The main distinction between the dropshipping and standard retail models is the fact that the online retailer doesn’t stock or own any inventory. Dropshipping is an alternative retailing model based on third party order fulfilment. Typically, an online store is created that doesn’t keep physical stock of any of the products it sells. Online retailers only place orders on their dropshipping wholesalers as needed. A customer purchases an item from the online retailer who then asks a third-party supplier to fulfil the order. While there are many dropshipping wholesalers in SA, online retailers are able to source their products from companies based anywhere in the world.
How does this route to market work?
If you are contemplating starting an online retail outlet and you have identified a niche that you think will be profitable, preferably something you have an interest in, it is relatively easy to set up an online store. Just create a website that is easy to engage with and use. Once your product offering has been decided, the final and most critical step is to find a reliable third-party company to provide you with products to fulfil your orders. There are a number of dropshipping wholesalers in SA to choose from. The trick is to find a trustworthy and reliable supplier who will deliver excellent service and quality products to your customers. It is your name that the customer knows, you cannot afford to engage with dropshipping wholesalers in SA (or overseas for that matter) who will damage your reputation. Bad reviews will be extremely damaging to your business.
Choose the Correct Supplier
Partnering with the wrong supplier can be catastrophic for your business! Spend time and research potential suppliers carefully. Look at their systems and how they interface with their customers. Choose a company that is fast and flexible with the product offering that suits your business. Look for a company with reliable, accurate communications on the status of your order so that you can easily keep your customers informed on the status of their orders. Not all of the dropshipping wholesalers in SA can provide the support that will give your business efficient and continuous customer flows. Online businesses can often be a relatively low margin endeavour so look for a partner that can provide high-quality items at reasonable prices while offering efficient and cost-effective shipping. Ecomstock is one of the leading dropshipping wholesalers in SA, and a wholesale supplier for e-commerce and online businesses with a multitude of products to choose from. They stock a wide range of consumer goods including electronic appliances, baby and pet products, car accessories, and sporting goods. Their products are very reasonably priced allowing your business to still sell competitively at higher margins.