How to Find Reliable Wholesale Distributors?

Do you own an e-commerce or retail store that you want to upscale? Then finding a reliable wholesaler to source products for your store is the first thing you have to take care of. A reliable wholesaler offers quality products at a cost-effective rate while absorbing the hassle of shipping.

However, finding a reliable wholesale distributor can be challenging. It’s important to look for certain qualities in a wholesale supplier. These are:

• The supplier must provide high-quality products.
• The products have a reasonable price.
• Look for a supplier with positive reviews online and a reputation in the market.

Below is a list of resources you may consider when finding a reliable wholesale distributor.

1. Google & Bing

Google and Bing share a large proportion of all search engine traffic worldwide. So, you can make use of these free tools to find distributors.

Use niche-relevant keywords or product names to find targeted suppliers. For example, if you sell makeup products, search for something like "cosmetics wholesale supplier."

You can also search for a specific brand name for more refined results, such as ‘Puma shoe supplier’. This will help you find wholesalers working closely with the manufacturers.

You might need to dig deeper beyond the first page of search results to get better results as most suppliers do not have a solid online presence.

2. Online Directories

Online directories are the most convenient way to find a perfect supplier. The following are some of the best online directories to find genuine wholesalers.

Alibaba: With 40+ categories and millions of suppliers from 190+ countries, Alibaba is the largest wholesale marketplace. The company has set up a trade assurance policy for wholesalers to ensure quality and help users avoid scams. To find relevant suppliers, you can use filters like supplier type, min order, price, etc.

CJDropshipping: They have warehouses in China, America, Germany, Thailand, and Indonesia; they cooperate with local warehouses in Britain, Australia, France, etc. CJDropshipping is one of the most important strategic partners of Shoplazza. If you own an online store on Shoplazza, then CJDropshipping will be perfect for you.

HyperSKU: With 2000+ vetted suppliers from around 72 countries, Hypersku is a reliable choice to find wholesalers and drop shippers in 15+ categories like fashion, clothing, kids' accessories, pet supplies, home improvement, electronics, and more. They also collaborate with e-commerce platforms like Shoplazza, Shopify, etc.

4WholesaleUSA: It lists around 700 US-based suppliers and has 54 product categories, making it an ideal choice to find US-based wholesalers.

3. Look for Local Distributors

If you sell local products, then it’s better to look for a local distributor so you can contact them easily and check the quality of the products beforehand. Find them on Google using local keywords. For example, if you’re looking for a toy supplier in Florida, search with keywords like "toy wholesaler Florida," "toy supplier Florida," etc.

While you look for local distributors, keep a lookout for international distributors as well; they might give a discounted offer while providing the same quality.

4. Contact the Manufacturer

Some manufacturers supply their products to retailers without involving a third party. So, you can contact the manufacturer and save a middleman's fee. This may also help you get big discounts on bulk orders.

Even if manufacturers don’t directly supply products, you can ask them for a list of their wholesale distributors. This will help you link with wholesale suppliers that the original manufacturer trusts.

5. Attend Your Industry’s Trade Shows

Attending industry-specific trade shows is a great way to interact with numerous distributors in your industry. These shows help connect store owners like you with manufacturers and wholesale distributors. Trade shows usually happen once a year, so keep a close eye to ensure you don’t miss them.

6. Join Industry Relevant Forums

Being part of relevant social media groups and online forums keeps you updated with industry trends. It also allows you to connect with wholesalers and influencers who may help build your brand.

7. Subscribe to Trade Publications

Trade magazines and online publications are rich sources of advertisements to connect store owners and wholesale suppliers. These ads have contact details of potential suppliers so that you can connect with them.

Conclusion

From Googling to finding suppliers on online directories and attending trade shows, this article lists some of the best ways to find trustworthy wholesale suppliers. I hope this guide helps you find the perfect supplier. If you have any questions, please ask in the comments!

(Contributed by Iram Ghafoor & Hermes Fang)