Product sourcing may seem simple, but it's often far more complex and time-consuming than most entrepreneurs expect. However, there are ways to streamline the process if you understand some of its intricacies. We explain these in greater detail so you can take your Amazon and dropshipping business to the next level.
If you're new to product sourcing, you may experience a few roadblocks and headaches as you navigate a challenging process. And even if you're accustomed to sourcing products from China and dropshipping them to your customers, you may still face difficulties. That's why we've put together this handy guide to help you get to the bottom of product sourcing and unlock additional value for your business.
Product sourcing encompasses all the tasks necessary to find the suppliers that will supply you with the products you want to sell at your online shop, brick-and-more store, or dropshipping business. You can also source manufacturing parts to produce your brand's products or even packaging materials to ship your products to customers.
On a surface level, sourcing products to sell on Amazon may seem simple and easy. However, with anything business-related, expect to deal with several complexities, so you must do your due diligence to succeed. So, don't go in guns blazing with your Amazon business until you understand the following:
●Choose a business model: Based on your business goals, budget, company structure, marketing skills, sales experience, and time availability, decide on a suitable business model. Thus, you must choose whether to function as an arbitrage, wholesale, dropshipping, or private label business for your Amazon store.
●Product research: Having an interest in the products you sell is sensible, but you'll be more successful if you choose products that actually sell well on Amazon. Start your research by browsing the Amazon store to determine the product categories and niches gaining the most traction. Use powerful third-party research tools like AMZScout, Helium 10, and Jungle Scout to gather more data about best-selling products.
●Find product suppliers: After you've decided on the products you wish to sell, you must find suppliers that keep these in stock. More importantly, these suppliers must stock high-quality products from reputable brands, as you risk gaining negative reviews from Amazon customers if you sell them shoddy or defective products from sketchy brands. Negative reviews can potentially sink your sales and destroy your Amazon business.
●Negotiate prices and place your order: Engage a supplier you've shortlisted and negotiate better prices and conditions. Then, place your order and decide on the most suitable shipping option. Assess the ordering process, product quality, customer service, and delivery times. These factors will determine whether it's worth partnering with this supplier for the long term.
China product sourcing is complex and arduous, especially if you're new to the process. To start, you must register your company and operate as a business entity recognized in China. The good news is that most forms of business will be accepted, but seek the advice of an expert in this field beforehand.
Then, you must find a supplier, and you can do this by searching for 'Global sources China' using your favorite browser. Your search results will bring up many suppliers, but you won't know which suppliers are worth your time without intensive research.
Expect a more challenging situation if the products you wish to source are from Chinese suppliers and manufacturers with a limited online presence or don't communicate in English or another language you're fluent in.
A good way to deal with this situation is to type 'Sourcing agent China' in the search bar. Then, pinpoint a reputable sourcing agent who has successfully served many customers globally and has the credentials and testimonials to prove it.
But what can a sourcing agent do for you? The sourcing agent assumes the role of an intermediary between you and the supplier or manufacturer. Services the agent can offer include finding and vetting suppliers on your behalf, negotiating prices, inspecting product quality, placing orders, and handling logistics. It's also not uncommon for some agents to offer photography, video creation, and packaging design services.
Of course, you'd have to handle all the above tasks yourself if you decide not to work with a sourcing agent. But there's no need to deal with the stress and agony of product sourcing when fantastic services already exist, as you'll soon see.
Wholesale sourcing is the process of finding and purchasing products directly from wholesalers. The main advantage of doing so is that you gain access to a wider range of products at lower prices than you would from smaller niche suppliers and manufacturers. And if you partner with TVCMALL, a leading B2B wholesaler from China, you can expect the following perks:
●AI-powered recommendations from our inventory of over 1 million products
●No MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) on 95% of our products
●Fast shipping (3-5 days)
●DOA warranty for 30 days
●World-beating customer support
TVCMALL helps streamline product sourcing from China by offering a service designed to fit your needs precisely. Moreover, we blast the doors wide open and give you access to the best-in-class products directly from the factory at factory-direct prices. Our platform also helps streamline dropshipping sourcing, from displaying products to submitting customers' orders and handling deliveries.
But that's not all, as we're also a leading electronics source for finding the best products in the following categories:
●Computer & Network
●Smart Wearable Devices & Accessories
It's wise to prioritize product sourcing, especially if you're selling on Amazon, dropshipping, or looking for great wholesale deals from China. So, isn't it time to partner with a reputable and reliable B2B wholesaler to assist you with product sourcing. Contact us today to learn how our outstanding consumer electronics, cell phone accessories, and wholesale platform can transform your business and help you THRIVE!
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