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Find wholesalers: The 5 best platforms

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Trading with wholesalers is an important part of many businesses, whether in retail, foodservice or manufacturing. Wholesalers provide access to products in bulk at lower prices, which can increase the profitability and competitiveness of your business.

But how do you find the right wholesalers for your needs? This is where online platforms come into play. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best platforms where you can find wholesalers, along with some tricks to find the best ones for your company.

What is a wholesaler?

Wholesale suppliers are businesses that buy goods directly from manufacturers and then sell them to online or brick-and-mortar retailers for a profit. This fills an important gap in the supply chain, facilitating connections between manufacturers and retailers, so that the companies that manufacture the products no longer have to market and distribute them.

Wholesalers are able to get such low prices because they buy items from manufacturers in large quantities. Normally, they also have a product license, meaning they can get products not available to regular consumers, as well as buying goods well below the price point offered to retailers.

After buying inventory from a wholesaler, retailers repackage the products for individual sale. The price of goods from a wholesaler can vary, but most retailers pay a wholesaler 50% of the amount they charge consumers.

Different categories of wholesalers

To find the right wholesaler, it’s crucial to know what kind of business you want to run. Not all suppliers support the same business concepts, so it’s important to clarify in advance what kind of business partners you’re looking for. Three main strategies can be distinguished here:

1. Dropshipping

With dropshipping, the customer buys the product through your online store, but the wholesaler handles the storage and shipping. In this case, your store acts only as a sales platform, and you benefit from lower costs.

2. Own storage and shipping

When you stock and ship products with your own business, you gain more control over your inventory and shipping processes. This way you are less dependent on the delivery times of wholesalers. You can also provide customers with more comprehensive information about the products. However, this method usually requires a higher upfront investment.

3. Marketplaces

One of the most popular methods today is the use of fulfillment services. With this strategy, seller use a third-party platform such as Amazon. This external marketplace ships goods, stores products, and manages returns. If you want to learn more about Fulfillment by Amazon, you can find more information here.

It’s important to think about your business model carefully since which one you choose will have a significant impact on how you work with wholesalers and how efficiently your business operates.

Top wholesaler platforms

In the following you will find a listing of the most effective platforms to find the right wholesaler for your business.

AliExpress/Alibaba

AliExpress and Alibaba belong to the same company. Alibaba is a business to business platform. In other words, Alibaba’s goods are not sold directly to end consumers, but instead trade takes place exclusively between two companies.

Alibaba is undoubtedly one of the most famous platforms for finding wholesalers. With millions of sellers from around the world, Alibaba offers a wide range of products, from electronics over textiles to machinery. The platform allows you to search specifically for suppliers and products and to view reviews and testimonials.

The most important features of the platform at a glance:

  • Lots of rated suppliers that are fully authenticated
  • Many suppliers with strict quality standards
  • Many payment options to choose from
  • Access to suppliers around the globe
  • Simple platform design
  • Secure payment service
  • Quick and easy search
  • Supplier ratings

The disadvantage of Alibaba and AliExpress is the long delivery time, because most of the products are made in Asia. Similarly, there may be language barriers as suppliers do not always speak English. Otherwise, Alibaba Group is one of the most popular online markets for a reason, but you should consider in advance which of the two sites is more suitable for your purposes.

Supplier Database

Jungle Scout Supplier Database

Jungle Scout Supplier Database is especially for Amazon merchants to find wholesalers. You can search the database for manufacturers and wholesalers and get valuable data such as the number of customers or confirmed deliveries and use this data to your advantage.

You can also manage quotes and place orders directly in the Supplier Database. Therefore, the Supplier Database is a tool for finding suitable suppliers, not only a marketplace like Alibaba. You should definitely check out all the features here.

The most important features of the tool at a glance:

  • Extensive supplier database
  • Filters and search functions
  • Supplier ratings and reviews
  • Contact information
  • Integration with other Jungle Scout tools
  • Updated data
  • Image material
  • Support with supplier analysis

SaleHoo

SaleHoo

Another platform is SaleHoo. This e-commerce website also offers an extensive catalog with over 1.6 million products. Although it is one of the smaller companies, the high quality of its products is noteworthy. Even world-famous brand products from the USA are offered here.

SaleHoo is known for its rigorous vetting of suppliers. They also offer fast shipping, so even if you make a time-sensitive purchase, you don’t have to worry about unexpected delays.

