Building an online store is easier than ever these days, thanks to user-friendly platforms like Shopify and WordPress. But the real challenge lies in finding the perfect product and supplier for your dropshipping business.
Dropshipping allows you to sell products online without carrying any inventory. Here’s how it works:
- A customer places an order on your store.
- You receive the payment and forward the order details (including customer information and product specifications) to your dropshipping supplier.
- The supplier ships the product directly to your customer, branded with your company information.
- You pocket the profit – the difference between your selling price and the supplier’s wholesale cost.
Of course! Dropshipping offers several advantages for entrepreneurs: You don’t need to buy inventory in bulk, minimizing financial risk. Merchant can easily expand your product range without additional storage or fulfillment costs. Plus, you also manage your business from anywhere with an internet connection.
Unfortunately, locating reliable dropshipping suppliers can be tricky. Traditional wholesalers often lack a strong online presence, making them difficult to find through search engines.
What should you do to find right drop shipping & wholesale suppliers? The answer will be revealed in this blog post!
Wholesale Central
Wholesale Central is one of the oldest directories on the web to find wholesale and drop ship distributors. The directory is free to access, which is great for anyone just getting started and on a limited budget.
However, since the website is free, it’s rarely updated and a lot of the companies listed are no longer in business – in other words, don’t be surprised if you never get a reply back from a company when trying to inquire about their products.
Still, there are a few hidden gems in Wholesale Central so it’s worth a look.
Price: FREE
Alibaba
While giants like Amazon dominate the e-commerce scene, Alibaba offers a treasure trove for experienced dropshippers looking to expand their business.
They boast a massive catalog of products from Chinese wholesalers and suppliers, encompassing nearly every imaginable category. This variety is a huge advantage, allowing you to find almost any product you can dream of selling.
However, using Alibaba for dropshipping isn’t without its challenges. Unlike traditional dropshipping suppliers, most Alibaba vendors operate as wholesalers, requiring a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) for purchases. This means you’ll need to invest a significant amount upfront to buy products in bulk.
Additionally, dropshipping from China often leads to longer wait times for your customers (2-4 weeks or more). In today’s fast-paced world, this can be a dealbreaker, as customers may seek out faster shipping options elsewhere.
Finally, keep in mind the potential for high overseas shipping costs, which can eat into your profits, especially for low-cost items.
So, when is Alibaba a good fit?
Established businesses that have already identified and successfully tested a profitable niche through dropshipping can leverage Alibaba to scale their operations.
By ordering in bulk directly from Chinese suppliers, you can potentially achieve lower product costs and increase your profit margins.
Partnering with a fulfillment center can also be a smart move, allowing them to store and ship your bulk inventory directly to customers, eliminating the need for personal storage space.
It’s important to be mindful of your privacy when using Alibaba. Suppliers might send you unsolicited quotes after requesting information. To avoid email overload, consider using a separate email address specifically for Alibaba communication.
Price: FREE
Salehoo
For those willing to invest, SaleHoo is one of the best favorite premium dropshipping directory. Their user-friendly interface makes finding wholesalers and dropshippers in specific categories a breeze.
Here’s what makes SaleHoo stand out:
- Easy Navigation: Their private directory is well-organized, allowing you to quickly find suppliers for the products you want to sell.
- Profitability Tools: SaleHoo offers handy tools to assess the profitability of a niche before you commit to a product. This can help you make informed decisions and maximize your earning potential.
While SaleHoo might not be the most extensive directory compared to some established players, they’re constantly adding new companies. This means you’ll have a wider selection of suppliers to choose from over time.
Price: $67/year
Albany Distributing
Albany Distributing, a New York-based dropshipping company, stands out for its:
- User-Friendly Platform: Their website boasts a clean and intuitive design, simplifying navigation and product exploration for dropshippers.
- High-Quality Catalog: Albany Distributing offers a well-curated catalog of products.
However, it’s important to note that – Many of their products are popular and readily available elsewhere, like Amazon or local electronics stores. This could lead to higher competition and lower profit margins.
Albany Distributing’s user-friendly interface and well-designed catalog are worth checking out, especially for new dropshippers. However, be mindful of the competition when considering products for your store, as they primarily focus on mainstream electronics.
Pricing: One-time setup fee of $59
Doba
Doba is a dropshipping directory with a large product selection. While their interface might be less intuitive than some, it boasts a vast variety of items to explore.
However, there are some drawbacks to consider!
Many of Doba’s listings are for popular items, which can lead to high competition and lower profit margins, especially when competing with giants like Amazon. Plus, the free trial might not provide the best overall impression due to a less user-friendly interface.
Some users have reported increased spam after signing up for Doba’s free trial. To protect your privacy during the trial, consider using a temporary email address and phone number.
Pricing: Doba offers tiered plans, with a Starter Package at $19.99/month and an Advanced Package at $59.95/month.
Worldwide Brands
Worldwide Brands was once a leader in premium dropshipping directories. While it remains a solid resource, other platforms now offer similar services at lower costs.
The key consideration here is value. In today’s fast-paced online business environment, a lifetime membership might not be the most cost-effective option. Your business needs may evolve, and new directories with innovative features could emerge over time.
Pricing: $269/lifetime membership
We’ve covered directories, but there’s another way to unearth dropshipping suppliers: venturing beyond the first page of search engine results. Traditional wholesalers and dropshippers often lack a strong online presence, making them invisible through basic searches.
The key is persistence. Dig deeper – explore pages two, three, and beyond. This extra effort can lead to valuable discoveries.
Once you find a promising supplier, don’t rely solely on email. Pick up the phone! A real company will have a team available during business hours to answer your questions.
Be wary if you can’t reach anyone. This might indicate a middleman posing as a direct supplier. Remember, legitimate suppliers have established teams to support their business.
By directly contacting a supplier, you can confirm their legitimacy and discuss the possibility of selling their products on your online store.
Price: FREE