Are you looking for the right wholesaler for your business? – We show you where and with which tricks you can find the best wholesalers for you and your company.
Trading with wholesalers is an important part of many businesses, whether in retail, foodservice or manufacturing. Wholesalers provide access to products in bulk at competitive 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.
Different categories of wholesalers
To find the right wholesaler, it’s crucial to know what kind of business you want to run and what your strategy is. 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. When a product is in demand, you order it from the supplier, who then ships it directly to the end customer. 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 yourself, you gain more control over your inventory and shipping processes. This way you are less dependent on wholesalers’ delivery times. You can also provide customers with more comprehensive information about the products. However, this method is usually more costly.
3. marketplaces
One of the most popular methods today is the use of fulfillment services. In doing so, you fall back on third-party platforms such as Amazon. These external marketplaces handle the shipping of goods, the management of returns and the storage of products. If you want to learn more about Fulfillment by Amazon, or Amazon FBA, you can find more information here.
Choosing the right strategy depends on your business model and goals. It has a significant impact on how you work with wholesalers and how efficiently your business operates.
Top wholesaler platforms
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 being the B2B company. B2B means business to business, so alibaba’s goods are not sold directly to end consumers, 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 to textiles to machinery. The platform allows you to search specifically for suppliers and products and to view reviews and testimonials from other buyers.
The most important features of the platform at a glance:
- Suppliers with strict quality standards
- rated suppliers that are fully authenticated
- secure payment service
- Access to suppliers around the globe
- Quick and easy search
- Supplier ratings
- Simple platform design
- Many payment options to choose from
The disadvantage of alibaba and AliExpress is the long delivery time, because the products are made in Asia. Similarly, there may be language barriers as suppliers do not always speak English, let alone German. 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
The Jungle Scout Supplier Database is especially for Amazon merchants very good 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 from manufacturers.
Quotations can also be managed and orders placed directly in the supplier database. The Supplier Database is therefore a tool for finding suitable suppliers, not a marketplace like alibaba or DHGate. You should definitely check out all the features here.
The most important features of the platform 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
Another platform is SaleHoo. This e-commerce website also offers an extensive product catalog with over 1.6 million products. Although it is one of the smaller companies, it scores with high-quality products. Even world-famous brand products from the USA are offered here.
SaleHoo is known for its rigorous vetting of suppliers. This way, you can count on fast shipping, so even if you make a quick 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
- Training and education tools
For all kinds of questions, SaleHoo’s support can help you, 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. Otherwise, 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 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 looking for high-quality products, 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
When it comes to sourcing products, dropshippers and online retailers have a lot of choices these days. DHgate is another high-quality solution for wholesale. 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. This way you can buy trial items and check the quality yourself before ordering and reselling larger quantities. However, there are already numerous reviews online about the various importers, which can already indicate a good price-performance ratio.
The most important features of the platform at a glance:
- Tools for every business model
- Premium and top dealers
- Many branded products
- Affordable dropshipping services
- Buyer protection for your e-commerce business
The only problem with DHgate is the serious amount of counterfeit items. For this reason, you must pay close attention to which supplier you order from. In the best case scenario, you perform due diligence before you buy, which is the careful analysis and evaluation of the item you want to buy. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting into legal trouble for imprudent purchases.
If you have decided to use the dropshipping method, we can recommend these websites for your search:
Contact wholesaler
After you have found the ideal wholesaler for your online store, the question is how best to establish contact. Here we explain what is important 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.
Understanding of 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.
Recommendations question
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. Remember the name of the person you are talking to so that you can refer back to common experiences in future conversations.
First contact: Important information
In the first interview, introduce yourself and your company and roughly explain your intentions. Your primary interest is to obtain information from the wholesaler, including minimum order requirements, pricing, and distribution structures.
Initial line for e-mails
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!”
Keep patience
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.
Questions about product samples
Ask the supplier for product samples, if possible. This allows you to check the quality and build trust with your customers.
Price Negotiation Tips
Negotiate carefully so as not to lose the wholesaler’s interest. Show how you can enter new markets, reduce its risk and consolidate orders.
Check possibility after dropshipping
However, it doesn’t hurt if the wholesaler also supports dropshipping, as it may make sense for you to switch to dropshipping at a later date if you order goods in large quantities. If you’re interested in dropshipping, you should definitely check out this article: The 6 best dropshipping providers in comparison.
Conclusion – Find wholesaler
As you can see, there are many options on the Internet, so you are sure to find the right trading partner for your project. Whether you find a suitable supplier on one of the world’s largest platforms such as alibaba or with somewhat newer providers such as Tundra 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 you have ahead of you. That being said, most suppliers are very accommodating and you’re sure to find it 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.
