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Small Business Wholesale Suppliers For Online Shops
In the age of large global marketplaces, many are still looking to be part of the independent economy.
They’re using platforms like Amazon, Shopify, Walmart Marketplace, their e-commerce sites to start their own businesses, stores and services.
The Creators market often comes up with these trends, but you don’t have to be a creator to participate in this economy.
There is also a market to buy and sell things already made, for non creators entrepreneurs.
For this group, it’s important to find reliable, good quality and profits friendly merchandise and order fulfillment sources.
You probably have heard or seen successful entrepreneurs using sites like Tik Tok and Youtube to build a niche audience.
This audience is then monetized with an online store using one of the e-commerce platforms.
Many of these entrepreneurs are taking note of Steve Job’s advice
“It’s really hard to design products by Focus groups. A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them”.
So, if you show them the product, your audience may want to buy it specifically from you.
If you have any interest in doing this and are wondering how to buy wholesale products, check these platforms and Apps below.
Sourcing the products you want to sell can be done via a manufacturer, a wholesaler or other third party company.
Fulfilling the sales is done by you directly or via a drop shipper.
This list of wholesalers platforms allows you to find suppliers and drop shippers for fulfillment, meaning you don’t hold any inventory.
What to sell? If you have no idea what to start selling, you can do a manual search on Amazon or Shopify to start narrowing down by categories or product types.
Use the Best Seller Rank on Amazon. This is a number you can check on your search result. The lower this number the better the product’s ranking in sales.
There is also a best seller page on Amazon where you can check out what’s selling on the platform.
And, there is a popular App AMZ Scout to do different types of analysis.
For Shopify, Walmart Marketplace, Etsy and others, you can always do manual research on the specific platform to find good selling products.
This list of platforms and Apps can help you identify suppliers if you’re looking to;
- Buy Amazon wholesale products
- Buy wholesale clothes for an online store
- Find drop shippers and suppliers
- Buy wholesale electronics and accessories
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Small Business Wholesale Suppliers
These trade companies and suppliers directories list many wholesalers and drop shippers if you’re looking to source a product.
Global Sources
A large global directory of suppliers in categories like consumer electronics, fashion, home appliances and many more products.
This platform serves the B2B marketplace listing millions of products and suppliers. Even though suppliers are verified by this company, you should do your own research into them before doing your first transaction.
You can use the platforms website or the App to browse thru the directories.
You can always ask for product samples to verify authenticity.
Alibaba and AliExpress
Alibaba and AliExpress are like the “open Sesame” to everything wholesale. The first platform is geared towards BtoB transactions and the second is for BtoC transactions.
Both platforms are essentially directories of wholesale suppliers and drop shippers. They link global wholesalers to merchants and to consumers.
Be mindful of products quality and suppliers reliability.
Vet potential suppliers using the different platforms’ tools. You may communicate with suppliers using the platform and ask for products samples from them.
These wholesalers directories list millions of products and raw materials from multiple categories.
DHGate
This site is similar to AliExpress connecting buyers and sellers worldwide. This is a B2C platform where you can also buy smaller wholesale quantities.
This marketplace list sellers, it does not sell products of their own. Some of the products categories you can find here include; jewelry, clothes, electronics and other items.
Like in any of the B2B or B2C directories, you have to do your research on the supplier or seller you’ll be dealing with.
Find Wholesalers Using Suppliers Apps
Spocket
This is an App you can use to source wholesale products in the US and Europe.
Spocket offers sourcing services at a discount so that you can make a potential profit on sales.
Most common products traded on this service include; jewelry, clothing, beauty products and more.
Modalyst
Finding wholesale suppliers in the United States is not easy, this supplier directory makes it possible.
If you’re interested in working with US based suppliers check out the trade services provided by Modalyst. It has access to global suppliers as well as US based.
Using this platform you’ll have access to Eco friendly, private label add designer brands suppliers.
Integrations with Shopify, Wix and Big commerce are available.
The Modalyst platform also offers drop shipping service.
Creative Hub
Want to open an art store, but you’re not an artist? Creative Hub allows you to find contemporary art to sell on a shop, on Instagram, Facebook and the channels.
Many artists and businesses use Creative Hub’s system to place their works for sale.
Open an account, link art work to your shop and channels and Creative Hub takes care of the shipping once they are sold.
In this Art platform you can sell art on print, frames are not available.
Syncee
This is a B2B platform for drop shippers, wholesale suppliers and retailers. This App can be integrated with your Shopify, Big commerce and other channels accounts.
At Syncee you have access to suppliers in multiple industries like beauty products, eco friendly products, hobbies items and more.
Shapewaves
This is not a traditional supplier directory. The platform allows you to upload a 3D model of a product you want to manufacture physically.
This is an option for those who are ready to manufacture their own products using industrial materials.
Final Thoughts
These are some of the wholesale suppliers that are used by many of the e-commerce stores around the world.
Many of these suppliers tend to be internationally located. Local suppliers do exists and make more sense for some sellers.
Keep in mind that these are directories or trade platforms, they don’t own or sell products.
To find reliable suppliers you still have to do your research from the lists provided by the directories.
Internet communities like Reddit and industry forums are good places to talk to other sellers about their experience with a particular directory or specific suppliers.
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