Shopify Dropshipping for Beginners: How to Start Step by Step (2026)
Free Etsy Course, Lesson 34 of 34 · Bonus: Dropshipping (bonus) · See all lessons
You want to sell products online without buying stock, packing boxes, or running to the post office. That is the promise of dropshipping. And if you tried to do it on Etsy, you probably found out it is not allowed there.
Shopify is a popular alternative, because it is your own store and Shopify officially supports dropshipping apps. But here is the part beginners miss: you are still responsible for customer service, shipping times, and taxes, even though you never touch the product. Pick a slow or unreliable supplier and your store pays the price.
This guide walks you through Shopify dropshipping step by step: how it works, what it costs, which apps Shopify itself recommends, how to choose suppliers, and how to price for profit. Sources are Shopify’s Help Center, Shopify’s pricing page, and NerdWallet’s Shopify pricing guide, checked in October 2026.
What Is Shopify Dropshipping?
Shopify dropshipping means running your own Shopify store where a supplier stores and ships the products for you. When a customer orders, the order goes to your supplier, who picks, packs, and ships it directly to the customer. You set the price, market the store, and handle customer service, while the supplier handles inventory and shipping.
Etsy vs Shopify for Dropshipping
| Etsy | Shopify | |
|---|---|---|
| Is classic dropshipping allowed? | No, with limited exceptions | Yes, Shopify supports it with apps |
| Who owns the store? | Etsy marketplace | You (your own store and domain) |
| Built-in buyers? | Yes, marketplace traffic | No, you bring your own traffic |
| Monthly cost | No monthly fee required | Monthly Shopify plan |
| Best for | Handmade, vintage, your own designs, digital products | Dropshipping, your own brand |
Read the full Etsy rules in can you dropship on Etsy. If you want the Etsy route, print on demand with your own designs and digital products are allowed.
How Shopify Dropshipping Works
Shopify’s Help Center describes the process like this:
- A customer orders on your Shopify store.
- The order flows to your supplier through a dropshipping app.
- The supplier picks, packs, and ships the product directly to the customer.
- You stay responsible for customer service and order tracking.
Shopify lists three common dropshipping models:
| Model | Example from Shopify |
|---|---|
| Product reselling | Curate niche products, like eco-friendly home goods |
| Business extensions | Help local retailers sell online, like handmade crafts from a boutique |
| Product creation | Bundle products into new offers, like DIY craft kits from one supplier |
How Much Does Shopify Dropshipping Cost?
Shopify plan prices vary by country. For US sellers, NerdWallet’s Shopify pricing guide (updated March 2026) lists:
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly (per month) | Online card rate (standard cards) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $39 | $29 | 2.9% + 30¢ |
| Grow | $105 | $79 | 2.7% + 30¢ |
| Advanced | $399 | $299 | 2.5% + 30¢ |
Shopify currently offers a 3-day free trial, then $1 per month for the first three months, according to Shopify’s pricing page. Always check Shopify’s pricing page for your country before you start, since prices can change.
Other costs to plan for:
- Your product cost from the supplier
- Shipping charged by the supplier
- App subscriptions (some dropshipping apps charge monthly)
- A custom domain
- Marketing and ads
Check your numbers: our free dropshipping profit calculator works out your profit per order, margin, and break-even ad cost.
Dropshipping Apps Shopify Recommends
Shopify’s Help Center lists these recommended apps that meet its quality standards (the list is not exhaustive):
Dropshipping apps:
- Shopify Collective: import products from Shopify brands with real-time syncing of details, pricing, and inventory. Shopify recommends it for merchants in the United States.
- Dropcommerce: US Dropshipping: North American suppliers.
- Dropship: EU & US Dropshipping: American and European suppliers.
- Syncee: a dropshipping app and wholesale marketplace with vetted suppliers in many regions.
Print on demand apps:
- Gelato: local production to deliver faster.
- Printful: prints, packs, and ships your custom products.
Shopify’s warnings when choosing an app:
- Beware of apps that rank high on installs but do not prioritize shipping speed or quality.
- Avoid apps that claim to offer print on demand but have unclear sourcing.
- Do not rely on outdated testimonials.
- Check that reviews and ratings are genuine.
