You've got a dropshipping business but feel like you're missing something.
Perhaps it's knowledge of how to run and manage your business effectively.
Don't worry; we've compiled a list of some of the best books that will help you!
Is reading these books worth your time?
Reading these books is worth your time if you want to take your dropshipping business to the next level.
They provide valuable insight into how to run and manage a business.
The only downside is that most of them aren't free.
However, consider them an investment in your business because the knowledge you'll gain from these books can be invaluable.
And if you don't want any financial commitment, you can try to find them in your local library for free!
The 15 best dropshipping books of 2024
Gaining knowledge when it comes to businesses takes time and dedication. Most of us don't have the luck to have a mentor on our side.
Therefore, we focus on learning as much as possible, but sometimes it's not enough.
That is why we've compiled a list of the best books you can find on dropshipping to help you get started in this field.
Ready?
1. eCommerce Engine by Justin Gecevicius and Darius Kunca
eCommerce Engine is aimed at entrepreneurs looking to grow their ecommerce business.
With 380 pages, it provides a comprehensive roadmap that covers all aspects of ecommerce, including marketing, sales, operations, and customer service.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Customer acquisition. With examples of high Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), the book can offer insights into efficient marketing, which is crucial for any dropshipping business.
- Expert knowledge. The author's extensive experience in ecommerce could provide valuable insights, mainly because the dropshipping model falls under ecommerce.
Key takeaways
- There are four phases of growth. The book suggests there are four vital phases a business must go through to achieve significant profitability.
- You must have persistence and adaptation. An example of helping a company break through a three-year revenue plateau implies that perseverance and the willingness to adapt are necessary for long-term success.
2. One Million Followers by Brendan C. Kane
We all know followers are important to your business, and Brendan Kane's book is a great resource to help you grow your following.
But who is Brendan Kane?
Well, he's a growth hacker who has worked with big names such as Talor Swift and Rihanna, to name a few.
The updated edition of One Million Followers includes over 50 case studies from successful brands such as Nike and Red Bull.
He provides insights on creating amazing content, using social media effectively, and interacting with customers.
That said, despite our recommendation to read this book, remember that the tips and tricks Kane shared may be outdated.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- It helps leverage social media. While the book may not directly relate to dropshipping, having a large social media following can benefit any business, including dropshipping.
- Creating personal and valuable content. The book teaches how to create engaging and valuable content that resonates with a target audience, which can help establish a loyal following and increase customer engagement.
Key takeaways
- Social media presence. Some people argue that establishing a presence on social media may be time-consuming. However, it will help you build trust with your audience in the long term.
- Trusted author. Brendan has collaborated with many industry brands, including Taylor Swift and Rihanna. Throughout the book, he shares the methodology that led him to build authority in this industry.
3. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do by Charles Duhigg
We all have habits, and understanding why those habits exist can help us make better decisions in our daily lives.
In this book, Charles Duhigg explains the neuroscience behind how we create habits and why they are so important.
For example, you can have bad habits or good habits; nonetheless, they are still habits, so the way it works is that they are triggered by what we call 'cue' or signal if you like, which leads to a routine and, finally, a reward.
One important lesson in this book is that every habit needs a cue.
A habit cannot exist without a cue that triggers it; therefore, you can build cues that trigger good habits and avoid building cues that trigger bad ones.
Understanding the habits and behaviors of customers is essential to creating successful marketing campaigns in ecommerce.
This book sheds light on the psychology behind habits and how you can use this knowledge to improve your overall marketing strategy for your business.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Increase productivity. The book provides insights into how habits work and how they can be changed, which can help develop positive habits that can help increase productivity and efficiency in a dropshipping business.
- Consumer behavior. It can help you understand how habits can influence consumer behavior, which can help a dropshipping business understand its target audience and develop effective marketing strategies to drive sales.
Key takeaways
- Dominate this concept. Habits are formed through a three-step loop: cue, routine, and reward. Understanding this loop can help individuals and businesses identify and change bad habits.
- Willpower is a limited resource that can be depleted quickly. Creating new habits that require less willpower can be more effective than relying solely on willpower to change behavior.
