Zemez

How to Make a Shopify Store for Dropshipping from Scratch

alka

You don’t need to be rich anymore to begin an online store. Dropshipping changed all that. You can sell without holding inventory. You don’t require a warehouse.

But let’s get to what everyone wants to know. Is it actually possible to start dropshipping with zero money? The response might surprise you.  

This tutorial shows you exactly how to set up a Shopify dropshipping store from ground zero. You’ll learn every step along the way. From setting up your store to sourcing suppliers. From choosing themes to a successful launch.

We’ll show you the reality of the expenses involved. You’ll discover free tools and resources. Most importantly, you will have an ultimate Shopify dropshipping setup tutorial.

Ready to have your entrepreneurial journey started? Let’s dive into how Shopify dropshipping works.

Is Dropshipping Free to Start?

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Can you start dropshipping with no money? The short answer is no. But you can start for almost nothing.

Most beginners wonder how they can start dropshipping without spending a dime. The truthful answer is not exactly. You will need to invest some upfront. But it’s much less than with traditional retail.

Here’s what you actually need to get started:

Shopify subscription costs:

Domain name charges:

Custom domain: $10-15/year

You can use Shopify’s free subdomain as a starting point

Marketing budget needs:

So, is dropshipping free? Nearly. But you can keep costs extremely low. Most successful sellers started with less than $100.

The secret is being aware of where to invest and save. And where to save and invest smartly. Let’s get into opening a dropshipping store with no money using smart strategies.

Reality check: Making money through dropshipping without money is hard, but possible. You’ll need patience and creativity. Free traffic solutions take time to reward. But they can be just as potent.

Free starting of a dropshipping business needs bootstrapping strategies. Organic marketing is all you have to start with. Social media is your best friend. Traffic is driven by content without advertising expenditure.

How to Make a Shopify Store for Dropshipping 2025

Now comes the exciting part. Create your store with scratches. This Shopify dropshipping setup guide makes you go through everything. Follow each step carefully for the best results.

Step 1: Create Your Shopify Account

It’s easy to start the Shopify journey. Go first to Shopify’s website. Click the “Start free trial” button. You will see a registration form.

Enter your email address carefully. Choose a strong password. Shopify asks about your experience level. Be honest in your answers.

The registration process includes:

To choose which store case is a plan for. But don’t stress yet. The free test lets you find out. You can upgrade at any time.

Shopify Pricing Breakdown:

Shopify pricing breakdown:

Pro tips: Take advantage of promotional suggestions. Shopify often runs “$ 1” appointments for 3 months. It basically helps you get your ideas to $ 1/month.

The name of your store is worthy of consideration. Choose some memorable and brand-worthy. You can change it later when needed. But starting with a good name helps.

Step 2: Shopify Store Setup for Beginners

After creating your account, you’ll see the dashboard. Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the options. We will handle them one by one.

First, configure basic settings:

Settings> Navigate on normal. 

Fill in your store details:

Then decide your location and currency.

Go to Settings> Description of Storage:

Payment currency setup:

Head to Settings > Payments.

Choose your store currency carefully. Later, it changed your prices. Most drops use USD for simplicity.

Important store policies: 

Create these essential pages:

Shopify provides templates for these. Adapt them for your business. Clear guidelines immediately produce customer chairs.

The installation of Shopify for the dropshipping business requires attention to the expansion. Take time with each setting. A solid foundation prevents problems later.


Step 3: Best Shopify Theme for Dropshipping

The presence of your stores means tremendously. Customers judge credibility within seconds. Choosing the right Shopify topic for dropshipping affects conversion.

Free vs Paid Themes:

Shopify provides excellent free topics. Dawn is especially popular for dropshippers. It is fast, mobile-friendly and adaptable. Starting with free topics initially saves money.

Top free themes for dropshipping:

When considering the subjects paid:

The Paid themes are usually priced at $ 100-350. They provide more customization options. But free topics work perfectly for beginners.

Recommended paid theme:

The Mavon Shopify theme Mavon Shopify stands out for the theme to release stores. It provides several ready-made layouts that are perfect for different niches. The themes include advanced filtration options. Products quickly promote the conversion facilities.

Mavon’s mobile-first design ensures the right smartphone experience. The underlying SEO optimization helps with organic ranking. Once the investment pays through better conversion frequencies. Think of Mavon when you are ready to scale professionally.

Mobile responsiveness is crucial:

More than 70% of shop owners use mobile devices. Your subject should look right on the phone. Test each page on different screen sizes. Mobile-first designs are no longer optional.

