Choosing the Right Online Wholesale Marketplace
While the benefits of selling on a wholesale B2B marketplace are clear, it's important to choose the right marketplace for your business. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which marketplace is the best fit for your business and your products.
Be sure to consider the following aspects of selling wholesale products on each marketplace software platform and which one will best fit into your business model.
Find One with a Large User Base
When looking for a place to sell, you want to choose a marketplace with a large, active user base of potential wholesale buyers who want to flip the products in their retail stores.
This not only increases your chances of making a sale but also ensures that you have a steady stream of potential customers, even if sales are slow.
How Are the Fees?
It's also important to consider the fees associated with selling on a wholesale B2B marketplace. Some marketplaces charge a monthly fee, while others charge a percentage of each sale. Be sure to research the fees associated with each marketplace and choose the one that best fits your budget.
What's the Reputation?
It's important to consider the reputation of the online platform. Choose a marketplace with a strong reputation for security and customer protection, as this can help to reduce the risk of fraud and ensure a smooth, secure transaction process.
Also, consider whether they are growing or shrinking; some marketplaces might be losing their network effect as people slowly leave.
Find the Niche Market
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a wholesale B2B marketplace is niche focus. Some marketplaces specialize in a specific type of product, such as clothing or electronics, while others are more general in nature.
Choosing B2B marketplaces that specialize in your product category can increase the visibility of your products, as well as increase your chances of making a sale.
15 Best Wholesale Marketplaces to List Your Products
Create Your Own Online Platform
We're going to start off with one that might surprise you: You could create your own marketplace eCommerce platform. If you find an industry or specific part of an industry that is underserved by other wholesale marketplaces, why not be the one who satisfies that need?
The benefits of this route are two-fold.
- You get to sell items from your own business without having to pay anyone else listing fees or commissions.
- You can become the destination for people who sell items like yours, and then you be the one collecting listing fees and commissions.
If this sounds enticing, click to read more about the benefits of your own marketplace software platform solution.
Tundra
Tundra is a wholesale marketplace that offers unique advantages for sellers. It is a platform that enables merchants to buy and sell products quickly and easily, providing access to a worldwide pool of buyers and goods.
The platform helps vendors reach new customers and expand their businesses, while also allowing them to benefit from Tundra's reliable customer service and low prices. Here are the pros and cons of selling on this innovative marketplace:
Pros:
- Access to a wide range of buyers
- Highly effective customer service
- Low prices
- Easy navigation around the site
Cons:
- Complexity in setting up and managing accounts
- Sales fees charged by the platform
- Limitations on what can be sold on the platform
Mirakl
Mirakl is a powerful and comprehensive wholesale marketplace for retailers, brands, distributors, and manufacturers. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help vendors manage pricing, inventory, product lifecycle management, marketing campaigns, and more.
The platform also enables buyers to compare different options from various suppliers more easily. With Mirakl's powerful technology and user-friendly interface, it is becoming an increasingly popular option for those looking to connect with dependable suppliers.
Pros:
- Easy onboarding process
- Fast access to reliable international buyers
- Detailed analytics dashboard to track key performance metrics
- Advanced search capabilities that enable buyers to find the right product quickly
- Automation features to reduce time spent managing operations
Cons:
- Lack of control over pricing as vendors have no negotiating power
- Expensive subscription fees for high-volume merchants
Faire
Faire is a comprehensive wholesale marketplace for retailers and brands. It provides a suite of tools designed to help vendors streamline their operations and make more efficient decisions.
With features such as easy onboarding, automated pricing, integration with popular ecommerce platforms, detailed analytics, advanced search capabilities, and more, Faire makes it easier for buyers to find reliable suppliers and stay competitive in today's market.
Pros:
- Easy onboarding process
- Access to an extensive number of global buyers
- Automated pricing to reduce the time spent on negotiations
- Robust analytics tools to track key performance metrics
- Advanced search capabilities that enable buyers to find the right product quickly
Cons:
- Expensive subscription fees for high-volume merchants
- Lack of control over pricing due to the automated system
- Limited customization options
Alibaba
Alibaba is the world's leading wholesale marketplace, offering small businesses access to a global audience. It has become an essential tool for businesses of all sizes, providing access to over 150 million buyers worldwide.
