How to Find Local Dropshipping Suppliers: Benefits of Domestic Suppliers?

Dropshipping is a viable business model used to make money online. But it’s not just about finding great products and selling them at a profit. You also need to find suppliers of those products, and this can be one of the biggest challenges for new dropshippers. While it may be tempting to work with overseas suppliers due to their low prices, there are many benefits to working with local dropshipping suppliers. In this article, we will explore the benefits of working with domestic suppliers and provide tips on how to find local dropshipping suppliers for your e-commerce business.

Now that you have a general idea of the process let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to find local dropshipping suppliers. Supply Chain Management can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. Fortunately, there are plenty of options out there. If you’re looking for domestic suppliers, consider these significant options:

1 – Directly Reach Out to Wholesalers/Manufacturers

The best way to find local dropshipping suppliers is by contacting manufacturers. This is because manufacturers are the ones who make the products and thus know which products sell well and which don’t. As a result, they can tell you which products would be good sellers for your ecommerce business niche. They can connect you with discounts for setting up dropshipping and may even help you market your new storefront.

2 – Visit a Trade Show or Special Event

Trade shows are a great way to find suppliers. You can get up close and personal with your potential suppliers and see their products firsthand before making a decision. At these events, there is also usually an opportunity for networking with other dropshippers and entrepreneurs in your local area that are looking for the same thing as you are: high-quality products at low prices.

3 – Source Products from the Same Suppliers of Competitors

Don’t be afraid to do a product analysis of your competitors. This includes checking the quality of their products and how long it takes them to get those products from their suppliers to you. You can also check on the shipping cost and speed of delivery in your search for a domestic dropshipper. 

 At some point in this supply chain, you should be able to discover what supplier they are using because there is bound to be a maker’s mark on the product. You can also reverse image the product photo from a competitor’s site on Google and find it that way.

4 – Research Extensively

You should research your supplier’s reputation and reviews, as well as their location and pricing. It’s also worth exploring payment methods and customer service if you intend on working with them long-term, as this will help ensure that they’re a company that works hard to satisfy their customers’ needs.

5 – Watch Social Media

Social media is a great way to find dropshipping suppliers, as well. You can search for them on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms. You can also use forums or YouTube to find domestic dropshipping suppliers by leveraging local geotagging or hashtags.

The best local dropshipping suppliers will have their own warehouses, which means faster delivery times and lower shipping costs. You can also ask them about credit terms and other payment options to help manage your cash flow.

No matter what, you will get better access to quality customer service because the manufacturer will see you as a local business and not a faceless online ecommerce storefront. That means they will be willing to go a little extra mile in their relationship with you.

In general, you can expect the following from local dropshipping suppliers:

1 – Better Communication & Relationship

When you work with local dropshipping suppliers, you get to know them better. Knowing a supplier’s business model will help you understand how it operates and make decisions accordingly. It allows you to experience a higher level of customer service compared to being a number on some other country’s supply database.

2 – Faster Shipping

Another advantage of finding a domestic dropshipping supplier is the speed at which you can get your products to your customers. By working with a domestic supplier, not only do you get access to faster shipping options, but you also can choose from many locations that are closer to home. 

 Anyone who has worked in dropshipping before will tell you the faster you can deliver your goods, the more you can compete with major brands like Amazon and Walmart

3 – Improved Product Quality

Using local suppliers gives you access to better quality products, and the manufacturers are more likely to respond to your needs. In addition, with domestic suppliers, there will be no language barrier for communication, which means you can communicate with them in their own language. That allows you to specify a minor design tweak or improvement that can be easily conveyed and integrated into your marketing.

4 – Possible Credit Options and Cashflow Advantages

Another benefit of working with domestic suppliers is that you have the option to use credit terms. This means that you can pay for the goods later, and your supplier will give you a discount on their products. The more cash you have on hand, the better off your business flexibility to overcome any challenges that come your way.