Whether you’re just getting started or already running an established business, dropshipping with Shopify makes it easy to sell products without the hassle of managing inventory.

With built-in tools and powerful apps, Shopify helps you connect with trusted suppliers, automate order fulfillment, and keep your stock in sync—so you can focus more on growing your brand and making sales.

Here are three simple ways to start dropshipping on Shopify:

1. Connect your store to an automated dropshipping app – Find products, set your pricing, and let the app handle the rest.
2. Work directly with a supplier – Build custom partnerships and manage your product listings through Shopify.
3. Expand your product line with Shopify Collective – Easily add curated items from other brands to complement your existing offerings.

No matter your level of experience, there’s a dropshipping method that fits your goals—and Shopify gives you the tools to make it happen.

1. How to Use Dropshipping Apps on Shopify

Dropshipping apps designed for Shopify make it easy to connect your store with a wide network of suppliers, simplifying everything from product sourcing to order fulfillment.

With just a few clicks, you can browse products, import them directly into your store (complete with descriptions and images), and automatically forward orders to the supplier when a customer makes a purchase.

Most apps also offer helpful features like real-time inventory tracking and shipping updates—giving you the tools to stay on top of stock levels and provide better support to your customers. It’s a simple, scalable way to get started with dropshipping.

Key Points About Dropshipping Apps

• Get started fast by downloading and connecting a dropshipping app to your Shopify store.
• Easily import products—complete with images and descriptions—and send orders directly to suppliers.
• Explore a wide range of apps to find the right fit for your niche and business goals.
• Work with multiple suppliers to offer a diverse selection of products without managing inventory yourself.

Dropshipping apps open the door to thousands of products, even if you don’t have existing supplier relationships. This accessibility is great for new sellers—but it also comes with a few trade-offs.

Because many sellers have access to the same products, competition can be high. And since many apps connect to overseas supplier networks like AliExpress, you’ll likely benefit from lower product costs and broader selection—but you may also face longer shipping times and the need to navigate import taxes.

With the right strategy, though, dropshipping apps can be a powerful way to launch or expand your Shopify store.

How to Dropship Using an App

Ready to start dropshipping with a Shopify app? Here’s how to get up and running in just a few steps.

1. Create Your Store

Begin with a free trial and set up your Shopify store. The built-in setup guide will walk you through essentials like creating your homepage, building product pages, and organizing your navigation menu.

If you don’t already have a domain name, now’s the time to grab one that fits your niche and reflects your brand. It’s a small detail that can make a big impact on your store’s credibility and first impressions.

2. Customize Your Store

With Shopify’s professionally designed themes, you’ll have a solid starting point for your store’s look and feel—no design experience required. Many popular themes are free and easy to customize, so choose one that fits your layout preferences and product style.

From there, personalize your store with your brand’s color palette, add a logo, set up your checkout process, and fill out your key pages with basic content and images.

At this stage, don’t stress about perfection. The goal is to get your store ready to launch. Once your dropshipping business is live, you’ll gain insights from real customers—and plenty of inspiration from other stores—to help refine and optimize your design over time.

3. Download and Connect a Dropshipping App

Next, choose a dropshipping app that connects your Shopify store with suppliers offering the types of products you want to sell. As you explore your options, consider key factors like supplier location, shipping times, product variety, and reviews from other dropshippers.

Since your supplier will manage inventory, handle order fulfillment, and ship directly to your customers, selecting the right app is a big part of setting your business up for success. Take your time with this step—read reviews, compare features, and if possible, order a few sample products to check for quality and shipping speed.

Once you’ve found the right fit, simply download the app and connect it to your Shopify store. From there, you’re just a few steps away from adding products and making your first sale.

4. Optimize Your Product Pages

When you import products from your dropshipping app, your store will automatically fill in details like descriptions and images—but don’t stop there.

Default supplier content often lacks the personality and polish that help products truly stand out. Take time to rewrite product descriptions in your brand’s voice, highlight key features and benefits, and answer the questions your customers are likely to have. Original content not only builds trust but also improves your visibility in search engines.

Shopify’s built-in AI tools can help you refine your pages even faster. Use them to enhance descriptions with SEO-friendly language tailored to your audience, and touch up product images with easy AI-powered editing.

As you fine-tune your listings, be sure to price your products competitively. Factor in your supplier’s cost, shipping fees, taxes, and your desired profit margin—so every sale works for your bottom line.

Supplier Directories and Apps to Explore

Here’s a list of trusted dropshipping supplier directories and apps. Explore these options to find the right partner for your business—one that fits your niche, goals, and customer expectations:

Spocket
Spocket lets you source products from suppliers in the US, Europe, and beyond. With a wide range of items and partnerships with AliExpress and Alibaba, it’s a great starting point for building a well-rounded catalog. You can even order product samples to check quality before listing them in your store—a smart move for building customer trust.

