Finding the right and legitimate wholesalers for your dropshipping businesses is one of the tedious tasks you will encounter when getting started in the dropshipping space. With so many options available on the internet, it can be confusing on who to choose. However, choosing the right approach will help you find both legitimate and quality wholesalers.
- Conduct an Online Research
The first place to start is to conduct online research of dropshipping wholesalers or suppliers in your niche. A simple search on Google will give you a general overview of the available wholesale dropshippers in your industry. All you have to do is to include the terms “wholesaler” or “supplier” alongside your product names to get the results.
Take time to go through their website to find out more about their terms and conditions. Check out their prices, products, customer service operation, and delivery time. You can read their testimonials and reviews online to get an idea of the quality of their services.
- Try the Manufacturer
Contacting the manufacturer can be an excellent way of finding legitimate wholesalers to supply you with your dropshipping products. By going to the source, you will have two options. First, you can start ordering directly if you meet the manufacturer’s minimum order requirements. Second, you can ask the manufacturer to provide a list of their wholesalers or distributors. This way, you are sure of the quality and legitimacy of your products.
- Join Industry Forums
One of the places you can easily get information about wholesales is on industry forums, groups, and professional networks. You will need to take the time to network with them and build a name for yourself. As you do so, you will build a relationship with industry insiders and increase your chances of finding quality dropshipping wholesalers. For you to get to this level, start by building your LinkedIn profile, participate in online forums, and subscribe to industry newsletters.
- Utilize B2B Marketplaces
The major B2B marketplaces are excellent sources of dropshipping wholesalers. If you have no idea where to start, check eBay for sellers who sell their products in bulk. Although eBay may not be ideal for those looking to acquire huge volumes of products, it is a good place to start. Other B2B marketplaces that you may find to be of use include Buyer Zone, Alibaba, AliExpress, Busy Trade, and Global Sources.
- Attend a Trade Show
Trade shows provide excellent opportunities for retailers to interact freely with wholesalers and manufacturers. When you attend such events, you will get to talk face-to-face with wholesale distributors and possibly their manufacturers as well. You can then narrow it down to which specific wholesalers you wish to work with.
- Subscribe to Your Niche’s Trade Publications
For you to stay up-to-date with the happenings of your industry, you need to get every newsletter and magazine that targets your fellow retailers. Look for the advertisements with your products and the distributors or manufacturers of that product. You can also subscribe to their blogs and other sources of information to make sure you get as much information as possible regarding wholesalers in your industry.