What is product sourcing?
Product sourcing is the process of finding and selecting products to sell in your ecommerce shop. It involves identifying potential suppliers, evaluating their products, negotiating terms, and making the final purchase.
Where can you source products from?
Wholesalers
Wholesalers buy products in bulk directly from manufacturers and sell them to retailers at a discounted price. They are a great option for sourcing popular products at a lower cost.
Dropshipping suppliers
Dropshipping suppliers allow you to sell their products without holding any inventory. When a customer makes a purchase, the supplier ships the product directly to the customer. This is a low-risk option for ecommerce shops.
Manufacturers
Working directly with manufacturers gives you more control over the production process and allows for customizations. This can be a good option for unique or niche products.
Order white label products
White label products are generic products that can be rebranded and sold under your own brand name. This is a cost-effective way to offer a variety of products without the need for manufacturing.
Commission a private label product line
Private label products are custom products manufactured exclusively for your brand. This gives you a unique selling proposition and the ability to control the quality and branding of the products.
Trade shows
Trade shows are a great way to meet potential suppliers and see their products in person. It allows for face-to-face networking and the opportunity to negotiate deals.
Create your own products
If you have a creative product idea, you can create your own products by working with designers and manufacturers. This gives you complete control over the product and can lead to higher profit margins.
8 Shopify product sourcing apps
1. Faire
Faire connects retailers with independent makers to source unique and high-quality products.
2. Printful
Printful offers custom printing and dropshipping services for clothing, accessories, and home goods.
3. DSers
DSers is a dropshipping app that helps automate order fulfillment and product sourcing from AliExpress.
4. Spocket
Spocket allows you to source products from suppliers in the US and EU, with fast shipping and quality control.
5. Syncee
Syncee is a product sourcing and management app that helps you find and sync products from global suppliers.
6. Creative Hub
Creative Hub offers custom product creation services for ecommerce shops, including design and manufacturing.
7. My Online Fashion Store
My Online Fashion Store is a dropshipping app focusing on clothing and fashion accessories.
8. Lulu Direct
Lulu Direct offers print-on-demand and dropshipping services for custom products like books, calendars, and stationery.
Tips for product sourcing
Conduct market research
Before sourcing products, it’s important to understand the market demand and trends. This includes industry trends, consumer needs, legislative trends, and conducting both primary and secondary research.
Get samples
Requesting samples from potential suppliers allows you to evaluate the quality of the products and ensure they meet your standards before making a larger order.
Source local when possible
Sourcing products locally can reduce shipping costs, lead times, and environmental impact. It also allows for better quality control and communication with suppliers.
Work with multiple suppliers
Diversifying your suppliers reduces the risk of supply chain disruptions and gives you more options for sourcing unique or in-demand products.
No products to sell? No problem
If you don’t have any products to sell, you can still start an online store through dropshipping, print-on-demand, or creating your own products. There are plenty of options available to get started without holding inventory.
Product sourcing FAQ
How do you source a product to sell?
Research potential suppliers, evaluate their products, negotiate terms, and request samples before making a final purchase decision.
What is reverse product sourcing?
Reverse product sourcing involves finding potential buyers for products you have access to, whether through manufacturing, wholesale, or dropshipping.
How do online stores get inventory?
Online stores get inventory through a variety of methods, including wholesale purchases, dropshipping agreements, custom manufacturing, and print-on-demand services.
Where can I source products for dropshipping?
You can source products for dropshipping from platforms like AliExpress, Faire, Spocket, and other dropshipping suppliers. It’s important to research the quality and reliability of the suppliers before making a decision.