the very best UK dropship and wholesale directories
Locating UK Dropship and UK Wholesale Resources
Locating a UK dropship company or UK wholesale supplier for your home based Internet business can be a time consuming and frustrating activity. Web search results tend to be dominated by irrelevant non-UK resources or dubious middle-men companies out to pocket your money whilst providing limited service. To assist you in locating quality UK oriented dropshippers and wholesalers, this article details reputable online directories and other resources relevant for UK based Internet business. These resources can really help you to focus your search for quality product suppliers, which can mean huge savings to you in time, effort and money !
UK Dropship and Wholesale Directories and Resources
The following resources have been identified as ideally suited to locating product sources for UK based Internet business. The resources are all online directories - searchable databases of products supplied by UK dropship and UK wholesale companies. Most of the suppliers found in the directories will have an Internet site listed. The directories are all updated on a regular basis. In some cases, the directories may provide additional categories for suppliers based outside of the UK. Although some of these resources are free to search, most do require a modest subscription fee. This may be considered as an excellent investment in your business, enabling you to concentrate your time and energy into a focused product search.
For UK dropship references, the 'UK Dropship and Wholesale Directory' is hard to beat. Not only is this one of the largest references of UK dropship companies, but also of UK wholesale suppliers. A modest one month subscription will allow you to check out what the site has to offer. If you like what you see, a low cost one-time lifelong subscription is best value.
One of the largest dedicated UK wholesale references on the Internet is the 'UK Wholesale, Trade and Discount Directory' . Besides traditional wholesalers, there are even listings for alternative suppliers such as liquidation, surplus and clearance stockists, UK government and police auctions. A low cost one week subscription will enable you to evaluate the directory for yourself. A lifetime membership subscription represents the best deal on this directory.
Although based in the USA, 'The Shipper' has substantial UK dropship and UK wholesale categories in its 'drop shipper' and 'below wholesale' searchable databases. Their site offers a preview of categories and products that are on offer.
We also like 'The Wholesaler UK', an advertiser sponsored UK wholesale trade directory. It's free to search and well worth a look !
Finally, few companies operating on the Internet today can boast a company history as old as that of the business publication 'Kelly', established in the UK way back in 1799. Today it offers 'Kellysearch - Less digging, more results' - a searchable online trade directory enabling product searches in locations from the UK to worldwide. This is a neat site - and searching is free !
Alternative Resources
Are there alternatives to online directories ? Well, if you already know what product you wish to sell online, you may consider contacting the manufacturers directly. Trade directories and journals available in many public libraries are a good starting point for contact details. If a manufacturer will not supply goods to retailers directly then they will usually be happy to provide details of their distributors. Then contact the distributors directly to discuss drop shipping or low minimum order wholesale possibilities.
We do not recommend purchasing printed or downloadable lists of wholesalers, such as are often to be found in online auctions. These are often hopelessly out of date and unreliable, which in the end will cost you lost time and money.
About UK Dropship
A drop shipper, or drop ship company, is either a manufacturer or wholesaler who will ship an order directly to your customer. The receiving customer will see only your business details on the package. This way of doing business has the advantages that you don't pay for the item until it's sold, you do not have to hold an item in stock and you are not involved in the physical packing and posting of the item. Dropshipping in the UK is relatively new but growing fast !
About UK Wholesale
Although some product manufacturers may sell directly to retailers, most prefer to leave the distribution of their products to wholesale companies. Variously known as distributors, manufacturer's representatives, import/exporters and so, wholesalers are in the business of moving goods from the manufacturer to the retailer (in this case to yourself, the end seller of products to the consumer). By using a wholesaler, you as the retailer are responsible for stocking inventory, marketing, packaging and posting of the goods sold on your online shop. Wholesale is of course long established in the UK.
Maximizing your profits
In order to maximize your operating profits, you should cut out unecessary middlemen in the chain between the manufacturer and yourself. They only reduce your profit margin whilst adding no value of service. The ideal wholesale or drop ship company to do business with:
1. Does have their own warehousing and distribution facilities.
2. Does not sell retail themselves - they will only deal business to business.
3. Does not charge account opening fees or monthly maintenance fees.
4. Does not sell 'off the shelf' or 'customized' web sites with which to sell items they supply.
And, to be really sure, you should always compare wholesale and retail prices from competing providers.
Regarding wholesalers, for a home based business you will probably only want to deal with those that offer low minimum orders, thereby minimizing your initial investment.
Sticking to products you know and concentrating on niche markets will greatly improve your chances for a profitable online store!
Import / Export considerations
When dealing with distributors based outside the European Union, you should consider extra costs payable on imported items such as VAT, customs duties and handling fees. Conformation of imported products to European Standards may also be an issue. Taking these considerations into account, plus international shipping costs and possible issues with returned goods, we do not recommend using a non-UK drop shipping company to supply your UK based Internet business.
As far as wholesale items are concerned, dealing internationally will certainly make a wider product range available to your business. You may consider initially using a UK based importer - at least until you feel comfortable working in the area of import business.
If you do decide to deal with overseas wholesalers, it's well worth to take a look at USA based worldwidebrands.com, 'The Home Ebiz Product Sourcing Experts' - possibly the largest and certainly one of the most reputable international wholesale and drop ship resources available. Their free EBook 'starting your Internet business right' is a great read for any one intending to start a home based Internet shop.
Finally
Many thanks for visiting our site, we value your visit and do hope the information contained here will prove useful to you. We wish you every success working with UK dropship and UK wholesale companies in your e-commerce endeavours ! Contact us
Copyright © 2005-2006 uk-dropship-wholesale.com. All Rights Reserved.