DSers
DSers is a go-to app for dropshippers looking to source products from AliExpress. One standout feature is the Supplier Optimizer, which helps you find multiple suppliers for the same product—so your listings stay active even if one supplier runs into stock issues.

AutoDS
AutoDS offers a full suite of tools for dropshipping success, from product sourcing to order fulfillment and returns management. It also uses AI to track market trends and help you discover in-demand products—making it easier to stay competitive as you grow your store.

2. How to Dropship Directly from a Supplier

Working directly with a supplier gives you more control over your product offerings and the overall customer experience compared to using a dropshipping app. This approach is all about building strong relationships with suppliers and using Shopify to display and sell their products.

Every supplier operates a little differently. Some offer easy-to-use online platforms where you can browse product catalogs and place orders. Others prefer to work more hands-on, negotiating custom agreements with each retail partner. Either way, this method can give you more flexibility—and potentially better margins—as you grow your business.

Key Points About Partnering with a Supplier

• Building strong relationships opens the door to product customization opportunities.
• You can negotiate personalized pricing and fulfillment terms tailored to your business needs.
• Becoming a preferred or even exclusive partner can give you a competitive edge.

As your store gains traction in your dropshipping niche, suppliers may reach out to form partnerships—leading to priority support and better negotiation leverage.

That said, working directly with suppliers often means more hands-on coordination. You might face complex logistics when managing orders, and you’ll need to have backup suppliers ready in case of stock shortages. With good communication and planning, though, these challenges can become manageable parts of a growing business.

How to Find a Dropshipping Supplier

When searching for suppliers in your niche, it’s important to establish clear criteria based on your business needs. Delivery speed plays a big role in customer satisfaction, so prioritizing domestic suppliers or those located close to your target customers can make a real difference.

Aim to partner with suppliers who stock products near your main customer locations to ensure fast and reliable order fulfillment. If you’re working with multiple suppliers, consider using automation tools to route orders to the closest supplier with available inventory.

Since your supplier’s stock limits what you can offer, it’s worth investing time to find a dependable partner. Be sure to read reviews from other sellers and watch out for recurring issues like product shortages or delays.

Here are some helpful starting points to guide your search:

• Browse websites and apps to find dropshipping clothing suppliers.
• Discover tips and supplier lists for dropshipping jewelry.
• Find advice and recommended suppliers for dropshipping books.
• Explore wholesale and private-label suppliers for dropshipping coffee.

As your store grows and order volume increases, you can encourage suppliers to compete for your business—helping you negotiate better prices and improve your profit margins.

Print-on-Demand and Private-Label Dropshipping Suppliers

A common challenge with traditional dropshipping is that many stores often sell the same products—making it harder to stand out without competing on price.

That’s where print-on-demand and private-label dropshipping come in. These options let you create unique, branded versions of items like t-shirts, tote bags, home goods, and more.

This approach gives your store a fresh edge by offering one-of-a-kind products, all while keeping the flexibility and low risk of dropshipping’s no-inventory model. It’s a smart way to build your brand and connect with customers looking for something special.

Print-on-Demand Apps

If print-on-demand catches your interest, here are a few great options to explore from the Shopify App Store:

• Printify: Create custom products easily with their mockup generator and connect with providers around the world.
• Printful: Offers a wide catalog that goes beyond apparel to include home, garden, and sports products.
• Gooten: Partners with over 50 manufacturers across more than 70 locations, giving you plenty of options to fulfill your orders.

These apps make it simple to design and sell unique products without holding any inventory—perfect for adding a personal touch to your dropshipping business.

3. How to Dropship with Shopify Collective

If you’re a Shopify merchant eager to expand your product selection, Shopify Collective offers a simple way to do just that. With Collective, you can list and sell products from other Shopify stores, while your partner handles order fulfillment as sales come in.

It’s a seamless way to grow your catalog without managing extra inventory—letting you focus on reaching new customers and boosting your business.

Key Points About Shopify Collective

• Boost your average order value by offering complementary products alongside your own.
• Reach new customers by expanding into related categories—without the need to purchase or hold inventory.
• Grow your product catalog effortlessly, with no added costs or risks.
• Discover and connect with new brands directly within Shopify’s platform.
• Shopify Collective is available to stores with over $50,000 in sales.

If you’re blending dropshipping with traditional retail, Collective also gives you the opportunity to become a supplier—letting you sell your products through like-minded Shopify stores across the US. It’s a win-win for collaboration and growth.

Using Shopify Collective

If you’re an eligible merchant, getting started with Shopify Collective is easy—just download the app and start making connections right from your Shopify admin.

You can browse products from new suppliers to discover exciting partners or invite your existing ones to join you on the platform.

Once connected, suppliers share their product pricing lists for you to review. You then select the products you want, which are imported directly into your store with all the details and inventory info you need.

