Ecom CEO Reveals Proven Strategies to Launch and Scale Your E-Commerce Business

Starting and scaling a dropshipping business isn’t easy. With endless products, platforms, and marketing strategies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if you could tap into insights from over 100,000 dropshippers and e-commerce entrepreneurs who’ve already faced the same challenges?

I’m Rush, founder and CEO of Sell The Trend—one of the most popular all-in-one dropshipping platforms. For the past five years, I’ve had a front-row seat to the successes (and failures) of countless online store owners. And today, I’m sharing exactly what I’ve learned so you can start and grow a profitable dropshipping business.

Let’s dive into the strategies that work.

How to Find Winning Products That Sell Year-Round

Q: “How do I find products that don’t blow up for a week and then die off?”

The secret to consistent sales is simple: focus on evergreen products. These are products that people need or want all year long—not just during holiday seasons or viral trends.

Why Evergreen Products Matter:

• Stable Sales: They generate steady revenue year-round.
• Less Competition: Seasonal products are often crowded with sellers.
• Higher Profit Margins: Long-term demand allows for consistent pricing.

Examples of Evergreen Products:

• Personal Care Products: Hair trimmers, skincare devices.
• Home Essentials: Kitchen gadgets, storage solutions.
• Fitness Gear: Resistance bands, yoga mats.

Bonus Strategy: Branding Increases Perceived Value

Want to stand out and charge more? Brand your products.

While testing our Facebook Ads Explorer, I discovered a beauty product that stood out because the seller added custom branding. Even if they simply photoshopped a logo onto the product, it instantly elevated its perceived value.

How to Scale Winning Products Without Messing Up Your Campaigns

Q: “I found a product that’s selling, but how do I scale without ruining my ads?”

Scaling a product is exciting, but it can also be risky. One wrong move and your profitable campaign can fall apart. Here’s how to scale safely and smartly.

Scale Slowly (But Steadily)

• Increase your budget by 10–15% every few days—no more.
• Sudden jumps (like 50%) confuse Facebook’s algorithm and can push your ad back into learning mode.

Always Be Testing (ABT)

• Test new ad creatives, copy, and audiences in separate ad sets.
• Don’t change your winning campaign—duplicate it and test variations separately.

Increase Average Order Value (AOV)

• Use upsells and bundles to make more money without spending more on ads.
• SellShop includes built-in quantity discount tools to boost your AOV.

Why You’re Not Getting Sales (And How to Fix It)

Q: “I feel like I’m doing everything right, but I still can’t make any sales. Help!”

If you’re getting traffic but no sales, the issue usually comes down to one of two things:

Problem #1: You’re Selling the Wrong Product

• Does your product solve a problem?
• Does it have a Unique Selling Proposition (USP)?

Example: I spotted a handheld nebulizer on Sell The Trend. I don’t know much about nebulizers, but I do know that if I had trouble breathing, I’d want one. This product solves a real problem, making it easier to sell.

💡 Pro Tip: Focus on products that solve problems. Wants are harder to sell than needs.

Problem #2: Your Website Looks Untrustworthy

If your store looks unprofessional, visitors won’t trust you with their credit card.

Fix:

• Use clean, modern templates (SellShop includes professionally designed templates).
• Avoid flashy colors and cluttered layouts.
• Add trust badges and secure payment icons.

How to Build an Email List (Even If You Have Zero Subscribers)

Q: “How can I use email marketing if I don’t have any subscribers?”

Email marketing is still one of the most powerful ways to drive sales—but you need subscribers first.

Use Pop-Ups on Your Store

• Offer a 10-20% discount for signing up.
• Tools like Privy or SellShop’s built-in pop-ups make this easy.

Run Lead Generation Ads

• Use Facebook Lead Ads to collect emails without sending users off Facebook.

Offer Lead Magnets

• Give away something valuable for free in exchange for an email.
• Example: If you sell kitchen products, offer a “Top 10 Quick Dinner Recipes” PDF.

5. How to Boost Profits Without Spending More on Ads

Q: “How can I make more money without increasing my ad budget?”

