Dropshipping is one of the easiest ways to start an online business without investing a large amount of money upfront. The biggest reason many people never begin is not lack of knowledge but the cost of setting up a store, buying inventory, or running paid ads. The good news is that you can actually start dropshipping for free and build a profitable store if you follow the right steps.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to start dropshipping for free, including how to find winning products, set up a store, get a free domain, and even bring in sales without spending money on ads. Let’s get started.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Start Dropshipping for Free
Step 1: Research Winning Products
The foundation of any dropshipping business is product research. You need to find items that people already want to buy.
Here’s an easy and cost-free method to do it:
- Open Meta Ads Library on your laptop.
- Select “All Ads” in the category.
- Search for keywords like “Free Shipping + Cash on Delivery.”
You’ll see hundreds of ads from real sellers. These ads usually showcase products that are already selling well. Check the product pages by clicking “Order Now.” This shows you the selling price, landing page design, and offer details.
To make your research even smarter, you can also explore AI dropshipping tools. These tools use artificial intelligence to analyze data, predict trends, and suggest products with high potential. Combining manual research with AI dropshipping helps you discover winning items faster and more accurately.
Now, make a Google Sheet with three columns:
- Product Name
- Product Link
- Selling Price
Add at least 10 products that look promising. These will become the base for your dropshipping store.
Step 2: Create a Free Shopify Store
Most people think Shopify is expensive, but you can actually get a 90-day free trial through special links. This allows you to set up and test your store without spending money.
Steps to create your Shopify store:
- Sign up with your email address and password.
- From the Shopify app store, install the RPSO Cloud app. This app connects you to Indian suppliers who can fulfill your orders.
- Link your Shopify store with RPSO Cloud.
Now, take the products from your Google Sheet and import them into your store with at least ₹300 profit margin added. For example, if a supplier sells a product for ₹485, set your selling price to ₹785.
Once imported, you can edit product titles, descriptions, and images to make them more attractive.
Step 3: Claim a Free Domain
Every online store needs a professional domain. Shopify lets you claim a free domain name under the .myshopify.com extension.
To claim it:
- Go to Shopify settings → Domains.
- Enter your store name.
- If it’s not available, add extra keywords like “USA” or “Shop.”
This domain is free and can be used to launch your store immediately. If you’d like, you can later upgrade to a paid domain.
Step 4: Drive Sales Without Paid Ads
Most dropshippers rely on Facebook or Google ads, which can be costly. Instead, you can use affiliate marketing to get free sales.
Here’s how:
- Install the Referly Affiliate Marketing app in Shopify.
- Set a commission percentage (for example, 20%).
- Invite people to promote your products in exchange for commission.
Example: If you sell a product for ₹785 and give 20% commission, affiliates earn ₹157 per sale, while you still make ₹143 profit after supplier costs.
This way, you only pay when sales come in, making it risk-free.
Step 5: Find Affiliates for Free
To make the affiliate program work, you’ll need people to promote your products. The simplest method is to reach out to tiny Instagram influencers.
- Search for theme pages or influencers with 10k–20k followers.
- DM them asking for promotion rates.
- Instead of paying them, offer your affiliate program with commission.
Send them your affiliate signup link from the Referly app. Once they join, they can track sales and earnings in their dashboard.
If you contact 5–6 influencers every day, even one or two agreeing can quickly increase your sales.
Step 6: Create Product Bundles to Boost Profits
Make product bundles to increase your average order value (AOV). This means offering discounts when customers buy more than one item.
For example:
- Buy 1 item → regular price
- Buy 2 items → 15% discount
Free apps like Rapi Apps can be used to set this up. Bundles not only increase your profits but also motivate affiliates to keep promoting because they earn more commission per sale.
Step 7: Manage Payments Easily
As your affiliates generate sales, you’ll need to pay their commissions. Shopify apps allow you to integrate simple payment methods like UPI, Paytm, or bank transfer.
From your Referly dashboard, you can track:
- Which affiliate made how many sales
- How much commission is due
- Which payments you’ve already cleared
This keeps your business transparent and trustworthy.
Tips for Success with Free Dropshipping
- Focus on product quality: Poor products will kill your business fast. Always test items before scaling.
- Optimize product descriptions: Write clear, benefit-focused content rather than copying supplier text.
- Use free design tools: Canva can help you create banners, product images, and social media posts.
- Be consistent with outreach: Finding affiliates is a numbers game. The more people you approach, the faster your sales grow.
- Experiment with bundles and upsells: Even a small 10–15% increase in order value adds up quickly.
Final Thoughts
Starting dropshipping doesn’t always require a big budget. With the right tools and strategies, you can learn how to start dropshipping for free and still build a successful online business. By researching winning products, using Shopify’s free trial, claiming a free domain, and leveraging affiliate marketing instead of paid ads, you can launch your store without risk.
The most important thing is to stay consistent. Product research, influencer outreach, and affiliate management take effort, but they cost nothing. If you stick to the process, you can generate real sales and profits without spending a single rupee upfront.
Dropshipping can be the perfect entry point into e-commerce for anyone with time, patience, and determination. And the best part? You can start today without investing money.
FAQs
Can I do dropshipping for free?
Yes, you can start dropshipping for free by using tools and platforms that offer free trials. Instead of investing in ads or inventory, you can use affiliate programs, organic marketing, and social media to bring in your first sales. While some upgrades may cost money later, getting started doesn’t have to.
How can I start dropshipping with no money?
You can begin by researching winning products with free tools like Meta Ads Library or Google Trends. Next, set up a free trial store on Shopify or WooCommerce. To generate sales without ads, create an affiliate program or reach out to small influencers who promote your products for commission. This way, you only pay when you earn.
What’s the best platform to start dropshipping for free?
Shopify with its free trial is a popular choice, but beginners can also test WooCommerce or other free eCommerce platforms.
Can I dropship on Amazon for free?
You can list products on Amazon through their seller program, but it isn’t completely free. Amazon charges referral fees and other selling costs. However, you don’t need to buy inventory upfront if you use dropshipping. It’s a low-risk way to get started, but you’ll still need to factor in Amazon’s platform fees.
Is dropshipping without money profitable?
Yes, but profits start small. By adding the right margins, creating bundles, and scaling with affiliate partners, you can grow steadily without paid ads.