4. Digital Marketing Strategy: An Integrated Approach to Online Marketing by Simon Kingsnorth
What makes this book unique is that it is based on real-life experience!
In fact, Simon Kingsnorth has more than 20 years of experience in the digital marketing industry, so his advice is well-grounded in reality.
Believe it or not, we've seen companies saying things like, 'We don't need a website because we already have an established customer base.'
Now, the internet has been around for over 20 years, and digitalization is everywhere; not having a website or an online presence means you're missing out on potential customers.
The book covers various topics like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, online advertising, and analytics in detail, which can be helpful for new and established dropshippers.
An important example is when the Dutch airline company KML tweeted a celebratory message after the Dutch soccer team knocked Mexico out of the World Cup. It received an overwhelming amount of negative comments.
This taught the airline company that people have a strong opinion on how brands should act, and giving a celebratory message can backfire.
So, KLM quickly learned from its mistake and changed its social media strategy by answering all customer's queries and complaints in public and reducing the response time.
When reading Simon's book, you will learn valuable lessons like this one, and it is worth considering if you want to move your business forward!
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- All in one approach. The book covers various topics, including social media, SEO, content marketing, and customer loyalty, all essential aspects of a dropshipping business.
- Real-life examples. The book provides practical examples and case studies of successful digital marketing campaigns, which can help a dropshipping business understand how to apply digital marketing strategies in real-world scenarios.
Key takeaways
- Stay updated. Digital marketing constantly evolves, and what works today may not work tomorrow. Therefore, apart from absorbing the knowledge of this book, remember to keep yourself informed about the latest trends in the industry.
- Automation. AI and automation are becoming increasingly important in digital marketing, and businesses must stay up-to-date with the latest tools and technologies to remain competitive.
- Measuring and analyzing data is critical to digital marketing success. Businesses need to use digital analytical tools to track their performance and make data-driven decisions to improve their marketing campaigns.
5. Better Web Typography for a Better Web by Matej Latin
If you care about your website's design, this book is for you. Matej Latin provides insight into creating a visually appealing user experience with web typography.
We live in an era where more and more people are accessing information via mobile devices, so it is essential that websites look good on these devices and all other platforms as well.
This book covers various topics like choosing the right fonts, making sure they are readable on all devices, and using typography to create a better user experience.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Practicality. The book includes real-world examples of effective typography in web design, which can help a dropshipping business understand how to apply typography principles in practice.
Key takeaways
- Remember the goal. The main takeaway is that you should always keep in mind the goal of providing an outstanding user experience when designing your website.
- Typography can make a difference. Typography is a crucial aspect of web design that can significantly impact a website's usability, accessibility, and attention span.
6. The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization by Eric Enge
SEO is becoming increasingly complicated with the ongoing development of search engine algorithms.
In fact, if SEO is implemented incorrectly, it can cause more harm than good for your website. This is why having a deep understanding of the ins and outs of SEO is essential if you want to beat your competitors.
So you might be wondering why you should trust this guy writing about SEO, right?
No worries, we get it!
However, the fact is that Eric Enge, a digital marketing expert, wrote this book.
He is the CEO of the digital marketing agency Stone Temple Consulting, which was acquired by Perficient in 2018.
He also regularly contributes to Forbes, Search Engine Land, Marketing Land, and other publications and has spoken at numerous industry conferences.
Eric Enge is known for his expertise in search engine optimization (SEO) and has co-authored several books on the topic, including 'The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization.'
The author also explores how you can use social media to increase visibility and improve rankings, as well as how to optimize your website for mobile devices.
SEO is a complex process, so this book is a must-read for those who want to better understand and use it to their advantage.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- SEO optimization. The book covers a range of topics related to SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and analytics, which makes it a reliable and trustworthy resource for those looking to optimize their dropshipping business.
- Expertise. Eric is also a Search Engine Land and Search Engine Watch publisher. He regularly provides information from people working at Google, so the information is trustworthy.
Key takeaways
- Keep track of the analytics. It is crucial to any online business to keep track of the analytics; it can make or break your business.
- Do not skip social media. When people interact with your content on social media, it signals to Google that it is valuable and will help you rank higher in search results.
