Ecommerce Stack
Dropshipping Starter Stack
Start selling without inventory using AliExpress suppliers
$39/mo
Base monthly cost
$468–$1500
Realistic year 1 total
5
Tools in this stack
What's in this stack
Shopify Store platform
Basic ($39/mo)
$39/mo
DSers Product sourcing & fulfillment
Free (3 stores, 3K products)
Free
Canva Ad creatives
Free
Free
Klaviyo Email recovery
Free (250 contacts)
Free
Google Analytics Analytics
Free
Free
Transaction fees
Shopify Payments: 2.9% + 30¢. Product cost paid per order to AliExpress supplier.
Hidden costs to budget for
- ⚠Ad spend is the real cost — most dropshippers spend $500-2000/mo on Facebook/TikTok ads
- ⚠Shipping times (7-20 days) cause refund requests
- ⚠Chargebacks from unhappy customers ($15-25 each)
- ⚠Shopify apps for reviews, upsells, etc. ($20-50/mo)
Strengths
- ✓Zero inventory risk
- ✓Test products without buying stock
- ✓Can start with under $100 (excluding ads)
- ✓Huge product selection via AliExpress
Weaknesses
- –Thin margins (typically 15-30%)
- –Long shipping times hurt customer satisfaction
- –Dependent on ad spend for traffic
- –High competition on trending products
Who this stack is for
Best for: People who want to learn ecommerce with minimal financial risk. Good for testing products before committing to inventory.
Not ideal for: Anyone wanting a sustainable long-term brand. Margins are thin and customer experience is hard to control.
Considering the alternative?
Compare with: Print-on-Demand Stack →Sources: www.shopify.com, www.dsers.com
Last updated: 2026-05-26. Prices may change — always verify on official sites before purchasing.