The most important features of the platform at a glance:

  • High quality branded products
  • Wide range of wholesale products
  • Many support resources for beginners
  • Lower order quantity possible
  • Fast shipping of orders
  • Training and education tools

SaleHoo’s support is strong and they are able to help sellers with a wide range of questions, from search engine optimization to advertising via LinkedIn. There are countless educational resources you can use to tie your store to things like email automation. You can also communicate by phone with staff from the U.S. to clarify any uncertainties.

SaleHoo is certainly a good choice for any company that wants to increase its visibility with reliable delivery times and high product quality.

WholeSaleCentral

wholesalecentral

WholeSaleCentral is a leading online wholesale platform that offers businesses and retailers a wide range of products from various categories. This platform is designed to help buyers access trusted wholesalers and manufacturers that offer high-quality goods at competitive prices.

The most important features of the platform at a glance:

  • Organization of suppliers by categories
  • Product localization options
  • Top supplier lists and ratings
  • Always new offers
  • Support for suppliers and retailers
  • Excellent selection of products

Whether you’re an established business looking for new suppliers or an up-and-coming e-commerce entrepreneur, WholeSaleCentral provides the tools and resources to meet your sourcing needs. Discover the variety of products and business opportunities offered by this platform and increase your business success by accessing wholesale products of the highest quality.

DHgate

DHgate is another high-quality wholesale solution. DHgate is among the largest marketplaces in the world and hosts thousands of suppliers. It provides a marketplace where millions of products are sold in a variety of categories.

One of the best features about this Chinese directory is that many sellers have low minimum order requirements. You can also buy trial items and check the quality yourself before ordering larger quantities and check numerous reviews about the wholesalers.

The most important features of the platform at a glance:

  • Tools for every business model
  • Premium and top dealers
  • Affordable dropshipping services
  • Buyer protection for your e-commerce business

The only problem with DHgate is the serious amount of counterfeit items. This makes it important to pay close attention to which supplier you order from. Carefully analyze and evaluate the item you want to buy, or you could run the risk of getting into legal trouble for reselling knock-off products.

Wholesalers for Dropshipping

If you have decided to use the dropshipping method, we can recommend these websites for your search:

  • Printful: A print-on-demand dropshipping service that allows you to create and sell custom products, such as clothing, accessories, and home decor. It integrates with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy, offering high-quality printing and a wide range of products without the need for inventory.
  • Spocket: Offers a curated list of dropshipping suppliers primarily based in the US and Europe, ensuring faster shipping times and high-quality products. The platform provides easy integration with Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing you to choose from thousands of unique products across various categories.
  • AliDropship: This is a WordPress plugin that transforms your website into a fully functional AliExpress dropshipping business. It offers automated product importing, order fulfillment, and pricing updates, enabling you to efficiently manage and scale your online store with access to millions of products on AliExpress.
  • WorldwideBrands: A directory of certified wholesalers and dropshipping suppliers that connects you with thousands of trusted partners across various industries. It provides access to millions of products at wholesale prices, ensuring you can find reliable suppliers for your e-commerce business with no ongoing fees per sale.

Contacting wholesalers

After you have found the ideal wholesaler for your online store, the next question is how best to establish contact. Here are the most important things to keep in mind when contacting potential suppliers:

  • Direct contact is crucial. Direct communication with the supplier is often more effective than going through middlemen. Try to contact the wholesaler directly by email or phone to avoid confusion and delays.
  • Understand sales structures. Companies use various distribution and supply systems. Some supply directly to end customers, while others work with intermediaries. Clarify early on how many intermediaries are involved to better understand costs.
  • Ask for recommendations. Suppliers in the same industry rarely compete because they offer different products. Ask the wholesaler for recommendations or a list of reputable suppliers. These insights can be very helpful when searching for wholesalers.
  • The first impression counts. Successful initial discussions lay the foundation for a good business relationship. In the first interview, introduce yourself and your company and briefly explain your intentions. Your primary interest is to obtain information from the wholesaler, including minimum order requirements, pricing, and distribution structures. For example, your email might start like this: “Hello, I founded the company (…). We want to sell (…) and are looking for a suitable wholesaler. Please send me information on minimum order requirements and wholesale prices. Thank you!”
  • Be patient. When emailing, check your inbox regularly and be patient if you don’t get a response right away. Sometimes it takes several attempts to make the desired contact.
  • Ask for product samples. If the supplier has product samples available, take advantage of them. This allows you to check the quality and build trust with your customers.
  • Negotiate prices carefully. You want to get the best price, without negotiating so aggressively that you lose the wholesaler’s interest. It can bolster your negotiation power to show how you can enter new markets, reduce the wholesaler’s risk and consolidate orders.

