Learn the step-by-step process to build a successful Shopify dropshipping store, choose between a general or niche model, register on Shopify, set your currency, and pick your plan perfect for beginners. Understanding General Dropshipping Stores, When deciding what kind of dropshipping store to build, one popular option is the general store

How to Start a Shopify Dropshipping Store: General Store vs Niche 

 What Is a General DropshippingStore

A general store is a dropshipping website that sells a wide variety of products across different categories. Think of it as a smaller version of Amazon or Walmart it might sell kitchen gadgets, home decor, pet supplies, tech accessories, apparel, and more all under one brand.

Why Choose a General Store

•       Broader Audience: Appeals to many customers at once.

•       More Testing Opportunities: Easily test multiple products and niches.

•       Less Risk: Not tied to one specific market or trend.

•       Focus on Winning Products: General stores often succeed by finding and scaling “winning products” items that go viral or solve specific problems

Example:

A general store might offer trending fitness tools, car gadgets, and cooking accessories all in one place. This gives you a better chance of finding products that convert, especially in the testing phase.

Register Your Shopify Store

Now let’s get into the first technical step registering your Shopify account

Use a Special Deal ($1/Month Offer)

To get started:

1.     Open your browser and search for shopify signup 

2.     You’ll land on a Shopify free trial page with a $1/month offer for 3 months

Steps to Sign Up:

1.     Enter your email and click Start Free Trial.

2.     Skip unnecessary questions by clicking Skip All.

3.     Choose your country and continue.

4.     Click Continue with Email, enter a password, and create your store ID.

Shopify will set up your account and redirect you to your store’s dashboard.

Set Your Store Currency

Once inside the dashboard:

1.     Click on Settings (bottom-left).

2.     Scroll to Store Currency

Which Currency Should You Choose?

•       USD Best for global selling (recommended).

•       EUR For Europe-only stores.

•       GBP For UK-only sellers

Tip: Choose USD as your base. Later, you’ll install a currency converter app so the store auto-adjusts prices for global customers based on their location.

Click Save after choosing your currency.

Confirm Your Email

Before you continue building:

1.     Go to your email inbox.

2.     Find the Shopify verification email.

3.     Click Confirm Email.

4.     You’ll be redirected back to your store dashboard.

Choose a Shopify Plan

You now need to select your Shopify pricing plan.

1.     Click Pick Your Plan.

2.     You’ll see 3 options: Basic, Shopify, and Advanced.

Best Plan for Beginners

•       Choose Basic Plan it's more than enough to launch and run a beginner-level store.

•       Decide on Monthly or Annual billing. (Tip: Longer billing cycles give more discount).

•       Remember: Only $1/month for the first 3 months regardless of your plan duration.

Click Confirm Billing Cycle.

Enter Your Address & Payment Details

1.     Add your personal or company address.

2.     Save your details.

3.     Click Add Payment Method (credit/debit card).

4.     Click Subscribe to complete activation.

Your Shopify store is now live start personalising it to match your brand!

Step 6: Choose Your Store Niche

With your store up and running, it’s time to choose the products you want to offer.

 

 

There are two store types again:

1.     Niche Store Focused on a specific category like women's fashion, pets, gadgets, etc.

2.     General Store Sells across multiple categories to find “winning products.”

How to Choose What to Sell

The easiest and fastest way to find products is using AliExpress — a Chinese wholesale website

Steps to Find a Product:

1.     Go to AliExpress.com.

2.     Search for a broad keyword like “rings for women.”

3.     Use the filter and sort by Most Ordered  this shows top-selling products.

4.     Pick one with:

o      High order volume

o      Good reviews

o      Quality product photos

o      Ships via ePacket or AliExpress Standard Shipping

Example:

You find a women’s ring that costs $2.50 and has 9,000+ orders with strong reviews. You can list it in your store for $19.99, creating a solid margin.

Your Store Is Almost Ready

You’ve:

•       Understood the general vs. niche model

•       Registered your Shopify store for $1/month

•       Set currency, confirmed email, chosen your plan

•       Learned how to pick your store's product niche

Next, you'll move on to

•       Customizing your theme

•       Installing key apps (currency converter, reviews)

•       Importing products

•       Setting up pages, policies, and checkout

•       Starting marketing with organic and paid methods