Introduction

The phrase dropshipping where to sell appears at the top because choosing the right sales channels determines whether a dropshipping store succeeds or just breaks even. Early decisions about marketplaces, your own store, and social commerce shape margins, customer acquisition cost, and operational complexity.

This guide explains which channels to use, when each channel pays off, and how to combine platforms for scale. It covers platform pros and cons, supplier sourcing, pricing examples, a 90-day launch timeline, and an actionable checklist. You will get platform comparisons with pricing, supplier names and strategies, typical margins and ad cost ranges, and a prioritized plan you can start implementing today.

Read this if you want a clear path from idea to first sales in 30 to 90 days.

Overview:

primary sales channels and when to use them

Dropshipping sales channels fall into three categories: marketplaces, independent stores, and social commerce. Each has tradeoffs in traffic, fees, trust, and control.

Marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart Marketplace)

Pros: Built-in traffic, buyer trust, fast listing process.
Cons: Higher fees, tighter rules, lower ability to brand, competition on price.
Use when you want quick volume, validated products, or to test product-market fit with low marketing overhead.

Independent stores (Shopify, WooCommerce)

Pros: Full brand control, lower marketplace fees, easier to scale margins with owned audience.
Cons: You must drive traffic, incur platform and app costs.
Use when you have a niche product, repeat purchase potential, or want customer data ownership.

Social commerce and feed-based selling (Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Shops, Instagram Shop, TikTok Shop, Pinterest)

Pros: Native product discovery with low initial ad friction, good for impulse items and fashion.
Cons: Requires good creative, ad skills, and fast order fulfillment.
Use when your product is visually appealing and you can acquire customers cheaply with video or feed ads.

Comparison sample in numbers (typical ranges):

Marketplace conversion rates: 5-15 percent (shoppers on Amazon often convert higher).
Independent store conversion rates: 1-3 percent initially, up to 3-5 percent after optimization.
Average dropshipping profit margin: 10-30 percent after ads and fees.
Customer acquisition cost (CAC) ranges: Facebook/Instagram CPC $0.10-$2.00, TikTok CPV and CPC often lower early on; Google Shopping CPC varies widely by category $0.20-$2.50.

Actionable selection rule:

If you need sales fast with a validated product: start with Amazon or eBay to get baseline demand data in 2-4 weeks.
If you want long-term brand value and repeat buyers: focus on an independent store with a 60- to 90-day traffic plan.
If your product is visual and impulse-friendly: prioritize TikTok Shop or Instagram with creative testing in week 1-3.

Dropshipping Where to Sell - Platform-by-Platform Breakdown

This section lists concrete platform choices and exactly when they shine.

Amazon (including Fulfillment by Merchant for dropshippers)

Best for fast volume, mass-market electronics, home goods, and categories where buyers search with intent.
Fees: Referral fees 6-45 percent depending on category; Professional seller plan typically $39.99/month (as of 2024). Expect net margins after fees of 10-20 percent for many dropshipped items unless you optimize sourcing.
When to use: validating demand, scaling high-velocity SKUs, or when you can meet Amazon performance standards.

eBay

Best for unique items, refurbished goods, collectibles, and budget electronics.
Fees: Insertion fees vary, final value fees about 10-12 percent typical. Lower barrier to list multiple SKUs quickly.
When to use: fast tests and price-driven items.

Etsy

Best for handmade-style items, print-on-demand, and niche crafts.
Fees: Listing fees $0.20 per item, transaction fees around 6.5 percent (as of 2024), plus payment processing fees.
When to use: creative or custom products like print-on-demand mugs, art prints.

Walmart Marketplace

Best for established sellers with reliable fulfillment and competitive pricing.
Fees: Referral fees typically 6-15 percent depending on category.
When to use: scaling beyond Amazon into mainstream retail audience.

Shopify (independent store)

Best for brand control, subscription or repeat-purchase products, and higher-margin niches.
Pricing: Basic Shopify $39/month, Shopify $105/month, Advanced $399/month (as of 2024); add app costs $5-$100+/month depending on functionality.
When to use: building a brand, owning customer relationships, combining with email and retention marketing.

WooCommerce (WordPress)

Best for low platform cost control, custom stores, and SEO-heavy strategies.
Pricing: WooCommerce plugin free; hosting $5-$30/month for small shops; payment gateway fees apply.
When to use: content-driven brands or if you prefer control over technology.

TikTok Shop and Instagram Shop

Best for discoverability via short-video content and influencer partnerships.
Fees: Vary by region; marketing costs primarily ad spend.
When to use: impulse or fashion products with strong creative assets.

Facebook Marketplace, Facebook Shops

Best for local sales and social shopping.
When to use: testing pricing and local demand, moving overstock in bulk.

Niche marketplaces and alternative channels

Examples: Newegg for electronics, Wayfair for home goods, Reverb for musical gear, Depop for secondhand fashion.
When to use: if your product aligns tightly with a niche audience.

