How to Set Up Automated Dropshipping

When I first started dropshipping, I was doing everything myself.

Every order, every email, every price update. I’d wake up to a dozen customer service messages and spend hours just copying tracking numbers into emails. It worked for a while — until I hit about 20 orders a day.

That’s when things started slipping.

Customers got frustrated. I started missing shipments. And I realized something: this wasn’t a business. I had built myself a job. That’s when I knew I had to automate.

Automating dropshipping isn’t just about saving time. It’s about building something that runs without me constantly babysitting it.

If I wanted to scale, I couldn’t do it manually. Automation became the only way forward.

Let me walk you through how I set everything up, what tools I used, and how you can build a fully automated system from day one — even if you’re starting from scratch.

What You Can Automate in Dropshipping (And What You Can’t)

Before I dive into the “how,” let’s cover the “what.” Here’s everything I was able to automate in my dropshipping store.

What You Can Automate:

• Order Fulfillment
  Tools like DSers and AutoDS can automatically fulfill orders with your supplier. No more copy-pasting customer info.
• Inventory and Pricing Updates
  If a supplier runs out of stock or changes the price, these tools update your store instantly so you don’t sell unavailable or unprofitable items.
• Product Imports and Listings
  Some platforms allow you to import products from AliExpress or other suppliers directly into your store with one click.
• Tracking Information
  Once an item ships, the automation software updates your customer with the tracking number and status.
• Customer Emails and Follow-Ups
  I use Klaviyo to automate abandoned cart emails, post-purchase emails, and even refund confirmations.
• Analytics and Sales Reports
  Tools like Lifetimely and BeProfit automatically generate profit reports, LTV breakdowns, and more.

What You Can’t Fully Automate (Yet):

• Customer Service
  You can use AI chatbots to handle basic inquiries, but some situations still need a human touch.
• Creative Work (like Ad Testing)
  Running and optimizing ads still requires testing, tweaking, and analyzing results.
• Branding
  You’ll still need to create your own product descriptions, images, and branding — or hire it out.

So while automation can cut 70-90% of your workload, it doesn’t eliminate the need for strategy.

But that’s exactly why it’s powerful — you free up time to work on the parts that actually move the business forward.

Tools I Used to Automate My Dropshipping Store

There are hundreds of tools out there, and I’ve tried most of them. Here’s what I actually use and trust — based on results.

Which One Do I Recommend?

If you’re using AliExpress, start with Shopify + DSers.

It’s simple, stable, and built for beginners. Once you’re scaling past $5K/month, look into AutoDS for more supplier options and more advanced features.

How I Set Up My Automated Dropshipping Store (Step-by-Step)

Here’s the exact process I followed to automate everything from fulfillment to emails. I’ll break it down clearly so you can copy the same structure.

Step 1: Choose Your Store Platform

I started with Shopify, and I still use it today. It’s beginner-friendly, integrates with almost every automation tool, and handles payment processing and inventory management out of the box.

Why not WooCommerce? It’s cheaper, but you’ll spend more time messing with plugins and maintenance. I chose Shopify because I didn’t want technical headaches.

Step 2: Connect to an Automation Tool

Once my Shopify store was set up, I integrated DSers. It connects directly to AliExpress and lets me:

• Import products with one click
• Set pricing rules (like 2x the supplier cost)
• Automatically fulfill orders
• Sync tracking info

If you’re using other suppliers (like CJ Dropshipping or private agents), go with AutoDS. It covers more platforms and has built-in product research tools.

Step 3: Automate Order Fulfillment

Once a customer places an order, DSers automatically places that same order with my supplier. I don’t have to touch anything.

To set it up:

• Go to DSers > Settings > Order Settings
• Turn on “Auto Order” and “Auto Tracking Update”
• Set your default shipping method (I use AliExpress Standard Shipping for tracking)

Now when someone buys from my store, the supplier gets the order, ships it, and DSers sends the tracking info to the customer.