With Alibaba, wholesale vendors can take advantage of an expansive network of suppliers and importers to expand their reach and maximize their profits. Here are some pros and cons of using Alibaba as a wholesaler:
Pros:
- Easy setup process with minimal paperwork required
- Access to a huge international customer base
- Ability to negotiate prices with multiple suppliers at once
- Low prices due to low overhead costs
- Credible payment protection schemes available
Cons:
- High fees from certain suppliers or retailers
- Difficulties establishing long-term supplier relationships
- Misleading product descriptions and potential scams from some vendors
- Considerable competition considering the size of the platform
Abound
Abound is a wholesale marketplace designed to make selling and buying easier for entrepreneurs and businesses. On the platform, you can find products from quality suppliers and manufacturers around the world, connect with other business owners, access competitive pricing, and find the right product for your needs. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of selling on Abound:
Pros:
- Competitive pricing
- Ability to quickly sell unique items
- Easy interface
- Great customer service
Cons:
- Occasional delays in shipping
- Limited options in certain categories such as fragile items or large items
- Can be difficult to manage orders with multiple suppliers
Global Sources
Global Sources is a leading global B2B wholesale marketplace that provides businesses with access to an expansive network of suppliers and buyers around the world. With wholesale marketplaces like GS, sellers can take advantage of a range of services from product sourcing to payment protection. Here are some pros and cons of using the marketplace as a wholesaler:
Pros:
- Access to buyers in over 170 countries
- Easy-to-use ordering platform with additional features like order tracking
- Comprehensive customer service options available
- Secure online payment processing and payment protection programs offered
Cons:
- Limited search filters can make it difficult to find the right product or supplier quickly
- High fees charged by certain suppliers or retailers
- Majority of those who sell are large companies, making it challenging for smaller businesses to get noticed
SaleHoo
SaleHoo is a wholesale marketplace that connects sellers with millions of dropshipping and wholesale products from hundreds of trusted suppliers. It offers an extensive database of over 8,000 vetted wholesalers, suppliers, and manufacturers so entrepreneurs can find the right products to stock their stores. Here are the pros and cons for someone selling on the platform:
Pros:
- Verified suppliers and manufacturers mean you're in good company on a reputable site
- In-depth market research tools
- Ability to find buyers quickly
Cons:
- Limited details on supplier profiles
- Price difference between suppliers can be significant
Trayde
Trayde is an innovative wholesale marketplace that makes it easier than ever to source products from suppliers and manufacturers. With a user-friendly interface, Trayde equips those who sell with the resources needed to streamline the acquisition process. Here are some of the pros and cons of selling on this platform:
Pros:
- Low commissions and transaction fees
- Easy-to-use tools for buying and selling
- Fast delivery times
Cons:
- Restricted customer access
- Limited customer service options
- Limited payment options
Orderchamp
Orderchamp is a wholesale marketplace designed to make it easy and efficient for businesses to source products from suppliers.
