05/26/2021
10 Ways to Find Suppliers for Your Amazon FBA Wholesale Business
1. Google
Open a browser and head to the largest search engine worldwide, which is Google. A simple Google search can give you thousands, if not millions, of search results to find the right supplier. Will an ordinary search query work? Nope, you must refine your search by applying the tricks below to gather relevant information.
Use quotation marks to include the words in your search query. For example:
wholesale "inventory" "xls"
wholesale "inventory" "csv"
wholesale "inventory" "xlsx"
wholesale "data feed" "xls"
wholesale "inventory" "[location]" "xls"
If you want to exclude a particular category, let's say, “kitchen,” use a minus symbol before the word:
wholesale "inventory" "xls" -kitchen
Conversely, add the asterisk symbol if you want to include a search term randomly:
wholesale "inventory" "csv" kitchen*
2. Industry trade publications
Your newly found Google tricks would be helpful from here on. Subscribe to every magazine that targets wholesalers or distributors in your industry. The easiest way to do this is to search for the publication's website. Once you find it, try to subscribe to their online newsletter and blog as well.
3. Trade shows
Attending these kinds of events opens you up to various opportunities, such as meeting like-minded people and networking. Trade shows are the gathering of buyers and sellers from different industries in one place. You might also have a chance to connect with big brands or suppliers. Usually, wholesalers present their products on stalls or exhibitions; hence, you can check them out.
You don't have to set an appointment and wait for days or weeks because, in gatherings like these, you're already meeting them in person. A face-to-face discussion is much better than cold-emailing them. You're also talking with the original resource person, thus eliminating false information you might get on the web.
4. Industry associations
Similar to trade shows, an industry association is a formal group where you can mingle with business owners of a particular industry. If you get lucky, they might share wholesale supplier referrals with you. This method is recommended to veteran sellers with years of experience, and not for beginners. Try the search terms below in Google search:
"[name of the industry]" industry association
"[name of the industry]" industry association in "[location]"
5. LinkedIn
Surprisingly, the world's largest professional social network platform is a treasure trove of wholesale manufacturers. Log in to your LinkedIn account (or register if you don't have one) and enter in the search box the terms like:
[name of the industry] manufacturer
[name of the industry] manufacturing
[name of the industry] supplier
[name of the industry] wholesale
[name of the industry] wholesaler
Make sure the distributor's Linkedin profile is genuine before you hit the "Follow" button. Send them a message to ask for some information but introduce yourself first.
6. Private label manufacturers
These are third-party manufacturers who produce their customers' products. Private label manufacturers are like outsourcing companies, so don't be confused if you stumble upon a private label manufacturer who is also the actual wholesaler.
7. Jungle Scout
If you want to automate and refine your search more, there's an online tool called Jungle Scout. Its basic plan offers a feature known as the "Supplier Database," which is under the "Find Suppliers" menu. You can enter keywords like product name, ASIN, supplier name, or company name. It is perfect for beginners who want to fast-track their search queries. Jungle Scout's Supplier Database feature doesn't show middlemen but only vetted and trusted suppliers.
8. Wholesale directories
suppliers is through online wholesale directories. The most popular is Worldwide Brands and SaleHoo.
Worldwide Brands has more than 16 million products on its database. They have contact details of suppliers from different industries across the globe. Their list is updated weekly, and you have to pay a one-time fee to get in. It also has a "scam protection" feature that veers you away from fraudsters.
On the other hand, SaleHoo maintains more than 2.5 million products. You can also connect with more than 8,000 legitimate wholesale suppliers. They have this "supplier review system" and no minimum order quantity (MOQ). You can choose between an annual fee or lifetime fee to start sourcing.
Here are other wholesale directory suppliers you may want to try:
• Liquidation
• Big Lots
• Esources
• The Wholesaler
• Price Master
• The Wholesale Forums
• Tuesday Morning
9. Facebook groups
It is another social networking site that doesn't only cater to family and friends but also businesses. First, you have to search for a Facebook group targeting suppliers or manufacturers. Enter key phrases like:
distributors wholesalers retailers [name of the industry]
wholesale retail group [name of the industry]
If you want to be more specific, add a location in the search keyword. Ensure that the Facebook group you're joining has a good number of active numbers, and the community is active or publishes posts regularly.
10. Online B2B wholesale websites
B2B wholesale websites behave like Amazon, but its customers are retailers and wholesale sellers that want to purchase products in bulk. You don't have to initiate contact with suppliers because it is an online marketplace, and you can buy directly from these suppliers. Examples are Alibaba, DHgate, Amazon Business, eWorldTrade, and Global Sources.
