One of the best things about running a dropshipping business is that you can do it anywhere. In a busy city or relaxing on a beach, as long as you have a laptop and an internet connection, you’re in business. This flexibility is what makes dropshipping such a popular choice for entrepreneurs looking for financial freedom.
For many, eBaydropshipping has been a game-changer, offering an accessible way to build an online business. One such entrepreneur is Liran Zablo, an international dropshipper who started from scratch and built a thriving business. His story is not just inspiring—it’s packed with lessons on adapting, scaling, and succeeding.
Key Takeaways
Success in dropshipping doesn’t happen overnight. All successful dropshippers started from scratch, faced challenges, and adapted to build a thriving eBay business.
Automation is essential for scaling. Using tools like AutoDS streamlines product research, price monitoring, and order fulfillment.
Diversifying suppliers helps prevent stock issues and pricing fluctuations and ensures a stable business with multiple sourcing options.
Anyone can start their own dropshipping journey. With the right mindset, strategy, and tools, financial freedom is within reach.
Hey, I’m Liran Zablo, and my journey into dropshipping wasn’t exactly planned. I was born in Hawaii but moved to Israel at 15. After finishing high school, I served three years in the Israeli Navy, and like most people, I entered the traditional workforce, working full-time jobs and saving as much as I could to gain financial independence.
By the time I was 21, I felt stuck in the usual cycle—working hard but never really getting ahead. I wanted more freedom, more control over my time, and a better way to make a living. Now, several years later, I have that. I’m financially independent, running a business that allows me to be present for my wife and daughters. Plus, I get to enjoy my passion for motorcycles and traveling without being tied to a desk job.
For years, I was constantly searching for a way to break free from the traditional 9-to-5 grind. I knew there had to be a better way to make money—one that didn’t require me to be physically present at an office all day.
Then, in 2017, I stumbled upon an article about dropshipping. The idea fascinated me. I could sell products online without holding any inventory, and the supplier would take care of shipping. The risk was low, and I could start part-time, testing the waters without quitting my job.
At the time, there weren’t many step-by-step guides available, but that didn’t stop me. I figured, if other people were making it work, why couldn’t I? So, I decided to give it a shot.
How Did I Learn Where To Start?
Back then, there were only a few paid courses available to learn about dropshipping, so I took the leap and invested $1,150 in a course that included classroom sessions and one-on-one coaching. But after just two sessions, I felt confident enough to move forward on my own.
My first step was setting up eBay and PayPal accounts and manually listing products. I spent hours copying product descriptions, downloading images, setting prices, and tracking inventory using spreadsheets. It was a tedious process, but I quickly realized something: manual work was limiting my ability to scale.
That’s when I turned to automation.
How Did I Start My Dropshipping Journey?
At first, I resisted automation because I wanted to fully understand the process. But as my sales grew, keeping up with inventory, pricing, and orders became overwhelming. That’s when I discovered AutoDS, an all-in-one dropshipping platform.
With AutoDS, I no longer had to manually update prices, track stock, or fulfill orders—it handled all of that for me. The difference was night and day. Instead of spending hours managing my store, I could now focus on scaling it.
“Without automation, I would’ve never scaled my business,” I often say, and I mean it. AutoDS became the backbone of my operation, allowing me to shift my focus from managing my store to expanding it.
Product Research
One of the most important factors in dropshipping success is choosing the right products. At first, I relied on paid research tools, but I soon discovered that manual research worked just as well. I analyzed eBay, Amazon, and AliExpress trends, looking for high-demand products with little competition. Over time, I developed a sharp eye for what sells and what doesn’t.
Instead of blindly following trends, I started looking at customer pain points. What problems are people trying to solve? Which everyday items are getting a lot of attention but don’t have enough sellers providing quality listings? This approach helped me find unique, high-margin products before they became saturated. I also paid close attention to seasonality—certain products spike in demand at different times of the year, and being ahead of that curve meant bigger profits.
To speed things up, I also used the AutoDS AI-driven product research tool, which scans over a million products daily to find the best opportunities. While manual research gave me an in-depth understanding of product demand, automation allowed me to scale efficiently without spending hours searching for new items.
This combination of human insight and technology is what helped me build a strong, well-balanced product catalog. I wasn’t just listing random trending products—I was curating a store that met real customer needs, which kept people coming back and led to higher sales and better reviews.
The First Product I Sold!
Every dropshipper remembers their first sale. I certainly do. Just three days after launching my store, with only seven active listings, I woke up to my first sale: sanding discs from Amazon.
