Have you thought about starting an online store or maybe you already have one, but finding the right supply methods is a real obstacle? Choosing a reliable supplier who sells quality products at affordable prices becomes an even more challenging mission, especially since the number of alternatives is currently more generous than ever.
Over time, the Sameday Team, as a logistics partner for numerous online stores, has discovered the criteria for choosing a reliable supplier, as well as what attributes it must have to be considered worthy of consideration.
If you too want to transform your business into a supply brand, offering customers the right products at the right time, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, you’ll discover how to find a supplier you can rely on, as well as the top platforms where you can find five-star distributors from all continents.
With the expansion of online stores, supply methods have become increasingly diverse and easily accessible to entrepreneurs everywhere. If until a few years ago online store owners mainly sold items created in-house , today there are numerous options through which you can obtain the necessary stocks of products.
If you are also the owner of an online business and want to discover new methods of purchasing goods, or you are simply just starting out, here are the main methods of supplying an online store to consider:
This option involves having the inventory provided by a third party, which means it removes the entrepreneur’s responsibility to ensure the production of the goods in-house. A manufacturer is someone who manufactures products, either standard or custom, according to a set of well-defined specifications. In contrast, wholesalers simply provide inventory that they themselves have purchased from another manufacturer.
Regardless of the option chosen, there are a number of advantages and disadvantages that you should consider before entering into a collaboration contract with a manufacturer or wholesaler.
The main advantages would be that:
The main disadvantages are:
Currently, 27% of all online retailers use dropshipping as their primary method of fulfilling customer orders, and the numbers are growing. Basically, with dropshipping, although you own the online store, another supplier takes care of the production, packaging, and delivery of the products to your customers.
Essentially, you just list a series of products on your online store page, collect payment for the purchases, and the supplier takes care of the rest. This method of fulfilling orders is ideal for entrepreneurs just starting out who can’t afford to purchase and store inventory, but also for those who want to diversify their product portfolio with minimal investment.
Here are the main advantages of dropshipping:
Dropshipping also has its disadvantages , such as:
Another disadvantage to consider when running a dropshipping business is that you are not the one who controls the delivery process, and this can be a disadvantage. The delivery time and the condition in which the package arrives at the customer can influence the buyer’s decision to return to your brand, a fact that the Sameday team has also noted over the years of activity in courier. That’s why we’ve introduced a wide variety of services, including delivery via easybox and Sameday Point, to give entrepreneurs more options to fulfill their orders and keep customers happy.
Nowadays, there is a great advantage that merchants of the past did not have – the ability to explore online markets from all over the world. Just a few clicks away, you have a wide range of products in countless fields, from beauty products to car parts and vintage items. In addition, you can easily see what sells best online , and adjust your portfolio according to the latest trends in e-Commerce.
Depending on the niche chosen for your online store, as well as its size, you can use a marketplace to secure the necessary stocks that you can later sell to your customers. Some examples of well-known online marketplaces that are worth exploring and exploiting to the fullest are:
These marketplaces are useful, especially when you want to order multiple products of the same type. However, to avoid potential inconveniences, such as questionable quality, it is recommended to order one copy of each type of product and then opt for full stocks.
The main advantages you have by sourcing from a marketplace are:
However, there are also a number of disadvantages that are good to keep in mind, such as:
The chosen merchandise distributor plays a crucial role in the success of your future online store. Over time, the Sameday team has collaborated with entrepreneurs from various fields, who have confirmed that, in addition to the quality of delivery services, a 5-star customer service , but also a strong brand, the distributor makes the difference. He not only provides you with the necessary products to sell, but also makes them available to you in a timely manner and in perfect condition, offering you the necessary support and backing.
Although it has become a real challenge to find the right supplier among so many alternatives, here are some tips to make your work easier and find a reliable, long-term partner:
Competitors are always a point of reference, especially when your business is just starting out. Discover what types of products your competing online stores sell, as well as who the main suppliers are that supply them. This way, you will find potential collaborators yourself, which you can turn into reliable long-term partners. In this selection process, it is relevant to consider metrics such as: product price, minimum quantity required by the supplier, terms of collaboration, supplier headquarters, and estimated average delivery time.
If you choose to work with a lesser-known manufacturer or wholesaler, it is relevant to find a few other online stores that have worked with them. Reviews are important, and this way you avoid potential inconveniences.
With a simple Google search, you can find a generous list of potential suppliers, from established manufacturers in different fields of activity to popular marketplaces that deliver products worldwide. A big advantage is that, being so well-known, there are already numerous reviews that will help you find the best option.
In addition, you can also find local suppliers from your city, whom you can get to know personally and with whom you can lay the foundations of a solid brand. The advantage of collaborating with a local manufacturer is that you reduce transportation costs, and the chances that the products will be less common and available at other businesses increase significantly.