To succeed in creating a Shopify Dropshipping store, you prefer user experience. Pure navigation helps customers find products. Rapid load speed reduces the rejection speed. Simple check-out processes increase conversion.

Customizing your theme:

Access the theme editor easily. Online Store> Theme> Click Customize. The visual editor shows a real-time change. Originally, coding knowledge is not necessary.

Be aware of these adjustment areas:

For professional subjects and templates, Template Monster offers a comprehensive collection. Their marketplace has a first-class Shopify theme designed for the success of e-commerce, so for a Shopify Store for Dropshipping, too. Monsterone membership provides access to thousands of digital assets.

Step 4: How to Connect Suppliers to Shopify

Finding reliable suppliers defines your success. The dropshipping construction process depends much more on the quality of the supplier. Let’s find out the proven methods.

Popular vendor platform:

Connecting AliExpress to Shopify:

First, you need to install a dropship app. Dsers converted Oberlo to a go-to solution. It is free and user-friendly. The installation takes minutes through the Shopify App Store.

Steps to connect:

  1. Install DSERS from the App Store
  2. Create a DSERS account
  3. Link to your store
  4. Browse AliExpress products
  5. Import products immediately

Evaluation of the supplier’s reliability:

Always check these factors:

  1. Seller rating (4.5+ stars)
  2. Order the shutter speed
  3. Shipping time estimate
  4. Communication

Product import best practices:

Shopify products while using import dropshipping features:

Do not import hundreds of products immediately. Begin with 10-20 carefully selected items. Quality beats volume in dropships. Be aware of products that solve real problems.

Control of supplier conditions:

Good suppliers ensure relationship stability in the relationship. Commonly communicate about inventory changes. Ask about the dispensation of bulk orders. Create a partnership, not just transactions.

Step 5: Shopify payment setup for dropshipping

Careful attention is required in cases of money. The right shop for the Shopify payment for dropshipping ensures smooth transactions. Let’s configure everything right.

Payment Gateway Options:

Shopify payment is the simplest option. It is built in and requires no extra fees for this. Now available in many countries. The layout only takes minutes.

Alternative payment provider:

Setting up Shopify Payments:

Navigate to Settings> Payment. Click “Full Account Setup”.

Provide necessary business information:

Confirmation usually takes 24–48 hours. You can still create your store in the meantime. Cannot process real orders yet.

Setup Shopify shipping options for dropshipping:

Shipping zones charge customers.

Settings > Shipping and delivery.

Construct a zone based on your strategy.

Common shipping strategies are below:

1. Free shipping.

2. Flat rate shipping.

3. Calculated shipping fees.

4. Tiered shipping fees.

Most of the people shopping online like buying when shipping is free. Research shows that nearly 90% of customers nowadays expect it, so charging for your product and adding shipping charges can be a clever approach.

Setting up shipping zones:

1. Go to “Manage rates.”

2. Insert shipping zones.

3. Add rates by zone.

4. Add processing time.

5. Insert tracking options.

It’s up to store owners to communicate effectively with customers during delivery. Since dropshipping tends to be shipped longer, it’s of paramount importance to set realistic, honest expectations from the get-go. Always best to overpromise slightly less and underdeliver slightly less.

Optimizing Shopify checkout for dropshipping:.

A checkout for a store is critical to sales conversion of site visitors. It should be clean and easy to navigate, rid of unnecessary form fields, and display trust badges where they are easily accessible by customers.

Checkout optimization suggestions:

1. You may provide guest checkout.

2. Reduce form fields.

3. Display security badges.

4. Display transparent pricing.

5. Include progress indicators.

6. You can even include a return policy.

Test checkout thoroughly. You can test several forms of payment and mobile checkout and make sure it is smooth. Little things add up.”.

Configuring Shopify shipping settings for dropshipping:

The correct applications transform your store’s functionality. Shopify dropshipping applications automate tedious processes. They allow you to create profitable Shopify dropshipping store operations. Let us talk about must-have tools.

Product Sourcing Apps:

DSers (Free)

DSers evolutionizes dropshipping with automation of your entire order fulfillment process. The app handles bulk order processing, which saves hours of manual work daily. Multi-supplier management enables product source diversification without any complication. Real-time inventory sync automatically prevents the sale of out-of-stock products.

Spocket ($24.99/month)

Spocket connects you with premium US and EU suppliers for faster shipping. Branded invoicing features help build your professional brand identity. Sample ordering allows quality testing before committing to products. Most orders arrive within 2-5 days, delighting customers consistently.

