Once your dropship business gains scale and probably joins the list of big dropship websites moneymakers you will think of developing an e-commerce site and inevitably face with the dilemma what e-commerce platform software to install at your e-commerce website.

There are tens, if not hundreds, options to choose from, but it makes sense to pay attention to free e-commerce software solutions that are popular. Why? They are FREE and POPULAR (that guarantees that you will have no problem with technical support – installations, customization, upgrade, etc. For example, if you research for Magento or OS Commerce hacks you are likely to find a ready solution for any customization you might need). Also need to say that two of the below e-commerce software platforms are compatible (extensions, in fact) with popular CMS systems like Joomla and WordPress.

Below you will go through the list of top five free e-commerce platforms:

1. Magento – undoubtedly, the most popular product in this niche right now. 140,000 users, 1,000,000+ downloads. A product was introduced to the market in 2008 and got popular in no time. You can go through the feature list here Due to its popularity it is easy to find a Magento expert on eLance, other freelance boards or even through the official Magento website

2. osCommerce – Live Stores: 12,700, Add-Ons: 5,724, Community Members: 221,725  Launched in 2003 the software solution was the leader of free e-commerce platforms for a long time. Some weaknesses that shattered osCommerce top positions on the market of free e-commerce solutions were security vulnerabilities. Lack of plugins and add-ons (= not highly customizable) also allowed this software competitors to get its market share.

3. Zen Cart – another popular free e-commerce platform software. Also PHP based solution, this software developed as a branch from osCommerce (unlike osCommerce, it is template based and includes some extra features in the core). Zen Cart comes with many free add-ons that makes it attractive to users (as well as other listed here e-commerce solutions except osCommerce).

4. VirtueMart – a widely used e-commerce solution for Joomla (formerly Mambo) based websites (in fact, it is voted to be #1 Joomla extension). Initially known as mambo-phpShop. At the moment of writing the e-commerce solution had 1,500,000+ downloads. Full feature list is available here Like any other solution in our review it is highly customizable. A perfect solution for Joomla CMS based websites.

5. Instinct WordPress e-Commerce Plugin – one more CMS integrated popular e-commerce solution. For millions of WordPress powered website owners, this can be the right solution. 300,000+ downloads. Compared to top 3 free e-commerce solutions this might look a simpler solution, but for most dropship websites it can be the perfect fit.

The above e-commerce platforms are certainly not a complete list of free e-commerce solutions available on the market. But they are the most popular that provides you with a flexible solution to fit your needs and trouble free support if you need some.

Dropshipping golf equipment sounds like a lucrative niche, does not it? As if it should help you to join the top dropship league with your golf dropship site.

What golf equipment can you dropship?

dropship golf clubs
dropship golf balls
dropship golf shoes
dropship golf bags
dropship golf carts
etc…

Demand? My idea was that there is a limited demand for this expensive sports, but I was surprised to discover that according to Google Keyword Tool (I think it is trustworthy ) ‘golf shoes’ search over 1,000,000 per month and ‘golf clubs’ search over 6,000,000 times (broad match, Global search) – so there is a huge market for these products:

OK, what about dropship distributors and suppliers? Are there any to help with golf dropshipping?

Just a quick check shows that you have a nice choice. This is 33 suppliers that you can easily access, contact and partner for your dropsihip business via this source:

33 results found for Golf Equipment. A few samples:

Golf Dropship Supplier – Join for Supplier Name & Website
Visit Website | More Information

Dropship Products: Junior Golf Clubs, Golf Carts, Accessories, Balls, Golfing Goodies, Golf Components.

Golf Dropship Supplier – Join for Supplier Name & Website
Visit Website | More Information

Dropship Products: Bags, Gloves, Golf Equipments, Carts, Golf Apparel.

If you need more or different golf equipment dropshippers then let’s check another reliable source of verified dropship suppliers and wholesalers:

So, by now you know that there is a huge golf equipment market and sources to get products to dropship. Are you on the way to your 4-hour week?

Probably, but there is a long road to go yet. You need buyers of your golf dropship products. And this is likely to become the toughest question of our golf dropship journey.

The fact is that most dropship products are tested on eBay. It makes no sense to develop your own e-commerce store and invest into its marketing if you are not sure of the demand and competition levels. Certainly, you should research your competition and potential customers, but this is theory and you need some practice…

OK, back to eBay. My question is – do you think people buy golf equipment off eBay?

Let’s compare two demographic profiles:

People searching ‘golf equipment’ (thanks to cool Microsoft AdLab tool)

Gender: Male-oriented, with the following confidence:

Mal:0.68

Female:0.32

Age: 50+ Oriented with following distribution:

And eBay average user profile:

Gender Unknown with following probability:

Male:0.48

Female:0.52

Age: 35~49 Oriented with following distribution:

Well, I won’t say that they are identical, but it is another nice surprise (the first one was the number of golf related searches – remember). I think you see some audience overlap. I would definitely recommend some deeper Bay golf equipment research using their Market Research Tool and free eBay Pulse before you make your final decision to start your golf dropship bsinesss on eBay…

Need more product ideas to dropship? Or dropship case studies to research?

Dropship Case Studies
Doll Dropshippers
Mopeds Dropship
Electric Guitar Dropship
Scooter Dropship
Pet Apparel Dropshippers
Skateboard Dropshipper
Candle Drop Ship
Beauty Products Dropshipper

eBay dropshipping is popular and comparatively cheap way to test products dropship.

Unlike developing your own e-commerce website and promoting it online (SEO/ PPC/ e-mail marketing/ social media promotion – costly ways to test dropship products), eBay dropship allows you to cut these links in your online business chain. Using the auction platform to start or test your dropship business you save thousands of dollars. In addition you save much time. That’s why eBay dropship is probably the only right way for dropship beginners (as well as for weathered dropship affiiates intending to try new products dropshipping).

eBay used to be exceptionally popular in the last decade, Internet was filled with stories of millionaires who made their fortunes on eBay. Nowadays the eBay market seems oversaturated, big brands have come to eBay now and made it hard to compete for small businesses. But you see the same in the online business – big brands took top organic and paid positions and it is not easy to find a place for dropship business in this economy.

eBay dropship does not differ from usual dropship business. Moreover, eBay serves as a perfect place to define hot products to market and then push those products to this market filled with qualified customers ready to buy. eBay dropshippers can be the same dropship merchants that dropship products to the owners of e-commerce websites. One thing that comes to my mind and may negatively impact your eBay dropship attempts is that in the eyes of its million users eBay is the source of discount and cheap products.

A simple sample to illustrate how to use eBay to define product for dropshipping and then make use of the market is a few steps listed below:

A.      eBay Pulse to define popular products in any category

B.      eBay listings browsing and analyzing to define the level of competition and demand. eBay marketplace research is a good investment to make the informed decision.  You can supplement your research depth with In-Built Market Research tool that comes with some drop ship list.

C.      Drop ship list to choose reliable wholesale eBay dopshippers

Though it seems to be easy as ABC it takes time to monitor hot products for some time incl. competition, demand, pricing before attempting to eBay dropship them.

The mistakes are inevitable even with the above three step plan – wrong products picked, tough competition, eBay fees growing fast, wrong eBay dropshippers with overpriced products, etc.