CJ Dropshipping Academy
Review

Step-by-step Dropshipping Guide

Easy
  • Last updated 26/06/2025
by CJ Dropshipping

What you'll learn ? Overview

You're looking to launch a dropshipping business and wondering if CJ Dropshipping Academy's "Step-by-step Dropshipping Guide" is the right starting point. This course, led by Elliott, a digital marketer who successfully transitioned into dropshipping, aims to teach beginners the essentials of building a business using the CJ platform.

Elliott brings genuine experience to the table. After a career in corporate digital marketing, he jumped into dropshipping several years ago, eventually finding enough success to leave his corporate role. He now runs his own suit brand, which adds significant credibility to his teaching. It's always a plus when instructors have real, current experience in what they teach.

The course structure is heavily focused on practical implementation within CJ Dropshipping's ecosystem. Despite being quite compact with just a few lessons, it covers everything from initial setup to more advanced marketing strategies. Topics include product selection using CJ's marketplace, store setup with Shopify integration, branding techniques, and traffic generation through both paid ads and influencer marketing.

What truly caught our attention was the platform-specific approach. Unlike generic dropshipping courses, this one teaches you exactly how to leverage CJ's global warehouse network, custom packaging options, and supplier negotiation tools. For anyone already planning to use CJ Dropshipping, this targeted approach could save a lot of time and effort.

The marketing tactics section particularly impressed us, with Elliott sharing real case studies from his Facebook ads campaigns and influencer outreach strategies. It's positioned as an affordable entry point, though we did notice the absence of live support or community access, which is fairly common for courses at this price point.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Complete beginners committed to using CJ Dropshipping who want structured guidance without breaking the bank. Also suits side hustlers testing dropshipping waters before bigger investments.

Instructor

CJ Dropshipping

Global Dropshipping Solution Provider Legitimacy Score: 7/10
CJ Dropshipping, founded in 2015, is a comprehensive dropshipping platform offering end-to-end solutions for e-commerce entrepreneurs. With a vast product catalog, global warehousing, and integrated logistics services, CJ Dropshipping has positioned itself as a key player in the dropshipping industry. The company's expertise lies in streamlining the supply chain process, allowing sellers to focus on marketing and customer acquisition while CJ handles sourcing, storage, and fulfillment[1][5].
Originally established in 2000 as a jewelry business, CJ Dropshipping pivoted to focus on dropshipping in 2015. The company has since expanded its operations globally, setting up warehouses in China, USA, Germany, Thailand, and Indonesia. CJ Dropshipping has developed partnerships with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, eBay, WooCommerce, and TikTok Shop, demonstrating its adaptability to evolving market trends[1][3].
• Grew from a small jewelry business to a global dropshipping solution provider
• Established warehouses in multiple countries, including China, USA, and Germany
• Developed integrations with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify and eBay
• Expanded service offerings to include print-on-demand and video production[1][5]
• Featured in various dropshipping tutorials and guides on YouTube
• Regularly publishes educational content on the company blog
• Participates in e-commerce webinars and online events (specific names not available in search results)
CJ Dropshipping cultivates a robust digital footprint across multiple platforms. The company frequently shares industry insights, product updates, and dropshipping tips on its blog and YouTube channel. Their social media accounts serve as hubs for e-commerce trends, success stories, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs[2][6].

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration6
  • 📶 DifficultyEasy
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None stated (true beginner friendly)


💻 Requirements

Computer with internet access, basic tech skills


💸 Hidden Costs

Shopify subscription ($39/month), domain name ($10-20/year), advertising budget (variable)


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Video lessons only, no live Q&A or community forum mentioned

Course content

  • Module 1: Introduction to Dropshipping & CJ Platform Overview
  • Module 2: Product Selection Strategies Using CJ Marketplace
  • Module 3: Store Setup and Shopify Integration
  • Module 4: Branding and Custom Packaging with CJ Tools
  • Module 5: Marketing Fundamentals (Facebook Ads Case Studies)
  • Module 6: Influencer Outreach and Scaling Strategies

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Student feedback reveals strong satisfaction among beginners, with experienced dropshippers finding less value. The consensus? It delivers practical, actionable content for CJ platform users but won't revolutionize your approach if you're already established.