CJDropshipping (Free plan available)

If you are searching for a trustworthy dropshipping supplier, CJDropshipping is certainly worth considering. Not only do they help find products, but also they have quality inspections before any product leaves the warehouse. Fulfillment centers not being close to your customers, shipping rates are still average. And if branding is important to you, their custom packaging can deliver that extra professional touch for your store.

Analytics and Marketing Apps:

Analyzely – Google Analytics 4 (Free plan available)

Groggily trying to make sense of customers’ actions? Analyzely enables you to integrate your Shopify shop with Google Analytics 4 without coding. The real-time figures are simple to comprehend and respond to, and you can see instantly who’s coming in, doing what, and dropping off where. If setup is tricky, their support team is a message away.

Pixee – Multi Facebook Pixels (Free plan available)

Having promoted Facebook ads? Pixee has it easy to track performance with multiple pixels. Great if you have multiple audiences to test or multiple campaigns to run. It supports integration with Facebook’s Conversion API and does not need coding skills. You’ll be live in minutes, and ready to scale when the results start rolling in.

GroPulse GTM & Data Layer (Free plan available)

Sick of fiddling with code each time you want to add tracking? GTM & Data Layer app takes the headache away. You can insert Google Tag Manager into your shop without having to touch the theme. It even has data layers, which is just a high-falutin’ way of saying your tracking will be more precise. Need assistance? Their crew has your back.

Customer Experience Apps:

GroPulse Google Reviews (Free plan available): 

Happy customers love to share their views and new customers love to read them. Importing real Google reviews and displaying them on your store directly is possible with GroPulse Google review. Even better, the app lets you customize everything so it perfectly reflects the personality of your brand.

GroPulse Wishlist (Free plan available): 

The Gropulse wishlist app enhances the shopping process with an entirely customizable wishlist feature. The customers just bookmark items they want to purchase later. The wishlisted products are shown on the dashboard for inventory insights. You can also send customers reminders strategically about saved items.

SEO and Technical Apps:

GP JSON-LD Schema for SEO (Free plan available): 

Maximize search visibility with structured data markup. The app uses JSON-LD schema to rank better on Google. Click-through rates increase with search using rich snippets. Full SEO optimization benefit comes without the need for coding.

Lucky Orange (Free trial):

Lucky Orange displays how visitors engage with your store. Live recordings illustrate actual customer behavior and shopping habits. Heatmap analysis determines where attention is drawn or confusion is created. Conversion funnel tracking indicates where customers are leaving their carts behind.

BeProfit ($49.99/month): 

Nice to know your top-selling products. Nice to know which of them actually generate you profits? That’s where BeProfit shines. The BeProfit app captures your expense ads, apps, shipping, and so on. It all goes on a dashboard that you can actually understand. Whether your business is booming or you’re just grinding to remain in the black, BeProfit keeps you in control.

Customer Service Apps:

Tidio (Free plan available):

Customers don’t like waiting. Tidio makes sure they don’t have to. It combines real-time chat with automated bots that can answer questions at any time of day. Got an email? A message? It all lands in one place. And if you’re out and about, you can still reply using their mobile app. It’s support made simple.

As a new one, it’s natural to test the waters with free apps. When your store grows, upgrade to paid apps that solve real problems. Don’t clutter your store, however – every extra app slows it down. Use tools that really make a difference, not just clog your dashboard.

Common Shopify Dropshipping Mistakes By Beginners

When you learn from other people’s mistakes, you waste less time and money. Many beginners make the same mistakes with Shopify dropshipping. Let’s explore how you can skip them completely.

Choosing the Wrong Products

Only Trendy Products: Trends don’t last long. Don’t rely only on what’s popular now. Add products that people always need. Mix trendy and steady products to keep your store safe.

Long shipping times: Slow shipping makes customers unhappy. Always check how long delivery takes. You can tell customers about any delays early. It’s better to use local suppliers if you can.

Crowded markets: Check how many other stores sell the same thing. Some markets have so many sellers that it’s tough to compete. Try to find a unique feature or offer something different to make your store unique.

Pricing Mistakes

Setting Prices Too Low: Being the cheapest doesn’t always help you win. Rather, offer better service or discounted packages to make more money. The focus should be on making customers happy.

Not Counting All Costs: Make sure you add up all your costs before deciding on prices. Don’t forget fees from payments, returns, and the time you spend helping customers.

Extra Fees from Suppliers: Some suppliers charge extra fees you might not expect. These can include processing or higher shipping costs depending on where you sell. Always check carefully before you agree.

