How To Do Dropshipping: Start In 6 Steps
You want a clear plan, not noise. This guide shows you how to do dropshipping with six simple moves that you can apply today. In the U.S., e-commerce made up 15.5% of retail in Q2 2025, which means the pie is big enough for new stores if you post on time and tell the truth.
What Is Dropshipping And How To Do Dropshipping?
It is a model where you sell first. Then your supplier ships to your buyer. You skip warehousing. You focus on pages, payments, and support. That is the clean way to explain how to do dropshipping to friends and banks. The FTC still expects honest shipping promises, and the basics have not changed. If no time is stated at checkout, you must ship within 30 days, or get consent to delay, or refund. Credit orders can allow 50 days in a specific case.
How To Do Dropshipping Step 1: Pick A Niche That Sells Fast
Start narrow. Choose one buyer, one problem, and three products that solve it. Small items beat bulky ones. Simple specs beat tricky sizing. This keeps your early dropshipping business light and calm. While you learn how to do dropshipping, set a two-line promise and stick to it. If questions pile up in support, your niche is too vague. Fix that first.
How To Do Dropshipping Step 2: Set Up Your Store Today
Pick a platform. Connect your domain. Publish one clean page per product. Use plain photos that show use, size, and care. Add a short FAQ under the button. If you are dropshipping on Shopify, use a simple theme and a one-page funnel so testing stays cheap. This is the quiet engine of how to do dropshipping without stress.
Store Setup Checklist
- Choose a platform and simple theme.
- Connect your domain and support email.
- Add three benefit bullets and two proof points.
- Publish an honest shipping window on the page.
- Add returns, privacy, and contact pages.
- Turn on payments and run a one dollar test.
- Enable tracking emails and SMS.
- Save a launch preset so dropshipping on Shopify stays fast next time.
How To Do Dropshipping Step 3: Choose Suppliers And Set Real Shipping Times
Pair one U.S. warehouse supplier with one broad catalog. Verify delivery before you list anything. Zendrop’s help docs show a blended 8.5 business day estimate to the U.S., mixing U.S-to-U.S and China-to-U.S routes. CJdropshipping says U.S. stock can land in 3 to 6 days for many items, while cross-border routes often take 10 to 15 business days. Set your product pages to match these ranges.
Shipping Reality Table
| Route | Typical Delivery Window | Notes |
| U.S. Warehouse To U.S. Address | 3 to 6 days | Best for winners and VIP orders. |
| China To U.S. Standard | 10 to 15 business days | Set expectations on the page. |
| Zendrop Blended Average | 8.5 business days | Mix of both routes, updated by Zendrop. |
How To Do Dropshipping Step 4: Stay Legal And Reduce Refunds
Publish promises you can meet. When delays happen, the FTC rule requires you to ship on time, or get consent for a later ship date, or refund at once. If you never stated a time, the default is 30 days to ship. Some credit orders permit 50 days under the rule. Store tracking, photos, and invoices for every order. PayPal lets buyers open Item Not Received disputes up to 180 days, so keep proof handy. This is the unglamorous side of how to do dropshipping, but it saves money.
How To Do Dropshipping Step 5: Launch With Simple Videos
Start on two channels. Reuse one script. Shoot quick demos and short how-tos. Keep captions plain. TikTok Shop referral fees in the U.S. are about 6% since April 1, 2024, which is lean enough for tests. If you prefer dropshipping on Shopify, send traffic to your product page and retarget clickers. To speed creative, turn images into test videos with VidAU AI Image To Video.
7-Day Launch Plan
- Day 1: Pick one product and one angle.
- Day 2: Order a sample and shoot three scenes.
- Day 3: Write two hooks and two CTAs.
- Day 4: Post on two channels and log results.
- Day 5: Replace the first three seconds and thumbnail.
- Day 6: Raise budget on the best clip only.
- Day 7: Add one FAQ from real questions.
Step 6: Scale Without Breaking Support
Measure first. Then add volume. Track delivery speed, refund rate, and cost per order each week. Add U.S. stock for your top two SKUs. Keep a backup supplier for every winner. Build a help center and macros.
As your dropshipping business grows, expand slowly and keep tickets low. This patient approach is still how to do dropshipping for the long run. If you are dropshipping on Shopify, add an order-status page to cut support.
CONCLUSION
You now have a simple map for how to do dropshipping. Pick a niche that ships fast. Set honest windows. Pair U.S. stock with a broad catalog. Use VidAU AI for quick creatives. Keep proof for disputes. As your dropshipping business grows, add the best dropshipping suppliers you trust and keep dropshipping on Shopify clean and stable. Follow the data each week, adjust early, and keep shipping on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dropshipping Legal In The U.S.?
Yes. It is legal. You must ship when promised, or follow the FTC delay options, or refund. Learn this early while you master how to do dropshipping.
Do I Need An LLC To Start?
No. You can begin as a sole proprietor. Many sellers start that way, then form an LLC later once the dropshipping business has proof.
How Much Money Do I Need To Begin?
Keep it lean. Budget for a theme, one sample, and small ads. Use VidAU AI to turn images into short clips for tests. That keeps how to do dropshipping affordable at the start.
How Long Is Delivery With Dropshipping?
U.S. warehouse orders can arrive in 3 to 6 days. Cross-border routes often take 10 to 15 business days. Publish those windows on each product page.
Where Do I Find The Best Dropshipping Suppliers?
Order samples. Compare tracking. Rank replies and delivery speed. Keep a short list of the best dropshipping suppliers by SKU so you never get stuck during peak.
