Where to Source Your Products From When Dropshipping?

Are you currently researching more about dropshipping? And are you’re not sure where you should source your products from or how to find products to sell on your dropshipping store? Awesome! In this article, I will cover everything that you need to know so you can start your dropshipping journey!

You're dropshipping. This means that you're not holding any inventory and that you will need to find dropshipping suppliers where you can source the products from. You can find these dropshipping suppliers on platforms like AliExpress, Spocket, uDroppy, and many more. These suppliers will ship the sourced product directly to your customer!

But before we cover all the platforms that you can source your products from, let's figure out what the dropshipping business model means and why people do it.

What Is Dropshipping and Why Do People Do It?

Let’s start this article by understanding what starting a dropshipping business means.

If you already understand it, then you can click here to scroll down and skip this part!

If not, then I will explain it really simple to you:

1. You got an online store where you sell products, but you don’t have any of these products in your storage, or in your house.
2. When someone places an order on your dropshipping store, then you place that same order directly with your dropshipping supplier. Don’t worry. There are a lot of apps out there that help you with automating this. For example, DSers, or these 14 DSers alternatives.
3. Then your dropshipping supplier will handle the rest. Think about preparing the package and sending the order straight to your customer.
4. Now your customer will receive the package straight from your dropshipping supplier, and you never touched the product in between!

The most common question people have now is, won’t my customer know that the package didn’t come from me?

For example, aren’t there any advertisements or recipes from the supplier in the package?

No.

You just need to make sure that your supplier accepts dropshipping and blind dropshipping.

You can learn more about blind dropshipping by reading this article here.

Alright, but why are people interested in dropshipping? And why do people want to dropship?

Most people that are researching about dropshipping, and want to start/are running a dropshipping store do this for one or more of these reasons:

• Earning more money. If done right, then dropshipping could earn you a lot. Just take a look at these success stories.
• Being their own boss. Some people don’t like to work for a boss, so they search for other ways to earn an income.
• Location-independent work. A dropshipping store can be run from just about anywhere with an internet connection. As long as you can communicate with suppliers and customers easily, you can run and manage your business. This is also called being a Digital Nomad.

If you’re interested in learning more about dropshipping, then I suggest reading this article written by me:

Dropshipping for Beginners: What Is It & How to Start Today?

Where to Source Your Dropshipping Products From?

Now you know what dropshipping is and you understand that you're not going to hold any inventory, it's time to know how to source these products.

What you will need are dropshipping suppliers. These suppliers ship the product straight to your customer. If you're interested in learning more about what a dropshipping supplier is, then you can click here.

Also, don't worry if you're not sure what to sell on your dropshipping store. I'll cover that below!

So, as you read above, as a dropshipper, you're not holding any inventory your self. You don't store any products in your house or in, for example, a fulfillment center.

This means that you will need to find suppliers that have inventory and support dropshipping. Because, as you read above, the dropshipping supplier will do everything for you. From producing the product to shipping the product straight to your customer.

Most people that are just beginning with dropshipping use AliExpress for this because it's one of the easiest platforms to use, and it has almost every product that you can imagine.

AliExpress is, really simply said, the Amazon of China. So keep in mind that you will most likely be dropshipping from China, which means 2-4 weeks delivery times. (Source)

If you decide to go with AliExpress, then I suggest reading this complete guide here. It contains everything you need to know when you want to start with AliExpress dropshipping!

AliExpress Dropshipping: A 20-Step Getting Started Guide (2024)

But of course, that's not all. Most people start with AliExpress dropshipping, but that doesn't mean that dropshipping equals AliExpress.

Do you know why? Because dropshipping is just a fulfillment method! It isn't tied to AliExpress.

There are so many other platforms out there and different ways to find suppliers! For example, dropshipping from the country that you're living in or dropshipping from the country where most of your customers live.

Plus, if you're not going to dropship from China, then that has awesome benefits as well. For example, a faster delivery time!

So how to find these awesome dropshipping suppliers?