How to Start Dropshipping on Shopify Step by Step
- Choose a niche. Pick a specific audience and product group, like eco-friendly kitchen goods, not “everything.”
- Start your Shopify store and pick a plan.
- Choose a theme and add your logo, About page, and policies (shipping, returns, privacy, terms).
- Install a dropshipping app from Shopify’s recommended list or the Shopify App Store.
- Choose suppliers carefully (see below).
- Order samples of your main products so you can check quality and shipping time yourself.
- Import products and rewrite titles, descriptions, and photos so they are clear and honest.
- Set prices that cover product cost, shipping, fees, and marketing.
- Set up payments and shipping rates in your Shopify settings.
- Place a test order to make sure orders flow to your supplier correctly.
- Launch and market with content, email, social media, or ads.
- Track every order and answer customers quickly.
How to Choose a Dropshipping Supplier
Shopify’s Help Center advises:
- Avoid suppliers that charge monthly fees.
- Prefer suppliers that do not sell directly to the public, so they are not competing with you.
- Check how fast they process orders.
- Look for category experts with dedicated customer support.
- Prefer central warehouse locations for faster shipping times.
Shopify also suggests building bundles from one supplier to avoid split shipments.
Taxes and International Orders
Shopify warns that if you sell across borders, tax and customs rules apply and vary by region. For example, Shopify says that if you sell to EU customers from a supplier outside the EU, you might need to register for the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) scheme and follow EU VAT rules. If you are unsure, speak with a tax professional.
How to Price Dropshipping Products
Start with all your costs per order:
Price – product cost – supplier shipping – payment processing – marketing cost per sale = profit
For example, if you sell at $40, the product costs $14, supplier shipping is $5, and card processing on the Basic plan is 2.9% + 30¢ ($1.46), you have $19.54 left before marketing. If you spend $12 on ads to get each sale, your profit is $7.54.
Use our free dropshipping profit calculator to test your own numbers before you launch.
Common Shopify Dropshipping Mistakes
Picking suppliers on price alone. Slow shipping and poor quality lead to refunds and complaints.
Never ordering samples. You cannot describe a product honestly if you have never seen it.
Copying supplier descriptions. Rewrite them clearly and honestly.
Forgetting marketing costs. A product with a thin margin can lose money once you pay for ads.
Ignoring taxes and customs. Cross-border orders have rules to follow.
Hiding shipping times. Be clear about delivery estimates on product pages.
Key Takeaways
- Shopify dropshipping means your supplier stores and ships products while you run the store.
- Etsy does not allow classic dropshipping, but Shopify supports it with apps.
- US Shopify plans start at $39 per month ($29 per month yearly), according to NerdWallet.
- Shopify recommends apps like Shopify Collective, Dropcommerce, Syncee, Gelato, and Printful.
- Choose fast, reliable suppliers, order samples, and price for profit after marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shopify good for dropshipping?
Shopify supports dropshipping through apps in its App Store, and its Help Center lists recommended dropshipping and print on demand apps. You run your own store, so you also need to bring your own traffic.
How much does it cost to start dropshipping on Shopify?
You pay for a Shopify plan (US plans start at $39 per month, or $29 per month billed yearly, per NerdWallet), plus product costs, apps, a domain, and marketing. Shopify currently offers a 3-day free trial, then $1 per month for 3 months.
Can I dropship on Etsy instead?
Not classic dropshipping. Etsy only allows reselling in a few categories like vintage and craft supplies. You can sell print on demand products with your own designs, or digital products.
Do I need to handle customer service when dropshipping?
Yes. Shopify says that while suppliers handle shipping, you remain responsible for customer service and order tracking.
What is the best dropshipping app for Shopify?
Shopify’s Help Center recommends Shopify Collective (for US merchants), Dropcommerce, Dropship: EU & US Dropshipping, and Syncee for dropshipping, and Gelato and Printful for print on demand. Compare them for your niche and order samples first.
Final Thoughts
Shopify dropshipping can be a low-inventory way to start an online store, but it is a real business: pick a niche, choose reliable suppliers, test products yourself, price for profit, and take care of every customer.
Next, read our dropshipping course guide, or explore the free online selling course.
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