How to Start a Try Before You Pay Business (2025 Edition)

Want to break into dropshipping without the risk? Try Before You Pay is the easiest way to get started in 2025, and savvy entrepreneurs are already reaping the benefits.
Here’s how you can do it step-by-step 👇

What is Try Before You Buy (TBYB)?

TBP flips the traditional e-commerce model on its head. Instead of asking customers to pay upfront, you ship the product first and only charge them after they’ve tried it. It builds instant trust, kills buyer hesitation, and skyrockets conversions. The best part? You’re still using dropshipping. No inventory, no upfront product costs, and you only pay when you make a sale.

Why Try Before You Pay Works in 2025

✅ Customers crave trust – They don’t want to risk their money on products they’ve never touched. TBP builds confidence fast.
✅ It feels premium – Big brands like Warby Parker and Stitch Fix use this model, and it makes your store feel just as high-end.
✅ It’s built for virality – TBP naturally creates UGC, referrals, and word-of-mouth buzz because the offer is so unique.
✅ You can launch with $0 inventory – Just like regular dropshipping, except now your store is twice as persuasive.

Step 1: Choose the Right Product

Not every product works for TBP. You need:

• ✅ Something lightweight (to keep shipping costs low)
• ✅ A clear, immediate benefit (ideally something visible or easy to “feel”)
• ✅ Low return risk (consumables, beauty, or wearable items do not incur significant returns)
• ✅ Products priced under $40 (to get impulse-trial conversions)

Top Niches: Skincare, weight loss patches, wellness products, household essentials, and everyday gadgets.
💡 Want help finding a product that’s perfect for TBYB? Use StoreBuild.ai’s AI Research Tool or reach out to our team.

Step 2: Set Up Your Storefront (With the Right Flow)

Your landing page must do three things:

• Explain how Try Before You Pay works.
• Build trust with clear product info, reviews, and guarantees.
• Create urgency (limited stock, 24-hour offers, etc.).

Use a COD (cash-on-delivery) or “Pay Later” tool to collect shipping info without charging upfront. Popular tools like Releasit or CashForm can sync directly with your Shopify store.
💡 StoreBuild.ai can build this for you with all the upsells, tracking, and automations included.

Step 3: Connect With a TBP-Friendly Supplier

Many AliExpress or standard dropshipping suppliers won’t support this model. Instead, use platforms like:

• Dropify Pro (COD-friendly, built for TBP)
• Zendrop or Sup Dropshipping (ask if they offer delayed payment options)

You need:

• Fast shipping
• Reliable tracking
• A refund/return policy that won’t kill your profits

Step 4: Launch With TikTok + Meta Ads

Paid ads are your best bet for scaling quickly. Here’s the funnel:

• TikTok UGC Ads → Go viral with hooks like:
  • “I didn’t believe this was real, but they shipped it before I paid…”
  • “Would you try this for FREE?”
• Landing Page → Explain the TBYB offer, show proof, build urgency
• COD Form → Collect info, confirm order via SMS/WhatsApp
• Follow-Up Automations → Email + SMS to confirm delivery and close the sale

💡 StoreBuild.ai integrates this whole system into your store for you (ads, landing pages, forms, tracking, everything).

Step 5: Automate Follow-Ups & Scale

Once orders start rolling in, your backend needs to do the heavy lifting:

• Use Shopify + Klaviyo for abandoned order and post-delivery follow-ups
• Add tracking tools like TrueProfit or UpTrack to monitor conversion
• Upsell with post-purchase email flows (example: bundles, subscriptions, or limited-time offers)

When is it working? Scale hard with more UGC creatives and country-specific offers (Spain, UK, AU are 🔥 markets right now).

Real Example: $0 to $22K in 30 Days

One of our students launched a TBP skincare brand with just a landing page and 2 TikTok ads. In 30 days:

• 1,172 COD orders
• 9.1% conversion rate
• $22,485 in collected revenue
• $7,408 profit

And no upfront inventory cost.

Final Thoughts: This Model is Just Getting Started

Try Before You Pay is the perfect storm of trust, impulse, and performance marketing—and the best part? Almost nobody is doing it yet. Want a done-for-you setup with product research, landing pages, ads, and supplier syncing?