Problems with Customer Service

Taking Too Long to Reply: Customers want quick responses. You can use automatic replies at first. Try to answer within 24 hours. Use ready-made replies for common questions.

Poor return policies: Clear return policies help you avoid arguments. Make returns easy when it’s fair. It’s better to plan for return expenses early. Happy customers always come back to buy.

Communication Problems with Suppliers: Sometimes talking with suppliers isn’t easy. You can use translation tools if needed. Make sure to write down all important details. Otherwise, misunderstandings might cause you to pay extra money, get the wrong products, or face delays. Customers or partners might lose trust in your business.

Starting a Shopify dropshipping store without inventory seems easy. But success is not that simple. You need to avoid common mistakes. Learn from others’ costly errors. This will make your journey easier.

Is Shopify Good for Dropshipping?

Many people ask if Shopify is the right platform for dropshipping. The simple answer is yes, and here’s why it’s so popular.

Why Choose Shopify?

Shopify is made specifically for online stores. It is a website builder where every feature is designed to help you sell products conveniently. It understands the necessity of eCommerce businesses.

Helpful Features for Dropshipping:

I’ve seen too many entrepreneurs struggle with platforms that weren’t designed for dropshipping. With Shopify, you will get:

A Huge Collection of Apps: Shopify has thousands of apps you can add to your store. These apps help you solve almost any problem, like marketing, customer support, etc. The app community is always creating new tools to help your business grow.

Strong and Reliable:

Shopify can handle busy shopping days without slowing down or crashing. Their servers are fast and secure, so you don’t have to worry about tech problems. You can focus on growing your business.

What About Other Options?

Shopify is great, but some other platforms are worth considering:

Still, Shopify is the top choice for dropshipping. It’s easy to learn, and there’s plenty of support available if you get stuck.

For beginners wondering how to build a Shopify store for dropshipping, it’s the safest choice. The platform grows with your business. Start small and scale confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start dropshipping with no money?

Starting a Shopify store for dropshipping with no money is very hard. You need at least $16 for a domain and a Shopify trial. But you can keep costs low by using free tools and free marketing methods. Many successful dropshippers began with less than $100.

How much money do I need to start Shopify dropshipping?

It’s best to have around $100–$200 when you start. This will pay for your Shopify plan your website name (domain), and some basic ads or marketing. You can try to spend less by using free trials and free tools. But having a little extra money makes it easier to solve problems in the beginning.

Is dropshipping free to start on Shopify?

Dropshipping means you don’t need to buy products in advance. But Shopify is not free. After the free trial, you must pay every month. You also need to buy a website name (domain). Running ads costs extra, but is not needed at the start if you use free ways to get customers.

How long does it take to set up a Shopify dropshipping store?

You can build a simple store in 1–2 days if you focus. But getting ready to sell the right way can take 1–2 weeks. This time helps you find good products, pick good suppliers, and test everything. If you rush, you might make mistakes that cost you later.

What’s the best Shopify plan for dropshipping beginners?

The Basic Shopify plan costs $39 a month. It’s good for beginners and has all you need to start dropshipping. You don’t need a bigger plan until you make a lot of sales. The Basic plan can handle thousands in sales.

Can you dropship with no money using free trials?

Yes, for a short time. Shopify gives you a 3-day free trial. Some apps have free plans too. But you will still need money later to keep the business running. Use the free trial to test your idea. Then use the money you earn to grow your store.

Conclusion

You now have a clear guide on how to make a Shopify store for dropshipping. It’s not so confusing anymore. Now you know what to do step by step.

Yes, you’ll need to spend a little money to start. But compared to opening a normal shop, it’s much cheaper. Many people begin with less than $100 and grow from there.

Keep these tips in mind:

Many people build a Shopify dropshipping store from nothing and succeed every year. The main secret is to just take action. Knowing what to do is helpful, but you only earn money when you do it.

So, don’t overthink it. Take the first step today. Make your Shopify account. Pick what you want to sell. Find good suppliers. Each small step moves you forward. How to build a dropshipping website on Shopify becomes easier with practice. Your next store will be even better. Each lesson helps you grow faster. 

Don’t wait for perfect conditions. They never arrive anyway. Start with what you have now. Use what’s free or cheap. Do what you can today.

Dropshipping is still a good way to start an online business in 2025. Online shopping keeps growing around the world. There’s space for you, too, if you take action.

Your future customers are waiting. Start now and make it happen. Your new business journey begins today, go for it!