Customers enjoy a smooth shopping experience, buying from your store with a single cart powered by Shopify Payments—ensuring a fast, seamless, and branded checkout.

When orders come in, they’re automatically sent to your partner store, and Shopify Collective handles payment distribution once fulfillment is complete. Returns are also forwarded straight to suppliers, so you stay inventory-free and focused on growing your business.

More Shopify Tools for Dropshipping

Dropshipping with Shopify goes beyond just supplier apps and setting up your store. Take advantage of Shopify’s full suite of marketing, customer support, and data tools to help your business grow, engage customers, and stay ahead in a competitive market.

Harness Customer Data

Getting to know your customers is essential for making smart decisions and shaping a brand voice that truly connects. Shopify Analytics offers more than 60 detailed reports covering everything from website visitors and sales to marketing performance.

Use these insights to discover your best-selling products and pinpoint which marketing efforts bring people to your store.

Dig deeper with Shopify reports to answer important questions like:

• What types of marketing content really engage my audience?
• Which products keep customers coming back for more?
• Where are my visitors coming from, and what devices are they using?
• What product features matter most to my customers?
• Which brands resonate best with my audience?

Understanding these details helps you tailor your store and marketing to build stronger relationships and grow your dropshipping business.

Enhance Customer Support

As a dropshipping seller, you’re the main point of contact for your customers—so how you handle support can make or break your reputation. Poor communication can lead to negative reviews and higher return rates, so it’s important to stay on top of it.

If you’re dropshipping from overseas with longer shipping times, be upfront about delivery expectations to keep customers happy and avoid frustration. Shopify’s shipping profiles can help you set accurate shipping fees and share clear information at checkout.

If you notice recurring issues with products or delivery, it might be time to look for a new supplier. But remember, occasional hiccups happen. When they do, your response matters:

• Own the issue: Apologize sincerely and explain how you’ll fix it.
• Make it right: Offer a refund, exchange, or product upgrade to show you care.
• Loop in your supplier: A reliable supplier should take responsibility for their mistakes.

To make support even smoother, try Shopify Inbox. It lets you add a chat feature to your store with automated greetings, show when you’re available, and follow up easily through email.

Also, consider adding customer reviews to your product pages using a social proof app. Real feedback from shoppers helps build trust—especially when customers can see reviews from third-party suppliers alongside your own.

Reach Across Channels

In competitive niches, having a solid marketing strategy is key to connecting with customers before your competitors do.

Leverage multiple channels—like social media and email—to share your brand story, engage your audience, and drive more traffic to your store. A well-rounded approach helps you build lasting relationships and keeps your business top of mind.

Email

When someone signs up for your email newsletter, they’re showing genuine interest in your products or store. Use Shopify Email to nurture those leads with personalized, relevant content.

Pick from a variety of easy-to-use templates, pull in your branding and products directly from your store, and set up automated emails to reach customers at just the right time.

Email marketing creates an ongoing conversation with your audience. Manage everything right within Shopify, where you can track helpful metrics and fine-tune your messages to keep your customers engaged and coming back for more.

Social Media

Social media marketing is a powerful way to grow your business and reach new customers. With paid social ads, you can set flexible budgets that fit your goals, while targeting audiences based on their interests, online habits, and the accounts they follow—helping you connect with people who are most likely to love your products.

And if you’re just getting started or prefer to keep costs low, Shopify makes it easy to sell on social media without an advertising budget. Simply install the Facebook and Instagram apps to sync your inventory and create shoppable posts, so customers can browse and buy your products right from their feeds.

Final Thoughts

Dropshipping with Shopify offers a low-risk, scalable way to start and grow your own online business. With the right tools, suppliers, and strategies, you can build a store that not only sells—but thrives.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand, Shopify’s ecosystem of apps, marketing tools, and data insights gives you everything you need to succeed. Focus on curating great products, providing a smooth shopping experience, and connecting with your customers—and let Shopify handle the rest.

How to Dropship on Shopify FAQ

Is Shopify good for dropshipping?
Absolutely! Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms for dropshipping. With a variety of dropshipping apps designed specifically for Shopify, you can easily connect your store to suppliers, import products, and automate order fulfillment.

How profitable is Shopify dropshipping?
Shopify dropshipping can be quite profitable for both individuals and businesses. Since you only purchase products after a customer buys them, there’s minimal risk of overstock or unsold inventory. Your main expenses usually include your Shopify plan, domain name, and marketing costs. With careful management, you can keep these balanced to maximize your profits.

Where can I find dropshipping suppliers on Shopify?
You can find dropshipping suppliers through the Shopify App Store. Simply connect a supplier app to your store to import products and automatically send order details for fulfillment.

Can I dropship on Shopify with no inventory?
Yes! One of the biggest perks of dropshipping on Shopify is that you don’t need to buy or store inventory. Your third-party dropshipping partners handle the products and ship orders directly to your customers, letting you focus on growing your store.