Where to Get Products to Sell on Shopify: 9 Best Product Sourcing

The year is 2025, and you’ve finally decided to start that Shopify store you’ve been daydreaming about. You’ve got the name, the logo, and maybe even a killer tagline. So far, so good, but… there’s just one tiny, soul-crushing problem: what exactly are you going to sell?

Cue the existential dread.

This decision is important because selling the wrong items can lead to unhappy customers or financial losses. You want products that people will love, that are affordable to stock, and won’t cause problems like shipping mistakes. 

But don’t worry—finding great products doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right tools and strategies, you can easily source items for your Shopify store. Here are the best places to source products for your Shopify store, without the headache.

Understanding the Product Options to Source

You want to sell things on Shopify, but where do you get those things? 

Do you manufacture them yourself? (Ambitious.) Do you hoard inventory in your garage like some kind of eCommerce dragon? (Messy.) Or do you find a way to sell products without ever touching them? (Now we’re talking.)

Before you start bulk-ordering random gadgets from the depths of the internet, let’s break down your options. Picking the right way to get your products is important for your store to do well. 

1. Dropshipping: You sell the products; your supplier ships them. No inventory needed.

2. Print-on-Demand: Products specially customized towards your (or customer's) orders.

3. Wholesale: Buy products in bulk from suppliers, store them, and ship them yourself.

4. Private Label: You take something that's already made, put your own brand name on it, and sell it. 

5. Handmade & Custom Products: Got a talent for making jewelry, candles, or ridiculously detailed miniature paintings? Sell your own creations and keep full control over your brand. 

There are even more types of sourcing products and each method has its pros, its cons, and its “Why-didn’t-anyone-warn-me-about-this?!” moments. The trick? Picking the one that fits your budget, time, and how much stress you’re willing to endure. Choose wisely

You see, no matter how perfect the product is, it won’t sell without the right platform. A strong online presence ensures your products reach more shoppers. If you don’t have an online store yet, Shopify makes it easy to build one with a simple drag-and-drop interface.

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How to Source Products to Sell on a Shopify Store

1. Work With Wholesalers

Ah, we all know the power of wholesalers: the middlemen of the eCommerce world, swooping in to save the day with bulk products at prices that won’t make your wallet cry; there is no waiting on manufacturers, and no endless back-and-forth with suppliers, you just need to bulk-buying products straight from the source and list them for sale. Sounds simple, right?

Buying wholesale means you get lower prices per unit, which can lead to juicy profit margins of over 50% (yes, a lot). You can negotiate better deals to keep your store well-stocked, and fulfill orders instantly, no awkward “this item is on backorder” emails to customers, by ordering in bulk.

But before you go on a wholesale shopping spree, let’s talk about the not-so-fun part. Bulk buying means upfront costs, which means cash flow is king. You’ll also need storage space (unless you enjoy living among boxes of unsold inventory). And if your product doesn’t sell? Well… let’s just say liquidation sales exist for a reason.

Is buying things in bulk from big sellers a good idea? If you have enough money, space to store everything, and a good plan for selling, then yes, it can be. If not, don't worry, there are lots of other ways to find things to sell on your Shopify store. 

2. Partner With Dropshipping Suppliers

You can think of dropshipping in a very simple way: You are selling online, but you don’t need to keep any products. Instead, when someone buys something from your store, a different company sends it to them. 

Here’s how it works:

1. Find a reliable dropshipping supplier. (Emphasis on reliable; unless you enjoy dealing with shipping delays and unhappy customers.)
   Add their products to your store. No bulk orders, no upfront stock investments.
2. Put their products on your online store. You don't have to buy anything ahead of time.
3. When an order comes in, your supplier directly ships it to your customer. No packing tape required on your end.

You’ve got two main ways to partner with dropshipping suppliers:

• Go direct: Find and work with suppliers yourself. This means more control but also more effort in managing orders and communication.
• Use a dropshipping app: Platforms like AliExpress and DSers (we will explore these brands in detail later) connect you to thousands of suppliers with automated order management. Less hassle, but also less direct oversight.

