Under the dropshipping business model, you get to partner with a supplier to sell their products on your website. While the supplier retains the products in their warehouse, you get to sell them through your website. This makes dropshipping one of the easiest and cost-effective ways of doing business. But, how do you find a dropshipping wholesaler to partner with?

Conduct Thorough Research

The first step in finding good wholesaler to partner with in your dropshipping business is to conduct research. Simple research on Google and other search engines will reveal the main wholesales in your niche. As you conduct the research, consider whether you want to go for a domestic or an overseas supplier. This will depend on several factors like the product you want to sell, their prices, shipping terms, service potential, delivery times, and more.

Contact Selected Wholesalers

Once you have identified dropshipping suppliers that suit your niche, contact them. The goal is to find out more about their services and how their partnerships work. Ask questions about their services and whether they can provide contact information of some of their current customers. This will help you get first-hand experience and feedback on the kind of services that the supplier offers. However, it is crucial to maintain a good relationship with the suppliers from the start to build trust in your ongoing engagements. It will also help in getting your questions answered quickly, services expedited, and disputes resolved easily.

Order a Few Samples for the Wholesaler

Based on your findings, select two or three suppliers you would like to work with. Then order a few samples from them to test their quality of service, packaging, delivery times, and other wholesaler-related issues. You should ensure that the final supplier you choose to do business with fits the needs of your business and those of your customers. Ordering samples will also allow you to directly witness the kind of customers will experience when shopping at your store.

Order and Compare Samples from Competition

If you find out that one of your competitors is using a wholesaler you are considering, you can order from them to get an accurate picture of what to expect. This will help you find out how the supplier packages the products and any additional services offers, such as custom labeling. At the same time, if the competitor uses a different supplier, then it is a great opportunity to find the level of services needed to rank higher than them.

Settle for the Most Appropriate Wholesaler

Choosing the most appropriate supplier for your business sounds simple on paper than in real life. While many of them may seem great, only a few will fit the needs of your business. Before you settle on any one wholesaler, look at the products they offer and their reviews. Be sure to talk with the suppliers directly and get to know their business before committing to anyone. Although you may end your partnership at any time later, it is better to select the right supplier first instead of having to deal with the fallout of working with the wrong manufacturer.