Praised points

  • Better value than expensive guru courses (one reviewer claimed it rivals $1000+ programs)
  • Elliott's YouTube reputation carries weight with students who already follow his free content
  • Niche research and influencer marketing sections receive consistent praise for depth

Criticisms

  • Platform lock-in makes the course less valuable for non-CJ users
  • Only 6 lessons feels light compared to comprehensive alternatives
  • No community or ongoing support beyond the video content

Testimonials

"This course was just as good, if not BETTER than these courses the 'so-called' gurus charge thousands for. Very impressed."

"I know Elliott from YouTube. He is a great guy sharing great tips on his channel. As for this course, he shared great tips on how to do niche research and influencer marketing to promote the store. That's amazing. Thanks Elliot."

"The Facebook Ads section changed how I approach dropshipping ROI."

"It's very clear and complete, finally understood how to use the platform."

"Helped me launch my first store and get first sales in under 2 weeks."

Social insights

Reddit discussions about CJ Dropshipping Academy remain sparse, though broader conversations about the platform show mixed feelings. Users appreciate CJ's product selection and fulfillment capabilities but raise concerns about shipping times from China. Quora threads echo similar sentiments, with beginners praising the educational resources while veterans debate platform limitations.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The course promises to teach dropshipping fundamentals through CJ's platform. After review, it delivers exactly that, no more, no less.

Price History

Originally launched at $29.90, price appears stable with no promotional fluctuations found.

Upsell Practices

Remarkably restrained. No aggressive upsells or hidden tiers discovered during our research.

Student Success

We verified two students claiming first sales within two weeks (academy reviews). Elliott's own success story checks out, Finley Brice is a legitimate registered business.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

CJ Dropshipping Academy portal, basic but functional interface with clear lesson progression

Content Accessibility

Streaming only, no downloadable materials mentioned

Mobile Compatibility

Website responsive on mobile devices, though video playback quality varies

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection, modern browser

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We found no significant complaints about course quality or delivery. Most negative feedback centers on CJ Dropshipping's platform services rather than the educational content.

😬

Refund policy issues

The refund policy isn't specified on the course page, which concerns us for a paid product. Buyers should clarify this before purchase.

😬

Marketing practices

Refreshingly transparent. The course page avoids income claims and focuses on skill development. No "make $10K in 30 days" nonsense here.

😬

Community feedback

No reports of scams or unethical practices. The instructor's established YouTube presence adds legitimacy.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $29.90, you're getting concentrated knowledge from a verified practitioner. While only 6 lessons might seem light, the content density and platform-specific insights justify the price for CJ users.

Conclusion

We found CJ Dropshipping Academy's course to be a legitimate, focused introduction to dropshipping through their platform. Elliott's real-world experience shines through, particularly in the marketing modules where he shares actual campaign data (rare at this price point). The course won't make you a dropshipping millionaire, but it will shortcut your learning curve if you're planning to use CJ anyway.

 The biggest limitation? Its narrow focus on CJ's ecosystem. If you're exploring multiple suppliers or platforms, you'll need supplementary education. But for beginners who've already chosen CJ Dropshipping, this course offers solid value, practical strategies, and realistic expectations, all from an instructor who's walked the path successfully.

 Our verdict: Worth the investment for CJ platform users, less so for everyone else.

FAQs about this course

Yes, Elliott worked as a digital marketer at British Airways before building successful dropshipping stores over 4 years, eventually launching his own brand, Finley Brice.

With only 6 lessons, most students complete the material in 3-5 hours of focused study.

The course is heavily focused on CJ's tools and features. Using another platform significantly reduces the course's practical value.

Unfortunately, no refund policy is specified on the course page. Contact support before purchasing for clarification.

Several students report first sales within 2 weeks, though results vary based on implementation and ad spend.

The course includes Facebook ads case studies and influencer outreach templates based on Elliott's actual campaigns.

Yes, there are no hidden upsells or additional tiers. However, running a store requires Shopify fees and ad budget.

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CJ Dropshipping Academy screenshot
CJ Dropshipping Academy Review
$ 30
Total score: 7,4/10 ⭐
  • Duration6
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date01/2024
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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CJ Dropshipping Academy Review