Finding a good dropshipping supplier is the key to the success of an eCommerce business. What is important to ask yourself before choosing a supplier?
Finding a good dropshipping provider is the most important step for anyone who wants to start selling using this model. While it is essential to find a reliable one, it is not always that easy. One of the main dropshipping suppliers in Europe is BigBuy, which has been immersed in the dropshipping business for about ten years.
What is dropshipping, and how does it works
Dropshipping is a business model through which the intermediary is in charge of making the sale, and the supplier carries out – anonymously – the direct shipment to the end customer. The final consumer receives the product without knowing, at any time, who made the shipment.
It is a very convenient model for online sellers, allowing them to earn money without investing in stock, warehousing, shipping, and fulfillment costs.
Where does the sale take place?
An online seller can do dropshipping across many platforms. You can sell through eCommerce (Shopify, PrestaShop, or any other CMS) or marketplaces.
The most relevant marketplaces vary from country to country: in Italy, for example, Amazon, eBay, or ePrice stand out, but those who want to sell in France or Germany could consider doing it on Cdiscount or Kaufland.
Questions you need to ask yourself before choosing a dropshipping supplier
It is possible to start with some essential questions to ask, as suggested by BigBuy, which has drawn up 5 of them.
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Does the catalog live up to what you are looking for?
A key point, if not the most important, is the catalog. Those looking for a dropshipping supplier are looking for products they will resell on their eCommerce or marketplace. Therefore the catalog of the perfect supplier must be broad, with quality products at a reduced price that allows you to generate a good profit margin and continuous novelties.
Furthermore, it is also important to look at whether the catalog is generalist or specialized. Unless it is 100% clear that the goal is to focus on a specific product niche, choosing a supplier with a generalist catalog is always advisable.
By choosing a supplier specialized in only one product type, if you later need to expand the catalog or create a new store, you will need to search for another supplier and carry out all the management twice.
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Where is the stock stored?
Dropshipping with Chinese suppliers was very common a few years ago, but it started losing ground quickly. This is due to many reasons, such as very long delivery times (several weeks), billing difficulties, lack of warranty, or low quality of products, which in many cases do not meet European quality standards.
Due to these problems, it is advisable to opt for European dropshipping suppliers, with the stock stored in Europe. Even if the margin generated on each sale will be lower, in the short to medium term, it will be equal, as it will not be necessary to assume costs such as guarantees or returns. This makes it easier to build a more sustainable and scalable business.
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What sync options?
One of the first steps when starting to sell via dropshipping is the synchronization of the sales platform (whether it is an eCommerce or a marketplace) with the chosen supplier (i.e., between stock, couriers, tracking, etc.).
The most basic option is represented by CSV files, which must be loaded manually; However, it is always advisable to look for suppliers that offer automated options to avoid mistakes and save time. BigBuy, for example, offers automatic synchronization through its cloud software or API.
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Is it possible to make sales abroad?
While it’s always best to start selling in just one country (preferably the seller’s home country or one you know well and speak the language), one of the best ways to grow in eCommerce is to sell overseas. . For this reason, it is advisable to use a supplier who facilitates cross-border sales.
In this sense, a point that is sometimes forgotten is translations: it is important to ensure that the catalog is translated into different languages. This way, it will be possible to sell in different countries and make every potential customer understand the content. Having a translated shop is a very important point to increase conversion.
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Does the supplier offer fast shipping at low prices?
Shipping is one of the most important aspects of eCommerce. When looking at this, price and delivery times are the two most important factors.
When choosing a dropshipping company, you must always remember to check delivery times, which usually vary from country to country and the rates. In the case of suppliers like BigBuy, the price is low thanks to the large volumes of shipments they make. In the case of a smaller supplier, the ability to negotiate with logistics companies is usually less, and the rates are higher.
How to choose a good dropshipping supplier
In summary, choosing a good supplier for an online business is one of the most important steps for anyone who wants to start selling through dropshipping.
In addition to asking these five questions, it is always important to research, seek opinions and evaluate the best option before deciding which supplier to choose. BigBuy is one of the European dropshipping players, with European stocks, shipments within 24 hours, and over 200,000 items.
