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Guide

How to Start a Dropshipping Store With Shopify and Zendrop

Raimundo Oliveira

By , founder & editor · Published · Updated · 1 min read

Fact-checked against official vendor pages · How we review

To start dropshipping, open a Shopify store (Basic $29/mo billed yearly, trial $1/mo for 3 months), connect Zendrop (free plan) to import products, set margins and launch. Add Easyship only if you ship your own stock.

Illustration of an online store, parcels and a delivery route between a warehouse and a customer, on a blue background

Key takeaways

  • Start on Shopify's trial: 3 days free, then $1/mo for 3 months (offer when checked).
  • Zendrop has a free plan; Plus costs $79/mo or $197/yr on Black Friday.
  • Price products for margin after fees, ads and refunds.
  • Order a sample before you sell a product.

Shopify · Best all-in-one store builder

Basic from $29/mo billed yearly ($39 monthly)

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Quick answer

Quick answer

Open a Shopify store, install Zendrop, import 5–10 products, set prices with a healthy margin, write clear shipping and refund policies, then launch and test with a small ad budget.

Tools you need

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Step 1: Open your Shopify store

Start the trial and pick the Basic plan. When we checked, Shopify offered 3 days free, then $1/month for 3 months. Basic costs $39/mo monthly or $29/mo billed yearly. See our Shopify review.

Step 2: Connect Zendrop and import products

Install Zendrop from your Shopify admin, browse its 1M+ products, and import a small, focused catalog. The free plan is enough to start; Plus adds branding and automation. See our Zendrop review.

Step 3: Price for profit

ItemExample
Product + shipping cost$12
Shopify payment fee (2.9% + 30¢ on $34.99)≈ $1.31
Ad cost per sale (estimate)$10
Sale price$34.99
Profit before refunds≈ $11.68

Example only. Your costs vary by product, country and ads.

Step 4: Policies and trust

  1. Write shipping times honestly.
  2. Publish refund and contact pages.
  3. Order a sample to check quality.

Step 5: Shipping your own stock later

When you start holding inventory, compare carriers with Easyship (550+ couriers, start free). See our Easyship review.

Step 6: Launch and test

Promote 2–3 products, track conversion and refunds, and drop what does not sell. Compare Shopify vs WooCommerce if you prefer WordPress.

Compare and learn more

Ready to open your store?

Start Shopify with a 3-day free trial, then $1/mo for 3 months on eligible plans.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start dropshipping?

Shopify's trial ($1/mo for 3 months when checked), Zendrop's free plan, a domain (about $12/yr) and your ad budget.

Do I need Zendrop Plus?

Not to start. Upgrade when you need automation, branding or US products at scale.

Is dropshipping profitable?

It can be, but margins depend on product cost, ads, shipping times and refunds. Test small first.

Sources checked

General information, not professional advice. Plans, prices and features change: confirm them on the vendor’s official site before you buy. Affiliate disclosure · How we review

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