Guides
Dropshipping from zero
How the model works and what to prepare before launch.
Read guide · Dropshipping from zeroInternational launch navigator
Dropshipping guides
Choose a country to get a tailored path for registration, payouts, tax checks, and launching on eBay or Shopify.
StepToDrop
Find your next task
Read a guide, work through a checklist or use a tool. Reading alone does not complete a stage.
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Guides
Shopify Dropshipping
Store, products, payments, shipping, test orders and economics.
Read guide · Shopify DropshippingGuides
eBay Dropshipping
The permitted model, suppliers, listings, shipping and returns.
Read guide · eBay DropshippingGuides
Suppliers
Quality, stock, delivery times, tracking, returns and test orders.
Read guide · SuppliersGuides
Profit
Calculate order economics with actual costs.
Read guide · ProfitGuides
USA
Suppliers, shipping and preparation for selling in the US.
Read guide · USAChecklists
eBay
Open the practical StepToDrop eBay workspace.
Open checklist · eBayChecklists
Shopify
Open the practical StepToDrop Shopify workspace.
Open checklist · ShopifyTools
Tools
The StepToDrop calculator and working tools.
Use tool · ToolsChecklists
My progress
Review completed stages and your next step.
Review progress · My progressNo matching resources. Try a shorter term or clear the filters.
Shopify or eBay: where to start
Choose one channel for your first verified order. Residence, business country and customer market are separate: selling to US or European customers does not itself make a business eligible for local payment services.
| Decision | Shopify | eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Sales channel | Your own storefront: you build the store and attract visitors. | A marketplace: you list offers alongside other sellers. |
| Check first | Payment and payout eligibility for your business, then a test order. | Seller registration, payouts, account restrictions and sourcing model. |
| Costs to model | Subscription, apps, payment processing, acquisition, shipping and returns. | Category and market fees, promotion, shipping and returns. |
| First outcome | A store with a tested checkout | A verified supplier and a compliant first listing |
eBay permits fulfillment by a wholesale supplier; delivery and buyer satisfaction remain the seller’s responsibility. Check the full policy against your sourcing arrangement.
eBay · Dropshipping policy · Shopify · Store setup checklist
Selling to the USA and Europe: choose one market
For the first launch, limit your shipping destinations. Validate one product, supplier and return address before expanding.
- USA: shipping, purchase terms and launch preparation
- EU: check product safety, consumer information, returns and applicable VAT obligations. Assess the UK separately from the EU. Your Europe · Online selling · VAT OSS
- Supplier: verify delivery and returns for the selected market
This is a preparation sequence, not confirmation of legal or tax readiness. Requirements depend on the business, product and shipping route.
How to move from launch to profit
- Calculate order profit after all variable costs.
- Check actual lead times, costs and returns on a small number of orders. Set a loss limit before advertising.
- Change one factor at a time: offer, product page, price or traffic source. Compare profit, not just revenue.
- Scale only after confirming the economics and the supplier’s ability to fulfill orders.
Reading a guide does not mark tasks complete. Open the workspace and record the actual outcome of each step.
Editorial source review: 23 October 2026. How we prepare our guides
Choose your next task
Detailed setup and the next steps
Shopify
Account, business details, payments and a test order.
eBay
Seller setup, payouts, limits and the first listing.
Sales and profit
Six practical directions and one measurable experiment.
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Country profile
Currency
Shopify Payments
eBay seller
Tax focus
Confirm payouts first
Do not buy ads or apps until the platform or payment provider confirms support for your real details.
Do not buy ads or apps until the platform or payment provider confirms support for your real details.
eBay launch route
Marketplace demand is built in, but sourcing rules and seller standards are strict.
Profit calculator
Quick unit-economics check in the selected currency.
Estimated profit
Before launch
Three checks that protect your money and account.
Payment routeCountry → business → bank → currency
SupplierStock → tracking → returns → packaging
EconomicsFees → ads → tax → reserve