Making money online through ecommerce sounds great, but finding the right training can feel overwhelming. Ecom Hacks Academy is a dropshipping course created by Jared Goetz that costs $1,999 and promises to teach you how to build a successful online store using a method called dropsurfing. With so many courses out there, you might wonder if this one is worth your time and money.
Ecom Hacks Academy is a legitimate training program that teaches dropshipping and ecommerce fundamentals, though it comes with a high price tag and requires significant effort to see results. We’ve looked into what this course offers, how it compares to other options, and whether it delivers on its promises.
In this Ecom Hacks Academy review, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the program. You’ll learn about the curriculum, the business models taught, marketing strategies, and real pros and cons. We’ll also help you figure out if this course makes sense for your goals and budget.
What Is Ecom Hacks Academy?
Ecom Hacks Academy is an online training program that teaches people how to build a dropshipping business. The course was created by Jared Goetz, who runs his own successful e-commerce stores and has experience in the dropshipping industry.
The program focuses on what Jared calls “dropsurfing.” This means finding products that are selling well right now and adding them to your online store. Instead of holding inventory, you work with suppliers who ship products directly to customers.
Key Details:
- Creator: Jared Goetz
- Price: $1,999
- Business Model: Dropshipping
- Platform: Shopify-focused training
Jared Goetz runs five Shopify stores himself. He built the academy to share his methods with people who want to start their own online business. The course walks students through the process of setting up an e-commerce store from scratch.
The training covers how to find winning products, set up your store, and market to potential customers. We found that the program is structured to help beginners understand the dropshipping model. However, it requires work and dedication to see results.
Ecom Hacks Academy is a legitimate training course, not a scam. But the high price point of nearly $2,000 means it’s a significant investment for anyone starting out in e-commerce.
Ecom Hacks Academy Review – A Curriculum Overview
The Ecom Hacks Academy is a dropshipping training course created by Jared Goetz. The program costs $1,999 and focuses on teaching students how to build and run an online store using dropshipping methods.
The ecom training is divided into four main modules. Module 1 covers the foundational structure and includes 10 lessons. This section introduces the basics of dropshipping and explains Goetz’s “Dropsurfing” method. We found that it also walks students through setting up their first online store.
The ecom course teaches several key areas of running a dropshipping business:
- Product research – Finding items to sell
- Web design – Creating an attractive online store
- Digital marketing – Getting customers to visit the store
- Store setup – Technical aspects of launching
Jared Goetz runs five Shopify stores himself, which adds real-world experience to the training materials. The course is structured to take students from complete beginners to running their own dropshipping operations.
The program focuses heavily on the dropshipping business model. This means students learn how to sell products without holding inventory. When a customer makes a purchase, the supplier ships directly to them.
The curriculum covers both the technical side of building an online store and the marketing skills needed to drive sales. Students get access to step-by-step lessons that guide them through each part of the process.
Key Business Models Taught
The main business model taught at Ecom Hacks Academy is dropshipping. This is where we sell products online without keeping any inventory ourselves. When a customer buys something from our Shopify store, we order it from a supplier who ships it directly to the customer.
What makes this program different is something called “dropsurfing.” This is a method created by the course founder Jared Goetz. Dropsurfing focuses on finding and selling viral products and trending products that are already getting attention online.
The program teaches us how to:
- Identify hot products that people want to buy
- Build and optimize a Shopify store
- Find viral products using special tools
- Run Facebook ads to reach customers
- Conduct proper product research
The academy includes software that helps us find these trending products automatically. It even provides ready-made Facebook ads we can use. This saves us time when we’re trying to figure out what to sell.
Product research is a big part of what we learn. The course shows us how to spot items that have the potential to go viral and make sales. We learn to look for products that solve problems or catch people’s attention on social media.
The training covers everything from setting up our first store to scaling it into a profitable business. The focus stays on dropshipping throughout the entire program, using the dropsurfing approach to find winners in the market.
Setting Up Your Shopify Store
The eCom Hacks Academy dedicates a full module to building your Shopify store from scratch. We found this section particularly helpful because it walks through every step needed to create a professional storefront.
The course starts with the basics of signing up for Shopify and choosing a plan that fits your budget. From there, we learn how to pick a theme that matches our products and brand style.
Key Setup Elements Covered:
- Domain name selection and connection
- Payment gateway integration (including PayPal)
- Product page optimization
- Shopping cart configuration
- Customer support channels
One important aspect we appreciated was the focus on creating a high-converting store. The training shows us exactly which elements boost conversion rates and which ones waste time.
We also get guidance on how to structure your business legally. This includes choosing between different business entities and setting up proper tax collection.
The course emphasizes speed when building your store. Jared teaches us to get a functional Shopify store up and running in under two weeks. This approach helps us start testing products quickly instead of spending months on design.
The module includes real examples from successful stores. We can see what works and what doesn’t by looking at actual Shopify stores that make sales.
All technical aspects are covered in video format. We watch Jared set up each feature inside his own Shopify dashboard, making it easy to follow along with our own store.