Trade fairs aim to bring businesses and suppliers together in a unique way, while also helping to create new connections and potential collaborations. These events are attended by manufacturers, suppliers, entrepreneurs, but also people from various fields interested in scaling and innovating their businesses, even as employees.
In Romania, there are numerous exhibitions and trade fairs organized annually, targeting different industries, from clothing, cosmetics, beauty products and makeup, to pharmacy, medicine and technical equipment fairs. Thus, here you can find the right supplier, especially since you have the opportunity to talk to company representatives in person.
In most large cities, and more recently online, there are various trade or business associations, which also include experienced people in the field, a prime example being the Chamber of Commerce . Such groups are the perfect opportunity to exchange opinions and receive valuable recommendations, including in terms of reliable suppliers.
Join a trade association, or if there isn’t one in your city, opt for an online group. You’ll surely find other entrepreneurs as passionate as you, who will help you with advice, phone numbers, and some valuable reviews.
As I mentioned above, reviews are the best tool to estimate the value and quality of a supplier. In the case of local suppliers, the chances of finding many relevant reviews are quite small, but we cannot say the same about famous marketplaces. Alibaba, Amazon or Worldwide Brands are just a few of the platforms that provide hundreds or even thousands of reviews for each retailer.
Thus, you will be able to see what other online store owners say about the respective suppliers in terms of reliability, respected delivery times, product quality, communication, but also support offered in case of critical situations.
A reliable supplier, whom you can rely on at any time, is the key element that will contribute to achieving the desired success. However, the real dilemma that arises in the mind of every entrepreneur is: How do you know if a supplier is a consummate professional?
Fortunately, there are a number of attributes that can guide you towards a serious collaborator, which will help you increase your profit and business, such as:
Finding the right supplier is a process that takes time, patience, and thorough research of all the available options. But after decades of delivering packages for successful brands and collaborating with ambitious entrepreneurs, we can say that we have found the platforms with the most reliable suppliers. These platforms are ideal for both dropshipping businesses and traditional online stores that choose to handle the packaging and distribution of packages in-house.
Here are some ideal alternatives for small, medium and medium-sized businesses that want to expand their portfolio or simply create a reputation in the market:
With over 8 million active suppliers and over 16 billion monthly users, Alibaba is the platform with the most manufacturers, distributors and suppliers in China. It was founded in 1999 and is considered a world leader in the B2B online wholesale market, with a presence in over 190 countries worldwide.
From cutting-edge gadgets, electronic components and technical parts, to clothing, footwear, toys and gardening tools, Alibaba offers a wide range of products from all fields. Many of these can even be customized, and suppliers can provide you with numerous collaboration alternatives.
You can confidently opt for this platform, especially since Alibaba is the 9th largest company in the world in terms of market capitalization, meaning a huge player in the market.
commercial in the world.
Founded nearly 20 years ago, Worldwide Brands is a website with over 16 million certified wholesale products and thousands of commercial suppliers. For a one-time fee, entrepreneurs can connect directly with their chosen suppliers and secure the coveted contracts.
As with Alibaba, the platform offers a variety of products from different fields of activity, as well as trusted suppliers with impressive reviews.
This platform has helped over 130,000 businesses find the right suppliers and ideal products, being publicized and presented as a reliable source, including in Forbes, CNBC, and Huffington Post.
With over 8,000 verified wholesale and dropshipping suppliers and millions of products, SaleHoo is a goldmine for budding entrepreneurs. The platform also features a number of advanced market research options that help entrepreneurs discover new opportunities and niches. It also comes with numerous annual discounts and a money-back guarantee.
If you want to secure your product stocks at more than advantageous prices, then this is the platform you are looking for. With over 2 million products from millions of top Chinese wholesalers, DHgate has registered over 31 million buyers globally, and the numbers are constantly growing.
Factory prices, a unique buyer protection program, and a guarantee that products can be returned and money back are just some of the advantages that the platform offers to its users. And if you think that the prices are not low enough, DHgate often runs numerous promotions and offers that are more than advantageous.
Global Sources is a dedicated B2B marketplace that connects suppliers and businesses, offering great prices and constant deals. The platform has registered over 1.5 million buyers, including top Amazon sellers. In other words, it offers a huge network of suppliers to choose from, as well as a variety of products from different niches and fields.
Although it is not a guarantee, now you will definitely know better how to select the right suppliers, but also which platforms to focus your attention on to discover them. An e-Commerce business is like a puzzle without an exact number of pieces, on which you have to constantly work. Without an important piece like the one represented by the right suppliers, it will be difficult for you to create a solid brand, which customers will literally fall in love with.
However, once you have found a reliable source to secure your stocks, don’t forget the ace up the sleeve of any online business, namely the courier company. With Sameday, your products will not only reach your customers on time, but also in perfect condition. Start delivering with us right now and surprise your customers with every shipment you receive by choosing easybox and Sameday Point for even more convenient delivery.
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