Scaling doesn’t always mean spending more. It’s about making more per sale. Boost Profits with These AOV Hacks:

Offer Quantity Discounts

• Example: 1 for $20, 2 for $35, 3 for $45.
• SellShop has built-in quantity break discounts.

Upsell & Cross-Sell

• Offer related products at checkout.
• Example: Selling a yoga mat? Offer a bundle with resistance bands.

Free Shipping Thresholds

• “Spend $50+ to get free shipping” encourages customers to add more to their cart.

Now let’s dive even deeper into the advanced strategies that successful dropshippers use to grow and scale their stores. These insights are based on lessons learned from working with over 100,000 entrepreneurs using Sell The Trend to build profitable e-commerce businesses.

6. How to Avoid Wasting Money on Facebook Ads

Q: “How do I know if my Facebook ads are working, or if I’m just wasting money?”

It’s easy to burn through your budget on Facebook if you’re not careful. But with the right strategy, Facebook ads can become your most powerful sales tool.

Key Strategies to Run Profitable Facebook Ads:

Start Small, Scale Smart

• Begin with a small daily budget ($10–$20 per ad set).
• Test different creatives, targeting options, and copy.

Use Facebook Ads Explorer for Research

• Use Sell The Trend’s Facebook Ads Explorer to see what products competitors are successfully advertising.
• Study high-performing ads for ideas on what works (and what doesn’t).

Avoid Audience Overlap

• Make sure your ad sets are targeting distinct audiences to avoid competing with yourself.

Monitor Key Metrics

• Focus on Click-Through Rate (CTR), Cost Per Purchase (CPP), and Return on Ad Spend (ROAS).
• Pause ads with poor performance and scale the ones that convert.

7. How to Keep Sales Consistent (Even When Trends Die Out)

Q: “What do I do when my trending product stops selling?”

Every product has a lifecycle. Trends fade, but smart dropshippers stay ahead by constantly testing and expanding.

Strategies to Keep Sales Flowing:

Always Be Testing (ABT)

• Regularly launch new products alongside your winners.
• Use NEXUS Product Research to automate finding trending and evergreen products.

Expand to New Markets

• If your product slows down in one region, try new countries or demographics.
• Example: If sales slow in the U.S., test the UK, Australia, or Germany.

Build a Product Ecosystem

• Offer complementary products to your best-sellers.
• Example: If you’re selling fitness bands, add yoga mats or water bottles.

8. Turn Customers into Repeat Buyers with Email and SMS Marketing

Q: “How do I get customers to buy again after their first purchase?”

One-time buyers are great, but repeat customers are gold. Email and SMS marketing are the easiest ways to bring them back.

Retention Marketing Strategies:

Automated Email Flows

• Set up automated emails for Welcome Sequences, Abandoned Carts, and Post-Purchase Upsells.

SMS Campaigns for Flash Sales

• Use text messages to alert customers about limited-time offers or product restocks.

Loyalty Programs

• Reward customers with points or discounts for repeat purchases.

9. Increase Profits with Bundling and Upselling

Q: “How can I make more money from each customer without raising prices?”

The answer: Bundling and Upselling.

How to Maximize Customer Spend:

Product Bundles

• Offer pre-made product bundles at a slight discount.
• Example: “Fitness Starter Pack”—resistance bands + yoga mat + water bottle.

Upsells and Cross-Sells

• Suggest related products at checkout.
• Example: “Complete your set with this matching phone case!”

Quantity Break Discounts

• Offer bulk discounts to encourage larger purchases.
• Example: 1 for $20, 2 for $35, 3 for $45.

10. Build Trust with Your Website Design

Q: “How can I make my store look more professional?”

First impressions matter. If your website doesn’t look trustworthy, visitors won’t buy—no matter how great your product is.

Key Elements of a High-Converting Website:

Clean, Professional Design

• Use simple layouts and clear navigation.
• Avoid too many colors or flashy animations.

High-Quality Product Photos

• Use clear, professional images that show your product in use.

Trust Badges and Reviews

• Display secure payment icons and customer reviews for social proof.

11. Scale Safely by Diversifying Marketing Channels

Q: “Should I only use Facebook Ads to grow my store?”

No! Relying on one platform is risky. Diversify your marketing to reduce risk and reach more customers.

