With all that craze about PSP Playstation, Xbox and Wii consoles it comes to my mind that video games dropship should be a profitable business. Every time I check hot products online I come across some games or consoles listings. For example, have a look at the list of most popular eBay products:

Ebay Pulse

• cursor
• ipod
• ipod touch
• iphone
• wii
• xbox 360
• coach
• cricut
• ipod nano
• nintendo ds

In addition to that we have a separate case study category on video games dropshippers – one of the most populated. It is not a problem to choose a verified game dropshipper from the lists

Everything about video games dropshipping looks so attractive for years now, but I can’t even approach the game dropship. Like with any product category you need some basic knowledge about the products you would like to sell, some research and then market news following. This is something that holds me from entering this product niche – I have zero knowledge or interest in video games. I always tried to distant myself from video game playing being afraid that it could occupy too much time in my life due to the stickiness of their nature…

What is the best solution of the problem similar to this? You think you have found some cool items to dropship, but have no idea about the products/ industry. You can outsource this business by hiring a person who is familiar with the video games, you can research this industry yourself first, you can test the game dropship and later decide on the best way to develop this product category dropship. I just wonder how you deal with this sort of issues. Is there any other proven ways to enter new product niches with min time and fund investments?

I wonder how people develop their drop ship affiliate businesses. Not develop, but start. Well, in my case you need to make sure that you have some time and funds to tap into some new product category, to begin with.

Next step is to collect information about products you would like to dropship. As a rule, I apply some free online tools, research Google search results, eBay marketplace, PPC competition, use keyword tools.

Once I feel that there is some potential it is high time to think of the reputable dropship merchant. My options here are:

- select from the lists of prescreened dropshippers
- type into Google – ‘product category or name’ drop ship program and analyze the results
- turn to Yellow Pages and try to find a local wholesaler

Each option to join a drop ship program has some drawbacks certainly. Just a few to name:

Option #1 – yes, you find a verified dropshipper, but 100 other dropship affiliates use and promote their drop ship program.

Option #2 – we run into sites of some doubtful companies that claim to be that product wholesalers, but their prices, terms, website look and feel say to stay away from this.

Option #3 – you need to arrange a proper training of the local wholesaler, run courses ‘Drop Ship Program Basics’ and then get your offer declined.

A few years back it was a problem to spot a reliable dropshipper. Nowadays things have changed. It is a challenge to find a niche big enough to earn and small enough to be able to compete with big online retailers. Most niche are saturated, the situation got worse with the financial crisis – online business gets the shape of offline one where brands and big investments rule the world.

We focused our analysis on separate products in our past articles:

Diamond Dropshippers
Jigsaw Puzzle Drop Shippers
Coffee Dropship
Feng Shui Drop Ship
Diaper Bags Dropshipper

We also follow dropship sites that come on sale so that we could discover profitable markets and products, a few recent case studies include:

Anime Dropshippers
Playstation Dropshipper
Pool Products Dropshipper
Basket Dropshipper
Dash Kits Auto Accessory Dropshipper
Men Apparel Dropshipper
Waterproof Photo/ Video Housings Dropshipper

There is another way to discover products to profitably dropship and combine the results of the research with the offers that come from the top product sourcing channels available on the market – research based on the brand. Brands rule the world – we need just find a brand perfect for our dropship business.

We chose Oakley for our test analysis:

Decades of Oakley innovation have been awarded more than 540 patents that elevate physics to the level of art. Technologies transcend sports to enhance the lives of consumers, and more than 110 countries now enjoy a full array of market-leading products including premium sunglasses, goggles, prescription eyewear, apparel, footwear and accessories. These products represent our commitment to excellence — a passion that redefines what is possible for those who defy their own limits.

Premium sunglasses, goggles, prescription eyewear, apparel, footwear and accessories – perfect products for online business mixed with top quality and brand recognition.

Demand is steadily high over years

Rising searches

Another step for demand research – let’s see what keyword research tool has to say about our Oakley dropship idea:

Many keywords searched, but I should admit that competition is tough.

Remember to check popular products on eBay

The above few steps take 2-3 minutes, but you get some idea about demand. KEI indicator helps to get and idea about competition. Take one more step and browse Google top results to see who is in Google top 10 for 5-10 keywords – any chance to get there if you choose to develop an online store? Now we are aware of the competition.

OK, time to make some conclusions. I hope you have got the idea of analyzing products to dropship by brand.

I do not think I will try Oakley dropship right away – I would continue research comparing Oakley products pricing available from dropship merchants, do some eBay testing, get into the know of Oakley products – and then make a decision.