Finding and Sourcing Products
The eCom Hacks Academy puts a strong focus on product research. We learned that finding the right products is one of the most important steps in building a successful dropshipping business.
The course teaches us how to find viral products that are already selling well. Jared emphasizes the importance of testing products before committing to them. This approach helps us avoid wasting money on items that won’t sell.
Key Product Research Methods:
- Analyzing social media trends and ads
- Using product research tools to identify hot products
- Studying competitor stores
- Monitoring trending products across platforms
When it comes to sourcing, the academy guides us through working with suppliers on AliExpress and Alibaba. AliExpress is typically better for beginners because we can order single items without minimum quantities. Alibaba works well when we’re ready to scale and order in bulk.
The training shows us how to evaluate suppliers based on their ratings, reviews, and shipping times. We learn to look for suppliers who offer ePacket shipping or other fast delivery options.
Finding trending products requires regular research and staying current with market changes. The course provides strategies for spotting products early before they become oversaturated. We also get access to methods for validating whether a product has real potential before investing in ads.
The academy teaches us to look beyond just the product itself. We need to consider profit margins, shipping costs, and competition levels when making our final selection.
Marketing and Sales Strategies
The Ecom Hacks Academy puts a strong focus on Facebook advertising as its main marketing method. We noticed that the course teaches students how to create and manage Facebook ad campaigns from scratch. This includes setting up a Business Manager account and building Facebook pages for your store.
The training covers how to use the Facebook pixel to track visitor behavior and improve conversion rates. You’ll learn to set up the pixel on your Shopify store to collect data about potential customers. This data helps you create better-targeted ads over time.
Key marketing topics include:
- Creating effective Facebook ads that grab attention
- Building custom audiences based on website visitors
- Making lookalike audiences to find similar customers
- Manual bidding strategies for ad optimization
- Scaling campaigns once you find winning products
The course teaches advanced techniques like audience intersecting to narrow down your target market. We found that the program shows you how to test different ad creatives and copy to find what works best.
One limitation we spotted is that Facebook advertising is the only traffic method covered. The course doesn’t teach other marketing channels like Google Ads, TikTok ads, or organic social media.
For sales strategies, the academy covers basic conversion optimization for your store. This includes product page layout and checkout process improvements. However, we didn’t find much information about email sequences or upsells in the available course details.
The training aims to help you understand which ads drive the best conversion rates so you can put more budget behind winners.
Scaling and Advanced Techniques
The academy teaches us how to scale our dropshipping stores once we find winning products. We learn different scaling strategies that focus on increasing our advertising budget gradually while maintaining profitability.
The course covers manual bidding strategies for Facebook ads. This lets us control exactly how much we spend on each ad set. We can adjust bids based on performance data instead of letting Facebook handle everything automatically.
Paid ads are the main focus for scaling. The training shows us how to:
- Create custom audiences from our existing customers
- Build lookalike audiences to find similar shoppers
- Use audience intersecting to target specific groups
- Test different ad formats and placements
We also learn about structuring our advertising budget across multiple campaigns. The course explains when to increase spending and when to cut losses on underperforming ads.
Beyond Facebook ads, the program touches on other traffic sources. We get some information about influencer marketing and how to work with social media personalities to promote our products. There’s also content about affiliate marketing programs where other people promote our store for commissions.
The advanced section teaches us campaign structure techniques. We learn how to organize our ad accounts properly as we scale up. This helps us manage larger advertising budgets without losing track of what’s working.
The training emphasizes testing before scaling. We’re taught to validate products and ads at small budgets first, then increase spending on proven winners.
Ecom Hacks Academy Cost and Refund Policy
The Ecom Hacks Academy costs $1,999 for full access to the training program. This is a one-time payment that gives you access to all the course materials and modules created by Jared Goetz.
We want to be upfront about the pricing. At nearly $2,000, this is not a cheap investment for most people starting out in dropshipping. You need to be serious about building an e-commerce business before spending this kind of money.
Refund Policy Details:
- All sales are final
- No refunds are offered
- You cannot get your money back after purchase
This no-refund policy is something we think you should know before buying. Once you pay for the course, that money is gone whether the training works for you or not. There’s no trial period or money-back guarantee to test the program first.
We recommend making sure you’re ready to commit to learning dropshipping before buying. The lack of a refund option means you’re taking on all the risk. If you decide the course isn’t right for you or if dropshipping turns out to be harder than expected, you won’t be able to recover your investment.
Make sure you have the budget for both the course cost and the money you’ll need to start your dropshipping business. The $1,999 only covers the training, not your business expenses.
Community, Support, and Case Studies
Ecom Hacks Academy includes an active Facebook group where members connect and share their experiences. This community brings together people at different stages of their ecommerce journey. We found that having access to other students can be valuable when you’re starting out.
The Facebook group serves as the main support channel for the course. Members share their wins, ask questions, and help each other solve problems. You can learn from others who are testing products and running campaigns alongside you.
