Find the best dropshipping suppliers
Finding the best dropshipping suppliers can be a difficult and time consuming task, but it is essential to the success of every dropshipping company. Many suppliers offer the same products, so how do you know which one to choose? Here's our guide to help you through the process.
The importance of finding the right dropshipping suppliers
Unfortunately, not all dropshipping suppliers are created equal.
There are many retailers who masquerade as wholesale dropshipping suppliers. These retailers don't offer value for money, but are often very good at marketing themselves; For this reason, it is important to do a thorough research before choosing a supplier. A simple Google search will not suffice.
While you can always change a supplier if issues arise, it is best to find trustworthy partners from the start as they can influence nearly every aspect of your business, including:
Customer satisfaction, loyalty and reviews
Delivery times and cost
Product quality, pricing and consistency
Your business reputation and brand name
Your working hours and stress levels
Find dropshipping suppliers
From guides to phone calls, there are a bunch of ways to find great suppliers for your dropshipping business.
Here are our top tips for finding the best dropshipping suppliers to get you started:
Contact manufacturers
Contact the manufacturers of the products you want to sell for a list of suppliers they work with.
This simple step ensures that you are looking for legitimate suppliers. If the same name appears, over and over, this could be the perfect resource for you.
Go to a trade fair
Find out if there are any trade fairs in your niche that will take place near you. Tickets can be expensive, but trade shows are a great way to meet suppliers and showcase products in person.
Google widely
As mentioned, many wholesale dropshipping suppliers haven't mastered marketing yet, with that in mind, you should use different Google search terms and look at the first page of Google results, don't ignore a supplier just because there's an outdated website.
Dropshipping Supplier Sites
A number of websites simply and conveniently list suppliers by niche. Some of these directories screen suppliers before they are listed, providing security and peace of mind.
Directories like Worldwide Brands and Salehoo say they screen all wholesale sellers - even though they charge for access.
Below we list some of the popular free sites, but, just like on Amazon or eBay, users rely on reviews and reviews to see which suppliers are trustworthy.
AliExpress
AliExpress facilitates small dropshipping businesses to sell to customers all over the world.
It's easy to search and tools like Oberlo allow you to easily add their products to your Shopify store. It features a large number of products and suppliers, most of whom are Chinese.
DHGate
This is another Chinese site similar to AliExpress. Similarly, DHGate offers a large selection of products and buyer protection, but they also have warehouses in the US which makes delivery times shorter.
LightInTheBox
LightInTheBox has been selling a variety of fashion apparel, electronics and lifestyle products since 2007, reaching more than 200 countries.
TopTenWholesale
This site sells a wide range of products, features a lot of suppliers from the US and has a section dedicated to retail businesses.
How to spot fake wholesale suppliers in dropshipping
As mentioned, some retailers masquerade as wholesale dropshipping suppliers but do not offer wholesale prices, here are some tips for spotting these people.
They sell to the general public
Real wholesale suppliers rarely sell their products to the public directly, in fact, they usually have an application process that ensures they work with legitimate businesses.
They charge a monthly fee
While supplier directories may charge an ongoing fee, your suppliers should not, this is a telling sign that you're not dealing with a real wholesale supplier.
They do not charge a pre-order fee
To provide dropshipping, most suppliers charge an order fee, this covers the cost of picking and packing products individually, not in bulk.
They have no minimum order sizes
Minimum order sizes are also common when working with wholesale suppliers, for example they may charge at least 100 units up front and then fill orders as they come in, be sure to discuss this with potential suppliers.
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This can set alarm bells ringing when looking at any commercial website and it is no different for suppliers.
Lack of industrial knowledge
Whether they are doing a scam or simply not knowing about your standing, inexperienced suppliers should be avoided.
If you can't determine if a supplier is trustworthy, these additional checks may help:
Check to see if they are in a reliable supplier directory
Search the Better Business Bureau website that tracks scams and complaints
Ask product manufacturers if they work with this supplier
Google the supplier's name or address, along with phrases such as "scam"
Contact dropshipping suppliers
Once you have your shortlist, it's time to test potential dropshipping suppliers. But you have to be prepared to impress them, too.
read more:
How to communicate with suppliers
Learn about the supplier system at Masafh