Platform-mix example strategy (first 90 days)

Days 0-14: List 10 SKUs on Amazon and eBay to test demand, set minimal price to hit Buy Box thresholds.
Days 15-30: Launch Shopify store and begin testing Facebook/Instagram/TikTok creative for top 3 SKUs.
Days 31-60: Scale the best-performing SKU with paid ads, move margin by negotiating supplier prices or switching suppliers.
Days 61-90: Expand to one niche marketplace (Etsy or Walmart) if data shows category fit.

How to Choose Channels:

criteria and decision framework

Choose channels using weighted criteria: margin potential, traffic cost, fulfillment complexity, branding value, and risk. Assign each criterion a weight (example: margin 30 percent, traffic cost 25 percent, fulfillment 20 percent, branding 15 percent, risk 10 percent) and score platforms 1-10 to get a data-driven decision.

Key considerations and example scoring:

Margin potential: can you price 30 percent above landed cost (supplier price + shipping + platform fee)?
Traffic cost: estimate CAC from platform historical data, e.g., Amazon Ads ACOS (advertising cost of sale) target 20-30 percent; Facebook ROI target 2x-4x depending on price point.
Fulfillment complexity: can the supplier meet SLAs (service level agreements) of the platform? Amazon requires fast, accurate fulfillment; Shopify can be more forgiving if you set clear shipping times.
Brand control: If you need email lists, retargeting, and custom packaging, favor independent stores.
Risk: marketplace policy suspensions, chargebacks, and supplier reliability.

Example scoring exercise for a hypothetical gadget SKU with supplier landed cost $20 (including shipping) and target sell price $45:

Amazon: margin potential 6/10, traffic cost 7/10 (paid ads common), fulfillment complexity 8/10 (tight SLAs), brand control 3/10, risk 6/10; weighted score ~6.1
Shopify: margin potential 9/10, traffic cost 5/10, fulfillment complexity 7/10, brand control 9/10, risk 6/10; weighted score ~7.3
TikTok Shop: margin potential 8/10, traffic cost 6/10, fulfillment complexity 6/10, brand control 7/10, risk 5/10; weighted score ~6.9

Decision rule: pick top 1-2 channels to start. If Shopify scores highest but you lack traffic, run simultaneous tests on a marketplace to buy time while building your store audience.

Supplier reliability check (practical test)

Order 3 test units from each supplier and measure:
Shipping time variance (target within +-2 days of advertised).
Product quality match to listing.
Packaging condition.
Cost: typically $20-$50 per test order. Do this for 2-3 suppliers per product.

Steps to Launch and Scale:

0-90 day timeline with checklist

This section gives a step-by-step timeline you can follow, with concrete numbers and tasks.

Pre-launch (Day 0-7) - Research and setup

Choose 3-5 product ideas using Google Trends, Amazon Best Sellers, and TikTok search.
Validate with keyword volumes and competition: aim for product niches with search volume but moderate competition.
Source suppliers: AliExpress, CJ Dropshipping, Spocket, or local wholesalers. Contact 3 suppliers and request sample pricing and lead times.

Launch week (Day 8-30) - Testing and light listing

List top 5 SKUs on one marketplace (Amazon or eBay) with optimized titles and images.
Create a Shopify store with 3-5 product pages, about page, return policy, shipping policy, and basic SEO.
Run traffic tests: allocate $300-$1,000 to paid ads across Facebook/Instagram/TikTok with 5 creatives per SKU.
Metrics to track: click-through rate (CTR), cost per click (CPC), add-to-cart rate, conversion rate, and CAC.
Target: Get 30-100 clicks per SKU in this window to see initial conversion signals.

Growth phase (Day 31-60) - Optimize and scale winners

Identify 1-2 winning SKUs with best ROAS (return on ad spend) or organic marketplace traction.
Negotiate supplier prices for winners once you reach 50+ orders per supplier, aim for 5-15 percent price improvement.
Implement retention tactics: email capture pop-up, 2-email abandoned cart sequence, and one post-purchase upsell or cross-sell.
Scale ads: increase budgets on creatives with >3x ROAS. Reallocate $500 to $2,000 weekly depending on margin.

Scale and diversify (Day 61-90) - Expand channels and improve margins

Add secondary marketplaces (Etsy/Walmart/TikTok Shop) for winners.
Consider lightweight inventory for fastest SKUs if margins allow (buying a pallet or MOQ 50-200 units) to cut per-unit cost 10-30 percent.
Implement customer service SOPs, returns process, and supplier monitoring sheet.
Aim for break-even CAC in week 8 and 20-30 percent net margin by week 12 after optimizations.

Checklist (quick)

Validate product demand with 50-100 clicks or marketplace impressions.
Order and test 3 supplier samples.
Launch one marketplace listing and one Shopify landing page.
Run creative tests with at least 5 ad variations.
Capture emails and build a 2-step retention sequence.

Tools and Resources

Below are specific tools and platforms with pricing and what they do.

Stores and platforms

Shopify - hosted e-commerce platform. Pricing: Basic $39/month, Shopify $105/month, Advanced $399/month (as of 2024). Apps and themes are extra.
WooCommerce - WordPress plugin. Core free; hosting $5-$30/month for small stores; themes and extensions extra.
BigCommerce - hosted. Pricing often comparable to Shopify; check current tiers for details.

