Starting an online fashion boutique is a lot of fun with a little hard work thrown in. If you are ambitious and entrepreneurial, you can make a stunning success of a business like this. It helps if you have a good business brain and a passion for fashion. Of course, finding the right suppliers is also imperative to your success. With so many wholesale companies around though, how do you source the right supplier for your online fashion boutique?
Great Fashion
You must love the clothes you are supplying if you want to be successful. Otherwise, your lack of enthusiasm will put customers off and will not create many sales. Being part of a brand that you can get excited about, however, is motivating and invigorating. Find the clothes you love first, and the rest will follow in the world of wholesale boutique clothing. For example, Stylewise Direct offers great wholesale fashion that your customers will love. They stock every style you can think of, and they ship worldwide.
Customer Service
In any business, customer service is near the top of the list when it comes to must-have qualities, and the online fashion industry is no exception. Offer great customer service and your customers will keep coming back to you. It is then easy to grow your business as you have repeat customers as well as new ones.
The same should be said of your suppliers. You need to know that they will keep their promises and deliver on time. That way, great customer service can be passed on to your customers as you are not waiting on your suppliers.
In business, things can go wrong. However, how problems are put right is often more important than the problem itself. If you are dealing with a supplier who makes a mistake and doesn’t care, then you will be unlikely to use them again. A supplier who apologises and bends over backwards to put things right is likely to be given another chance. Which one would you rather use?
Reputation
Reputation is everything and nowhere is this more apparent than the business world. What others say about a company you are thinking of using will have a massive impact on whether you use them or not. Many people will not buy products unless they have read the reviews first.
It is important to do your research before you start using a supplier. Make sure they have great reviews, and that they are not well-known for letting businesses down. Otherwise, you may find that they are more of a headache to deal with than you expected, and you will be left with unfulfilled orders and the need to source new suppliers.
Good Payment Terms
Everyone is in business to make money, but you have to make sure that the payment terms of your suppliers work for you. For example, how long do you have to pay your bills? Many companies work on a month-by-month basis so it can be difficult to manage your accounts if your suppliers need to be paid before the end of the month.
Another thing you need to check is what happens if you can’t sell the goods. Some suppliers will allow you to return items you have not sold and get your money back from them,meaning that you are not left out of pocket if a customer changes their mind.
Budgeting is important in any business, especially if you have only just begun trading as this is the point where money will be the tightest. Many companies fail in the first year of business because of cash flow issues and you can make sure you are not one of them by checking the terms and conditions of sale before you start using suppliers.
Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
A great supplier will be open to negotiation so don’t be afraid to ask. It might be that you can negotiate a cheaper price for goods if you buy in bulk, or you could be offered a special discount for your first purchase. There are a lot of clothing wholesalers online so shop around to see who is offering the best deals. They will often compete on price so don’t be shy about asking for a price match promise if you know you can get the goods elsewhere for less money. Wholesalers want your business, and they want to build up a good relationship with their customers. Check whether the price you are being quoted includes a special offer and remember, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.
Sourcing the right supplier for your online fashion boutique is all part of the fun of setting up your own business. If you find a great supplier from the outset and stick with them, it will make the rest of your venture easier.
