When you are setting up your online boutique, finding the right dropshipping clothing suppliers is the key to a successful start. Sourcing them is a challenge, however, and there really is no one size-fits-all rule for this process. You have to know your company somewhat, or what you want your company to be, as well as your customers. This is because dropshipping clothing suppliers are often specialized and, while many are willing to help you find the best products for your boutique, few of them will know your market the way you do. They are an essential component of success, but it is more like a partnership than going to the store and buying products to resell. Because of that, we have outlined five things you need to know to find a reliable dropshipping clothing supplier that will help you take your online boutique to the next level.
Know Your Market
The first step is to know your market. That means what you want to sell and to whom you intend to sell it. If you’re just starting out, your market research needs to be thorough and comprehensive. This is one of the most important steps in the whole process outlined here. Not only will it provide you with a foundation for future success, but also it will give you the opportunity to really drill down into your vision. You need to have this complete before moving on to the next step because in order to have relevant conversations with suppliers, you need to know where you stand – and where you want to go.
Know the Suppliers
Once you have completed your market research, it is time to find your dropshipping suppliers. You want to align their capabilities with your needs. This goes for everything from inventory to financing options. You also want to think of scale: Can they meet my needs? Will they be able to grow with me? And can I rely on this company? You will need to look at reviews if possible and talk to your potential vendor as much as possible to gauge the depth of their claims.
Match Your Needs with Supplier Capabilities
What do we mean by matching your needs with supplier capabilities? This is a comprehensive view of your supplier relationship that not only accounts for product but also delivery, seasonality, financing, and more. You need to match as closely as possible with your dropshipping supplier on these aspects in order to leverage the relationship to its fullest potential.
Sourcing Alternatives
When it comes to specific products, you might want to have more than one supplier on hand. There are multiple reasons for this but chief among them is that if one supplier is out of stock the other can pick up the slack. This also helps when it comes time to move forward with a new relationship. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket and be sure to shop around for vendors that can meet your needs and that you can use for various discounts and advantages as they present themselves.
Researching Expansion
Look beyond the present when researching and selecting your vendors. Don’t just think of what you need today and where you are going now, but also where you are headed. Not every vendor will be able to grow with you, and some might expand their relationship with you as you become bigger. Knowing who can do what and what you might need from them down the road is not only good planning, but it is also a solid strategy for helping move the needle forward when you start to grow as a boutique.