Key Community Features:
- Active Facebook group with current and past students
- Real-time experience sharing from other members
- Peer support and motivation
- Field experience from people at different skill levels
The course also provides software that identifies trending products and creates ready-made Facebook ads. This tool is designed to help you find winning products faster. However, we should note that the search results don’t provide detailed case studies with specific revenue numbers or success rates.
While the community aspect adds value to the program, we couldn’t find published case studies showing verified student results. The Facebook group allows you to see what other members are doing, but documented success stories with hard data appear limited in the available information.
The support structure relies heavily on the community rather than one-on-one coaching. This peer-to-peer model works well for some people but may not provide enough direct guidance for everyone.
Pros and Cons of Ecom Hacks Academy
We put together a list of the main advantages and drawbacks we found when looking into this program.
Pros:
- Jared Goetz runs multiple successful Shopify stores himself
- The course follows a clear step-by-step structure
- You get access to software that finds trending products
- Facebook ad templates are included in the training
- The dropsurfing model offers a different approach to traditional dropshipping
- Training covers both store setup and marketing basics
Cons:
- The $1,999 price point is high for beginners
- Dropshipping requires consistent work and effort
- No guarantee of making money even after completing the course
- Competition in dropshipping has increased significantly
- Customer service responses vary based on reviews we found
We noticed the course does provide real value through Jared’s experience. He shares what has worked for his own stores. The included software can save time when researching products.
However, the cost creates a barrier for many people just starting out. You need extra money for ads and inventory on top of the course fee. Dropshipping also takes more time than many people expect.
The training appears legitimate based on what we researched. But success depends heavily on your own dedication and how much time you can invest. We recommend having a budget beyond the course price before starting.
Ecom Hacks Academy Vs. Other Ecom Courses
When we compare Ecom Hacks Academy to other ecom courses, a few key differences stand out. The price is the first thing that catches our attention at $1,999 for the full program.
What Makes Ecom Hacks Different:
- Uses a method called “Dropsurfing” instead of traditional dropshipping
- Includes software that finds hot products automatically
- Provides done-for-you Facebook ads
- Focuses on viral trends and in-demand items
Many ecom courses teach basic dropshipping, but Jared’s approach centers on capitalizing on trending products. This sets it apart from standard training programs.
We’ve noticed that some popular alternatives like Wealthy Affiliate take a different path. They focus on affiliate marketing and building websites rather than running Shopify stores. The learning models are completely different.
Price Comparison:
| Course | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Ecom Hacks Academy | $1,999 |
| Most Basic Ecom Courses | $500-$1,000 |
| Premium Training Programs | $2,000-$5,000 |
The cost sits in the middle to higher range. You’re paying for Jared’s proven systems and his experience running five Shopify stores.
One downside we found is that dropshipping requires a lot of ongoing work regardless of which course you take. The Dropsurfing method might give you an edge in finding products, but success still depends on your effort and testing.
Some courses offer lifetime access while others use monthly memberships. Make sure you understand what you’re getting before you buy any ecom course.
Is Ecom Hacks Academy a Scam?
No, Ecom Hacks Academy is not a scam. It’s a real dropshipping training course created by Jared Goetz, who runs five Shopify stores of his own.
The program costs $1,999 and teaches people how to build online stores using dropshipping. It includes step-by-step videos and software that helps find trending products for your store.
What makes it legitimate:
- Created by someone with actual dropshipping experience
- Includes structured training modules
- Provides real tools and software
- Has an active community for members
- Offers product research training and marketing strategies
We found that many reviewers confirm it’s a genuine course. The training covers important topics like finding products, setting up stores, and running Facebook ads.
That said, legitimate doesn’t always mean it’s right for everyone. The price is high at nearly $2,000. Dropshipping also requires a lot of work, and you’ll need to invest time and money beyond just the course fee.
The video quality varies throughout the course. Some parts have echo issues or lower quality when different instructors appear. This doesn’t make it a scam, but it’s something to know before buying.
You also need to stay current with trends since what works in dropshipping changes quickly. The course gives you the training, but your success depends on how much effort you put in.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
We think eCom Hacks Academy is a solid choice if you’re serious about learning dropshipping. The course covers everything you need to know, from finding products to running Facebook ads.
The price tag of $1,999 is steep. You’ll need to consider whether this investment makes sense for your budget. There are cheaper courses out there, but Jared Goetz has real experience running multiple successful Shopify stores.
We appreciate that the training is structured and complete. The Dropsurfing model that Jared teaches is his own approach to e-commerce. The course also includes software that helps you find trending products automatically.
Here’s what we think matters most:
- You’ll get step-by-step training from someone who actually runs successful stores
- The course is comprehensive and covers all major topics
- You need to put in real work to see results
- The cost is high compared to other options
Dropshipping takes time and effort. We can’t promise you’ll make money right away. You’ll need to test products, learn advertising, and handle customer service.
If you have the budget and commitment, we think the course delivers value. But if you’re just starting out or not sure about dropshipping yet, you might want to try cheaper resources first. The course works best for people who are ready to take action and follow through on what they learn.