How to Sell on Shopify Without Inventory (Beginner-friendly)

In the first quarter of 2025, Shopify’s total gross merchandise volume (GMV) reached an impressive 74.7 billion US dollars, showing a strong 22 percent growth compared to the same period in 2023 (Statista). This outstanding figure highlights the massive appeal of the platform in driving profitability.

One of Shopify’s greatest advantages for sellers is the ability to run a business without holding inventory. That’s why business models like dropshipping and print on demand are especially well-suited for those looking to launch quickly and efficiently on Shopify. This guide from Merchize offers practical insights on how to sell on Shopify without inventory, based on real-world experience.

Do You Need Inventory to Sell on Shopify? 

The answer to the question “how to sell on Shopify without inventory for free” is a definite yes. You are not required to hold any stock in order to start selling on Shopify.

Selling without inventory means running your business through models such as Dropshipping, print on demand, digital products, or any type of item that does not require physical stock.

Shopify ecommerce

These models allow sellers to focus on marketing and building their brand instead of managing warehouses. It is also one of the fastest ways to start an online business with low upfront costs.

Popular Inventory-Free Selling Models on Shopify 

You can start selling on Shopify without holding any inventory, whether you are a complete beginner or already have experience selling on other e-commerce platforms.

Dropshipping 

Dropshipping is one of the most effective ways to sell on Shopify without inventory. With this model, all you need to do is create your store, list products from a supplier, and when a customer places an order, the supplier handles inventory and shipping on your behalf.

Shopify – Dropshipping

How the Dropshipping process works:

1. A customer places an order through your Shopify store
2. You forward the order to a supplier (such as Oberlo, DSers, or Spocket)
3. The supplier fulfills the order and ships the product directly to the customer

Popular high-margin Dropshipping products include:

• Fashion accessories such as bracelets, sunglasses, hats, mini handbags, and belts
• Home goods like LED lights and kitchen tools
• Niche products such as pet accessories, including collars, leashes, and pet clothing

Key advantages of Dropshipping:

• Strong market demand (The global Dropshipping market is projected to reach 1,256.8 billion USD by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 23.6%, with Asia-Pacific leading the growth, Oberlo)
• No inventory storage required
• No upfront product costs
• Lower startup capital, making it easier for new entrepreneurs to launch their business

Thanks to these advantages, more individuals worldwide are choosing Dropshipping as their path to e-commerce entrepreneurship by 2025.

Challenges to consider:

• Lower profit margins compared to other models
• Limited control over product quality and shipping time
• Dependence on third-party suppliers

According to Shopify, Dropshipping is especially suitable for beginners looking to test e-commerce without large financial risks. However, sellers in any niche must conduct proper market research and choose reliable suppliers to ensure sustainable growth.

Print on Demand

Print on demand (POD) is another business model that allows you to sell on Shopify without holding any inventory. In this model, products are only manufactured once a customer places an order. The seller sends the order to a POD provider, who handles both production and delivery.

Shopify – Print on Demand

How the print on demand process works:

1. Create your design: Upload your original or custom artwork onto product mockups using a POD platform
2. List the products: Publish your designs on Shopify, Etsy, or your own website
3. Customer orders: When an order is placed, it is automatically sent to the POD provider
4. Printing and shipping: The provider prints the product and ships it directly to the customer, ensuring a smooth fulfillment process

Trusted POD platforms:

• Merchize: A top POD company optimized for sellers in Vietnam and globally. Known for its in-house production, competitive pricing, and advanced personalization options. Merchize also integrates with Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon for seamless order management
• Printify: Offers a wide range of products from multiple suppliers. Ideal for beginners looking to test POD with low commitment
• Printful: Focused on high-quality printing and fast delivery in the US and Europe. However, it tends to have higher costs and longer production times in some regions

Best-selling POD products in 2025 (based on Shopify trends):

• T-shirts: Easy to personalize and appeal to various customer groups
• Mugs: Popular as gift items or personalized keepsakes
• Posters and wall art: Attract customers who love interior decoration and artistic prints
• Tote bags: Eco-friendly and popular in sustainable fashion campaigns
• Phone cases: Serve the growing demand for custom tech accessories

Advantages of print on demand:

• No inventory required: Reduces storage risks and costs, allowing sellers to focus on design and marketing
• Low startup cost: Easy to launch with minimal investment
• High flexibility: You can test new designs without financial risk

Potential drawbacks:

• Profit margins depend on your provider: Since each item is made to order, production costs are typically higher than mass production
• Intense competition: The POD market is increasingly crowded, so creative designs and effective marketing are essential
• Limited quality control: Product consistency depends on the POD provider
• Shipping times: Since most customers are international, fulfillment times depend heavily on the provider you choose

Compared to Dropshipping, print on demand is also a rapidly growing business model. The market value is expected to reach 64.3 billion USD by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.4 percent from 2023 to 2032 (Allied Market Research).

