What is Shopify and How Dropshipping Works?
If you’ve ever dreamed about starting an online store but felt stuck thinking “I don’t have products, I don’t have space, I don’t have a big budget” then Shopify dropshipping might just be your golden ticket.
The truth is, thousands of people around the world are building stores from their laptops without ever touching a single product. Sounds crazy, right? Let’s break it down step by step.
🌍 What is Shopify?
Shopify is an eCommerce platform that allows you to create your own online store without knowing a single line of code.
Think of it like renting a shop in a busy mall except this shop is online, works 24/7, and is accessible to millions of people worldwide.
- You can design your store (no coding needed)
- Upload products with pictures and descriptions
- Accept payments securely (credit card, PayPal, etc.)
- Manage everything from your laptop or even your phone
It’s like having your own digital shop assistant who never sleeps.
📦 What is Dropshipping?
Here’s where the magic happens.
Normally, if you run a store, you buy products in bulk, keep them in stock, and ship them when someone orders. But dropshipping flips this on its head.
With dropshipping:
- A customer buys from your Shopify store
- You forward the order to your supplier (on AliExpress, CJ Dropshipping, etc.)
- The supplier ships the product directly to the customer
👉 You don’t buy inventory upfront. 👉 You don’t pack boxes. 👉 You don’t deal with warehouses.
Your main job? Find winning products and market them.
✅ Why Do People Love Shopify Dropshipping?
- Low startup cost: You don’t need thousands of euros/dollars. Just a Shopify plan, domain, and small ad budget.
- No inventory headaches: No need to buy products in advance.
- Flexibility: Run your store from anywhere with Wi-Fi.
- Scalability: If a product works, you can scale ads and make thousands in sales quickly.
⚠️ But Wait… There Are Downsides Too
I want to keep this real with you. Dropshipping isn’t a “get rich quick” scheme.
- Shipping times can be long (especially if suppliers are in China).
- Competition is high – many people sell similar products.
- Customer complaints happen if quality or delivery isn’t managed.
The good news? These challenges can be solved by picking the right suppliers, testing the right products, and focusing on customer service.
💰 How Much Money Do You Need to Start?
One of the best parts about dropshipping is that you don’t need huge capital. Here’s a realistic breakdown:
- Shopify plan: around $29/month
- Domain: $10–15/year
- Apps (optional): $0–30/month (product importers, reviews, etc.)
- Marketing (ads): At least $100–300 to test products
👉 In total, you can start with $150–400.
Compare that to renting a physical store and buying stock worth thousands this is peanuts.
🗺️ The Roadmap Ahead
This post is just your first step. Over the next lessons in this series, I’ll take you through everything:
- Setting up your Shopify store like a pro
- Hunting for winning products
- Finding reliable suppliers
- Driving traffic with ads & free methods
- Handling orders & customers smoothly
- Scaling your business into a real brand
Think of this as your free course on Shopify Dropshipping and you’re just on Lesson 1. 🚀
🎯 Final Takeaway
Shopify is your store.
Dropshipping is your business model.
Put them together, and you’ve got a chance to run an online business that can actually change your life if you’re willing to learn, test, and put in the work.