With a range of advanced tools, Orderchamp makes it simple to stay organized and manage your sales. Here are some of the pros and cons of selling on this platform:
Pros:
- Access to a larger customer base
- Easy-to-use product search function
- Wide range of payment methods
- Easy returns process
Cons:
- High sign-up fees
- Limited customer service support
- Potential for high competition
Mable
Mable is a new wholesale marketplace that is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes find the products they need. With its market-leading tools, Mable provides sellers with the resources needed to streamline their procurement process and get the best deals. Here are some of the pros and cons of selling on this platform:
Pros:
- Low fees and commissions
- Simple user experience
- Easy returns policy
Cons:
- Restricted access to certain customers
- Limited customer service options
- Limited payment methods
Joor
Joor is the world's largest online marketplace for wholesale fashion and lifestyle brands. It provides retailers with an easy, secure, and efficient way to access collections from hundreds of brands all over the world. Here are a few pros and cons of selling on the Joor platform:
Pros:
- Quick setup process
- Easy to use web interface
- Access to extensive product directory
- Secure payment options available
Cons:
- Fees for listing items on the platform
- Limited customer service options
- Potential for long shipping delays
Wholesale2B
Wholesale2b is a wholesale marketplace that enables retailers to access products from a variety of wholesalers, drop shippers, and manufacturers. With low fees, easy-to-use tools, and reliable customer service, Wholesale2b provides retailers with the ability to source items quickly and efficiently. Here are some pros and cons of selling on the Wholesale2b platform:
Pros:
- Low sign-up costs
- Easy-to-use web interface
- Flexible payment options available
- Expert customer service team
Cons:
- Fees for listing items on the platform
- Limited product selection compared to other marketplaces
- No live inventory or shipping tracking updates
Creoate
Creoate is a wholesale marketplace that connects businesses with trusted suppliers from around the globe. Through Creoate, businesses of all sizes can access products from leading brands available in one convenient platform. Here are some pros and cons of selling on the Creoate marketplace:
Pros:
- Easy access to a wide selection of quality products
- Simple and intuitive user interface
- Automated order processing system
- Low commission fees for vendors
Cons:
- Limited customer service for vendors
- Longer shipping times for global orders
- Limited marketing support for those who sell
Handshake
Handshake is a wholesale marketplace that helps companies of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, quickly and efficiently purchase goods from each other. Its streamlined platform enables sellers and buyers to communicate, negotiate prices, and make payments quickly and securely. Here are the pros and cons of using Handshake as a seller:
Pros:
- Platform is designed to be easy to navigate with intuitive tools for optimized selling
- Allows buyers to compare prices offered by multiple suppliers at once
- Enables vendors to access an international market they wouldn’t normally have access to
Cons:
- High fees for both buyers and vendors may detract potential customers
- There is less demand in comparison to other online marketplaces due to a lesser number of users
Go Wholesale
Go Wholesale is a fast-growing wholesale marketplace that makes it easy for independent distributors, suppliers, and retailers to find products from hundreds of brands they know and love. Their intuitive platform helps business owners quickly search through millions of products without any hassle. Here are the pros and cons of using Go Wholesale as a seller:
Pros:
- Wide selection of quality products from both local and international brands
- Easy-to-navigate platform with a streamlined ordering process
- Gives businesses access to exclusive bulk sales discounts previously only available to major brand buyers
Cons:
- Low demand relative to other marketplaces due to their smaller user base
- Limited customer service options lead to longer response times when resolving issues
The Benefits of Selling on a Wholesale Marketplace
If you're a supplier, manufacturer, or distributor looking to reach a wider audience, selling on a wholesale marketplace can provide numerous benefits. By listing your products on a wholesale marketplace, you have the opportunity to reach a large pool of potential buyers, increasing your chances of making a sale.
Access to a Large Customer Base Seeking Wholesale Prices
One of the biggest benefits of selling on a wholesale marketplace is access to a large customer base. With businesses from all over the world using wholesale marketplaces to find the products they need, you have the opportunity to reach a global audience. This not only increases your chances of making a sale but also allows you to expand your reach and grow your business.
Increased Visibility
Another benefit of selling with wholesale eCommerce software is increased visibility. With a wide range of products listed on a wholesale marketplace, it can be difficult for buyers to find the products they need. By listing your products on a wholesale marketplace, you increase the visibility of your products, making it easier for buyers to find and purchase them.
Streamlined Sales Process
Selling on a wholesale marketplace also streamlines the sales process. With a centralized platform for transactions, buyers can easily find your products, compare prices, and complete transactions all in one place. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of fraud, as transactions are secure and protected by the marketplace's buyer protection policies.
Cost-Effective Marketing
In addition to the benefits listed above, selling on a wholesale marketplace can also be a cost-effective form of marketing. With a wide range of products and a large customer base, you can reach your target audience without having to spend a lot of money on advertising and marketing. This allows you to focus your resources on growing your business, rather than spending money on marketing and advertising.