In today’s world, technology and business innovations offer different paths to starting an online store. Traditional 9-to-5 jobs are no longer the only viable option for generating income, and ghost commerce is one of the most profitable and convenient alternatives, especially for beginners.
What is ghost commerce? How can I start? Which ghost commerce model is best for my situation? Let’s answer these questions and highlight some key insights so you can start selling by tomorrow without any hassle!
Ghost commerce allows selling without managing physical inventory or a store.
Popular models include dropshipping, print on demand, and affiliate marketing.
Dropshipping is ideal for beginners due to low investment and flexible operations.
AutoDS automates tasks like order fulfillment and inventory management for efficiency.
Print-on-demand is perfect for offering personalized products without storing inventory.
Before diving into how to make money with ghost commerce and the differences between the various models, let’s briefly review what ghost commerce is. When we talk about this term, we’re referring to a business that doesn’t require the components of a traditional business, mainly a physical location and product stock.
In typical stores, we must invest significantly in rent, upfront inventory, hiring staff, and more. In contrast, ghost commerce offers the possibility of starting to sell without a high initial budget or taking on significant risks.
How? Essentially, if you want to know how to make money with ghost commerce, you partner with a third party, generally a supplier or another brand, depending on the model, that handles storage, shipping, and production. To better understand, let’s review each ghost commerce model you might encounter to analyze which one will best fit to grow your income quickly.
Dropshipping is perhaps the most popular form of ghost commerce, often simply called ghost commerce. In a classic dropshipping business, we sell products without manufacturing, storing, or shipping them. Here’s the process with a supplier partnership:
This straightforward, three-part model has many advantages, especially for beginners with a limited budget or little business experience. Consider, for instance, the savings from not needing to invest in product stock and the flexibility of managing your store from anywhere with an internet connection. These are some of the reasons dropshipping is a low-risk model.
To set up for success, we must consider various factors. First, it’s crucial to partner with a supplier who guarantees product quality and professional handling of shipping times, return policies, and similar aspects. Finding a niche and related products to stand out is also essential. Since our strength lies in marketing strategies that connect products with the right audience, a well-designed and functional online store is a must.
Although it’s an accessible business model for beginners, some routine tasks can feel tedious, especially at the beginning. Fortunately, technology has advanced enough to offer numerous automation options to make these processes more efficient. Automating tasks such as order fulfillment, store creation, and inventory management frees up our time to focus on the most critical aspects of our business.
Beginner’s Tip: You can try all our automation features with our 14-day trial for just $1!
Like any business model, dropshipping has advantages and challenges. Fortunately, the obstacles we may encounter aren’t difficult to resolve with the help of automation and the right strategies.
Beginners looking for a low-risk way to start an eCommerce business without significant initial costs.
If creativity is your thing, then the question of what is ghost commerce and how to make money with it might just be answered by this business model: Print on Demand allows you to offer personalized and custom-designed products without needing to store inventory. It operates similarly to dropshipping:
The customer places an order in your store with a custom design. You then forward this order to a supplier who prints the design on the product and ships it. This model lets you offer personalized designs, increasing the product’s price and aesthetic value to the customer. It’s ideal for selling your unique designs or targeting bulk purchases, such as mugs for all members of an office, backpacks, pens, or notebooks with an institution’s branding, etc.
This model stands out for its ability to create unique products that resonate with specific audiences. This not only enhances the exclusivity and perceived value of the item but also allows us to adapt to different trends and seasons with relevant designs.
Although customized, POD is scalable, especially with automation tools and a strong marketing strategy. Businesses can reach new audiences, mainly focusing on niche markets and building a brand around unique designs.
Beginner’s Tip: Through AutoDS’s Print On Demand feature, you can sell customized items directly, allowing you to quickly establish a market presence.
Creators who want to design unique products for niche markets and adapt quickly to changing trends.
As you can see, if you were wondering how to make money with ghost commerce, the answer isn’t just one! Let’s delve into a ghost commerce model that differs somewhat from the previous two but retains some characteristics. In affiliate marketing, we act as intermediaries between a manufacturer or brand and a specific audience segment. It works like this:
We tell a company we want to promote their products in our online community. Then, they provide us with an affiliate link. We promote the products on our blog, social media, or websites, and we receive a commission for every purchase made through that link by our audience.
This can be particularly beneficial, especially if we already have a well-established and solid community. For example, if we have a large number of Instagram followers with certain characteristics, selling products that align with that niche can generate many transactions.
