Collaborative post – may contain affiliate links

Online sales growth is an unstoppable force. Think about how many times you’ve purchased something online in the last month, let alone a year. So, it’s no big surprise that e-commerce businesses are becoming more popular than ever. Mobile shopping is also growing. By 2021, 73% of e-commerce purchases will be made on a mobile device. If you have a product that people want, selling it online can be a smart and successful option. 

Maybe you’ve got everything you need for your business to grow. You have a great website, a strong team, and marketing knowledge. You already know what your business needs to achieve success. 

But, how can you safely source products for your e-commerce site?

DIYing Your Products or Services

Many e-commerce businesses, especially those that are starting small, will choose to do everything on their own. DIYing your products and shipments is a great way to get started because it puts you in total control. A few things to keep in mind as you prepare to launch include: 

• How long it will take you to ship a product
• Where you’ll store your products
• How packaging and shipping costs will impact you
• How long it will take to make your product(s) from start to finish

You’ll also need to create a plan to communicate your shipping timeline to customers. We live in a world where people want to know when they can expect their order right away. Major companies like Amazon and most retailers are able to do this, giving accurate estimates of when customers can expect their package. If your company can’t keep up with those demands, it could be time to hire a professional. 

Working With Dropshippers and Sourcing Agents

If you can’t (or don’t want to) source products on your own, you might want to consider working with a drop shipper or sourcing agent like leelinesourcing.com to make your life easier.

When you go this route, you can purchase products from a vendor and list those products on your own e-commerce site. When the products are sold, the vendor will charge you, and you’ll keep whatever extra money is leftover from the sale. You’ll likely have more competition from other e-commerce sites if you go this route because products are limited. But, if you’re just getting started with sales, it’s a great way to build up a big catalog or expand your existing product list. 

Because there are so many wholesalers out there, be sure to do your research when you decide which vendors to purchase products from. If the products are faulty or there are problems with shipping, it’s likely your company will receive blame from the customer. 

Whether you want to DIY or work with other companies, now is the perfect time to jump on board with an e-commerce site. With no signs of online shopping slowing down any time soon, it doesn’t really matter if you make your own products or source them from another company, as long as you create a catalog of things customers are looking for. If you’re able to capture that sweet spot and gain the attention of potential buyers, you can start to see a profit quickly and grow your business and brand.