Let’s break it down simply: WhatsApp Dropshipping is when you sell a product you don’t have, collect money from the buyer, forward the money and details to the real supplier, and the supplier ships the product directly to the customer — while you keep the profit.
You don’t buy stock. You don’t pay for delivery. You don’t even touch the product. You just connect buyer and seller, and kept the money in-between.
That’s dropshipping. Now, most people think dropshipping only works on websites like Shopify or international platforms. But guess what? WhatsApp is even more powerful — especially in Nigeria and other African countries.
Why? Because:
- People trust WhatsApp more than websites.
- People want to ask questions before buying. WhatsApp makes that easy.
- Buyers love seeing statuses and real-time updates.
- You can build close, personal trust with your customers.
- Delivery in Nigeria is mostly cash-on-delivery or logistics-based anyway, so WhatsApp fits perfectly.
In fact, many vendors on Instagram are already running dropshipping businesses — but they’re using WhatsApp at the backend to close sales, answer DMs, send tracking numbers, and arrange delivery. So instead of building a Shopify store or spending money on ads, you can simply turn your WhatsApp into a powerful dropshipping machine.
How to Start WhatsApp Dropshipping
This is how you start from zero and grow your own WhatsApp dropshipping business.
STEP 1: Pick a Hot Product (or Niche)
This is the most important step. You must pick something people already want. If your product is not hot or in-demand, you’ll struggle to sell.
Look for products that are:
- In high demand
- Easy to explain
- Not everywhere already
- Have good profit margins
Examples of hot dropshipping products in Nigeria:
- Waist trainers
- Beard kits
- Smartwatches
- Perfumes and body sprays
- Car accessories
- Kitchen gadgets
- Home fitness tools
- Skincare sets
- Bluetooth speakers
- Power banks and chargers
Pick one niche and go deep. Don’t try to sell everything. For instance, if you focus on “Men’s grooming,” you can sell beard kits, shaving tools, perfumes, and skincare for guys. That builds your brand faster.
STEP 2: Find a Trusted Supplier
This is where most people fail — they work with unreliable vendors who delay or disappoint. You can find suppliers from:
- Instagram vendors (search using hashtags like #lagosvendor, #lagosseller)
- WhatsApp groups where vendors share products
- Jiji or Facebook Marketplace sellers
- Online wholesale platforms like Abijohn, Konga sellers, or even China-to-Nigeria agents
When you find a supplier, chat with them and ask:
- “Can I sell your products and you handle delivery?”
- “How much is the price per item?”
- “Do you offer payment-on-delivery?”
- “Can I brand it with my own name?”
Many will say yes. They already work with resellers, so you’ll just join the game.
STEP 3: Create Your WhatsApp Business Account
Use WhatsApp Business, not regular WhatsApp. Why?
- You can create a business profile with your store name, description, and hours.
- You can set quick replies for answering FAQs.
- You can organize contacts with labels like “Leads,” “Paid,” “Delivered.”
- You can automate greeting messages and order confirmations.
Set up your profile well. Make your DP your logo or a sample product.
STEP 4: Create a WhatsApp Channel or VIP Group
This is your digital store. You can:
- Create a WhatsApp Channel to post products daily (one-way communication, less stress).
- Create a WhatsApp Group where people can ask questions and see what others are buying.
Post daily. Show up like a real business. Sample daily content:
- Product video (e.g., “Watch how this beard oil works”)
- Testimonial (e.g., screenshot of happy customer)
- Call-to-action (e.g., “DM me now to get yours”)
- Countdown (e.g., “Only 3 left”)
- Fun polls (e.g., “Which fragrance would you rock?”)
Keep it active, fun, and real.
STEP 5: Start Selling and Collecting Orders
When someone wants to buy:
- They send you a message (or you message them)
- You confirm the product, price, and delivery location
- You collect payment (or arrange cash-on-delivery if your supplier allows it)
- You forward the order to your supplier with the customer’s name, number, and address
- The supplier delivers
- You get your profit
That’s it. You’re doing business. No stock. No stress. No risk.
How to Monetize your WhatsApp Dropshipping Business
Now let’s talk about the many ways you can make money from WhatsApp dropshipping. It’s not just about selling one product. There’s levels to this game.
- Profit Per Product
This is the main one. If your supplier gives you a product for ₦6,000 and you sell it for ₦10,000, you keep ₦4,000. Even if you only sell 5 in a day, that’s ₦20,000 daily. If you find a product with huge margin (like a fitness tool or skincare bundle), you can make ₦10k–₦30k per sale.
- Bundled Offers
You can create product bundles and sell at a slightly higher price.
Example:
- Beard oil (₦5,000)
- Beard brush (₦3,000)
- Comb and mini shampoo (₦2,000) Bundle price: ₦13,000 You negotiate with supplier to give you everything for ₦9,000 — you make ₦4,000 profit.
Bundles make it feel like the buyer is getting more value.
- Upselling and Add-ons
When someone buys, offer them something extra. For example:
“You’re getting the waist trainer, right? You can add our fat-burning gel for just ₦2,000 more.”
This small strategy can increase your profit by 30–50%.
- Product of the Week or Limited Offers
Create weekly promos like:
- “HOT DEAL: This smartwatch is going for ₦9,999 only till Friday.”
- “Only 7 left. After that, price goes up.”
Scarcity and urgency help people buy fast. It’s emotional selling.
- Premium Dropshipping (White-label)
As you grow, you can talk to suppliers about branding products with your name.
For example:
- You sell skincare kits with your own brand sticker
- You dropship perfumes in your own packaging
- You sell waist trainers branded as “SnatchByNessa”
You still don’t touch the product, but you now run your own brand. This helps you stand out, charge more, and build long-term customer loyalty.
How to Promote your WhatsApp Dropshipping Business
Here’s how to bring customers to your WhatsApp dropshipping store.
- Post Daily on WhatsApp Status
This is your number one selling platform. Post:
- Product demo videos
- Testimonies
- Funny memes related to your niche
- Countdown timers
- Flash sales
- Voice note stories
The more you show up, the more people trust you. And always include calls-to-action like:
“DM me now to grab yours” “Only 2 left” “Don’t wait. It sold out last week”
- Join Facebook Groups & Marketplaces
Find groups that match your niche:
- Fitness groups if you sell waist trainers
- Beauty groups if you sell skincare
- Tech groups if you sell gadgets
Drop helpful posts with a soft pitch:
“This beard kit has been changing lives. I sell it at a discounted price. WhatsApp me here.”
Also use Facebook Marketplace. List your products. Use clear images. Add WhatsApp contact.
- Run Referral Campaigns
Tell your customers:
“Refer someone and get ₦1,000 off your next order.”
You can also say:
“Refer 5 people to join our VIP group and win a free gift.”
This helps you grow organically.
- Create a Personal Brand Around Your Product
Become known for what you sell. Be the “Beard Boss.” The “Waistline Queen.” The “Perfume King.” Use slang. Use memes. Use funny videos. Let people associate you with your product. That makes you memorable.
In conclusion, WhatsApp Dropshipping is one of the smartest ways to make real money online in Nigeria — without spending a single kobo upfront. You don’t need a shop. You don’t need to stock items. You don’t even need to build a website.
All you need? A hot product, A reliable supplier, A WhatsApp channel or group, Daily content, Smart marketing, And customer service that builds trust. Start small. Sell one item. Deliver well. Show proof. Repeat. Grow.
