E-commerceOnline

Dropshipping Store

Run an online store without holding inventory

Startup Cost

$100–$500

Difficulty

Intermediate

Time to First $

4–8 weeks

Income Range

$500–$3,000/mo

What This Side Hustle Is

Dropshipping lets you sell products online without buying inventory upfront. When a customer orders, you purchase from a supplier who ships directly to them. You handle marketing and customer service while suppliers handle fulfillment.

Who This Is Best For

  • People who want to test e-commerce without inventory risk
  • Those with marketing skills (especially Facebook/TikTok ads)
  • Entrepreneurs willing to learn paid advertising
  • People comfortable with thin profit margins initially
  • Those who can handle customer service and returns

Step-by-Step: How to Get Started

1

Choose a niche (avoid oversaturated markets like jewelry)

2

Find reliable suppliers on AliExpress, Spocket, or CJ Dropshipping

3

Set up a Shopify store ($39/month) with a professional theme

4

Add 20–50 products with optimized descriptions and images

5

Set up payment processing (Shopify Payments or PayPal)

6

Create Facebook/Instagram/TikTok ad campaigns

7

Test products with small ad budgets ($10–$20/day)

8

Scale winning products and cut losers

9

Optimize checkout process and customer service

Income Potential

First 2–3 months: $0–$500/month while testing products and ads. Months 3–6: $1,000–$2,000/month with 1–2 winning products. Established stores: $2,000–$5,000/month. Profit margins typically 15–30% after product costs, ads, and Shopify fees.

What Drives Earnings:

  • Product selection and market demand
  • Ad creative quality and targeting
  • Conversion rate optimization
  • Customer acquisition cost vs. lifetime value
  • Supplier reliability and shipping times

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Choosing products with no clear target audience
  • Spending too much on ads before testing products
  • Using low-quality product images and descriptions
  • Ignoring shipping times (30+ days kills conversions)
  • Not budgeting for returns and customer service
  • Giving up after first few products don't work

Where This Fits on Your Radar

$100–$500 startup, 10–20 hours/week, online, intermediate. Pairs well with: Comparison Tool, Pricing Calculator, AI Leverage Finder.

Ready to Get Started?

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