Guide to Starting a Dropshipping Store With Less Than $200
If you’re reading this because you want a practical, low-risk path into ecommerce, this guide to starting a dropshipping store with less than $200 will walk you through the exact steps, platform choices, and a simple budget blueprint. Dropshipping removes the need to hold inventory, which is why it’s ideal for small budgets — but it still needs smart decisions around platform fees, supplier selection, and marketing.
This guide to starting a dropshipping store with less than $200 assumes zero complicated tech skills: you’ll learn which inexpensive platforms work best, which supplier options keep costs down, and how to allocate your first $200 so you can test products quickly and scale only when something wins. Many sellers use free trials and low-tier plans to keep launch costs tiny. AutoDS
In short: this guide to starting a dropshipping store with less than $200 focuses on (1) picking a platform that won’t eat your budget, (2) choosing reliable low-cost suppliers, and (3) budgeting for at least one paid test ad or traffic source. You’ll also get a sample $200 budget and an FAQ to speed your launch.
Why dropshipping fits a <$200 budget
Dropshipping’s biggest upfront savings come from not buying inventory. Your primary costs are: an ecommerce platform (monthly plan), a domain, a supplier connection app (sometimes free), and a small marketing/test budget. Many platforms offer low-entry tiers or trials; leveraging them and free tools can let you launch cheaply. AutoDS
Best platform choices (budget-first)
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Shopify (entry-level options): Shopify remains a popular choice for beginners because of its ease-of-use and app ecosystem. Expect to pay a small monthly fee — Shopify’s pricing has shifted in recent years, so plan for at least a basic monthly plan when you commit. Shopify
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WooCommerce + low-cost hosting: If you’re comfortable with WordPress, WooCommerce plus an inexpensive host (often <$5/month on promotions) gives the lowest monthly platform cost long term. TechRadar
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Wix / GoDaddy / Squarespace: Good for drag-and-drop stores; can be cheaper short-term but watch transaction fees and ecommerce feature limits. TechRadar+1
Supplier options that keep costs low
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AliExpress — cheap product price, often free/low-cost shipping: Many beginners use AliExpress for the cheapest product prices; shipping can be free or bundled into price. Shipping times vary. PageFly
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CJdropshipping — better automation and predictable shipping fees: CJ can offer faster fulfillment in some cases and a clearer shipping price sheet, which helps budget forecasting (shipping often starts a few dollars per order depending on weight/destination). blog.cjdropshipping.com+1
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Spocket / Zendrop / Omnidrop: These apps connect suppliers with faster shipping (US/EU) but often cost more per item—good for higher-margin plays or when customer experience (faster delivery) matters. omnidrop.io
Sample $200 startup budget (practical)
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Domain name: $10–$15 (one-time)
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Platform trial or month: $5–$39 (use trial or lowest monthly option if possible) — budget $29 suggested. Shopify
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Dropshipping app / automation: $0–$20 (many have free tiers)
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Product samples / test orders (optional but recommended): $10–$30
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Marketing / testing (FB/Meta ads, TikTok ads, influencer micro-tests): $100–$120
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Misc (logo, small apps, buffer): $5–$20
That totals roughly $200. If you cut platform fees with a free trial and skip product samples, you can start even closer to $100 — but keep at least $50–100 for meaningful ad tests. AutoDS
Step-by-step launch checklist (fast path)
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Niche & product selection: Pick a focused niche and 1–3 test products with good margins and small size/weight (lower shipping).
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Platform & domain: Start with a free trial or lowest plan. Purchase a domain ($10–15). Shopify
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Supplier connection: Install a dropshipping app (AliExpress/CJ/Spocket) and import products. Compare shipping times and costs—cheaper price isn’t always best if shipping is slow or unreliable. PageFly+1
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Store setup: Add clear product descriptions, clean images (use supplier photos at start but plan for originals later), simple policies (shipping, returns), and a trustworthy About page.
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Small paid test: Run 3–7 small ad sets (e.g., $5–$15/day each for 3–5 days) or test with creators/micro-influencers to validate demand. Allocate most of your ad budget to the best-performing creative.
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Measure & iterate: Watch conversion rate, add-to-cart, and CPA. If a product shows promise, scale ads and consider investing in better images or faster suppliers.
Quick risk & legal notes
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Oberlo and similar apps have changed; several legacy tools were discontinued and replaced by newer apps — check current integrations before committing. Shopify Community+1
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Always be transparent about shipping times and returns—customer trust beats short-term margins.
FAQs
Q: Can I really start with under $200?
Yes — many sellers launch with <$200 by using platform trials, low-cost domains, free dropshipping app tiers, and a small ad test budget. But expect to reinvest profits to scale. AutoDS
Q: What’s the cheapest platform to start on?
WooCommerce on cheap hosting can be the lowest ongoing cost, but Shopify’s ease and apps can save time. Choose by how much time vs money you want to spend. TechRadar+1
Q: Is AliExpress always the cheapest supplier?
Often yes for product price, but CJdropshipping and other suppliers sometimes offer better shipping transparency and fulfillment speed; compare total landed cost (item + shipping + potential returns). PageFly+1
Conclusion
This guide to starting a dropshipping store with less than $200 shows that with careful platform choice, smart supplier selection, and a disciplined $200 budget split between domain, a low-cost plan, minimal app fees, and ad testing, you can validate a dropshipping idea without a big upfront investment. Use the sample budget above, pick one product to test, and iterate quickly. Follow this guide to starting a dropshipping store with less than $200 as your launch checklist, and remember: reinvest early wins to scale. If you want, I can convert this into a printable checklist and a 30-day action plan tailored to Shopify or WooCommerce — tell me which platform you prefer and I’ll create it.
Sources used for facts and pricing: Shopify pricing and plans; Oberlo shutdown/alternatives; CJdropshipping shipping and pricing notes; comparison of AliExpress vs CJdropshipping; guides on starting dropshipping with low/no budget. AutoDS+4Shopify+4