7. Web Analytics 2.0: The Art of Online Accountability and Science of Customer Centricity by Avinash Kaushik
We all know, right? Without analytics, your business will remain in the dark.
Analytics is the core of any online business and online marketing, so it is an essential tool to understand how your business is performing.
For example, during the pandemic, more people were working from home, which has led to a significant shift in how people purchase goods online.
That said, gathering this data is crucial since it makes you understand how your customers behave and what they seek.
Oftentimes, we see websites using tools such as heatmaps to track clicks, but they may not understand how to interpret the data, and this is where Avinash Kaushik comes in!
Avinash Kaushik's book, Web Analytics 2.0: The Art of Online Accountability and Science of Customer Centricity, is an excellent resource for understanding how analytics works and how to use it to make informed properly.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Customer insights. A dropshipping business can use web analytics effectively to gain valuable insights into its customers' behavior and preferences.
Key takeaways
- Customer-centricity. It is a key principle of web analytics, which involves understanding and meeting customers' needs through data-driven insights.
- Failure. You may fail multiple times, but you must fail fast to learn from your mistakes and move on. The book will also discuss this: failure is just part of the process.
8. Ultimate Guide to E-commerce Growth by Ian Hammersley
Many successful stories in dropshipping come from ecommerce stores that have grown exponentially.
Getting started is indeed straightforward, but succeeding and growing your business can be pretty challenging.
Fortunately, Ian Hammersley has written the Ultimate Guide to ecommerce growth, which provides an essential roadmap for any business looking to scale its online store.
But who is the author?
Ian Hammersley is the Co-Founder of the Hammersley brother's ecommerce growth group and the co-founder and CEO of SmARTebusiness.
He is also a best-selling ecommerce author and podcast host for the Hammersley brother's ecommerce.
He's been doing ecommerce for over 16 years and has lots of experience helping ecommerce businesses grow.
As a result, his book is packed full of practical tips and strategies for increasing traffic to your store, optimizing your website for conversions, and scaling your business efficiently.
You can listen to his podcast here if you like.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Key performance indicators. The book emphasizes the importance of measuring and optimizing key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive growth and provides guidance on how to identify and track the most relevant KPIs for an ecommerce business.
- Customer acquisition. Using customer acquisition techniques such as email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and social media marketing to acquire more customers is a great way to increase your chances of exposing your brand.
- Retention strategies. Learn how to keep customers returning by creating an engaging user experience and providing exceptional customer service.
Key takeaways
- Speed up your growth. This book will give you strategies to increase growth while reducing investment and time.
9. Digital Business and E-commerce Management by Dave Chaffey
Another excellent book for those who want to improve their ecommerce business is Digital Business and E-Commerce Management by Dave Chaffey.
Dave Chaffey is an experienced digital business expert, and his book covers all aspects of setting up an online store and running a successful ecommerce business.
Some topics discussed in the book include how to create an effective content marketing strategy, understanding the customer journey, and effective search engine optimization techniques.
The book also provides in-depth advice on using analytics to understand customer behavior and make better decisions and the importance of mobile optimization.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Management. The book provides practical guidance on developing and implementing effective ecommerce strategies, including attracting and retaining customers through managing logistics and supply chain operations.
Key takeaways
- Stay on top of the curve. With emerging trends and technologies in ecommerce, such as mobile commerce and artificial intelligence, dropshipping businesses can stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the world of online retail.
10. Automate and Grow by Michael Devellano
Its approach to automation has made Michael stand out, especially towards utilizing and mastering LinkedIn to streamline the sales process.
For instance, he recommends creating a warm opening message, 'How are you doing today?' and following up with a set of messages that build a sales funnel.
The above example is just one of the many strategies Michael Devellano provides for automation.
So, if you want to create or grow your business, some good key points you get from this book are:
- Direction on how to create a digital product
- How to automate marketing by creating a traffic and conversion plan
- A sales playbook to help you build your own sales methodology
- Customers success roadmap, which is about keeping your customers once they have bought from you
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Automate tasks. By automating sales and customer support tasks, dropshippers can streamline their operations and improve efficiency, which can help them save time and resources.
- New technologies. The book covers emerging trends and technologies in marketing and sales automation, such as artificial intelligence and chatbots, which can help dropshippers stay up-to-date.