The best thing about dropshipping is that it's easy to start. You don't have to buy a bunch of stuff beforehand or worry about storing it. But, you also don't have much control over how fast things get shipped, how good the products are, or how happy your customers are. And, you might not make a lot of money per sale, so you'll need to be good at marketing. Although dropshipping is a perfect way to start an online store, you need to be patient, even though you don't have to keep products on hand. 

3. Work Directly With Manufacturers

If you want to sell something special, with your own brand name, then getting it made directly by a factory is a good idea. This lets you decide how your product looks, how good it is, and how much it costs. But it's not always easy.

One way to do this is to have the factory make a version of something they already make, just for you. You can change things like the logo, what it's made of, or how it works, to make it different from other products. It's like getting clothes custom-made.

Getting your products made by factories has good points. You can control how good they are, earn more money, and make your own brand. But you might also face some difficulties.

• MOQ (Minimum Order Quantities): Most manufacturers won’t start production unless you order in bulk. Translation: You’ll need to invest upfront, often in the thousands.
• Longer timelines: Between prototyping, sampling, and refining, getting a final product takes time. If patience isn’t your thing, this might not be the best route.

If you want to try this out, Alibaba is a good website to find factories. But if talking to factories seems too difficult, you can hire a company to help you with everything. 

• Trading Companies act as middlemen, buying from manufacturers and reselling to you. Less hassle, but usually higher costs.
• Sourcing Companies do the hard work of finding reputable suppliers, ensuring quality control, and negotiating fair pricing, without the markup that trading companies add.

Also, think about using factories near where you live! This means you can make sure the products are good, get them shipped faster, and help your local businesses. But it usually costs more to have things made locally. 

Is it a good idea to get things made by factories? Yes, if you have the money and want to decide everything about your product. But if you want to quickly fill your store with things to sell, it might not be the best way. 

4. Order White Label Products

Want to sell your own brand but don't want to create something new? White label products are ready-made things you can put your own logo on. It's like buying food someone else cooked and saying you made it. No one will know the difference. 

Here’s how it works:

1. You pick a product from a manufacturer’s catalog (think skincare, coffee, supplements, stuff that sells).
2. You add your branding; logo, packaging, maybe a new color scheme to make it aesthetic.
3. You market and sell it as your own product, without ever touching the messy manufacturing process.

It sounds great, right? White labeling lets you sell your own brand without spending a lot of money or waiting a long time to make something new. You don't have to worry about ordering a huge amount of stuff either. But, there are some downsides:

The product you're selling as your own? Other companies might be selling the exact same thing. Unless you have really good branding or amazing marketing, you're just selling the same thing as everyone else.

You can't change the product much. You can put your own logo and packaging on it, but you can't change what it's made of or how it looks.

Still, if you want to have your own brand without the risks of making something from scratch, white labeling is a good option. You get to sell your own brand without actually having to make anything.

5. Attend Trade Shows to Discover New Products

If scrolling through supplier directories isn’t enough for you, and you want to see, touch, and test products in real life, we recommend trade shows as where you need to be. 

As a buyer, walking the floor, checking out what’s new, and talking directly with suppliers about their products is one way to approach trade shows. You’ll get hands-on experience, negotiate deals, and maybe even find exclusive items your competitors haven’t discovered yet.

You can rent a space at trade shows to show your products. This helps you see if people like them, test different prices, and get direct feedback. It's a quick way to learn what customers want.

You may not think much of going to trade shows, but they can be a huge benefit. You can see new products before everyone else, meet the people selling them, and talk about prices face-to-face. But there are some things you should remember.

• Time & Travel Costs: Going to trade shows can cost a lot of time and money. The best ones are usually in big cities, so you'll have to pay for travel and hotels, and you'll be away from your work. 
• Not All Shows Are Created Equal: Some are massive industry events, while others are hyper-niche. Finding the right one is key.
• It’s a Lot to Take In: There's also a lot to see at trade shows. With so many different sellers and products, it can be confusing. You need to know what you're looking for before you go.

If you want to start, try looking for lists of trade shows or ask groups that work in your area to find events that fit what you sell. If you can't travel, there are online trade shows where you can see new products from your computer.

So, is attending trade shows worth it? Yes, if you really want to find special products, know what's new, and meet the people who sell them. 

