What is CJ Dropshipping? Guide to selling without inventory

Want to start an online business without capital to import goods? CJ Dropshipping is your solution. In this article, NextSky will guide you step-by-step to master this business model and potentially multiply your income tenfold.

What is CJ Dropshipping?

CJ Dropshipping is a comprehensive platform that supports the dropshipping model, enabling you to sell online without holding inventory. Instead of importing and managing stock, you select products from CJ and list them on your store (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce, TikTok Shop). 

CJ handles order processing, packaging, and shipping directly to customers. This platform is ideal for beginners, offering a ready-made warehouse, no registration fees, and seamless integration with multiple e-commerce platforms.

Read more: What is Dropshipping? Everything You Need to Know

How does CJ Dropshipping work?

CJ Dropshipping simplifies every step for e-commerce entrepreneurs. Here's how it operates:

• Vast product catalog: Access thousands of products across various categories or request custom sourcing.
• Seamless integration: Connect effortlessly with Shopify, WooCommerce, eBay, and more, importing products with a single click.
• Automated order processing: CJ handles packaging and delivery, saving time and effort.
• Global warehouses: US, EU, and Asian warehouses ensure fast delivery and efficient inventory management.
• Brand customization: Personalize packaging, logos, and documents to boost brand recognition.
• Real-time order tracking: Provide customers with live shipping updates for a better experience.

Learn more: TikTok Dropshipping: How to start with Step-by-Step

6 steps to launch an effective dropshipping business

Market research

Before starting any business, you must identify who you are selling to and what problem your product solves. Don't choose a product just because you see others selling well; instead, you should clarify the following two things:

• What do you want to sell? → Find a group of products you can understand and write an attractive description.
• Who is your ideal customer? → How old are they? Male or female? What are their needs? Are they surfing Facebook or Google?

Some tools that can help you research you can use such as:

• Google Trends: Discover prominent search trends in each country.
• Amazon Best Sellers: Find inspiration from the best-selling products today.
• AliExpress Dropshipping Center: Track the popularity and ordering trends in real time.
• TikTok Creative Center: Discover viral product videos in the US market.

Read more: Etsy Dropshipping: Everything About the Business Model

Find the right products to start with

After identifying a potential niche market, you need to find simple items that make an impression at first sight. Prioritize products that can convey immediate benefits when viewing images and videos, and are not easy to find in supermarkets. Good products often have the following characteristics

• It has a specific benefit (e.g., back pain relief, time saving, anti-eye strain).
• Not too popular (not easy to buy in grocery stores).
• No complicated warranty required.
• It has a low import price, but the profit margin is> 40%.

Suggestions for potential niche items 2025

• Invisible braces: This is an emerging market, with a reasonable price, and it is easy to shoot videos.
• Clap sensor night light: Easy to impress, cheap, and easy to give as a gift.
• Folding rack: Compact, many people care about living space.

Find a reliable supplier

In dropshipping, you do not directly touch the product. Therefore, the professionalism of the supplier is the face of your brand. A good supplier will also help you handle and support you if there is a problem. On the contrary, a bad supplier will make you lose customers, get a 1-star rating, and pay compensation. To find a Dropshipping supplier, you can check the following factors when choosing a supplier:

• Products have real photos and clear videos.
• Delivery from 7-15 days, can be tracked.
• Allow "no logo – no invoice" (for you to build a white brand).
• Fast response, support if the goods are defective or not delivered.
• Prioritize suppliers with 1,000+ orders (on AliExpress or CJ), 4.5★ or more, and many positive reviews with real photos from old customers.

Create a store that looks professional and trustworthy

Even if the product is good and cheap, customers will not buy if they do not trust your website. Therefore, build your online store as if you were building a real-life shop front. Here are some factors that help increase the credibility of your website:

• The logo and brand name are neat.
• Short and clear introduction page, who you are
• Full payment icons (Visa, Momo, etc.)
• Display hotline number/real email
• The interface is compatible with phones.

Learn more: Dropshipping Facebook Marketplace: Guide for Beginners

Write product descriptions like a real salesperson

Many beginners make the mistake of copying the description from AliExpress or Google Translate, making customers lose interest and leave after reading. Because customers only care about whether the product you provide is valuable. Therefore, the description must hit the right emotions, needs, and desires. Pocket the tips for writing more attractive descriptions right in the article below.

• Start with the main benefits the product brings
• Use bullets to list the outstanding advantages.
• Insert genuine reviews from previous customers if available.
• Add a strong call-to-action button: "Buy now - today's offer.
• This is also a place to cleverly insert SEO keywords, helping Google easily bring the product to the top while being natural.

For example: "Relieve back pain in just 10 minutes - no need to take medicine, no need to go to the clinic."

• Compact - easy to carry in your pocket
• Anti-slip design - safe for the elderly
• Charge once, use all week
• Order today - The Offer only lasts for 24 hours.

Read more: Walmart Dropshipping Guide for Beginners to Sell Online

Smart promotion

Once you have a website and a product, it's time to get it in front of the right people. Advertising isn't just about "paying people to see your product," it's about telling a story that makes people believe and want to own it immediately. Check out this video for beginners:

• Use a real hand-held phone – real product, real hand, authentic voice
• The opening should be the user's " problem ": "I used to have neck and shoulder pain so bad I couldn't sleep…"
• Then move on to the solution: "Until I tried this massager…"
• End with a positive experience, clear emotions

In addition, you can start advertising with:

• Facebook Ads: Targeting by interests, behaviors
• TikTok Ads or free videos: High viral rate if the content is authentic
• Google Ads (if you have specific keywords and the product is easy to find)

Most importantly, different models should be tested, their effectiveness closely monitored, and their adjustments made. Don't expect to "make a profit right away"; the first stage is understanding customers, optimizing content, and learning how to sell online professionally.