Key takeaways
- Don't be a blockbuster. Stay on top of the trend. Every day, there are winners and losers. Blockbusters couldn't adapt to the modernization of new technologies. The company went bankrupt in 2014, leaving space for new companies like Netflix.
11. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Chris Voss is a former FBI negotiator who has successfully negotiated in some of the world's toughest and most dangerous areas.
In his book, Never Split the Difference, Chris provides invaluable advice on becoming a better negotiator.
The book focuses on negotiation techniques to help you get what you want in business and life.
His tactics are based on real-world experiences and will be invaluable to anyone looking to become a better negotiator, whether you're looking to negotiate a salary, an affiliate deal, or a partnership.
The book covers active listening, body language, reducing emotions during negotiations, and recognizing when someone is bluffing.
Chris emphasizes that putting yourself in the other person's shoes so you can understand their perspective is an invaluable lesson for anyone looking to become a better negotiator.
In fact, he emphasizes how people don't listen attentively to each other; they're only concerned about what they want, what they feel, and their own perspective.
To succeed in your negotiations, focus on the other person, listen to what they have to say, and empathize with them.
A general life lesson: everyone, universally, wants to be heard, understood, and accepted.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Everyday skill. Negotiation is a critical skill for dropshipping businesses, as it involves dealing with suppliers and customers regularly. The book provides practical guidance on how to negotiate effectively in various situations.
Key takeaways
- Be a negotiator. Written by a former hostage FBI negotiator, this book is a real-life example of improving or building your negotiation skills that could make a difference in your everyday life.
- Listen. The book emphasizes the importance of empathy and active listening in negotiation, which can help dropshipping businesses build stronger relationships with suppliers and customers.
12. Universal Principles of UX by Irene Pereyra
Everything is a user experience. In fact, building websites is not only about design. It's also about understanding how people use them.
Irene Pereyra is a UX expert and professor who has taught in various globally recognized institutions such as SVA in New York, Harbour Space in Barcelona, and the Design Academy in the Netherlands.
Her book, Universal Principles of UX, discusses the importance of understanding customer needs and creating impactful and functional designs.
She explains how designers must think holistically about their users' journeys and create intuitive and meaningful experiences.
Irene provides detailed guidance on topics such as usability principles, information architecture, interface design, accessibility requirements,
Everyone knows that today, more than yesterday, having a great user experience is essential for success.
This book helps you understand user needs, design principles, and practice and how to apply them.
Many successful businesses have built their foundation, making life easier for their website visitors.
For example, between an affiliate link and a button, people tend to engage more with buttons; why? Well, simple psychology: people love visual cues!
So, one important key takeaway from this book is that to maximize conversions, you need to design and optimize your website for the user.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Mobile design first. The book discusses emerging UX design trends like mobile-first and responsive design. A visually appealing website is crucial for dropshipping as it attracts and pleases customers who want to purchase on your site.
Key takeaways
- It directly affects the customer's experience. A positive UX can increase customer satisfaction, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.
- Feedback. Ensure research, data, and user feedback back up all design decisions.
13. Kill Your Conversion Killers with The Dexter Method by Joris Bryon
Many things can kill your conversion rates, such as poor product descriptions or a confusing call to action.
In Kill your Conversion Killers with the Dexter Method, Joris Bryon provides an extensive detailed walkthrough of optimizing your conversion rate.
He covers topics ranging from analytics tools to psychology and persuasion tactics.
In fact, they usually start by rewriting content or adding more compelling information when it comes to making improvements.
This book is full of useful tips on optimizing content and making it more inviting, such as using storytelling techniques, emphasizing the benefits of a product, and making sure that calls-to-action are clear and actionable.
That is why we recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their conversion rate and make the most of their online presence.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Straight to the point. It is a useful book for dropshippers because it provides a no-frills guide to ecommerce conversion optimization, including why it matters, how to approach it, and start-to-finish steps to grow revenue.
- The psychology behind a buyer's intent. The author emphasizes how to use psychology, persuasive techniques, and storytelling to increase conversions.
Key takeaways
- Don't skip customer testimonials. Use customer testimonials, limited-time offers, thought leadership content, free trials, emotional triggers, and other tactics to encourage people to buy.
