Sourcing Products for Drop Shipping

Drop shipping is a way to sell products to customers online without ever having to buy the products first. Drop shipping is a popular way for new business owners to start an eCommerce store when they don't have the money to purchase or the space to keep stock. Like with all businesses, there are risks and for drop shippers, one of the biggest is suppliers. Today we're sharing tips on how to find manufacturers or wholesalers who will drop ship their products on your behalf, along with choosing which products to list on your website.

Finding Trustworthy Drop Shipping Companies, Suppliers & Wholesalers

Once you've already identified the type of products you want to sell, who you will be selling them to, it's time to source your suppliers. As a drop shipper, while you won't need to pre-purchase or store the products, you still need to someone who will do so on your behalf. This can be hard for three reasons:

• some manufacturers or wholesalers won't dropship
• there are some who will take your money and not send the product
• the product is sent, but it is not as described

As the seller, you are the one responsible for getting the product to the customer. You're also responsible for the product being the same as you described it. Any issues with the product, you must deal first with the customer and then with the team who sent it on your behalf. This can be very difficult, especially if they are in another country and language is a barrier.

Your best bet is to spend a considerable amount of time to complete due diligence at the beginning when choosing your suppliers. Here are our tips on how to find reliable drop shippers:

• contact the manufacturer directly, and ask them who their wholesale points of contact are
• subscribe to a drop shipping directory, some of which charge an annual fee
• ask for references from current and past resellers who use the supplier
• search Google
• ask for recommendations from others in business networks you are a member of
• visit trade shows
• order from your competition to see how the product is packaged and where it's from

To get you started on your product search, here are a few well-known drop shipping resources for you to investigate:

• SaleHoo
• AliExpress
• Doba
• Wholesale Central
• MegaGoods
• Dropshipper.com
• Wholesale2B
• Dropship Direct
• Sunrise Wholesale
• InventorySource
• National Dropshippers
• Worldwide Brands

Rebellious Rose is an example of a NZ based store who stocks drop shipped products.

If you are keen to continue forwards with a drop shipping store, Website World has a free DIY website builder for you to create and host your own eCommerce store. Head over and grab your free website trial today.