Locating a UK dropship company or UK wholesale supplier for your home based Internet business can be a time consuming and frustrating activity. Web search results tend to be dominated by irrelevant non-UK resources or dubious middle-men companies out to pocket your money whilst providing limited service. To assist you in locating quality UK oriented dropshippers and wholesalers, this article details reputable online directories and other resources relevant for UK based Internet business. These resources can really help you to focus your search for quality product suppliers, which can mean huge savings to you in time, effort and money !
UK Dropship and Wholesale Directories and Resources
The following resources have been identified as ideally suited to locating product sources for UK based Internet business. The resources are all online directories - searchable databases of products supplied by UK dropship and UK wholesale companies. Most of the suppliers found in the directories will have an Internet site listed. The directories are all updated on a regular basis. In some cases, the directories may provide additional categories for suppliers based outside of the UK. Although some of these resources are free to search, most do require a modest subscription fee. This may be considered as an excellent investment in your business, enabling you to concentrate your time and energy into a focused product search.
For UK dropship references, the 'UK Dropship and Wholesale Directory' is hard to beat. Not only is this one of the largest references of UK dropship companies, but also of UK wholesale suppliers. A modest one month subscription will allow you to check out what the site has to offer. If you like what you see, a low cost one-time lifelong subscription is best value.
One of the largest dedicated UK wholesale references on the Internet is the 'UK Wholesale, Trade and Discount Directory' . Besides traditional wholesalers, there are even listings for alternative suppliers such as liquidation, surplus and clearance stockists, UK government and police auctions. A low cost one week subscription will enable you to evaluate the directory for yourself. A lifetime membership subscription represents the best deal on this directory.
Although based in the USA, 'The Shipper' has substantial UK dropship and UK wholesale categories in its 'drop shipper' and 'below wholesale' searchable databases. Their site offers a preview of categories and products that are on offer.
We also like 'The Wholesaler UK', an advertiser sponsored UK wholesale trade directory. It's free to search and well worth a look !
Finally, few companies operating on the Internet today can boast a company history as old as that of the business publication 'Kelly', established in the UK way back in 1799. Today it offers 'Kellysearch - Less digging, more results' - a searchable online trade directory enabling product searches in locations from the UK to worldwide. This is a neat site - and searching is free !
Alternative Resources
Are there alternatives to online directories ? Well, if you already know what product you wish to sell online, you may consider contacting the manufacturers directly. Trade directories and journals available in many public libraries are a good starting point for contact details. If a manufacturer will not supply goods to retailers directly then they will usually be happy to provide details of their distributors. Then contact the distributors directly to discuss drop shipping or low minimum order wholesale possibilities.
We do not recommend purchasing printed or downloadable lists of wholesalers, such as are often to be found in online auctions. These are often hopelessly out of date and unreliable, which in the end will cost you lost time and money.
About UK Dropship
A drop shipper, or drop ship company, is either a manufacturer or wholesaler who will ship an order directly to your customer. The receiving customer will see only your business details on the package. This way of doing business has the advantages that you don't pay for the item until it's sold, you do not have to hold an item in stock and you are not involved in the physical packing and posting of the item. Dropshipping in the UK is relatively new but growing fast !
About UK Wholesale
Although some product manufacturers may sell directly to retailers, most prefer to leave the distribution of their products to wholesale companies. Variously known as distributors, manufacturer's representatives, import/exporters and so, wholesalers are in the business of moving goods from the manufacturer to the retailer (in this case to yourself, the end seller of products to the consumer). By using a wholesaler, you as the retailer are responsible for stocking inventory, marketing, packaging and posting of the goods sold on your online shop. Wholesale is of course long established in the UK.
Maximizing your profits
In order to maximize your operating profits, you should cut out unecessary middlemen in the chain between the manufacturer and yourself. They only reduce your profit margin whilst adding no value of service. The ideal wholesale or drop ship company to do business with:
1. Does have their own warehousing and distribution facilities.
2. Does not sell retail themselves - they will only deal business to business.
3. Does not charge account opening fees or monthly maintenance fees.
4. Does not sell 'off the shelf' or 'customized' web sites with which to sell items they supply.
And, to be really sure, you should always compare wholesale and retail prices from competing providers.
Regarding wholesalers, for a home based business you will probably only want to deal with those that offer low minimum orders, thereby minimizing your initial investment.
Sticking to products you know and concentrating on niche markets will greatly improve your chances for a profitable online store!
Import / Export considerations
When dealing with distributors based outside the European Union, you should consider extra costs payable on imported items such as VAT, customs duties and handling fees. Conformation of imported products to European Standards may also be an issue. Taking these considerations into account, plus international shipping costs and possible issues with returned goods, we do not recommend using a non-UK drop shipping company to supply your UK based Internet business.
As far as wholesale items are concerned, dealing internationally will certainly make a wider product range available to your business. You may consider initially using a UK based importer - at least until you feel comfortable working in the area of import business.
If you do decide to deal with overseas wholesalers, it's well worth to take a look at USA based worldwidebrands.com, 'The Home Ebiz Product Sourcing Experts' - possibly the largest and certainly one of the most reputable international wholesale and drop ship resources available. Their free EBook 'starting your Internet business right' is a great read for any one intending to start a home based Internet shop.
Finally
Many thanks for visiting our site, we value your visit and do hope the information contained here will prove useful to you. We wish you every success working with UK dropship and UK wholesale companies in your e-commerce endeavours ! Contact us
Copyright © 2005-2006 uk-dropship-wholesale.com. All Rights Reserved.