A plan to start without burning money

If after all of the above you still want to try, this is a realistic plan to learn without going broke.

1Learn for free2-4 weeks looking at ads, shops and numbers. No spending.

2Choose and order samples3-5 candidate products. Get samples sent home.

3Test organicallyFilm videos with the sample and post them for 2-3 weeks.

4Build the shopOnly with the product that got the most interest.

5Test with a limitA fixed ad budget. If it doesn’t work, you stop.

A realistic starting budget

Shopify for 1-3 months: €32-96
Domain: €12
Product samples: €30-60
Ad tests: €300-600
Accountant and registration: €0-60/month
= between €400 and €900 that you have to be able to lose without it hurting you.

Rules for stopping in time

Set a total money limit from the start and stick to it.
If a product doesn’t bring profitable sales with the test budget, change it. Don’t fall in love with the product.
Never take out a loan or use a credit card to pay for ads.
Register before you start selling regularly. If a product works, do things properly from the start.

Alternatives that often work better

Supplier in Spain or the EULess margin per unit, but delivery in 1-3 days, no customs and fewer returns.

Print on demandT-shirts, mugs or posters with your own designs, made in Europe when someone buys. The design is yours and you don’t compete with 50 identical shops.

Sell something of your ownA product or service you know: if you know about cars, photos or design, you have an advantage.

Learn at an e-commerce companyWorking or doing an internship at an online shop teaches you ads, logistics and customer service with someone else’s money.

The most valuable thing about dropshipping usually isn’t the money: it’s what you learn about marketing, sales and numbers. If you see it that way, even if your first shop doesn’t work, you won’t have wasted your time.