What's the difference between affiliate marketing and dropshipping?

 

Photo by Ella Wei

What's the difference between affiliate marketing and dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a method of operating an internet store without having to keep inventory on hand. You market the products as if you own them, but when someone orders, you replicate the order with the company at a lower price. The distributor handles the shipping and packaging for you.

When a customer buys using an affiliate link, the affiliate does not have to handle any money because the buyer is directed directly to the merchant's site to finish the purchase. Cookies are used to track the sale, and the referring affiliate receives a commission. The primary distinction is that in affiliate marketing, the affiliate does not have to handle the sales process or customer service. Even though you don't handle any inventory as a dropshipper, you are still accountable for the sales process.