The profit? Just $3-4. But that wasn’t the point. Seeing that first order come through was proof that the business model worked. If I could make a few dollars, what was stopping me from making $30, $50, or even $100+ per day? That’s when I knew I was on the right path.
The Issues I Faced At The Beginning And How I Solved Them
No business journey is without challenges, and I faced my fair share. I successfully worked on branding my eBay store and scaled it to profitability in a short period. But a couple of events happened and changed my game. Some obstacles felt overwhelming initially, but in hindsight, each became a learning opportunity that made me a better entrepreneur.
eBay Selling Practices (2018): eBay’s dropshipping policy and its algorithm were updated, reducing visibility for many dropshippers. Overnight, sales started dipping, and many sellers panicked. Instead of giving up, I looked at this as an opportunity to pivot and adapt. I started diversifying my product range and opened a second store. By doing this, I expanded my reach and spread my risk across multiple accounts, which ultimately led to higher overall sales than before the algorithm change. It taught me an important lesson: never rely too heavily on one single source of income—always diversify.
Amazon Locked Accounts (2019): At one point, Amazon cracked down on discounted gift cards, locking many dropshipping accounts (including mine). I lost over $700, and for a moment, I thought my business was in serious trouble. Instead of dwelling on the loss, I focused on finding alternative suppliers. This led me to AliExpress and Home Depot, giving me more stability and access to a broader range of products. I also started using the Fulfilled by AutoDS service, which took care of my order fulfillment and helped me regain control of my business. Looking back, this challenge pushed me to build a more resilient and adaptable business model.
Every challenge reinforced the same principle: Adapt or fall behind. No matter what obstacles come your way, there is always a solution—you just have to be willing to look for it and take action.
Learning From My Own Mistakes
Every mistake I made along the way was a lesson that helped me build a stronger business. When I first started, I was too dependent on one supplier. Everything went well until my primary supplier ran out of stock on one of my best-selling products. I had no backup plan, and suddenly, I was scrambling to fulfill orders and dealing with unhappy customers. That was a wake-up call—I needed to diversify my suppliers to avoid relying too much on any single one.
Another big mistake was trying to scale too quickly without a system in place. At one point, I got excited about increasing my listings and added hundreds of new products all at once. What I didn’t anticipate was the customer service demand that came with those extra sales. Handling returns, responding to messages, and tracking stock became overwhelming, and I struggled to keep up.
The solution? Automating more processes and gradually increasing my product range instead of making sudden, massive expansions.
I also learned the hard way that pricing mistakes can eat away at profits. Early on, I wasn’t paying enough attention to break-even calculations, and I ended up pricing some products too low. Sure, I was getting sales, but my profit margins were slim. I had to go back, refine my pricing strategy, and ensure that I was always factoring in fees, shipping costs, and supplier price fluctuations.
Through these experiences, I’ve come to believe that mistakes are just stepping stones. The key is to adjust, learn, and keep moving forward.
How Did I Scale My eBay Dropshipping Business?
Once I had my foundation, I focused on scaling up. My approach was simple but effective:
List 1,000 high-quality products per store
Prioritize items priced between $40-$100 for bigger profits
Use AutoDS’ scheduled uploader to list products consistently
Scaling a dropshipping business isn’t just about adding more products—it’s about doing it strategically. I learned that not every product is worth listing, so I focused on quality over quantity. I made sure to only add items that had a proven track record of sales, low competition, and decent profit margins.
Another key factor in scaling was maintaining consistency. Instead of uploading products sporadically, I used AutoDS’ scheduling feature to ensure new products were added regularly. This kept my store active and signaled to eBay’s algorithm that I was consistently bringing fresh inventory, which helped with visibility.
By following this strategy, my sales and profits grew rapidly while my workload actually decreased thanks to automation. With more time on my hands, I was able to focus on optimizing customer service, analyzing trends, and exploring new growth opportunities.
The Effect Of The Big Numbers Rule
One of the most important lessons I learned in dropshipping is what I call the big numbers rule.
Simply put, the more quality products you list, the more you will sell. It might sound obvious, but many new dropshippers hesitate to scale up their listings, either because they fear handling too many orders or because they think a handful of products will be enough to generate consistent sales.
When I hit 1,000 live listings in my store, I noticed a dramatic increase in my daily sales. More listings meant more chances to be found in eBay’s search results, and even though not every product became a bestseller, enough of them did make a huge impact on my revenue.
I also started focusing on higher ticket items, which brought in bigger profits per sale without significantly increasing my workload.
That’s why I always encourage new dropshippers to keep listing, testing, and optimizing. Expanding your store doesn’t mean throwing in random products—it means strategically adding listings based on research and demand. Automation tools like AutoDS make it much easier to scale without spending hours on manual uploads, so use them to your advantage.
