In 2025, Shopify dropshipping remains one of the most accessible ways for entrepreneurs to start an online business with relatively low startup costs - which might be why it’s taking off worldwide! The global dropshipping market is projected to reach over $470 billion by next year, and in the UK alone, dropshipping revenue is expected to grow from $17 billion in 2023 to nearly $79 billion by 2030.

If you’ve heard of dropshipping and want to get in on the action but aren’t sure how it works, or how to get started with Shopify in particular, this beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know. 

We’ll cover what Shopify dropshipping is, how the model works, and step-by-step instructions to help you set up your first store in 2025. Let’s start with the basics: 

What is Shopify dropshipping?

Dropshipping is a retail model where you sell products online without having to stock or ship them yourself. Instead, when someone buys from your store, the order is sent directly to your supplier, who handles fulfilment.

Shopify is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms for setting up an online store in the UK, and it integrates seamlessly with a range of dropshipping tools and suppliers, making it ideal for setting up this kind of business. In fact, as of 2025, about 7.1% of products on Shopify are dropshipped.

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Why start a Shopify dropshipping store in 2025?

• Low startup costs: You don’t need to invest in inventory upfront.
• Simple setup: Shopify makes it easy to build a professional-looking store without coding skills.
• Flexible lifestyle: Run your business from anywhere with internet access.
• Scalable: You can expand your product range and reach as demand grows.

That said, dropshipping is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Success requires effort, research and marketing know-how. We recommend reading our thorough guide to the legal pros and cons of dropshipping before making a firm decision to head down the dropshipping path. 

Getting started with Shopify dropshipping

Once you’re sure that dropshipping is the right fit for you, here’s how to get started in eight (fairly) simple steps:

Step 1: Choose your niche

Start by deciding what kind of products you want to sell. Your niche should ideally:

• Align with your interests or knowledge
• Have proven demand (search volume, trends, etc.)
• Be specific enough to stand out from general stores

If you’re feeling a little stuck on what type of product you want to start dropshipping, tools like Google Trends, TikTok Shop and Amazon Best Sellers can help you find and come up with trending product ideas. 

At Crunch, we’ve also prepped this list of dropshipping ideas to help you find the niche or product that’s right for you. 

Step 2: Find a dropshipping supplier

Crucially, you’ll need a supplier who can provide the products and fulfil orders reliably. A few popular options include:

• DSers (AliExpress): Integrates directly with Shopify and offers a huge product range.
• Zendrop: Known for faster shipping times and branded packaging.
• CJ Dropshipping: Offers product sourcing and UK/EU warehouses.

But you’ll want to do your research on the pros and cons of each. We’ve compiled this list of the top 10 dropshipping suppliers in the UK for 2025 to help you get started with your research. Just make sure not to rush into things - always check reviews and order samples before committing to a supplier!

Step 3: Create your Shopify account

This part’s super straightforward. Go to Shopify.com and sign up for an account. You’ll need to:

• Choose a store name (check the domain availability)
• Add your business email and set a password
• Select a plan once your trial ends (Shopify’s basic plans start from £25/month in the UK)

Step 4: Design your store

Shopify has dozens of themes, both free and paid. Choose one that suits your niche and brand. Customise it by:

• Adding your logo and brand colours
• Writing compelling product descriptions
• Uploading high-quality product images
• Creating key pages (like Home, About Us, Contact, FAQs, Shipping and Returns)

Making sure your store is both beautiful and optimised for conversions can feel like a bit of a minefield, but remember that your site is allowed to be a work in progress. 

To help make your dropshipping storefront the best it can be, read our online guide to making your ecommerce store stand out, and find some inspiration and examples of great ecommerce websites here to help you get started with your own.

Step 5: Install a dropshipping app

Go to the Shopify App Store and install your chosen supplier’s app too. This will let you:

• Import products from your supplier directly into your store
• Set your pricing and markups
• Automate order fulfilment

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Step 6: Set up your business details

Let’s be honest - tax probably isn’t the reason you got into dropshipping. But if you're not careful, it can quickly become a headache. First things first, to run your store legally in the UK, you’ll need to:

• Register as a Sole Trader or Limited Company (e.g., via HMRC)
• Set up a business bank account
• Add a payment gateway in Shopify (like Shopify Payments or PayPal)
• Set up your taxes and shipping settings for UK and international orders

Between keeping track of sales, expenses and profits across platforms and staying on top of ever-changing HMRC rules, the financial side of things can get complicated fast.

That’s where an online accountant comes in. Working with a professional - like our friendly team at Crunch - means you’ve got expert help to manage the numbers while you focus on building your store. From tracking your income and expenses to making sure you’re staying compliant, an accountant can help you avoid costly mistakes and plan for growth. Think of it as one less thing to stress about, and one more step towards running a smart, sustainable Shopify dropshipping business.

Step 7: Launch and start marketing

Once your store is ready, it’s time to get customers. We’ve written a whole guide to the best digital marketing practices for ecommerce store owners to follow, but at a high level, some of the most effective marketing strategies for 2025 include:

• TikTok and Instagram Reels: Create short-form videos showcasing your products. This type of video gets a LOT of love from the algorithms - and from your customers!
• Influencer partnerships: Work with micro-influencers to build trust with new audiences and earn reviews.
• Paid ads: If you’ve got the budget for it, it’s worth looking into how you can use Facebook and TikTok Ads to drive targeted traffic.
• Email marketing: Why not offer discounts to new email newsletter signups?
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Feeling ready to start your Shopify dropshipping business?

Shopify dropshipping in 2025 remains a viable, low-risk way for UK entrepreneurs to start selling online. With the right tools, a good niche and a smart marketing strategy, it’s entirely possible to build a profitable ecommerce business from scratch.

But while starting your own Shopify business is exciting, we know it can also be a little overwhelming. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. At Crunch, we help UK entrepreneurs like you take care of all of the financial aspects of dropshipping, so you can focus on growing your dream business. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, our expert online accountants are here to support you every step of the way. Get in touch today to see how we can help your dropshipping business thrive.

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