6. Make & Sell Your Own Products

If you prefer to create things on your own, like jewelry or clothes, then our suggestion is to sell them yourself. It’s really awesome and brings a sense of satisfied when you can get to control the quality, your brand, and the price. And of course it is, your products will be unique for sure!

Sounds great, right? But here’s the reality check:

• It’s Time-Consuming: Handcrafting products takes a lot of time and effort to do one, and if orders are more and more grow, keeping up can be a challenge.
• Scaling isn’t Easy: At some point, you’ll need to decide if you want to hire help or outsource production.
• Upfront Costs Can Add Up: Materials, packaging, storage, and even labor costs (if you expand) can eat into profits.

A smart way to start on our recommendation is to go small. It’s not that hard, you can try launching with a single homemade product and testing the waters before expanding; that’s exactly what Kyle LaFond did with American Provenance, a personal care brand that began with a simple homemade deodorant.

If you’re willing to invest the time and effort (like for real!), then the job of making your own products can be incredibly rewarding, and sure, it will be paid off, but this might not be your best bet if you’re after a quick and scalable business model.

7. Find on Online Forums or Social Media

Have you ever spent too much time on websites like Reddit or Facebook? Well, those places can actually help you find things to sell in your Shopify store; forums and social media are packed with people discussing what’s trending, what sells well, and where to find reliable suppliers. 

There are so many options out there, it can be on Reddit, on Quora, or even on the Shopify Community; these platforms offer a goldmine of insights from real sellers and buyers.

Here’s how to make the most of them:

• Browse forums for real talk: Platforms like Reddit are filled with brutally honest discussions about products. See what people love, what frustrates them, and where gaps exist in the market.
  
• Join social media groups: Facebook has tons of seller communities where people share supplier recommendations and product-sourcing tips. Just make sure the group is active and moderated to avoid scams.
  
• Follow suppliers on social media: Many manufacturers now have pages on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Use hashtags or search terms like #wholesalesupplier to track them down.
  
• Use social media trends as inspiration: TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram are full of viral products. If something is blowing up, it might be worth considering for your store.

And social media analytics tools can even help you track shopper trends, build customer profiles, and see what your ideal audience is buying if you want to dig even deeper.

8. Opt for B2B Marketplaces

Websites that connect businesses to other businesses (B2B marketplaces) are great for Shopify sellers. If you pick the right platform, you can source products, sync inventory, and keep your store running smoothly, all without the stress of managing stock yourself.

Platforms like Syncee, Alibaba, and Global Sources make it easy to browse millions of dropshipping and wholesale products. They do the hard work for you, like automatically updating your stock and adding products to your store, so you don't sell things you don't have.

Here’s how to make the most of them:

• Find the right supplier: You can make sure the sellers have good ratings and send things on time.
• Automate your inventory: Platforms like Syncee sync product data in real time, so you don’t have to manually update stock levels or prices.
• Test before you commit: Whether it’s dropshipping or bulk orders, always order samples to check product quality firsthand.

These websites make finding and managing products easier, which is really helpful if you want to grow your Shopify store. 

9. Choose a Print on Demand Service

Based on our thorough experience with Shopify, POD (Print-on-demand) is considered one of the easiest ways to add custom products to a Shopify store, without having to own an inventory or handle the shipping. It’s a no-risk way to test new ideas, follow trends, and let customers personalize their purchases.

When someone orders from your store, a company will print your design on the item and ship it to them. You don't handle the product at all. You can sell things like custom shirts, mugs, or pet items without needing to buy a lot of stock first.

The best part? People can buy just one item. Unlike making things the usual way, print-on-demand lets you sell to small groups and make personalized stuff. Also, because they use digital printing, you can quickly change designs to keep up with what's popular. 

Others also read:

• Best Dropshipping Business Ideas to Launch
• How To Start A Dropshipping Business UK
• How To Start A Candle Dropshipping Business

Top 5 Product Sourcing Websites

So you’ve got a business idea with a Shopify store, or just a wild ambition to sell things online, but where do you actually get the products? 

It's simple to find websites with products to sell, like small gadgets or large machines. Some are great, others not so much. But we've picked out five top websites for you. 