Other Marketing Channels to Explore:

TikTok Ads

• TikTok is exploding for e-commerce. Short, engaging videos can go viral fast.

Influencer Marketing

• Partner with micro-influencers for product reviews and unboxing.

Google Shopping Ads

• Great for capturing shoppers actively searching for products.

Pinterest Ads

• Ideal for home decor, fashion, and beauty niches.

12. When to Quit on a Product (and Move On)

Q: “How do I know when to stop selling a product?”

Not every product will be a winner. The key is knowing when to pivot.

Signs It’s Time to Move On:

• No Sales After 1,000 Clicks: Traffic but no conversions? Time to stop.
• Poor Engagement on Ads: Low likes, comments, and shares.
• High Refund Rates: Customers are unhappy, which could hurt your store’s reputation.

We’ve covered a lot of ground so far—everything from finding evergreen products to scaling ads and maximizing profits. Now, let’s bring it all together with a clear roadmap to help you take action and build a successful dropshipping business.

13. Actionable Steps to Start and Scale Your Dropshipping Store

Step 1: Find Winning Products

• Use NEXUS Product Research to discover trending and evergreen products.
• Focus on products that solve problems or fulfill strong customer needs.

Step 2: Build a Trustworthy Store

• Use SellShop’s conversion-optimized templates for a clean, professional look.
• Add high-quality images, clear product descriptions, and trust badges.

Step 3: Launch and Test Ads

• Start with a small budget ($10–$20/day) on Facebook or TikTok.
• Use the Facebook Ads Explorer to research what’s working for competitors.
• Monitor key metrics: CTR, ROAS, and Cost Per Purchase.

Step 4: Scale Smartly

• Gradually increase your ad budget by 10–15% every few days.
• Test new audiences and creatives without changing winning campaigns.

Step 5: Boost Average Order Value (AOV)

• Offer quantity discounts and product bundles.
• Use built-in upsell tools with SellShop to automate offers.

Step 6: Retain Customers

• Build an email and SMS list with pop-ups and lead magnets.
• Set up automated email flows for abandoned carts and post-purchase upsells.

Step 7: Diversify Your Marketing

• Expand to platforms like TikTok Ads, Google Shopping, and Pinterest.
• Partner with micro-influencers for authentic product promotions.

14. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Scaling Too Fast: Don’t double your ad spend overnight. Gradual scaling keeps your campaigns stable.
• Ignoring Product Validation: Always validate products before investing heavily in ads.
• Poor Website Design: A cluttered or untrustworthy site will kill your conversions.
• Not Collecting Emails: You’re missing out on easy sales if you don’t build an email list.
• Relying on One Traffic Source: Diversify your marketing to protect your business.

15. Tools That Make Dropshipping Easier

Building a profitable store takes effort, but the right tools can make your life a lot easier.

Essential Tools to Grow Your Store:

• Sell The Trend: All-in-one dropshipping platform for product research, store management, and marketing.
• Facebook Ads Explorer: Find trending products and spy on successful competitor ads.
• NEXUS Product Research: AI-powered tool to discover trending and evergreen products.
• SellShop: Instant AI-powered store creator with built-in marketing tools and upsell features.
• Store Intelligence: Analyze competitors’ sales, traffic, and best-selling products.

Conclusion: Your Roadmap to Dropshipping Success

Building a successful dropshipping business isn’t easy, but it’s possible when you follow the right strategies.

Let’s recap the most important lessons:

1. Sell evergreen products that solve real problems.
2. Scale smartly by testing, analyzing, and gradually increasing your ad spend.
3. Boost profits with upsells, bundles, and higher AOV.
4. Retain customers with email and SMS marketing.
5. Diversify your marketing channels to reduce risk and scale faster.

By following these proven strategies, you can build a business that doesn’t just make money—but one that grows sustainably.

Ready to Launch and Scale Your Store?

👉 Start Your FREE Trial with Sell The Trend and get access to the exact tools used by successful dropshippers to find winning products, run profitable ads, and automate their stores: Start Your Free Trial

Don’t just dream about success—take action and make it happen.

Here’s to your success,

Rush

Founder & CEO, Sell The Trend