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Selecting suppliers is a critical step that every dropshipping business needs to take. But there are so many factors that need to be taken into consideration when you’re looking for dropshipping suppliers.
Even if you already know which products you want to sell, and you’re sure that they’ll prove to be successful for your business, you need to make sure that you find dropshipping suppliers that can provide the high-quality service that your business deserves.
That’s exactly why we’ve put this article together. We’re going to give you a list of the top dropshipping suppliers plus tips on how to choose the right one for your business. You’ll also learn the difference between dropshipping vendors and dropshipping wholesale too. Plus, we’ll throw in some red flags that you should look out for when you’re searching for dropshipping suppliers.
For your online store, you have the option of teaming up with free or paid dropshipping suppliers. Most online entrepreneurs often opt for paid dropshipping suppliers. Nonetheless, it is possible to select a free dropshipper that will still meet all your business requirements. Thus, helping you save cost while still delivering excellent customer service expected. In this post, we will be discussing how to select free dropshipping suppliers for your online store.
WHY DO YOU NEED FREE DROPSHIPPERS
Here are some reasons why you may need free dropshipping suppliers:
No Fees
Dropshipping has been winning the hearts and minds of a lot of people due to its flexibility. Also, it requires little or no capital to start the dropshipping business. Fortunately, if you use a free dropshipping supplier, you won’t need to pay for anything. In fact, you can even earn some extra money if you decide to use some suppliers. Such dropshipping suppliers offer you a cashback system that allows you to earn a certain percentage of the orders placed through your store.
No Restrictions on Doing Business
Also, most dropshipping suppliers have no restrictions on doing business with them. Regardless of the number of items ordered or price placed on the items, free dropshipping suppliers are always ready to do business with you. They are always ready to corporate with online business owners.
Warehouses Across The World
Free dropshipping suppliers also have warehouses across the world. This will help eliminate any concern of finding suppliers that store their products in your target area or countries.
TIPS TO SELECT FREE DROPSHIPPING SUPPLIERS FOR YOUR STORE
In order to select the most reliable partner for your dropshipping business, you need to analyze their profiles and evaluate these free dropshipping suppliers by several parameters. Below are some useful tips for selecting free dropshipping suppliers for your online store:
Years of Experience
How long has the supplier been selling goods or offering dropshipping services? When it comes to providing quality dropshipping services, experience is important. The last thing you want is to partner with a novice supplier because they are offering free dropshipping. Hence, ensure that you partner with a supplier that has at least a year of experience.
Online Review
Another tip to help you choose the right free dropshipping supplier for your business is the online reviews. These online reviews will tell you the experience of both current and previous customers that have partnered with the dropshipping supplier. Dropshipping suppliers with over 90% of positive feedback is good enough. Anything less might be a red flag.
Customer Feedbacks and Comments
Are the comments and feedbacks trustworthy? Today, some con artists fill their websites with fake and reviews. This shows that the reviews may be fake. Take time to read through the feedback and comments. A supplier with real comments and feedbacks is reliable and can be trusted.
Communication and Customer Support
In every business, customer support and communication is essential. How fast does the supplier reply to customer inquiries and concerns? Your supplier of choice should be in constant communication with customers and partners. Only partner with a dropshipping supplier that customers are satisfied with the supplier’s communication.
How Long It Takes to Ship or Deliver Products
Furthermore, dropshipping suppliers are responsible for shipping products to your customers directly. To ensure that products are delivered on time, the supplier must ship the product early. Hence, before you choose a supplier, ensure that the supplier delivers products to customers quickly.
The “Top Brand” Badge
Finally, always be on the lookout for the “Top Brand” badge when choosing a free dropshipping supplier. This indicates that the supplier is experienced and reliable. Your online business will benefit a lot from partnering with a supplier with the “Top Brand” badge.
There you have it! Above are some tips to help you find free dropshipping suppliers for your store. Choosing a reliable partner or dropshipping supplier for your ecommerce business is essential. Whether you are just starting your dropshipping business, you want to change your niche, or you want to expand, free suppliers can be a great option for your online store. By following the tips above, you can find a free dropshipping supplier that is reliable and trustworthy. Thus, helping you save dropshipping cost while providing quality customer service.
How to Spot Fake Wholesale Dropshipping Suppliers
As we mentioned, some retailers disguise themselves as wholesale dropshipping suppliers but don’t offer the wholesale prices. Here are some red flags for spotting these guys.
1. They sell to the general public
Real wholesale suppliers rarely sell their products directly to the public. In fact, they usually have an application process which ensures they’re working with legitimate businesses.
2. They charge monthly fees
While supplier directories may charge ongoing fees, your suppliers shouldn’t. This is a tell-tale sign that you’re not dealing with a true wholesale supplier.
3. They don’t charge pre-order fees
To provide dropshipping, most suppliers charge a pre-order fee of a few dollars. This covers the cost of picking and packing products individually, rather than in bulk.
4. They don’t have minimum order sizes
Minimum order sizes are also common when working with wholesale suppliers. For example, they may charge a minimum of 100 units or $100 upfront and then fill the orders as they come in. Make sure to discuss this with potential suppliers.
5. An address isn’t displayed
This can set alarm bells ringing when looking at any business website and it’s no different for suppliers.
6. A lack of industry knowledge
Whether they are running a scam or simply don’t know about your niche, suppliers lacking expertise should be avoided.
If you can’t decide whether or not a supplier is trustworthy, these extra checks could help:
- Check to see if they are in a reliable supplier directory
- Search the Better Business Bureau’s website, which tracks scams and complaints
- Ask product manufacturers if they work with this supplier
- Google the supplier’s name or address, along with phrases like ‘fraud’ or ‘scam’
Contacting Dropshipping Suppliers
Once you have a shortlist, it’s time to put your potential dropshipping suppliers to the test. But you need to be prepared to impress them too.
What to check before you make contact
- Gauge if they offer a reliable service by checking reviews and order quantities.
- Look at shipping times, return policies and raw materials to see if they suit your audience’s needs.
- Order some products to see packaging, delivery times and product quality for yourself.
What to prepare before you make contact
Before contacting potential suppliers, you’ll want to do two things:
- Prepare information about your business
- Prepare questions for the supplier
Suppliers will want to verify your business is real so have details of your company’s registration handy. Then, you can ask them about products, fees, payment terms, warranties, warehouse locations, support and the technology they use.
You want to show you mean business. This way they’ll be more likely to work with you and, perhaps, even accommodate special requests – like custom labelling.
How to make contact
First, send a DM to test responsiveness – a quick reaction is reassuring. Next, pick up the phone. Speaking to a representative will give you a feel for the supplier’s business style and service. If things are going smoothly, request referrals from some current customers.
Payment options for wholesale dropshipping suppliers
A payment method which suits you will ensure a smooth service for customers. These are the most common options available:
- Credit card: Widely accepted and very convenient, suppliers can simply charge your card as orders come in. Depending on the provider, you can also rack up rewards.
- PayPal: Used by many suppliers, this is another convenient option, but you’ll want to calculate the charges before making a decision.
- Check or bank transfer: These traditional payment options give you some time to pay, for example, a ‘net 20’ arrangement means you’ll have 20 days. But, credit references are usually required.
