ExpressVPN’s apps are simple enough that most people never touch the settings past the initial connect button, which means they’re also missing a few configuration steps that matter for business use. I run Ecommerce Paradise, where I teach high-ticket dropshipping, and working from co-working spaces and airport wifi means these settings matter more than they would for casual home use.
Here is exactly how to set up ExpressVPN, step by step.
| Step | What You’re Doing | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sign up and choose your plan | 5 minutes |
| 2 | Install the app on your devices | 5-10 minutes |
| 3 | Connect using the Lightway protocol | 2 minutes |
| 4 | Enable the kill switch | 1 minute |
| 5 | Set up split tunneling if needed | 5 minutes |
| 6 | Test your connection | 2 minutes |
Not sure ExpressVPN is the right fit yet? Read my full ExpressVPN review first →
Step 1: Sign Up and Choose Your Plan
Pick the term length that fits your budget, remembering the lowest effective monthly rate applies to the longest term. The 30-day money-back guarantee gives you room to test the service risk-free before committing longer term.
Step 2: Install the App on Your Devices
Download ExpressVPN on every device you’ll actually use while traveling. Your plan covers up to 8 simultaneous connections, enough for a laptop, phone, and tablet with room to spare.
Step 3: Connect Using the Lightway Protocol
ExpressVPN defaults to its own Lightway protocol, which is the fastest and most reliable option for most business use. Use the Smart Location feature to auto-select the fastest server, or manually pick a specific country if you need to appear as browsing from a particular location for a supplier account or marketplace login.
Step 4: Enable the Kill Switch
The kill switch (called Network Lock in ExpressVPN’s app) cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops unexpectedly, preventing your real IP from leaking during the gap. Check your app’s security settings to confirm it’s enabled, especially before handling sensitive business logins on public wifi.
Step 5: Set Up Split Tunneling if Needed
Split tunneling lets you choose which apps route through the VPN and which use your regular connection. This is useful if a specific app or service doesn’t play well with VPN traffic but you still want everything else protected.
Step 6: Test Your Connection
After setup, confirm your VPN is actually working by checking your IP address shows the VPN server location, not your real one. Run a quick DNS leak test before relying on it for anything sensitive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is never checking whether the kill switch is actually enabled, since it’s not always on by default depending on platform. The second is skipping split tunneling entirely when a specific business tool has connectivity issues under a full VPN tunnel, leading people to disable the VPN entirely instead of just excluding that one app.
Using ExpressVPN Alongside Your Broader Business Stack
A VPN is one piece of running a location-independent niche ecommerce business securely. Pair it with strong, unique passwords on your supplier and payment processor accounts, and make sure your business formation is properly handled before managing sensitive financial logins from unsecured networks regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up ExpressVPN?
About 15 to 20 minutes total across sign-up, installation, and confirming your kill switch and connection settings.
Is the kill switch on by default?
Availability and default state vary by platform, so check your app’s security settings directly rather than assuming it’s already enabled.
What is split tunneling used for?
Routing only specific apps through the VPN while others use your regular connection, useful when one tool has compatibility issues under a full tunnel.
Can I use ExpressVPN on multiple devices?
Yes, up to 8 simultaneous connections per account, covering a laptop, phone, and tablet with room to spare.
Which protocol should I use?
Lightway, ExpressVPN’s default and fastest protocol for most business use cases.
Building a location-independent ecommerce business? See how my done-for-you store build service works →
Or grab my free beginner’s guide to see how tools like a VPN fit into a complete high-ticket dropshipping system.
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
Still deciding what to sell?
Grab the free list of 1,000+ niches that work for high-ticket dropshipping, sorted by category.
Free. Unsubscribe any time.
