Published on

How To Find Shopify Dropshipping Suppliers (Agents | 3PL | 3rd Party)

Introduction

Finding the right reliable supplier for Shopify Drop Shipping can be extremely overwhelming and such a headache when you're first starting your Drop Shipping store. But once you find a quality supplier, you're pretty much going to use them for the rest of your career. If you're watching this video, you're probably at the step where you've built your store and are now looking for a supplier. Regardless of how viral you go or how well your ads are performing, you can't sell anything until you're able to actually ship out products to the customer. It is an extremely important piece of Shopify Drop Shipping, and if you don't have it on lock, you're going to run into a ton of supply chain issues, a lot of customer service headaches, and overall it's just going to be a nightmare. So today I'm going to show you how to find your reliable Drop Shipping supplier.

Six Key Pillars in Choosing a Supplier

1. Communication

If your supplier does not have good communication, you are going to struggle. For instance, platforms like AliExpress or Alibaba make it hard to communicate effectively, especially when dealing with custom packaging or cost and lead times. Good communication helps in getting your point across clearly, essential for smooth operations.

2. Trust

You wouldn't want to send money to a random person on the internet. Trust is vital because if you send money for 100 orders and it takes nine months to get to the customer, it’s going to be a huge problem. Trust builds over time, and this can be facilitated by ordering samples and communicating regularly with your supplier.

3. Quality

Quality is paramount. If your supplier sends out faulty or wrong products, it leads to a plethora of issues. Quality testing each product, especially in the first year, ensures you avoid these problems.

4. Adaptability

Your supplier must be able to meet your changing demands. Whether it's scaling up from 25 to 100 orders a day or supplying different niche products, adaptability in your supplier is crucial to your business's success.

5. Experience

Suppliers with more than five years of experience are usually more reliable. They have proven track records and are less likely to disappear overnight, ensuring stability for your business.

6. Partnership

You want more than just a supplier; you want a partner. A supplier who offers insights, bulk order discounts, and helps you grow your business is invaluable. They should understand that as you grow, they grow too.

Types of Suppliers

Manufacturers

Manufacturers produce goods directly. Though their pricing is cheaper, their communication skills and shipping times are usually lacking.

Forwarders (Agents)

Forwarders act as intermediaries between manufacturers and sellers. They order products to their warehouse, ensure quality and packaging, and then ship them. They offer better communication and packaging than manufacturers.

3PLs (Third-Party Logistics)

3PLs store and ship products that you order in bulk. While they offer faster shipping times, the service comes at a higher cost and is usually beneficial for large-scale operations.

How to Find Suppliers

Using AutoDS

AutoDS offers an all-in-one platform for product research, suppliers, and auto-fulfillment. They have excellent shipping times, communication, and customer service. With features like automated order fulfillment and curated suppliers, AutoDS can be a one-stop solution for beginners.

Using AliExpress

Finding suppliers on AliExpress can be more time-consuming but is doable. Here’s a template to use when messaging suppliers:

Hey, my name is [Your Name]. I run drop shipping stores and am very interested in sourcing my products from you and your team. I have a few questions:

1. Do you support the Drop Shipping business model and allow for single customer orders?
2. What are the fastest shipping routes you have available, and what are the costs?
3. What kind of packaging do you provide? Can you please send a photo?
4. Do you offer customization for the products like laser etching, printing, etc.?
5. If I provide a consistent amount of daily orders, would you offer pricing discounts?
6. Are you a manufacturer or a forwarder?

You might need to message multiple suppliers, but it’s a necessary step to ensure you find a reliable one.

Conclusion

Understanding and selecting the right supplier is crucial to your Drop Shipping business's success. Whether you choose a platform like AutoDS for convenience and efficiency or prefer the control of finding your own on AliExpress, the six pillars (communication, trust, quality, adaptability, experience, and partnership) should guide your decision.

Keywords

  • Shopify Drop Shipping
  • Reliable supplier
  • Communication
  • Trust
  • Quality
  • Adaptability
  • Experience
  • Partnership
  • Manufacturer
  • Forwarder (Agent)
  • 3PL (Third-Party Logistics)
  • AutoDS
  • AliExpress

FAQ

1. Why is communication important when choosing a supplier? Good communication ensures that you and the supplier understand each other, leading to smoother operations and fewer misunderstandings.

2. How can I build trust with my supplier? Trust builds over time through regular communication, ordering samples, and consistent business dealings.

3. Why is quality testing necessary? Quality testing ensures that the products you ship meet your standards and don't cause customer complaints or returns.

4. What is a forwarder, and why might they be preferable to a manufacturer directly? A forwarder acts as an intermediary between you and the manufacturers, ensuring better communication, packaging, and shipping times.

5. How do I find suppliers on AliExpress? You can search for products and message suppliers directly using a template to ask about their services, shipping times, and other crucial details.

Read More