- Run A/B tests. Test and optimize your marketing and sales strategies to improve results. Joris Bryon, an optimization specialist, makes it easy to understand the topic at a conversational level, even for those who are not experts in analytics.
14. The Playbook for Converting Your Online Visitors into Lifelong Customers by Russell Brunson
Russell Brunson is a master of digital marketing and a successful entrepreneur who wrote the book The Playbook for Converting Your Online Visitors Into Lifelong Customers.
In his book, he shows entrepreneurs how to leverage the power of the Internet to build relationships with customers, increase sales, and bring in more revenue.
He reveals tips such as using storytelling techniques to engage visitors and ensure they take the desired action.
Selling online nowadays is becoming increasingly complex.
People can smell when you are just trying to sell them something; therefore, you need to be able to put something on the table that is unique.
You will need a future-based cause that you can sell to people rather than just a product or a service that will come after, but you'll have a better chance of standing out from the competition if you can deliver a unique cause or message.
People should be able to identify with your movement.
For example, oftentimes, we see online businesses where if you sign up for a service or product, you'll get a gift in return.
It can be anything from a mug to a T-shirt that will give them a sense of belonging to a tribe.
The book will help you understand the importance of creating customer relationships and how to use that to your advantage.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Industry expert. Russell Brunson is the co-founder of ClickFunnels, so if you are struggling to convert your visitors into buyers, he could give you a boost to understand what you're doing wrong or how you can improve you're sales funnel.
- Build relationships. The book focuses on building better customer relationships and using storytelling to engage them. Understand the importance of focusing on the customer journey and how small changes can make a big difference in sales.
Key takeaways
- Convey the right message. Conveying the right message to the right people at the right time can leave a remarkable impression on your potential customers.
15. Everyday Business Storytelling by Janine Kurnoff
Stories are one of the most powerful marketing tools.
They can make people feel connected to your brand and help you engage with them on an emotional level.
They need to be crafted based on the audience you're aiming to reach, and they should also be authentic and genuine, such as using storytelling to build trust and relationships with potential customers.
In Everyday Business Storytelling, Janine provides entrepreneurs with practical advice on effectively using stories in their businesses.
She covers topics such as writing compelling stories, using visuals, and using stories to drive engagement.
A great example is Apple's 'Think Different' campaign. Apple's campaign in the late 1990s focused on the company's history of innovation and creativity.
The campaign featured iconic figures like Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. and encouraged consumers to think differently about what technology could do.
The campaign was a huge success and helped establish Apple as a leading brand in the tech industry.
Why it's useful for dropshipping
- Storytelling. People love stories. It helps build connections with your brand. The more compelling the story, the better you can get people to trust your brand.
- It helps build authority. The dropshipping business model is now widely recognized. By crafting an engaging business narrative, you can establish your brand as an authority and trigger emotions in your audience.
Key takeaways
- Easy to follow. Offers a step-by-step process for creating a visual narrative that resonates with any audience, regardless of their level of expertise or interest in the topic.
- Real-life examples. Provides real-world examples and case studies to illustrate key concepts and demonstrate how visual storytelling can be used to achieve business objectives.
- Understand the people who engage with your ecommerce business. Emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience and tailoring your message to their needs and interests.
Summary
Before we go to the conclusion, we've created a quick summary of this article for you so you can easily remember it:
- If you want to learn how to master marketing for your dropshipping business, then consider Digital Marketing Strategy by Simon Kingsnorth.
- Only digital marketing won't be enough for your dropshipping business. That's why you should also consider The Art of SEO by Eric Enge to improve your website ranking.
- Looking to increase conversions? Then Kill Your Conversion Killers with The Dexter Method may help you out.
Conclusion
So there you have it!
We could go on all day to discuss which books are the best to read, but the best thing is to think about which area of business you want to improve in and pick a book that teaches you exactly that!
We hope you got something out of this read.
But, of course, books aren't the only way to gain the knowledge needed to run a dropshipping business.
You can also check out these forums, one of these Facebook Groups, listen to one of these podcasts, or even check out one of these YouTube channels.
If you have any questions, let us know in the comment section below, have a great day!
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