The ways on how to source a wholesale supplier:
𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙜𝙡𝙚
Open a browser and head to the largest search engine worldwide, which is Google. A simple Google search can give you thousands, if not millions, of search results to find the right supplier. Will an ordinary search query work? Nope, you must refine your search by applying the tricks below to gather relevant information.
Use quotation marks to include the words in your search query. For example wholesale “inventory” “xls” wholesale “inventory” “CSV” wholesale “inventory” “xlsx” wholesale “data feed” “xls” wholesale “inventory” “[location]” “xls”If you want to exclude a particular category, let’s say, “kitchen,” use a minus symbol before the word: wholesale “inventory” “xls” -kitchenConversely, add the asterisk symbol if you want to include a search term randomly: wholesale “inventory” “csv” kitchen*
𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨:
Similar to trade shows, an industry association is a formal group where you can mingle with business owners of a particular industry. If you get lucky, they might share wholesale supplier referrals with you. This method is recommended to veteran sellers with years of experience, and not for beginners. Try the search terms below in Google search: 1. “[name of the industry]” industry association 2. “[name of the industry]” industry association in “[location]”
𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙙𝙄𝙣:
Surprisingly, the world’s largest professional social network platform is a treasure trove of wholesale manufacturers. Log in to your LinkedIn account (or register if you don’t have one) and enter in the search box the terms like [name of the industry] manufacturer [name of the industry] manufacturing [name of the industry] supplier [name of the industry] wholesale [name of the industry] wholesaler make sure the distributor’s Linkedin profile is genuine before you hit the “Follow” button. Send them a message to ask for some information but introduce yourself first.
𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙧𝙨:
These are third-party manufacturers who produce their customers’ products. Private label manufacturers are like outsourcing companies, so don’t be confused if you stumble upon a private label manufacturer who is also the actual wholesaler.
𝙅𝙪𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙩:
If you want to automate and refine your search more, there’s an online tool called Jungle Scout. Its basic plan offers a feature known as the “Supplier Database,” which is under the “Find Suppliers” menu. You can enter keywords like product name, ASIN, supplier name, or company name. It is perfect for beginners who want to fast-track their search queries. Jungle Scout’s Supplier Database feature doesn’t show middlemen but only vetted and trusted suppliers
𝙒𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨:
Another way of finding trustworthy suppliers is through online wholesale directories. The most popular are Worldwide Brands and SaleHoo.Worldwide Brands has more than 16 million products on its database. They have contact details of suppliers from different industries across the globe. Their list is updated weekly, and you have to pay a one-time fee to get in. It also has a “scam protection” feature that veers you away from fraudsters.
On the other hand, SaleHoo maintains more than 2.5 million products. You can also connect with more than 8,000 legitimate wholesale suppliers. They have this “supplier review system” and no minimum order quantity (MOQ). You can choose between an annual fee or a lifetime fee to start sourcing. Here are other wholesale directory suppliers you may want to try:1. Liquidation2. Big Lots3. Esources4. The Wholesaler5. Price Master6. The Wholesale Forums7. Tuesday Morning
𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙨:
It is another social networking site that doesn’t only cater to family and friends but also businesses. First, you have to search for a Facebook group targeting suppliers or manufacturers. Enter key phrases like distributors wholesalers retailers [name of the industry]wholesale retail group [name of the industry]If you want to be more specific, add a location in the search keyword. Ensure that the Facebook group you’re joining has a good number of active numbers, and the community is active or publishes posts regularly.
𝙊𝙣𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘽2𝘽 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙗𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨:
B2B wholesale websites behave like Amazon, but its customers are retailers and wholesale sellers that want to purchase products in bulk. You don’t have to initiate contact with suppliers because it is an online marketplace, and you can buy directly from these suppliers. Examples are Alibaba, DHgate, Amazon Business, eWorldTrade, and Global Sources.
