If you’re passionate about health and wellness and looking to start a small business, the supplement industry might be for you. The nutritional supplements market continues to grow, with one study projecting that the worldwide vitamins and minerals market will exceed $44 billion by 2029.
With the right suppliers and marketing strategy, dropshipping stores in the supplement market can earn money without the hassle of manufacturing, managing inventory, and shipping. To get started dropshipping supplements, first learn about the rules, regulations, and top suppliers.
Is it legal to dropship supplements?
Yes, it’s legal to dropship supplements, but only if you adhere to the strict regulations in the regions where you buy and sell. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the supplements market in the United States.
Dietary supplements—manufactured products designed to support customers’ diets with nutrients—are different from medicines in that the FDA must approve medicines before they go to market, whereas nutritional supplements don’t require approval. However, in the United States, the FDA monitors and regulates supplement labels and any health claims companies make, including on websites or in advertising materials.
Claims and labeling
Supplement merchants in the US can claim that supplements support general health or have health benefits for specific functions, like immune support. However, it’s necessary to add a disclaimer such as, “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”
Dietary supplements must have labels that include serving size, number of servings per container, all of the product’s ingredients, and the amount per serving. Additionally, all dietary supplements must be labeled “dietary supplements.” The FDA has the authority to ban a retailer from selling any supplement products that don’t adhere to their rules and regulations.
Merchants running a supplement dropshipping business must conduct thorough product research and choose reputable suppliers. Look for supplement dropshipping suppliers with certifications like the good manufacturing practice (GMP) offered by NSF International, a public health and safety organization.
How to get started dropshipping supplements
- Perform product research
- Choose your products and supplier
- Develop your brand
- Launch an online store
- Market your supplements
The dropshipping process varies depending on the type of supplements you offer, but here are broad steps to consider when launching your dropshipping business:
1. Perform product research
Before you launch your supplement dropshipping business, conduct product research. Use tools like Google Trends to pinpoint trending products by analyzing the frequency of specific product search terms online. Read reviews for popular products to discover which health supplements—from powdered drink mixes to capsules—could align with current trends.
2. Choose your products and supplier
Define your target audience and determine the right supplement products for them. To make supplement dropshipping profitable, choose products that allow for a substantial markup and a healthy profit margin. Consider daily supplements like multivitamins that have the potential to create repeat customers who buy the same products regularly.
To find success selling supplements, choose high-quality products from reliable suppliers that comply with all relevant rules and regulations. Additionally, choose a reliable supplier with strong customer service and a solid reputation for high-quality products and services.
A supplier offering dependable dropshipping services can save you valuable time and energy managing inventory and overseeing order fulfillment. Check that your supplier ensures timely delivery and has a minimum order quantity that suits your dropshipping business scale.
3. Develop your brand
Build a brand that speaks to your target audience and stands out from your competition. Define your company’s mission statement and develop your brand's unique identity. Put together brand guidelines that establish your brand voice and visual style. Creating these guidelines helps you strategically position your supplement dropshipping business in the marketplace and stay consistent with your marketing.
If your supplier offers private label supplements, create label designs that reflect your brand identity. Small details like unique labels can make your health supplements more memorable.
4. Launch an online store
Create an online store where you can sell supplements directly to customers. Reliable ecommerce platforms like Shopify offer customizable themes and comprehensive features like integrated payment gateways. Use attractive product images and write compelling copy that highlights the potential health benefits of your products. A dropshipping store model lets you focus on your online store while your dropshipping supplier handles customer orders.
Make sure your store allows for customer feedback so you can improve your offerings based on their insights, and address customer service issues. Be transparent with product pricing upfront and design an optimized checkout flow for your online store.
Maintaining a good brand reputation based on product quality and customer service is essential for building a customer base.
5. Market your supplements
Develop a marketing strategy to drive traffic to your online store and boost sales. Set a budget and choose strategies that speak to your target market. For example, you could focus on health-conscious individuals and fitness enthusiasts. Consider launching an inbound marketing campaign like a newsletter designed to highlight your product’s potential health benefits.
You can also create paid advertisements on platforms like Google Ads and Meta Ads. (Make sure your paid ads avoid health claims that your supplements prevent or cure any disease.) Monitor your sales volume and adjust your strategies based on which campaigns generate online sales for your store. Develop a social media presence and showcase customer satisfaction with positive reviews of your supplements.
Top supplement dropshipping suppliers
Here are reputable suppliers in the supplement dropshipping space worth researching:
Supliful
Supliful is a supplement dropshipping fulfillment service that features a wide range of supplements with detailed descriptions of ingredients and benefits. Supliful integrates seamlessly with Shopify and even has an app in the Shopify App Store. Supliful offers customizable templates for label designs that come with the necessary wording for FDA labeling requirements.
OK Capsule
OK Capsule offers private-label supplements that you can mix and match into packs based on combinations customers want. OK Capsule has an app on the Shopify App Store that lets you integrate with your Shopify store. OK Capsule ships high-quality supplements that comply with all FDA rules and regulations.
Pure Formulas
Pure Formulas sells dietary supplements wholesale to merchants, offering a diverse catalog of high-quality supplements, including multivitamins, zinc, and probiotics. Launched in 2007 as a family-owned business, the company has grown into one of the largest dropshipping suppliers of nutritional supplements.
Nutribl
Nutribl is a UK-based dropshipping company that sells nutritional supplements to merchants in the UK. Nutribl offers private-label supplements that you can customize for your brand. Work with an in-house designer at Nutribl to create your ideal packaging. Nutribl can export products outside the UK, but you need to handle customs. For orders placed within the UK before 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, Nutribl offers same-day shipping.
Supplements to dropship
Here are examples of supplement products that you can sell through your dropshipping store:
Vitamin D supplements
Vitamin D is a nutrient that helps with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Naturally found in foods like salmon and sardines, this vitamin is an important nutrient for bone health. There’s a growing demand for vitamin D supplements, with approximately 35% of adults in the United States experiencing a vitamin D deficiency.
Protein powders
Protein powders are for sports nutrition. Some protein powders extract protein from plants like soybeans while others use eggs or milk like whey protein. Customers use protein powders as pre-workout supplements and post-workout supplements to encourage muscle growth. Look for a protein powder with natural ingredients and a limited amount of sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Keto supplements
Keto supplements support individuals on a ketogenic diet defined by low-carb and high-fat foods. Keto supplements come in various forms, including pills, gummies, and powders.
Probiotics
Probiotics involve live bacteria and yeasts that can support gut health. Probiotics are a popular type of supplement to sell online with one study estimating that the global probiotics industry will exceed $85 billion by 2027.
Collagen supplements
Collagen is a protein that makes up roughly 30% of the body’s total protein. Collagen supplements are designed to support joint, skin, and nail health.
Supplement dropshipping FAQ
Can you dropship supplements?
You can dropship vitamins, minerals, and herbs in the form of dietary supplements by finding a reputable supplier and launching an online store.
Is it legal to dropship?
Dropshipping supplements is legal, as long as you work with suppliers that follow FDA guidelines for manufacturing supplements and follow the FDA regulations for labeling and advertising.
Can you dropship supplements on Shopify?
Yes, you can dropship supplements on Shopify. Suppliers like Supliful and OK Capsule can integrate seamlessly with your online store and even have apps on the Shopify App Store.