If you’re a business owner that relies on outsourced goods, you will need to choose the right supplier. These goods could be the products that you sell from your business, or they could be items that are essential for the everyday workings of your office and warehouse.
If the goods you source are faulty or are late on delivery, you will understandably create problems within your business. For this reason, you need to take care when choosing the right supplier for your business.
When choosing a supplier, ask yourself the following questions.
#1: Do they sell everything I need?
This is obvious we know, but it could be the case that you have to order from more than one company if your regular supplier doesn’t provide a one-stop-shop for everything you need. This can be problematic when you’re trying to save money on shipping and when you’re trying to make orders in bulk.
So, when choosing a supplier, look for a company that provides everything your business might need.
If you rely on manufacturing parts for the efficient running of your business, you might choose OCPneumatics, for example. And if you need to keep a well-stocked office, might choose Staples or OfficeMax.
Consider your particular supply needs and commit to research online.
#2: How affordable are they?
The last thing you want to do is waste money, so it is important to consider the cost implications of the suppliers you look at.
You don’t want to be overcharged for products that are being sold cheaper elsewhere, so this is something you will obviously want to keep in mind.
You will want to keep shipping costs in mind too, as some companies will offer free shipping or discounted shipping with bulk orders. Check for this on the supply company’s website.
Some companies will reward loyal customers with further discounts, so if you’re looking to use a supply company for the long-term, this is also something to look into.
The more money you can save the better as you will better profit your business. Of course, this doesn’t mean cheap is always best, as the next point illustrates.
#3: Do they sell quality products?
While you will want to save money where you can, you should never do so at the expense of quality.
Think of this in relation to the office and manufacturing equipment your business might rely on, as your employees will be less than happy if the products you purchase prove faulty.
Your customers will also be upset if the products you sell fail to meet their expectations.
In both cases, you will run at a financial loss, as you will have to replace your faulty goods to satisfy both your employees and your customers. You might also hurt your reputation if your customers spread bad word of mouth about your company.
Keep quality in mind then and spend more if you need to. Research suppliers by reading reviews about their products online, and choose those you can place your trust in.
#4 Are They Green?
In the business world nowadays, it is becoming a necessity to be greener and look after the environment. Not only can it help to reduce costs in the long run and look after our world, but it also serves as a selling point for customers or clients.
Many people are now trying to use and shop with companies who are running their business Green or making changes to help the environment. So, ask yourself does the supplier you are using do Environmental Stack Testing? do they use recycled materials? Do they shout about being a green supplier? Speak to them about and ask.
Finally
You will benefit the needs of your business if you choose the right supplier so this isn’t a process to rush into. Commit to research and consider the questions we highlighted here. Should you choose wisely, your reputation will remain intact, and your business will run more efficiently.
