How Much Does It Cost To Start A Drop Shipping Business? (In 2024)
Please note that the data provided in this article are estimates and may vary depending on various factors, and should not be considered as perfect or definitive.
The cost of opening a a drop shipping business can vary based on several factors. However for a a drop shipping business you can expect to spend $12 to $27,209 with an average cost of $13,936.
- The minimum startup costs for a drop shipping business: $12
- The maximum startup costs for a drop shipping business: $27,209
- The average startup costs for a drop shipping business: $13,936
Here's a detailed list of a drop shipping business startup costs:
Learn more about starting a drop shipping business:
Where to start?
-> How to start a drop shipping business?
-> Pros and cons of a drop shipping business
Need inspiration?
-> Other drop shipping business success stories
-> Examples of established drop shipping business
-> Marketing ideas for a drop shipping business
Other resources
Software Expenses
Your drop shipping business needs software to run efficiently!
Why spend money on software? Because it can help you save time and automate certain parts of the business, so you can focus on the most important matters. Software and technology can help you grow your business, and save you from expensive personnel costs.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
File Hosting Service |
Recommended |
$0 |
$299 |
Email marketing tool |
Recommended |
$0 |
$100 |
Accounting & Invoicing Software |
Recommended |
$0 |
$50 |
Project Management Software |
Recommended |
$0 |
$25 |
Internal Communication Tool |
Recommended |
$0 |
$20 |
Design Programs & Software |
Optional |
$0 |
$50 |
IT Support ➜ |
Optional |
$150 |
$2,000 |
Social Media Management Tools |
Optional |
$0 |
$50 |
Payroll Software |
Optional |
$0 |
$200 |
Office Space Expenses
It will be your call to determine if you need office space. It is not a requirement but may be necessary as your drop shipping business grows.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Rent ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$5,750 |
Utility Costs For Office Space ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,150 |
WiFi & Internet ➜ |
Optional |
$0 |
$100 |
Inventory Expenses
If you sell a physical good, you'll likely have to start with some inventory.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Upfront Costs For Inventory |
Optional |
$300 |
$5,000 |
Inventory Storage |
Optional |
$0 |
$5,000 |
Package Design ➜ |
Optional |
$50 |
$3,000 |
Shrinkage |
Optional |
$0 |
$1,000 |
Distribution costs |
Optional |
$0 |
$750 |
Website Costs
Every business should have a website, and it's worth spending a bit of money to set it up right.
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Domain Name ➜ |
Required |
$12 |
$200 |
Business Email Hosting Service ➜ |
Recommended |
$1 |
$15 |
Advertising & Marketing Costs
Cost | Required? | Min Cost | Max Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Customer Research & Surveys |
Optional |
$0 |
$300 |
Affiliate Marketing Commission & Fees |
Optional |
$0 |
$250 |
Influencer Marketing |
Optional |
$0 |
$750 |
Press |
Optional |
$0 |
$500 |
Google Ads |
Optional |
$0 |
$300 |
Facebook & Instagram Ads |
Optional |
$0 |
$350 |
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings