qualified so you never have to worry about working with a supplier that will take advantage of you.  You are paying for access to a database of product suppliers that is years in the making.  You never have to waste time finding suppliers on your own, and then worry if they are legit on top of the frustration.

I hope this gives you a better idea as to what a dropshipping list is, and why one wanting to get into dropshipping would pay to get access.

If you join The Shipper today, you can enjoy a free 7 day trial with full access to all of our products.

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I have been a big fan of Google Base, and other shopping solutions sites for as long as they have been open to the public.  I have been reading so much about the future of Google, and what their future holds, and it makes me want to preach Google Base!  Google Base has far less problems with spam then the normal SERPs, and its much harder to get multiple accounts (thus ending the “get banned, get new account” cycle similar to AdSense.).

Google wants to give people the most relevant (spam free) content possible, and this is where Google Base comes into play.  If you got something to sell, then Google Base wants to help you sell it.  What do you think the SERPs are going to be filled up with soon? Spam, or pre-screened, pre- approved content?

I think getting on Google Base will help your business get found much easier on mobile searches as well, or when people do a Google Text.  If you have never used this feature from Google, its pretty amazing.  If you are on the road and don’t have that (no so handy) huge directory book on hand you can send a text message to Google (466453) with the business name, and city you are looking for.  For example; If I am in Mesa Arizona and I am looking for the nearest Sonic to get my refreshment on, I would simple text Google – Sonic Mesa AZ and then wait for the text message results with the address.  I then go to the nearest Sonic and get my refreshment!

You have to be an idiot if you think that mobile searches, or mobile texts will not happen with more and more products (in the near future).  Lets say I am looking for a kids furniture showroom, and I am driving around wondering if there are any others close by besides the one I just came from.  Just do a mobile search, or Google text for what you are looking for and there you go!  You are a part of the mobile search revolution!

Here is the question though - How do you get your content (products) on such search results?

If you are a part of the programs that Google is making more main stream like Google Base you have a better chance of being a site listed with results when people do a mobile search for you (or text search).   You also need to register your business with all of the Local Search options as well like Google Local, Yahoo Local and Yellowbook to name a few.

Google Base allows you to upload all of the products that you are selling on your website, and sell them right through Google with their interface.  With Google Checkout, it can’t get any easier to buy or sell products online with Google.  They are so smart that it keeps getting scarier and scarier by the day!

Google is turning into a content hosting monster, and you need to make sure that you are changing the way you market your business too, so you are not left behind.  With the inventions of amazing products like the Blackberry, and iPhone I think people are going to be just as amazed of how much is bought right through your phone, like all the naysayers of the past talking about no one buying online.

If you are looking to set up a dropshipping business, The Shipper can get you access to thousands of suppliers with millions of product options.  Join Today FREE for 7 days!

internet marketing, online business dropshipping, google, wholesale, yahoo

As I was planning another trip for my family the other day I got to wondering how many (new) Internet business owners out there are taking advantage of reward style credit cards, like the ones offered from Plastic Rewards.  I am always thinking of ways to make money with all the times I am spending money on my businesses.  For example; getting free gas from all the gas I spend going to and from meetings with clients (from a gas reward credit card), or when I make purchases for my business and the money goes toward airline miles.

If you can take advantages of the offers available to you when you make business purchases, your money will go a lot further.  If you can just pay your bills off on time, and train yourself to have good credit habits you can make money out of nothing.

As a business owner, you probably understand better then anyone about expenses.  There is always something that seems to come up, so do what you can to get some of that money back.  Just wanted to give you this little tip that may make the next time you spend money (for your business) a little easier.  Also, remember if you are a merchant that accepts credit cards on your site, you need to make sure you are up to PCI Compliance standards by Dec. 31st 2007 so business flows as usual.

The Shipper is offering a free 7 day trial membership that gets you access to our full line of suppliers with products ready to dropship.  Join Today!

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I have a quick idea that I wanted to share with all those who already own Internet businesses, and who are dropshipping products from suppliers.  Most of the time we get caught up in the products we are selling on our website, and tend to forget about other avenues to make money with our knowledge of how dropshipping works.

If you know how to get access to products, then you already know that you can get access to any kind of products you want, especially if you already have access to The Shipper dropshipping directory list.  You have the option to sell products not related to your website on Craigslist, eBay or any other shopping type site.

Most forget, or think because they are selling a certain type of product on their website, they think they are locked into that product, and that product only.  You are not locked into anything, and can sell whatever you want, for example you can take advantage of the current holiday season, like Halloween, and find a supplier for Halloween costumes, and sell them a month or two before the actual holiday!

If you are wanting to find products you can sell on a website, or on a shopping type site, The Shipper can get you access to dropship almost any kind of product, for any kind of season, or promotional event!

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Just wanted to share a quick note with everyone, and tell about a new book that I just got done reading co-authored by Bill Zanker (president of the Learning Annex) and Donald Trump titled “Think Big and Kick Ass in Business and Life“.  This book is really motivational, and can teach you a lot about improving the way you do business, and run your life, and how you can mesh the two.

Most everyone who reads this blog either owns a dropshipping business, or is thinking about starting one, which means they need to read this book!  You will get many insights that can help you grow your business and take it to the next level.  Anyway, if you enjoy reading about business, and self improvement, pick up this book because I recommend it!

If you are wanting to sell products online, The Shipper can help you get access to suppliers that dropship the products you are looking for.  The Shipper is offering a free 7 day trial for full access to our database.

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Every year I run different holiday and promotional ads out of various local classified newspapers, and every year it has brought me a great return.  Usually for a small time newspaper the ad cost about 30 bucks, and runs anywhere from one week to a month.  I usually start running these ads in October, and finish up with my ads during the first couple weeks of December.

If my supplier is offering me great deals on certain products they want to “blow out” after Christmas, then I will run some more ads towards the end of December, trying to hit the after Christmas shoppers.  January is usually not as bad of an online month as you might think.  The slow down begins in February when everyone starts to get their credit card statements in the mail from Christmas spending.

A great way to track the effectiveness of your off line classified ads is to set up coupon codes offering a percentage off.  When the order comes through, you will see if the coupon code was used, and this will give you a good idea which ads work better in which classified papers.  You can also track conversion on your site with web analytics and conversion tracking tools depending on what analytics software you are using.

Running classified ads are a great way to get more exposure to your website that target a group of people who may not normally do their shopping online, or do a lot of online browsing.  My number one tip would be to focus on the products that are more “gift” friendly for obvious reasons during these holiday months.  You can even give your phone number to take orders for those people who may not like to order online.  You can just place the order online for them, and the beautiful thing about dropshipping is that it works both ways.

The Shipper can help you find the perfect (gift type) products to promote with classified marketing during the holidays.  You can gain access to items that range from pearl necklaces to mattress toppers.  The Shipper can even help you get access to seasonal items you can sell like halloween costumes.  You have nothing to lose with The Shipper during our 7 day free trial membership.  If you do not find the products you are looking for, your money will be refunded!  Join Today!

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