Step 4: Automate Pricing and Stock Updates

Prices and stock change constantly on AliExpress. If your store isn’t updated in real time, you’ll either lose money or disappoint customers.

Here’s how I set my automation rules:

• Pricing Formula: Supplier price x 2.5
• Minimum Profit: $10
• Out of Stock Products: Auto-hide from the store
• Price Change Threshold: Only update if change is 5%+

This means I never have to manually adjust prices or worry about items going out of stock.

Step 5: Set Up Email Automation (With Klaviyo)

Klaviyo integrates with Shopify and lets you automate the entire customer experience.

Here are the flows I set up:

• Abandoned Cart Flow
  3 emails spaced out over 24 hours. Includes discount on email 2.
• Post-Purchase Flow
  Thank you email, followed by a shipping update, then a review request.
• Refund/Exchange Flow
  Triggered when a refund is marked in Shopify. Sends an apology and links to a support form.
• Product Recommendation Flow
  Based on what someone bought, sends a follow-up a week later suggesting a related product.

All of this runs automatically. I built it once, and it works on autopilot.

Step 6: Automate Tracking Updates (With AfterShip)

AfterShip tracks every order and sends updates to customers as their package moves through each stage.

Setup was simple:

• Install AfterShip from Shopify App Store
• Connect it to DSers
• Customize your email templates
• Enable SMS updates (optional, extra cost)

Now my customers know exactly where their order is. It reduced support tickets by about 60%.

Case Studies: Real Results from Dropshipping Automation

These aren’t just theories — here’s what happened when I and others made the switch to automation.

• Case Study 1: Scaling from $0 to $80K/month
  A 19-year-old store owner used AutoDS, TikTok organic traffic, and Klaviyo flows to scale from nothing to $80K/month in 4 months. His entire backend was automated, and he outsourced customer service.
• Case Study 2: 40% Reduction in Refunds
  A friend of mine set up better email automation using Klaviyo. By keeping customers in the loop with tracking updates and realistic expectations, refund requests dropped by 40%.
• Case Study 3: $5K Saved by Switching from Oberlo to DSers
  Oberlo shut down in 2022, but before that, it was limited. After switching to DSers, I had more control, better pricing rules, and I saved over $5K in lost margin due to pricing errors.

These aren’t edge cases. They’re what happens when you stop micromanaging and start building systems.

Mistakes I Made Before I Automated (Don’t Do This)

I learned automation the hard way. Here are a few mistakes I wish someone had warned me about:

• I trusted unreliable suppliers
  Automation doesn’t help if your supplier is slow or disappears. Vet your suppliers first.
• I didn’t test the automations
  I set things up and assumed they’d work. Always run test orders to confirm everything is syncing properly.
• I ignored customer feedback
  Automation helps with scale, but it’s easy to get lazy. I stopped reading support messages and lost touch with what customers actually cared about.
• I paid for tools I didn’t use
  Don’t get shiny object syndrome. Start with one tool that works, master it, then expand.

FAQs About Setting Up Automated Dropshipping

Can I fully automate a dropshipping business?
Almost. You can automate 80–90% of it. But strategy, customer service, and branding still need a human.

Is automation beginner-friendly?
Yes. Tools like Shopify and DSers are built for people with no tech background.

How much does it cost to automate dropshipping?
Expect to spend around $50–$100/month on tools. That’s less than the cost of hiring even a part-time VA.

Which platform is best for automation?
Shopify. Most tools are designed to work with it and support is easier to find.

Final Thoughts: Automation Helped Me Scale Without Burning Out

If you’re serious about dropshipping, automation isn’t optional. It’s how you go from 3 orders a day to 300 without losing your mind. I used to spend hours a day on low-level tasks.

Now I spend maybe an hour a week checking in.

Start simple. Set up your store. Add DSers or AutoDS. Build your email flows. Test your systems. Then let the tools do the work.

If I had automated sooner, I would’ve avoided burnout, saved thousands, and scaled way faster.

Don’t make that mistake. Set it up right from day one.