Well, I can name them all below here, but then this article will be really long. That's why I suggest you read one of the following articles below:

• 14 Best Free Dropshipping Suppliers (+ Niche Suppliers Included)
• 15 Alternatives to Dropshipping With AliExpress
• The 17 Best Free US Dropshipping Suppliers

Just don't forget to ask the right questions to find the best dropshipping suppliers for your store.

What Is a Dropshipping Supplier and How Many at the Same Time Should You Have?

Now we covered what the dropshipping business model is and where to source your products from.

You might be wondering now what a dropshipping supplier is, or maybe you're wondering how many suppliers you should have at the same time, right?

Should you stay with only one dropshipping supplier or multiple at the same time?

If that's you right now, then I suggest reading the article I linked to below where I will answer all these questions for you:

Should You Do Dropshipping With One or Multiple Suppliers

How to Find Products to Sell on Your Dropshipping Store?

This step is a bonus step especially for you! Because I know a lot of people that are just starting with their dropshipping store are wondering what they should sell. They got questions like these:

“What should I sell?” or “How do I know if that product will sell or not?”.

If you recognize yourself in one, or both, of these questions, then don’t worry. I will help you further below!

But first, you need to understand that there are two ways to do product research for a dropshipping store.

The first option is to do it your self, and the second option is to use a (free) product research tool.

I will separate this step into two steps explaining both options that I talked about above.

But before we get started, please keep in mind that some products are better to be avoided when dropshipping. For example, products that could cause you (legal) troubles in the future or products that have a high return percentage (hint: products that require sizing). You can learn more in the article below:

13 Products You Should Avoid Dropshipping | Be Careful!

Also, you can click here if you want to learn what a “winning product” is. That article also contains some product examples!

What if you want to do the product research your self?

This step, doing product research your self, is what most people go for but is also the step that most people are stuck with.

I wrote a complete guide for you that you can read anytime you want. It contains 15 awesome winning product research methods

This way, you know exactly how to find products that could sell well!

Do you know what the best thing is about that article?

Most of these product research methods are free to use. So, this is perfect if you’re on a budget and you don’t have that much money to spend! You can find it here:

How to Find Winning Dropshipping Products (13 Research Methods)

What if you want to use a dropshipping product research tool?

Doing product research your self is great (and free most of the time), but it takes a lot of time.

That’s where a product research tool could come in handy.

This tool helps you with finding the best products for your dropshipping store, so-called “winning products”.

I suggest reading the article I linked to below. It contains the best dropshipping product research tools in 2024:

The 17 Best Winning Dropshipping Product Research Tools

Do You Want to Learn More? Here Are My Recommendations!

Are you currently dropshipping? Or do you want to start dropshipping?

Awesome! I’ll link to the articles below that I recommend you read next.

This way, you will be fully prepared to take your dropshipping store to the next level in 2024!

I just want to say one thing; my blog doesn’t endorse any paid dropshipping courses. (I hate them, they are the reason I created this blog)

If you’re interested in learning more about these dropshipping “gurus”, then I suggest reading the article I linked to below:

• 6 Things That Dropshipping Gurus Do Not Tell You As Beginner

And if you’re interested in learning more about dropshipping, then I suggest reading one of the articles below:

• How Many Products Should You Have to Start Dropshipping?
• How to Start Dropshipping for Free in 2024? (5 Unusual Tips)
• The 25 Best Dropshipping Websites & Companies for Your Store
• How to Find out If a Dropshipping Niche Could Be Profitable in 2024?

And also, if you didn’t create a Shopify account yet (to get your dropshipping store online), then you can click here to get a free 3-day trial + pay $1/month for the first 3 months!

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about sourcing your products. You even learned how to find products for your dropshipping store. How is awesome is that?

I'll give you one more tip for your dropshipping store; dropshipping is still a real business; please treat your customers right and put time and effort into creating your store. Don’t open it in a few hours and expect to make sales the next day.

If you have any suggestions for this article, or if you have any questions regarding dropshipping, then let me know by commenting below or contacting me directly by pressing the “Contact Us” button at the top!

Also, let me know where you’re currently (or want to start) sourcing your dropshipping products.

I wish you the best with your dropshipping journey!