Marketplaces

Amazon Seller Central - Professional $39.99/month (as of 2024) plus referral fees 6-45 percent.
eBay - fees include insertion and final value fees; selling plans vary.
Etsy - listing and transaction fees; $0.20 listing fee plus transaction fees.

Supplier and dropshipping apps

AliExpress - marketplace for overseas suppliers; no monthly fee but higher shipping times.
CJ Dropshipping - product sourcing, warehousing in US/EU/Asia; free to join; per-order costs.
Spocket - focuses on US/EU suppliers for faster shipping; subscription $19-$99+/month.
DSers - dropshipping order automation for AliExpress; free and paid plans.
Printful, Printify - print-on-demand; no monthly fee for basic use, per-item costs vary.

Advertising and analytics

Facebook Ads Manager - major social ads platform. Ad spend varies; typical tests $300-$1,000 initial.
TikTok Ads - low-cost discovery for visual products; initial test budgets $200-$500 common.
Google Ads / Google Shopping - high intent search traffic; CPC varies by category.
Hotjar - user behavior heatmaps; plans from free to $39+/month.
Klaviyo - email marketing and SMS; free for small lists, then tiered pricing based on contacts.

Order management and automation

Order Desk - order processing automation; pricing from $9/month.
ShipStation - shipping label and fulfillment management; plans from $9-$25+/month.
Zendesk / Gorgias - customer service. Gorgias specialized for e-commerce; pricing starts around $60/month.

Sourcing and vetting

Alibaba - B2B supplier source for larger MOQs (minimum order quantities); negotiation skill required.
ThomasNet - US wholesalers and manufacturers for domestic sourcing.

Cost example for a minimal month 1 setup

Shopify Basic: $39
Domain: $12
Ad test budget: $500
Sample orders: $100
Spocket/DSers app: $20
Total month 1: ~$671 (estimate)

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Choosing the wrong channel first

Mistake: Launching only on Shopify without traffic plans and burning ad budget.
Fix: Start with a marketplace or small paid test to validate demand before scaling an independent store.

Not testing supplier reliability

Mistake: High order volume with an unreliable supplier, causing late shipments and suspensions.
Fix: Order samples and run 3 test orders; track supplier SLAs and response time.

Undercutting margins for market share

Mistake: Pricing too low to win Buy Box or feed placement, leaving no room for ads.
Fix: Calculate full landed cost + platform fees + expected CAC and target 15-30 percent net margin. If you cannot, do not scale.

Poor creative and product pages

Mistake: Bad photos, missing details, and no social proof.
Fix: Invest in 3-5 high-quality images, one lifestyle image, product video for social ads, and at least 10 customer reviews before scaling.

Ignoring returns and customer service

Mistake: No return SOPs leading to chargebacks and negative feedback.
Fix: Define a clear return window, return shipping policy, and one-person ticket SLA of 24 hours.

FAQ

Can I Dropship on Amazon and Shopify at the Same Time?

Yes. Many sellers list items on Amazon for fast demand validation while building a Shopify store for brand ownership. Coordinate inventory and set clear shipping policies to avoid overselling.

How Much Money Do I Need to Start Dropshipping?

You can start with $500-$1,500 for basic tests: samples $50-$200, domain and store $50-$200, and ad testing $300-$1,000. Costs scale with inventory and ad budgets.

Which Products are Best for Dropshipping?

Impulse items, lightweight goods, and niche products with demonstrable value work well. Avoid fragile, overly heavy, or regulated items in initial tests due to shipping complexity and compliance risk.

How Long Until I Get Consistent Sales?

With focused testing, expect initial sales within 1-4 weeks on marketplaces or within 2-6 weeks from paid social if creatives and targeting align. Consistent, profitable scaling typically takes 60-90 days.

Should I Use Aliexpress Suppliers or Local Warehouses?

AliExpress is low-cost for testing but slower shipping. Local warehouses (US/EU) typically cost more per unit but improve delivery time and returns handling, which can boost conversions and repeat buyers.

What Profit Margins Should I Aim For?

Target 20-30 percent net margin after ads and fees for sustainable dropshipping. If margins are under 10 percent, consider bulk buying or changing suppliers.

Next Steps

Pick one product and one channel to test this week.

Create an Amazon or Shopify listing and allocate $300 for ad tests or marketplace promotions.

Order 3 supplier samples and document lead times.

Use a shared spreadsheet with supplier contact, sample cost, shipping time, and product notes.

Build basic retention on day one.

Add an email capture pop-up and a 2-email abandoned cart flow in Klaviyo or Shopify Email.

Run a 30-60-90 day plan and measure daily.

Track CPC, CTR, conversion rate, and CAC. Make decisions based on ROAS and supplier reliability.

Checklist summary

Product validated by clicks or marketplace traction
Samples tested from 2-3 suppliers
One live sales channel with basic policies and customer service
Initial creative and ad tests running
Email capture and retention flows active

Dropshipping Where to Sell Guide 2025