Dropshipping remains one of the most accessible ways to start an e-commerce business. With Shopify and DSers, you can source products from AliExpress and sell them globally without holding any inventory. Here’s how to start.
What is Dropshipping?
In dropshipping, you sell products in your Shopify store without holding stock. When a customer orders, you purchase the item from your supplier who ships directly to your customer. You keep the margin between your selling price and the supplier price.
Step 1: Install DSers on Shopify
DSers is the official AliExpress dropshipping partner and replaced Oberlo in 2022. Install it from the Shopify App Store and connect your AliExpress account.
Step 2: Find Winning Products
Good dropshipping products have:
- High demand (trending on TikTok, in Google Trends)
- Not easily available in local stores
- 2-3x margin potential (supplier at $10, sell for $25-30)
- Lightweight (keeps shipping costs low)
- Solves a specific problem
Use tools like AliExpress Dropship Center, Minea, or AutoDS to find trending products.
Step 3: Import Products to Shopify
In DSers, browse AliExpress products and click “Import to Store.” DSers copies the product title, images, and variants to your Shopify store. Edit them before publishing to improve the listing quality.
Step 4: Set Your Pricing Strategy
Set a pricing rule in DSers that automatically calculates your selling price based on supplier cost. Common formulas:
- Cost × 2.5 for items under $10
- Cost × 2 for items $10-50
- Cost + fixed margin for higher-priced items
Always account for Shopify fees, payment processing fees, and ad costs.
Step 5: Fulfilling Orders
When an order comes in on Shopify, go to DSers → Open Orders. Select the order and click “Order to AliExpress.” DSers places the order with your supplier automatically and syncs tracking information back to Shopify, which is then emailed to your customer.
Step 6: Manage Supplier Relationships
Over time, identify your best-performing products and contact suppliers directly to negotiate:
- Lower prices for volume
- Faster shipping options
- Custom packaging or branding
Common Dropshipping Pitfalls to Avoid
- Long shipping times from China — use ePacket or AliExpress Standard Shipping. Consider suppliers with US/EU warehouses
- Poor product quality — always order samples before selling
- Too much competition on generic products — niche down or build a brand
