How to Find Vendors for an eCommerce Shop
Locating vendors for your e-commerce website is not too hard once you know where to look. It just takes time to sort through the potential suppliers to find some that meet your specifications. Using a free or paid directory of wholesale sites can help narrow your focus and speed up the process. Before establishing a working relationship with any vendor, check out their reputation as completely as possible and place a test order with them. The search for reliable vendors is an ongoing process for e-commerce shop owners.
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Instructions
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Wholesale vendor directories are convenient starting places. Go to a wholesale vendor directory.
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Search online. Enter your search term in the search box or click on a category to browse.
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Go to the vendor's homepage. Click on a supplier's link from the list of suppliers on the page you are taken to.
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Look at the vendor's site. Navigate to the supplier's website.
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Investigate the wholesale website carefully. Read their website for details on wholesale and/or dropshipping.
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Eliminate suppliers with bad reputations with a simple search. Do a search of the supplier's name plus the word "scam" or "scams." This is an easy way to weed out any bad vendors right away. You will need to do a bit more supplier vetting later on once you have your list of possible suppliers narrowed down.
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Not all states issue reseller or tax ID numbers. Contact the supplier. Some suppliers will require your tax ID number for you to work with them. Some states do not issue these. Check with your state government's commerce department for details about your particular state.
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Learn from other business owners on blogs and forums. Read forums dedicated to e-commerce. See what people have to say about the particular vendor you are considering. People will be quick to tell you if they have had a bad experience with any given vendor.
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Buy one sample order initially. Order a small sample. Before placing a large order, test the supplier by making a small purchase. This way you can make sure that the quality is at the level you want.
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Finding good suppliers is a constant pursuit. Continue looking for new suppliers even after you have found some you like. You never know when you will need a backup.
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Tips & Warnings
Salehoo.com and WorldwideBrands.com are two of the most popular paid e-commerce wholesale forums that also have pre-vetted suppliers.
The most important thing to remember when looking for vendors for your e-commerce site is to take your time to do your homework. Check a supplier out as thoroughly as you can before you decide to work with the company.
Beware of vendors on Asian wholesale sites peddling so-called name-brand goods for pennies on the dollar. They are almost certainly fake. It is illegal to sell these products.
Some websites claim to have a list of vendors to sell you. Avoid these.
References
Resources
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