In April 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a series of tariff policies dubbed “Liberation Day.” He claimed these tariffs would boost American manufacturing, protect jobs, and imposed additional duties on goods imported from dozens of so-called “worst offenders,” raising tariffs on Chinese products to as high as 125%. At the same time, these measures are having a profound impact on businesses operating on platforms like Shopify and on the broader cross-border e-commerce landscape. The steep rise in import costs has fundamentally reshaped the e-commerce environment, forcing sellers to embark on a quest for new supply chain solutions. In the following sections, we’ll dive into the latest developments and explore the far-reaching implications these changes hold for online businesses. Tariffs: What They Are and How They Work Simply put, tariffs are taxes you pay when buying goods from another country. In most cases, tariffs are calculated as a percentage of the product’s value. For example, if an item is worth $10 (roughly £7.59) and the tariff rate is 25%, you’d need to pay an additional $2.50 (about £1.90) in tax. Now, if a 125% tariff is applied to goods imported from China, that means a $10 product would incur an extra $12.50 in tax. So who pays this tax? It’s the companies that bring foreign goods into the U.S.—the importers. They’re the ones responsible for paying the tariff to the government. When is the tax paid? Right when the goods go through U.S. customs, the tariff has to be paid. Of course, businesses often have their own strategies. They may choose to pass on some or all of that added cost to consumers, making shoppers ultimately bear the burden. Overview […]

Since their launch in 2006, Wix and Shopify have captured the attention of countless entrepreneurs — after all, who doesn’t dream of owning their own “digital store” without having to dance to the tune of Amazon or eBay’s endless rules? Wix, with its drag-and-drop simplicity and flashy templates, quickly became a favorite among small teams who love DIY and want unique, personalized pages. On the other hand, Shopify carved out a name for itself with its out-of-the-box usability, complete e-commerce workflows, and a powerful plugin ecosystem — perfect for sellers aiming to scale their business like pros. But when it comes down to it, which should you choose: Wix, the “creative design guru,” or Shopify, the “e-commerce powerhouse”? Don’t worry — I’ve got you. Below, I’ll break it down across five key factors 1.Ease of Use (Beginner-friendliness) 2.Cost Pressure (Pricing & Trial Policies) 3.Design Flexibility (Templates & Customization) 4.Feature Power (Core E-commerce Tools) 5.Growth Potential (App Ecosystem & 3rd-Party Integrations) With this simple, no-nonsense comparison guide — including a one-glance table to help you decide — you’ll know exactly what suits your needs. Who wins in the end? Stick around — I’ll give you a straight answer, no fluff. Wix Overview  Wix is an Israeli tech company founded in 2006, best known for its “no coding needed, what you see is what you get” website builder. As a versatile site creation tool, Wix can be used for a wide range of purposes — from blogs and business websites to online course platforms, booking systems, and e-commerce stores. In recent years, Wix has been steadily strengthening its e-commerce capabilities, launching a dedicated Wix eCommerce module that offers a full suite of […]

Curious about the cost of starting a dropshipping business in 2024? You might be surprised! Whether you’re keeping things budget-friendly or looking to scale quickly, this guide breaks down the key expenses you’ll need to plan for. From hidden supplier charges to the best marketing tactics, you’ll find out how to boost your profits while keeping costs down. Want to know how much (or how little) you might spend getting started? Dive in to learn more Start-up Basic Expense As you embark on your eCommerce journey, some expenses are unavoidable, whether you’re launching a dropshipping store or any other type of online business. Let’s explore some of the most common startup costs. Business registration and licence filling fees eCommerce platform and marketplace fees Domain and hosting costs Marketing costs Product sourcing costs ● Business registration and license filing fees “You might wonder: I just want to start a dropshipping side hustle—do I really need to register a business? While it’s not always mandatory, registering your business offers several benefits and protections. When creating a dropshipping business, business registration and license filing fees are an essential start-up expense. Depending on your location and business structure, these fees can vary. Typically, registering a business name and obtaining necessary licenses can range from $50 to $500. For online businesses, you might also need to apply for specific permits or licenses related to e-commerce, depending on local regulations. It’s important to research the requirements in your area to ensure compliance and avoid legal issues down the road. Tips: Choose the business license that matches your needs—like a Seller’s Permit for selling products or a DBA for using a different business name. Check local regulations or […]