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What is Shopify Dropshipping?

5 mins

Shopify dropshipping is a type of e-commerce business model in which products are sourced from a third-party supplier and sold to customers on behalf of the shop owner

Dropshipping businesses are typically run from an online platform such as Shopify, which provides the store builder, shopping cart, and payment processing features needed to operate a successful e-commerce business. 

The main advantage of dropshipping is that it allows entrepreneurs to start an online business with very little up-front investment.

How does Shopify Dropshipping Work?

Dropshipping is a type of e-commerce business model in which online retailers sell products without having to carry any inventory

HOW DOES SHOPIFY DROPSHIPPING WORK

When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s doorstep. 

Dropshipping is a popular business model for many reasons, chief among them being that it’s relatively easy to get started and requires little upfront investment. 

In fact, all you really need to start a dropshipping business is a domain name and hosting, a Shopify theme, and some products to sell

And because you don’t have to carry any inventory, you can run your dropshipping business in your spare time without having to quit your day job. 

It’s actually quite simple. Once you’ve set up your store and added products, customers can place orders on your site and pay for their purchases. 

You’ll then receive a notification of the order and can contact your supplier to arrange to ship. 

The supplier will package and ship the products directly to your customer’s doorsteps, and you’ll keep the difference between the wholesale price and the retail price as profit. 

Dropshipping is a great way to start an online business with little financial risk or investment, and Shopify makes it easy to get started with everything you need in one platform. 

How to Start Dropshipping for Free?

Dropshipping is a business model in which e-commerce entrepreneurs sell products without having to carry any inventory. 

When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the product directly to the customer’s doorstep. 

Dropshipping is a great way to start an online business with little up-front investment, and it’s also perfect for those who want to test out different product niches without incurring the cost of carrying inventory.

To get started with dropshipping, there are a few things you need: A domain name and hosting: 

You’ll need somewhere to build your store. We recommend using Shopify because it’s designed specifically for eCommerce stores, and it has built-in features that make dropshipping easier (like automatic order fulfillment).

A Shopify subscription starts at $29 per month

Decide what kind of products you want to sell. It’s important to choose a niche that you’re passionate about.

Because you’ll be spending a lot of time researching and writing about your products.

Try to choose a niche that isn’t too broad (like “clothing”) or too specific (like “vintage Star Wars action figures”). 

The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle (like “men’s fashion accessories”). 

Once you know what kind of products you want to sell, you need to find suppliers who can provide those products at wholesale prices.

There are many directories (like Oberlo) that list dropship suppliers who offer thousands of different products. 

Take some time browsing through different suppliers until you find one that offers good quality products at prices that fit your budget. 

A sell platform is where you’ll build your store and list your products for sale.

Is It Worth Dropshipping With Shopify?

Dropshipping is a business model in which e-commerce entrepreneurs sell products without having to carry any inventory. 

IS IT WORTH DROPSHIPPING WITH SHOPIFY

When a store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s door. 

Dropshipping is a great way to start an online business with little up-front investment, but there are some things you should know before getting started.

Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms on the market, and for good reason. 

It’s easy to use, has tons of features and integrations, and offers great support. Plus, it’s relatively affordable, especially if you compare it to other enterprise-level platforms like Magento.

However, just because Shopify is a great platform doesn’t mean that it’s automatically the best option for dropshipping businesses.

In fact, there are several reasons why drop shippers might not want to use Shopify

  • Shopify charges transaction fees on all sales.
  • Shopify stores can be slow.
  • You need to purchase additional plugins/apps to get certain features. 
  • The default Shopify theme isn’t very user-friendly
  • There are better options available specifically for drop shippers (like Oberlo). 

Overall, whether or not using Shopify for your dropshipping business is “worth it” depends on your specific needs and preferences as a store owner. 

However, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform with plenty of features and integrations (and you don’t mind paying transaction fees), then Shopify could be a good option for you.

Is Shopify the Same As Dropshipping?

No, Shopify is not the same as drop shipping. However, they are two complementary platforms that can be used together to build a successful online store.

Shopify is a powerful e-commerce platform that provides entrepreneurs with everything they need to create and run their own online stores.

 Dropshipping, on the other hand, is a business model that enables entrepreneurs to sell products without carrying any inventory. 

While Shopify and dropshipping are not the same thing, they can be used together to build a successful online business.

In fact, many of the most successful Shopify stores use the dropshipping business model!

Can You Make Money With Shopify Dropshipping?

Yes, you can absolutely make money with Shopify dropshipping. In fact, many people have built very successful businesses using this business model. 

However, it’s not quite as simple as just setting up a Shopify store and adding products to it.

There’s definitely a learning curve involved and it takes some time and effort to get things set up and running smoothly. 

But if you’re willing to put in the work, there’s no reason why you can’t be successful with Shopify dropshipping. 

Is Shopify Free for Dropshipping?

Yes and no. Shopify offers a 15-day free trial, but you will need to enter your credit card information upfront. 

After the 14 days are up, Shopify will start billing you their monthly fees.

So technically, Shopify is not free for dropshipping. However, there are some ways that you can use Shopify for free. 

Wrap Up

Overall, dropshipping is a great opportunity for anyone looking to set up their own business with little upfront investment. 

Shopify provides a user-friendly platform that makes it easy to get started and scale your operations as you grow. 

Although there are some downsides to consider, such as the potential for Oberlo suppliers to sell out of stock products, these can be mitigated by carefully selecting trusted suppliers. 

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MEET THE AUTHOR

Michael Fied

founder of webdev.com and SpamBurner

Michael Fied is the founder and CEO of webdev.com and SpamBurner. In addition, he’s an internationally top-rated and award-winning website advisor and website architect with a global team of 55. You can find Michael on LinkedIn or contact him directly here.

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