Other ways to find wholesale suppliers

The marketplaces listed above are the simplest way to locate and connect with wholesale suppliers, but they aren’t your only option. There are other ways to connect with reliable, trustworthy suppliers, such as:

  • Social media. You can join groups on social media related to your niche or devoted to retailers and merchants. Other sellers may know about great suppliers they can share with you.
  • Join trade organizations for your niche. Companies that supply the products you sell will often also be members of these groups. Many groups have member directories where you can search for suppliers. Being a member can also facilitate your start since being a member of trade groups enhances your professionalism and trustworthiness.
  • Talk to other local businesses. While international wholesalers can offer great prices, a local manufacturer can also have advantages. For one thing, shipping is much less of an expense. It’s also easier to develop a relationship with other businesses in your area. You can join your local chamber of commerce or attend events for local business owners to meet others in your niche. Talk to them about their suppliers and ask if they can put you in contact with them.
  • Connect with suppliers in person at trade shows. Trade shows give you the opportunity to make a personal connection with suppliers. You can also see and interact with their products in person so you can be confident the product quality meets your standards.

The right approach to finding wholesalers will depend on your business and personality. Some people thrive on building face-to-face relationships. For others, the convenience of a marketplace makes it the better option.

Tips for choosing a wholesale supplier

You will likely find a range of suppliers that could suit your business. That leads naturally to the next question: How do you choose the best one for your business?

A lot of this will come down to the products themselves, including their quality and average cost. Here are some other tips and things to keep in mind while you’re choosing a wholesaler.

  • Be wary of suppliers who offer goods to the public. If a wholesaler claims to offer these wholesale prices to general consumers, that is a red flag they may not be legitimate.
  • Be aware of all fees. Membership fees are fairly standard in the wholesale world, so it’s not a problem if a supplier asks for these. That said, make sure they tell you this information up front and that you’re aware of any extra costs or other fees you will be paying.
  • Get multiple quotes. There will often be multiple suppliers for the products you sell, and you don’t have to work with just one. Having multiple suppliers makes you more resilient and less dependent. Even if you only go with one at first, getting multiple price quotes helps you verify that you’re getting the best price.
  • Be smart with your initial order sizes. This can be a balancing act. You want to order large enough quantities that you get the benefits of wholesale pricing, but you don’t want to go all-in on a new product before you’ve tested it in the market. Carefully consider your budget and business needs before placing your first order.

Conclusion – Find wholesaler

As you can see, there are tons of options when it comes to wholesale suppliers. That variety can be a good thing, but it also means you need to carefully consider which will be the right trading partner for you. Whether you find a suitable supplier on one of the world’s largest platforms such as Alibaba or a local supplier is irrelevant. Focus on the factors that are most likely to help your business.

Not every supplier will get back to you and most of the time it won’t work out on the first try. But look at it this way: Every great company started as a small startup and had to walk the same path. Most suppliers are very accommodating. Once you start searching for wholesalers, you will learn the process to connect with them is easier than you first think.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

A Google search is the obvious solution here. However, trade associations, trade fairs, or even social networks also come into question.

Wholesale describes the procurement and resale of large quantities of one or more products to commercial customers.

In the article we have compiled a selection of the most suitable platforms, the best-known wholesaler here is Alibaba.

Typically, a wholesaler buys from the manufacturer, but in some circumstances it may also buy from another reseller.

Wholesale is also a trading man. He purchases large quantities of goods, directly from the manufacturer and sells them in smaller quantities to his customers.

First of all, you should think about your sales strategy. Once you’ve decided, you can move on to different platforms depending on your strategy to find the right wholesaler.

Before you contact a wholesaler, you should have basic information about your company, your products, and your business goals. Make sure you are clear about your intentions, including the products you want to source.

Choosing the right wholesaler requires research. Use online platforms like WholeSaleCentral to find potential suppliers. Consider what criteria are most important to your business, such as minimum order quantities, locations, and product availability.

Direct contact with the wholesaler is often more efficient and enables clear communication. Try to avoid as many middlemen as possible to prevent delays and misunderstandings.

Your first contact should be polite and informative. Introduce yourself and your company, explain your intentions, and ask for information about minimum order quantities, pricing, and other relevant terms and conditions.

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Moritz Bauer

Moritz Bauer launched his first ecommerce business in 2018 and has since built multiple successful online ventures. Drawing on years of hands-on experience, he crafts engaging, data-driven content that helps entrepreneurs and businesses unlock their full potential. Whether breaking down complex business strategies or introducing new software tools, Moritz is passionate about empowering businesses to succeed in today’s fast-paced digital world.

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