Individuals with an established audience looking to monetize their content without the complexities of inventory management.
Following the line of affiliate marketing, influencer marketing is based on brands collaborating with influencers who align with their target market and brand values. In this way, influencers create content that features the brand’s products or services, sharing their experiences with the audience.
According to Statista, the global influencer marketing market has more than tripled since 2019. In 2024, the market was estimated to reach 24 billion U.S. dollars. This model has gained immense popularity due to its ability to create authentic connections between brands and consumers, which generally leads to higher engagement and higher conversion rates than traditional advertising.
Influencer marketing does not only work with those who have massive followings of millions; it also allows nano-influencers to enter the market, connecting brands with specific niches in which they have relevance. Influencer marketing typically occurs on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter, where we can easily share visual and engaging content.
Brands looking to increase their presence on social media.
White Labeling is another business model that offers numerous opportunities for those wondering how to make money with ghost commerce. It can be one of the more profitable types of ghost commerce since it essentially works as follows:
To engage in white labeling, we buy products from a manufacturer and then rebrand them with our brand. Suppliers for white labeling allow us to sell their items featuring our logo, colors, typography, and everything that makes up our brand image. This allows us to enter the market quickly.
Of course, copyright is a crucial factor to consider, as we cannot do this with just any product from any brand, or we could face legal issues. However, plenty of suppliers and manufacturers specifically focus on this sector and can help you sell branded products exactly as you want.
Businesses aiming to establish their brand quickly in the market with more control over product presentation.
There’s no need to clarify the countless advantages and changes technology and its innovations have brought to everyone’s daily lives. Everything is becoming increasingly virtual, especially after the pandemic, and leveraging this can be an excellent way to answer the question of how to make money with ghost commerce.
When we talk about digital products, we refer to all those items people purchase and use virtually—that is, they don’t exist in the material world. E-books, online courses, various types of software, plugins, and online services. With each passing day, there’s a new digital product that can help us generate good profits quickly when promoted correctly.
Entrepreneurs focused on scalability and passive income without physical logistics.
Wholesaling is another ghost commerce model that allows us to purchase large quantities of products from manufacturers or suppliers at discounted prices and then resell them for profit, usually in smaller quantities. As wholesalers, buying products in bulk can lead to significant savings per purchase. This opens up the possibility of achieving higher profit margins when reselling them at retail prices, allowing us to offer competitive prices while maximizing revenue.
It’s important to remember that wholesaling requires a significant initial investment compared to other ghost commerce models like dropshipping or print on demand. You need to purchase inventory upfront, which adds a level of financial risk, especially if the products don’t sell as expected.
Entrepreneurs with capital to invest and storage space.
Now that we’ve explored the various ghost commerce models, it’s time to compare their profitability and operational dynamics. Each model offers unique opportunities and challenges, shaping how you can generate income.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which suits your business goals best!
Potential Profit | Initial Investment | Scalability | Risk Level | |
Dropshipping | High | Low | High | Low |
Print On Demand | Moderate to High | Low | High | Low To Moderate |
Affiliate Marketing | Low To Moderate | Very Low | Moderate | Very Low |
Influencer Marketing | High | Low To Moderate | Moderate To High | Moderate |
White Labeling | High | Moderate To High | High | Moderate |
Dropship Digital Products | High | Low | High | Low |
Wholesaling | High | High | Moderate To High | High |
To start with ghost commerce, select a business model (like dropshipping, print on demand, or affiliate marketing), research suppliers or partners, set up an eCommerce platform, and market your products or services through digital channels like social media or your website.
Yes, ghost commerce can be highly effective when done correctly. Success depends on selecting the right niche, effective marketing, leveraging automation tools, and maintaining quality customer service.
Dropshipping is a prime example of ghost commerce. A business sells products online without holding inventory; orders are fulfilled by a third-party supplier who ships directly to the customer.
Well, if you were curious about how to make money with ghost commerce, now you have more than one answer! Ghost commerce and its different branches allow us to enter the market without investing much money or time. This enables us to take our first steps in business without exposing ourselves to significant risks.
By partnering with trustworthy suppliers, learning a bit more each day, and leveraging automation’s benefits to streamline processes, we can quickly carve out our space in the e-commerce world. To continue exploring these topics, we recommend checking out our marketing blog, where you can find articles like the ones we’ve shared below.
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