If you’re passionate about health and wellness and looking to start a small business, the supplement industry might be for you.
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 supplement.” 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.
Understanding the supplement market
The global dietary supplements market is on the rise. Grand View Research valued the market at $177.5 billion in 2023, projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1% from 2024 to 2030.
The study notes a few categories that dominate sales: vitamins, protein and amino acids (namely, citrulline, creatine, proline, and tyrosine), and probiotics. Other popular types of supplements include mushroom powders, collagen, and CBD products.
Nearly 75% of Americans report taking dietary supplements and believe they are essential for maintaining health, which means there’s sufficient demand to make dropshipping worth it for entrepreneurs with exceptional marketing skills and a knack for ecommerce.
The benefits of dropshipping supplements
Low startup costs
Dropshipping means you don’t hold any inventory upfront. You only pay for products after a customer places an order. Since suppliers handle shipping, dropshippers don’t need warehouses or fulfillment centers. Overall, it’s less risky financially, and it’s appealing if you’re dipping your toes into ecommerce for the first time.
Wide production selection
Supplementals fall into categories like vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, and more.
They can also be sold as:
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Soft gels
- Bars
- Powders
- Gummies
Selling supplements lets you cater to different customers. You can also target multiple niches at once, like fitness folks looking for protein or seniors who need joint support supplements.
With dropshipping, you can easily add or remove products based on demand and stay in line with emerging trends.
Global market reach
Partnering with global dropshipping suppliers gives you access to a larger customer base. Some may even let you customize branding with private-label options, so you can build a unique brand without manufacturing costs.
How to get started dropshipping supplements
- Do market 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 starting your dropshipping business:
1. Do market research
Before you launch your supplement dropshipping business, research your market. Identify your target audience and industry trends, and position your product lineup for success. Dedicating time to research prepares you to sell high-demand, profitable supplements and develop a strategy for growth.
First, understand who buys supplements. According to the CDC, more than half of all people over the age of 20 use supplements on a monthly basis, with a higher percentage of women (63.8%) reporting supplement use than men (50.8%). The same study found that supplement use increases with age: 42.5% of people aged 20 to 39 report supplement use, while 74.3% of people over the age of 60 report supplement use. This indicates a robust market overall, with a much larger market for supplements targeted to older adults.
Next, study your competitors and look at their:
- Product offerings and pricing
- Customer reviews and common complaints
- Marketing strategies and unique selling proposition
For example, major supplement companies like Herbalife dominate the market with trusted branding and diverse product lines, while smaller brands gain traction with specialized, niche offerings.
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—align with current trends.
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2. Choose your products and supplier
Once you’ve defined your target audience, determine the right supplement products for them. To make supplement dropshipping profitable, choose dropshipping products that allow for 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. 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 the 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. You can even connect your store to other channels like Amazon.
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.
Consider running paid advertisements on platforms like Google Ads, TikTok, and Meta Ads. (Make sure your paid ads avoid unproven health claims.) Consider launching an inbound marketing campaign like a newsletter that offers commentary on the latest health trends.
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.
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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 via 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. It 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.
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 powder
Protein powders are particularly popular among fitness enthusiasts and athletes. Some protein powders extract protein from plants like soybeans while others, like whey protein, are derived from milk. Customers use protein powders as both 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. Typically, keto supplements achieve one of two things: They can provide nutrients that might be missing from the keto diet (like Vitamins B5 and B7, which are common in whole grains), or offset side effects like the keto flu (like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which help you stay hydrated). 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 report 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
What is the most profitable dropshipping platform?
Dropshipping on Shopify is a popular choice because it’s easy to use and works with many suppliers like DSers (AliExpress), Sprocket, and CJ Dropshipping.
Do you need a license to sell supplements online?
No, you don’t need a specialized license to sell supplements online in most places. In the US, the FDA regulates supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), meaning products must have proper labeling and cannot make unverified health claims.
Some suppliers may require that you have a business license. These ensure you comply with local, state, and federal regulations, so it may be worth getting one.
Do I need an LLC to sell supplements?
You don’t need an LLC to sell supplements, but it is a smart move if you want to sell anything online. It can help protect your personal assets in case of legal issues or product liability claims.
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.