As personalization becomes more popular, print on demand products have become the top choice for many customers. However, to succeed in this industry, you need to carefully identify your niche. Choosing the right niche can lead to significant revenue growth.

Selling Digital Products 

Digital products are intangible goods delivered digitally over the internet. When selling these products on Shopify, sellers do not need to hold any inventory, while meeting the personalization and convenience demands of modern consumers.

Digital products such as eBooks, online courses, design templates, or software can be downloaded instantly, eliminating shipping and storage costs.

Selling digital products is an excellent way to sell on Shopify without inventory. However, success requires sellers to have a strong product mindset, invest in product quality, and focus on building their brand, as digital products carry a high value of intellectual property.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Sell on Shopify Without Inventory

Selling without inventory on Shopify is an effective way to start an e-commerce business with low costs. Study the steps below to ensure you have a smooth sales journey.

Step 1: Identify Your Product Niche and Business Model 

To start selling on Shopify without inventory, you need to choose a business model that aligns with your development goals.

Next, the more detailed your market research is, the more it will benefit your Shopify store’s growth plan. Some tools you can use for research include Google Trends, Jungle Scout, and Shopify’s Market Research to identify promising niches. From there, focus on selling products within those niches, which reduces competition and increases your chances of making sales.

Step 2: Build Your Shopify Store 

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel
2. Enter basic information for your store (store name, contact address, phone number, etc.)
3. Register and connect your domain name
4. Choose and customize your store theme
5. Add products to your store
6. Set up the necessary pages for your store
7. Configure payment methods
8. Set up shipping and shipping fees
9. Optimize your store for SEO
10. Review and publish your store

For a detailed step-by-step guide with images, see here: Shopify store

Step 3: Connect with Suppliers or Print-on-Demand Services 

For dropshipping:

• Sync products from apps like DSers, Spocket, or your chosen suppliers with your Shopify store
• Prioritize suppliers with high ratings (4.5 stars and above) and fast delivery times (under 7 to 10 days)

For print on demand:

• Use services like Merchize to upload designs and manage the printing and shipping process automatically
• Make sure your POD supplier supports automatic integration with Shopify to minimize manual work

At this stage, it is important to thoroughly research the service providers for the products you are selling. You can also combine two or more suppliers simultaneously to optimize your overall costs.

Step 4: Set Up Payment and Shipping Options

Payment system setup

You need to connect payment gateways such as PayPal, Stripe, or Shopify Payments, which charge transaction fees of 2.4 to 2.9 percent plus 30 cents per transaction, allowing customers to pay when making purchases. Additionally, ensure support for multiple payment methods like credit cards and digital wallets to serve international customers.

Shipping fees and return policy setup

Set clear shipping fees, such as free shipping for orders over $50 or fixed fees based on regions. At the same time, provide a transparent return policy with processing times of 7 to 14 days and specific refund conditions to increase your store’s credibility.

Order management and customer experience

When selling on Shopify without inventory, using automated tools to manage orders and proactively responding to customer inquiries can help you build trust and reduce fulfillment errors.

Step 5: Marketing Strategies and Conversion Optimization 

Marketing is the fastest way to help your inventory-free Shopify store get discovered by customers and start generating sales.

To achieve the best results, consider combining SEO (free) and paid advertising when implementing marketing strategies for your Shopify store. In addition, social media and email marketing are also valuable channels for reaching potential customers.

Depending on your resources and goals at each stage, align and integrate these approaches in the most effective way possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you sell something without inventory on Shopify?

You can sell on Shopify without holding inventory by using business models such as Dropshipping, print-on-demand, or digital products. These models allow you to focus on marketing and brand building without the burden of warehousing or shipping logistics.

2. How do I sell stuff on Shopify for free?

Shopify is a paid platform, but you can get started with a 14-day free trial. During this period, you can build your store and test selling products without investing in inventory.

3. How to sell t-shirts or clothes on Shopify without inventory?

You can sell t-shirts or apparel without holding inventory by using a print-on-demand service. When a customer places an order, the POD provider prints your design on the product and ships it directly to the customer.