Read more: What is Amazon Dropshipping: A to Z Guide For Beginners

Guide to using CJ Dropshipping with Shopify

Create a CJ Dropshipping account

After setting up your Shopify store, create a CJ Dropshipping account:

• Visit cjdropshipping.com and click "Sign Up" in the top-right corner.
• Enter your full name, email, password, country, and phone number.
• Agree to CJ's terms and privacy policy, then click "Register."

Install and connect the CJ Dropshipping app with Shopify

To integrate CJ Dropshipping into your Shopify store, you must install the official app and connect your CJ account. This is important in synchronizing products, orders, and processing between the two platforms.

• Go to your Shopify admin, go to Apps, then search for "CJ Dropshipping" in the app store.
• Once found, click "Add App" to install and integrate the platform into your sales system.
• After installation, open the CJ app in your Shopify admin.
• Log in to your CJ account and allow the necessary access rights.
• After the successful connection, the system automatically synchronizes products and orders between CJ and Shopify.

Search and import products

One of the most significant advantages of CJ Dropshipping is its rich product inventory and diverse product categories. You can choose potential products and bring them to your store with just a few steps.

• Access the CJ interface and search for products by keyword or category.
• View product details: images, descriptions, import prices, and shipping costs.
• Click "List" to add the product to your Shopify store.
• The product will be automatically displayed in the Shopify product list for you to edit further.

Customize products

After importing, you should adjust the product title, description, and image to match the target customers' brand and consumption habits. This is a crucial step to increase conversion. Factors to optimize:

• Title: Short, attractive, and containing search keywords.
• Description: Rewrite attractively, emphasize product benefits instead of just listing features.
• Image: Use clear photos and add lifestyle photos or videos if possible.
• Price: Calculate based on product cost + shipping fee + desired profit.

Automate order processing

Once a customer orders a product, the Shopify system automatically pushes the order to CJ for processing. This is the outstanding advantage of dropshipping - you don't need to touch the product, but still do business. The automatic process is as follows:

• Customers place orders on the Shopify website.
• CJ receives the order and proceeds to pack and ship.
• The system provides tracking codes and updates order status.
• You and your customers can track the entire process right on the system.

Share shipping updates with customers

Notifying the shipping code not only helps customers feel secure, but also shows the store's professionalism. This is especially important in online sales, so you should do:

• Send an automatic email with the tracking code immediately after processing the order.
• Please provide a link to track the order (from CJ or integrate it into the website).
• Reply quickly if customers ask about the shipping process.

Optimize and scale

Once you have the first orders, optimizing the system will help you operate more efficiently, save costs, and easily expand. Some expansion strategies include:

• Analyze best-selling products to focus on advertising investment.
• Optimize description content and images to increase conversion rates.
• Use marketing channels such as Facebook Ads, Google Ads, email marketing, etc.
• Outsource customer care, content writing, and design tasks if needed.

Manage returns and refunds

Although the dropshipping model helps you not directly handle goods, you must build a reasonable return policy to protect customer rights and maintain brand reputation. Notes when handling returns:

• Set up a clear return policy right on the website.
• Check the return conditions carefully before accepting the request.
• Contact CJ Dropshipping to support logistics for orders that must be exchanged or refunded.
• Make sure customers are satisfied with how you handle the situation.

Learn more: AliExpress Dropshipping: A-Z Guide for Beginners

Advantages and Disadvantages of CJ Dropshipping

Advantages

• Rich product catalog: CJDropshipping offers over 900,000 products in hundreds of different categories, making it easy to choose according to your niche or brand style.
• Personal support staff: Each account is assigned a dedicated care staff, supported via live chat, email, or WhatsApp, ensuring quick response to orders, shipping, or refunds.
• Easy integration with multiple platforms: Multi-platform with Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, BigCommerce, Magento, TikTok Shop (US), helping to synchronize orders and update status, saving management effort automatically.
• Product quality: All orders are checked before shipping, minimizing defective goods and complaints and improving customer experience without incurring additional costs.
• Global warehouse system: With more than 30 warehouses worldwide (including the US and Europe), CJ supports fast delivery, reducing waiting time and shipping costs.
• Automated order management: The entire order processing process is automated from synchronization to fulfillment, helping you focus more on business and marketing strategies.
• Fast delivery with CJPacket: With CJPacket's shipping service, the delivery time is only 7-15 days. In addition, you can compare and choose a more suitable shipping partner.

Disadvantages of CJ Dropshipping that you should note

• High competition: Many sellers use CJ, leading to duplicate products. You must invest in branding, packaging, or marketing strategies to stand out.
• Quite complicated interface: CJ's interface can be confusing for beginners. However, it will become easier to use after getting used to it.
• Hidden fees may arise: While the basic service is free, costs such as 90+ day storage, custom packaging, special shipping, etc., can add up significantly.
• Unreliable delivery times: Some Asian products can take 2–3 weeks to ship. Supply chain issues are also a factor to consider when using dropshipping.