Part of the complete guide: The Complete Guide to Starting Online Selling in Pakistan
People ask the same things before they start: is it real, how much does it cost, what if the customer says no at the door? This page answers them the way we'd answer a friend. Each answer is short on purpose. Where a topic needs more room, you'll find a link to the full guide.
The basics
What is dropshipping?
It's selling a product you never keep. A customer orders from you, the shop that owns the product gets it ready, a rider delivers it, and you keep the difference between your price and your costs. You never carry stock. The full picture is in how dropshipping works in Pakistan.
Is dropshipping legal in Pakistan?
Selling things online is normal business here, but the rules that apply to you (registration, taxes, what you may sell) depend on your situation and change over time. We can't give legal advice, so ask a qualified adviser before you grow. Never sell goods that are illegal or prohibited.
Is dropshipping the same as reselling?
No. A reseller buys stock first. A dropshipper doesn't. Dropshipping vs reselling lays out the trade-offs.
Can a student or a housewife do it?
Yes, plenty of people start part-time, because replying to messages and confirming orders can be done in short sessions. What you need is reliability, not a degree.
Do I need a shop or a website?
No. Many sellers start with a social page and a business chat. You can add a website later if the business grows.
Money
How much money do I need to start?
Less than for a stock business, but not nothing. A platform may ask for a security deposit that covers return charges, and you may want a small ad budget. Check the current terms of the platform you join and start with an amount you can afford to lose.
How do I make a profit?
You set your selling price above what the product, delivery and fees cost you. What's left after a delivered order is your profit. How to price products shows the working.
How much can I earn?
Nobody can honestly promise a number. It depends on your product, your customers, how well you confirm orders and how many parcels get refused. Track your own results for a month before you draw any conclusions.
When do I get paid?
Only after the customer has accepted and paid for the parcel and the money has been settled by the platform's rules. Those rules, including payout days, are shown inside the platform and in its terms.
Do I pay anything if the customer refuses the parcel?
Often yes: a failed delivery costs something. What you pay and who pays it depends on the platform and the reason. Read the return and refund rules before your first order.
Cash on delivery
Why do most Pakistani buyers pay cash on delivery?
They want to see the product before they pay, and not everyone has a card or a wallet they trust online. For a new seller it's usually the easiest way to win a first order.
What happens if the customer refuses the parcel?
The sale doesn't happen and the delivery trip still cost money. That's the main risk of cash on delivery, and why confirming every order matters. See refused orders and returns.
How do I stop customers from refusing?
Describe the product honestly, confirm the address and total before you place the order, give a realistic delivery time and keep records of why orders fail. How to reduce cancellations goes through it step by step.
Should I confirm every order by phone?
If you can, yes. A two-minute confirmation costs far less than a refused parcel. A short WhatsApp summary that the customer answers with a yes works too.
Products and suppliers
How do I choose what to sell?
Check demand, profit after delivery, how easily it travels, how likely it is to be returned and whether the shop is dependable. How to find products to sell has a scoring sheet.
What sells best?
It changes with the season and your audience, so there's no honest one-line answer. Simple, sturdy everyday items that are easy to describe tend to cause fewer problems than anything that depends on exact size or colour.
How do I know a supplier is reliable?
Ask how fast they prepare orders, how they pack, what happens when an item is out of stock and how they handle returns. A shop that answers clearly is usually better than a cheaper one that doesn't. More in how to choose a reliable supplier.
Can I use pictures from the supplier?
Only if you have permission. Your own photos of the real product are safer and build more trust. See how to take good product photos with a phone.
Are there products I shouldn't sell?
Yes. Illegal and prohibited goods are never allowed, and every platform and ad network has its own list of restricted items. Check the rules of each place you sell or advertise.
Customers and delivery
How fast will the order be delivered?
Same-day delivery is the goal on Shipify, but delivery times are estimates and depend on traffic, weather, the shop and the address. Tell your customer a window, not a promise. See what same-day delivery means for small sellers.
Who delivers the order?
On Shipify, a Shipify rider collects the parcel from the shop and takes it to the customer. The customer gets a live tracking link.
What if the customer isn't home?
Agree a delivery window beforehand and a backup person who can receive and pay. If a delivery fails, message the customer straight away and agree a new time.
How should I handle complaints?
Stay calm, find out what actually went wrong, apologise if it was your fault and offer one clear fix with a date. How to handle customer complaints has the routine.
Getting customers
Where do I find customers?
Start where you already have reach: your own social page, WhatsApp contacts and people who ask you questions. Paid ads can come later. See how to sell on Facebook and Instagram.
Do I need to run ads?
Not at the start. Try free reach first and move to a small test budget once your listing and order process work. A small advertising budget explains how.
Can I sell only on WhatsApp?
Many sellers begin that way. Keep a simple list of confirmed orders outside the chat so you're not relying on scrolling through messages.
Starting out and staying out of trouble
What's the most common beginner mistake?
Selling at a price that doesn't cover delivery and failed orders, and placing orders nobody confirmed. Both are easy to fix once you see them. Common mistakes lists the rest.
How long before I know if it's working?
Long enough to have a handful of orders that were delivered or refused, not just messages. For most people that's a few weeks of small, careful testing.
Is there a simple plan to follow?
Yes: the beginner's checklist and the complete guide to starting online selling lay it out in order.
I own a shop. Is this for me too?
Yes. A shop can list products so online sellers bring it orders, and a rider collects each parcel. See how to list your shop's products online.
I have a bike. Can I deliver?
Riders work as independent delivery partners on platforms like Shipify. Working as a delivery rider explains what the work involves.
Keep reading
More in Getting started
Ready to sell with Shipify?
Create an account, choose products from verified local shops and see every charge before you place an order.