Foolproof Tips to Locate the Best Ecommerce Supplier: How to Find a Supplier for My Business

Building a successful eCommerce business won’t be easy without working with the best suppliers of products you need. Several suppliers are available across niches, but spotting the right wholesaler could be challenging, as I found out. 

It wasn’t easy to get vital information on how to find a supplier for my business as a newbie in dropshipping. However, extensive research made it easy for me to find the perfect eCommerce supplier without much hassle. 

It’s a pleasure to share such vital tips to help you find the best suppliers for dropshipping and other eCommerce activities. Take cues from the details in this post and make logistics, inventory management, and other eCommerce need easy to handle.

1. Use Keyword-Specific Online Searches

If you don’t have an eCommerce supplier you fancy yet, the internet is an excellent place to find several options. Search for wholesalers and distributors with keywords specific to your niche and products. 

You can use keywords comprised of product names, model numbers, and other vital terms.  It’s also smart to add location-specific keywords if you’re not looking for international eCommerce suppliers. 

A detailed Web search can provide you email addresses, phone numbers, and other relevant contact information of suppliers. With this information, you can move to the next step towards finding the perfect eCommerce wholesale supplier. 

2. Connect With a Major Supplier 

Contact wholesale suppliers domiciled in your area if they offer competitive costs and have the products you need. You can also reach out directly to manufacturers if they operate within your vicinity. 

Contacting major suppliers or manufacturers could give you the best prices for products you plan to sell. You don’t need to visit the supplier’s address; a phone call or email should be enough. 

And it’s always a great idea to let suppliers know you’re scouting for quality products and the best deal. Being honest with a supplier could get you better prices, regardless of your initial order size. 

Platforms like Sellvia come in handy if you’re not sure where to look for an ideal business-to-business (B2B) marketplace.

3. Source for Backup Supplier(s)

Supply shortages and unfulfilled purchase orders are becoming more common in the eCommerce space since COVID-19 hit. Major suppliers might have trouble meeting customers’ demands, and that’s where alternative wholesalers become essential. 

A successful eCommerce venture must have at least one backup supplier if your major wholesaler faces logistics problems.  

There’s no need to be dishonest or secretive when sourcing for an alternative supplier. You don’t have to let your primary supplier know about your relationship with other wholesalers. However, your alternative wholesalers must know you don’t plan to make frequent orders for their merchandise. 

Transparency will make your backup suppliers more open to offering you attractive prices to get your full patronage. If several emergencies crop up and your backup supplier doesn’t disappoint, consider making your orders frequent.  

4. Collaborate with Local Brick-And-Mortar Stores

Different kinds of wholesalers exist, and your local brick-and-mortar stores could have the goods to help 

5. Look Overseas

International eCommerce suppliers usually have the resources to serve different markets around the world with minimal strain. And in most cases, international wholesalers tend to offer unmatched prices for bulk orders. 

Consider contacting an experienced eCommerce supplier with a global reach through platforms Sellvia, Alibaba, etc. 

Getting the contact details (emails, website(s), phone numbers, etc.) is easy as most of this information is available online. Also, international suppliers usually have an adequately-staffed, multi-lingual customer service team. 

Make sure to ask your preferred eCommerce supplier the right questions to make sure they can offer the product(s) you need. 

Also, Check – How to Accurately Forecast Business Revenue?

Vital Questions to Ask a Potential Ecommerce Supplier

Finding the right supplier isn’t easy when you don’t know if they perfectly fit your business’ interests. 

1. Do you have the product?
2. What is the lowest order quantity for your product(s)?
3. How much stock is available?
4. What is the timeline for purchase order fulfillment?
5. Do you have a return policy for defective products?
6. What is the price bracket for your product(s)?
7. After a purchase order is sent, what else is required?

The seven (7) questions above are valid for all local or international eCommerce suppliers. However, the following three (3) questions are very essential to ask when dealing with internal suppliers:

1. Are you available 24/7 or within business hours in a particular time zone?
2. Have you handled foreign deliveries to my market before?
3. Do you have representatives that can speak my language?

Also, be prepared to answer a few questions your potential supplier might ask before reaching an agreement. Suppliers might ask about your potential order size, target market, storage capacity, etc. 

Keep The Search On!

Just face it: the chances of maintaining a long-term business relationship with your first eCommerce supplier might be pretty slim. It’s vital to create the most efficient supply chain for your business, and it won’t happen in a flash.

Always remember that your first supplier should have a product that’s of above-par quality that you can sell for profit. And it’s worth noting that you might not get an excellent first price. However, you’ll get more bargaining leverage as your business grows and you begin to build a stronger network. 

First, get the right products to your customers, improve your bottom line, try other wholesalers, and keep researching. As time goes on, your research and contact with other wholesalers will get you great products and unbeatable prices.