How I Made My First ₱50,000 Online Through Dropshipping (And What I Learned)

entrepreneurial and bold

If you told me a few years ago that I’d be making money while chilling in my pambahay, I would’ve laughed and said, “Eh di sana all.” Pero ito na nga — it happened. And it all started with something I had no clue about at first: dropshipping.

Let me take you back to 2020 — yep, lockdown era. Businesses were closing, people were losing jobs, and everything felt uncertain. I was stuck at home, scrolling through my phone endlessly, feeling useless, and frankly — broke. But then I stumbled on a YouTube video about “how to make money online without inventory.”

That phrase hit different.

The Rabbit Hole: What is Dropshipping?

So, I started researching like crazy. YouTube, Reddit, Facebook groups — you name it, I was there. That’s where I learned what dropshipping really is.

In simple terms: you set up an online store, post products, and when a customer buys from you, you forward the order to a supplier. The supplier ships the product directly to your customer. No need to stock anything, no need for a warehouse — all you need is Wi-Fi and some grit.

It sounded too good to be true.

But I gave it a shot anyway.

My First Attempt: The ₱6,000 Mistake

I spent my last ₱6,000 building a Shopify store. I picked a niche — pet accessories (because I loved dogs and thought it was cute, okay?). I sourced products from AliExpress, used Canva to design a logo, and bought a domain that sounded legit.

Then I ran my first Facebook ad.

And guess what?

Crickets.

I got 2 likes, zero sales, and a ₱6,000 credit card bill.

Sakit sa bangs.

But here’s the thing — instead of quitting, I took it as a lesson. I realized I jumped in too fast without understanding my target market, product demand, or how ads actually work.

Second Try: The Winning Product

This time, I did things differently.

Instead of picking a product I liked, I went hunting for what people were actually buying. I used tools like Ecomhunt, checked TikTok trends, and even browsed Shopee bestsellers.

That’s when I discovered a trending item: a posture corrector.

Marami palang hunched sa work-from-home setup, at marami rin pala akong potential customers.

So I rebuilt my store — this time, simple lang: white background, one product, clear benefit, and real customer reviews. I even shot a demo video using a sample I ordered for myself (pro tip: always test the product kung kaya).

Then I launched another Facebook ad. ₱500 lang muna daily budget.

On Day 1, I made my first sale. Then Day 2 — 3 more. Day 3 — 7 orders!

I couldn’t believe it.

By the end of the week, I hit ₱10,000 in revenue. After expenses, I had about ₱3,800 profit. Not bad for a second try, diba?

Scaling Up: From Side Hustle to Serious Hustle

The next few months were a rollercoaster. I kept testing new products, optimizing my ads, and automating parts of the process.

Here are a few hard-earned lessons that made all the difference:

1. Product is King

Don’t sell just because you like it. Sell because people want it and are actively searching for it. Solve a problem. Make it convenient. Better if it's impulse-friendly under ₱1,500.

2. Simplicity Sells

My first store had too many products, too much noise. My second store? One product, clean landing page, straightforward copy. Less friction = more sales.

3. Customer Service is Your Lifeline

I had a customer once na nagreklamo kasi late dumating yung order. I apologized, refunded her, and even sent a ₱100 Shopee voucher. She ended up recommending the store to her friends. Never underestimate word of mouth.

4. Ads are an Investment

Facebook ads work, pero hindi magic. You have to test different creatives, copy, and audiences. Hindi puwedeng post ka lang tapos bahala na si Batman. A/B testing became my best friend.

5. Know Your Numbers

Maraming nagda-dropship na feeling rich sa revenue, pero lugi pala. Always track your profit margins. Ako, I use a simple spreadsheet to calculate product cost, ad spend, Shopify fees, and actual profit.

Challenges You Should Expect

Let’s be real — dropshipping isn’t all passive income and piña coladas sa beach. Here’s what nobody tells you upfront:

• Shipping Delays: Especially pag galing China. Manage expectations. Always set proper delivery timelines.

• Returns and Refunds: They happen. Be ready to take the hit.

• Platform Rules: Facebook may disable your ad account. Shopify may hold your payouts. Have backups.

• Competition: There’s always someone trying to sell the same product cheaper. Stand out with better branding, faster replies, or localized touch.

Is Dropshipping Still Worth It in 2025?

Short answer? Yes, but only if you treat it like a real business.

Gone are the days of quick wins and one-product goldmines. The market is maturing, especially in the Philippines. But that also means more opportunities for those who do it right.

What’s working now?

• TikTok Organic: Create short videos showing product use. Post daily. Free marketing, high conversion.

• COD Dropshipping: Use local suppliers offering cash-on-delivery. Faster shipping, less customer friction.

• Niche Branding: Build a brand around one problem and dominate that niche. Think “Sleep Better PH” or “PetCare Hub.”

My Advice If You’re Just Starting Out

1. Start small. Don’t invest ₱20k agad. Test with low-risk products and a small ad budget.

2. Don’t skip learning. Watch YouTube tutorials, read blogs, join local FB groups like “Dropshipping Philippines.”

3. Be patient. Success in dropshipping takes consistency, not luck.

4. Build for the long term. Don’t just aim for one product to go viral — aim to build a brand that solves problems.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Profit

What dropshipping taught me isn’t just how to earn online — but how to think like an entrepreneur.

I learned how to spot trends, handle customers, manage ads, and build systems — skills that translated into other side hustles later on.

Today, I’ve moved beyond dropshipping alone. I now help other freelancers, VAs, and aspiring online entrepreneurs learn from my journey — the wins, the fails, and the ₱6,000 lesson that started it all.

So if you’re still wondering if dropshipping is worth trying…

I say: why not you?