My Best Tips To Build A Successful eBay Dropshipping Business
For those just starting out, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the moving parts of dropshipping—product research, supplier management, pricing strategies, and customer service (I sure did).
The good news is that with the right approach, you can avoid common mistakes and set yourself up for success much faster. Here’s my best advice to help you navigate the journey with confidence:
1. Automate Your Business
Let’s disclose something right away: scaling is nearly impossible without automation. When I first started, I was juggling everything manually: checking stock levels, adjusting prices, fulfilling orders, and updating tracking numbers. It quickly became overwhelming, and I knew there had to be a better way.
That’s when I discovered AutoDS, and honestly, it changed everything. Instead of spending hours a day managing the nitty-gritty details of my store, I was able to let automation handle the heavy lifting.
Product research? Automated. Price and stock monitoring? Covered. Order fulfillment and tracking? Seamless.
One of my favorite things about AutoDS is how it allows me to scale without stress. I can list more products, test new niches, and expand my store without worrying about drowning in repetitive tasks. Plus, it helps me avoid costly mistakes like selling out-of-stock items or mispricing products.
If you’re serious about taking your dropshipping business to the next level, tools like AutoDS are a must. The difference is night and day. Once you experience the power of automation, you’ll never want to return.
2. Connect With A Successful Dropshipping Community
Learning from others speeds up success. The AutoDS Facebook group is a goldmine of insights and advice. Surrounding yourself with experienced dropshippers helps you avoid common mistakes, stay updated on industry changes, and discover new strategies.
Leverage social media. You can follow successful dropshippers on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn to gain more insights and inspiration. Engaging with their content, joining conversations, and asking questions can help you build valuable connections.
Studies have shown that entrepreneurs who actively engage in communities and networking are twice as likely to succeed compared to those who try to figure everything out on their own.
3. Diversify Your Supplier List
As I myself have experienced when I started, depending on one supplier is risky. I work with AliExpress, Amazon, and Home Depot to keep my business stable. Now, I always have backup options if a supplier runs out of stock or increases prices.
Supplier flexibility is essential, especially when dealing with fluctuating demand and supplier inconsistencies. Some suppliers have longer processing times or may discontinue items without notice, and relying on just one can leave you scrambling to fulfill orders.
I can also take advantage of better pricing and promotions. If one supplier raises its price, I can quickly pivot to another without disrupting my business. Plus, having access to different supplier networks means I can offer a broader range of products, keeping my store competitive and diverse.
Quick responses and good service build trust. Think about it—how often have you stuck with a business just because they treated you well? People remember great service, and a single positive interaction can turn a one-time buyer into a repeat customer.
I’ve had customers message me just to say thanks for a quick response or a smooth return process, and guess what? They often comeback to buy again.
Your ability to respond fast, communicate clearly, and handle problems professionally isn’t just good etiquette; it’s a competitive advantage. eBay also rewards great customer service with better visibility, which means better sales. So, prioritize it, and you’ll see the difference it makes.
5. Promoted Listings + Buy It Now
Features like Promoted Listings and Buy It Now help attract more buyers. Promoted Listings can increase your product visibility by up to 36%, ensuring more potential customers see your items.
The Buy It Now feature is another game-changer. Many online shoppers don’t want to wait for an auction to end. Instead, they want to complete their purchase immediately. This option makes it easier for buyers to commit on the spot, which can significantly increase your conversion rate.
Plus, eBay’s algorithm favors listings with both Promoted Listings and Buy It Now enabled, pushing them higher in search rankings.
6. Get Rich Quick Scheme?
Last but not least, dropshipping isn’t a shortcut to overnight wealth. If you expect to throw up a store and start making thousands, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment.
Building a successful dropshipping business takes time, patience, and consistent effort. I’ve seen people give up too soon because they didn’t get instant results, while others who stayed committed made full-time incomes from their stores.
The key is to treat it like a real business. Test products, optimize your listings, learn from mistakes, and keep improving. I highly recommend checking the AutoDS industry-leading dropshipping blog for tons of free content on how to do all of this.
The more you refine your approach, the better your results will be. It’s about smart work, not just hard work. If you put in the effort, the rewards will follow.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, every successful dropshipper started small, made mistakes, and kept refining its strategy. The key is commitment, patience, and adaptability. And remember: no one has to go at it alone. With tools like AutoDS and a supportive dropshipping community, growing an online business has never been easier.
Inspired by Liran’s journey? Take action today! Start a dropshipping business, automate your operations, and scale like a pro. The best time to start is now. See where it can take you!
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