Dropshipping
Sell products shipped directly by the supplier, with no stock to manage.
Visit the platform →🛒 Category
E-commerce & Selling
Selling products online, physical or digital, remains one of the most scalable ways to make money. Some methods need little capital and act as a side income, others can become a truly automated store. The heart of the matter stays the same: find a product people genuinely want to buy, at a price that leaves a margin.
8 methods listedThe right fit
Who it's for
This is for you if
- You enjoy spotting products, trends and good deals.
- You are ready to test, measure and adjust rather than bet everything at once.
- You want a model that can grow beyond your own available time.
Look elsewhere if
- You cannot stand the idea of handling an unhappy customer or a return.
- You want zero starting budget: even small, some is usually needed.
- You are looking for guaranteed income from the very first month.
The essentials at a glance
Practical guide: what you need to start
Required skills
- Product selection and trend spotting
- Marketing and advertising basics
- Customer service and returns handling
- Cost and margin calculation
Starting capital
Medium
Variable: €100 to 1,000+ depending on the model (print on demand low, stock or Amazon FBA high).
Time before first results
First sales in days to weeks; profitability in weeks to months.
Level
Intermediate
The options
The methods in this category
Print on demand
Have your designs printed on t-shirts, mugs and posters, on demand.
Visit the platform →Amazon FBA
Buy or make products, stored and shipped by Amazon.
Visit the platform →Handmade goods shop
Sell your handmade creations to a global audience.
Visit the platform →Second-hand selling
Resell clothes and items you no longer use.
Visit the platform →Digital products
Sell templates, presets, ebooks or downloadable resources.
Visit the platform →Flipping
Buy cheap (flea markets, clearance) to resell at a margin.
Visit the platform →Notion & Canva templates
Design and sell ready-to-use templates (organization, design, marketing).
Visit the platform →The number that decides everything
Unit margin, line by line
In e-commerce, revenue isn’t what matters — what’s left after everything is paid is. Plenty of stores that “make sales” lose money on every order without noticing. Here is a worked example for a product sold at €35 — the line items change with your model, but the logic stays the same.
| Line item | Amount | Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| Sale price (incl. tax) | €35.00 | €35.00 |
| Product cost | − €10.00 | €25.00 |
| Shipping + packaging | − €5.00 | €20.00 |
| Platform / payment fees | − €3.00 | €17.00 |
| Advertising (acquisition cost) | − €12.00 | €5.00 |
⚠️ The acquisition-cost trap
Here the net margin is only €5 per sale — and it only takes ads getting a little pricier to tip into a loss. This is what sinks most dropshipping stores : they watch revenue, not margin after ads. Before scaling, make sure each order is profitable without relying on volume, and keep cash on hand for returns and payout delays.
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How to get started, step by step
Choose a product and a model
Physical or digital, with or without stock: start with a model that fits your budget and your risk tolerance.
Validate demand before investing
Check that people already search for and buy this kind of product. A small test ad costs less than unsold stock.
Set up a simple store
Shopify, Etsy or a marketplace are enough to start. Polish the photos, the descriptions and trust: reviews, returns, secure payment.
Attract your first buyers
Targeted ads, organic content or marketplace visibility: focus on a single acquisition channel at first and master it.
Optimize margins and logistics
Track your real costs, negotiate with suppliers and automate what you can to earn a real margin, not just revenue.
Avoid these
The mistakes that cost you
Choosing a product with no margin
High revenue with a tiny margin does not pay the bills. Calculate every cost, ads included, before you launch.
Underestimating customer service
Delays, returns and questions are part of the job. Responsive customer service protects your reputation and your reviews.
Betting everything on one product or channel
A stockout or a blocked ad account, and everything stops. Diversify products and channels as soon as you can.
Ignoring the legal framework
Terms of sale, right of withdrawal, VAT, product safety: look into them early to avoid disputes and penalties.
Confusing cash flow with profit
The money coming in is not yet your profit. Set aside enough to cover stock, refunds and taxes.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions
Is dropshipping still profitable?
Yes, but it has become more competitive and demanding. The difference comes from product choice, supplier quality and marketing, not simply from "selling without stock".
Do I need a lot of money to start?
It depends on the model. Print on demand or digital products start with very little. Amazon FBA or real stock require more capital.
Physical or digital, which to choose?
Digital offers high margins and zero logistics, but is easy to copy. Physical is more tangible and builds loyalty, but involves stock, shipping and returns.
How long before the first sales?
Sometimes a few days with a well-targeted store, sometimes several weeks of testing. Plan a small learning budget: the first campaigns mostly serve to understand your market.
Take action
Get the free starter plan
The “7 days to launch your side income” guide: pick your method, build your offer and earn your first euros.