1. Alibaba: The Giant of Wholesale

Let’s get this one out of the way. Alibaba is the biggest B2B marketplace on the planet. Founded in 1999, it connects businesses with suppliers, mostly from China, offering everything from clothing to electronics at wholesale prices. They also have a program to protect you from getting scammed or having your order delayed. If you need to buy lots of products at good prices, Alibaba is a great place to look.

Best for: Large wholesale orders at unbeatable prices.

2. Global Sources: For the Quality Hunters

If you want to feel safer when finding products, our recommendation is to opt for Global Sources; it is such a good choice and a reliable partner worldwide. On our research, this from the Hong Kong website checks out the sellers to make sure they're real businesses (quite trustful, right?). The brand also has trade shows, and you can even meet sellers in person there; it's like a more organized and trustworthy version of Alibaba. What’s better when you can touch it directly before selling out?

Best for: High-quality electronics, fashion, and lifestyle products.

3. Made-in-China: Direct from the Factories

Made-in-China is quite similar to Alibaba, but they focus more on connecting you straight to the factories that make the products; they check the factories to make sure they're legitimate. You won't find as many different types of products as on Alibaba, but it's a good place to find things like big machines or building supplies.

Best for: Machinery, electronics, and construction materials.

4. DHgate: The Small-Business Favorite

If you don't want to buy thousands of items at once, then DHgate is a good option that we can recommend because this platform caters to businesses looking for smaller minimum order quantities (MOQs). What’s even more interesting is that it makes use of an escrow payment system, meaning your money isn’t released to the supplier until you confirm delivery (cool, right?). If you have a small business or want to try selling a new product, DHgate gives you more options. 

Best for: Consumer goods like apparel, accessories, and gadgets, with low order minimums.

5. AliExpress: The Dropshipping MVP

AliExpress is like a smaller version of Alibaba, made for buying less stuff at once. If you don't need to buy a lot and want a website that's easy to use, with built-in ways to pay and ship, this is a good place. People who do dropshipping like it because it works well with Shopify, so you can sell things without keeping them on hand. Bonus: It’s also got a popular affiliate marketing program. 

Best for: Dropshipping and smaller, one-off orders.

The best sourcing platform depends on what you’re looking for. 

• If you need bulk goods at rock-bottom prices, we recommend Alibaba. 
• If you want extra verification, opt for Global Sources. 
• Or if you're looking for direct-from-factory deals, then Made-in-China is ok. 
• Prefer small orders with built-in buyer protection? DHgate. 
• Running a dropshipping biz? AliExpress is your new best friend.

With whichever platform you choose, do your homework. Homework here is to research suppliers, check reviews, and don’t fall for deals that seem too good to be true, because they probably are. 

5 Best Product Sourcing Apps for Shopify

If you want an even more comprehensive tool to manage your whole process of sourcing products and “what's happening” right in your inventory dashboard, then a Shopify product sourcing app is the best to opt for.

1. DSers

Picture this: You’ve got a killer idea for an online store; maybe stylish dog accessories for bougie pet parents or sleek travel gear for digital nomads. But there’s one tiny problem: you don’t want to deal with inventory. DSers is an app that lets you find and sell products directly from AliExpress, and have them shipped to your customers, without you ever handling the items yourself. 

With DSers, you can search for millions of products, add them to your Shopify store in just a few clicks, and have your suppliers fulfill orders automatically. Shopify’s inventory tools keep you in the loop about stock levels and sales, while DSers' built-in analytics help you figure out which products are actually worth keeping.

From fashion and electronics to home goods and phone accessories, DSers gives you access to an endless stream of products, so you can focus on building your brand, not packing boxes.

2. Auto DS

Well, AutoDS makes your dream a reality. This all-in-one dropshipping app lets you import millions (yes, millions) of products to your store with a single click. It also keeps an eagle eye on pricing and stock 24/7, so you don’t accidentally sell a product that’s vanished into the void. Oh, and order fulfillment? Fully automated. Even if you’re off sipping a piña colada on a beach somewhere, AutoDS has got your back.

Need to tweak product details? The app’s smart editing tools let you refine images, prices, titles, and descriptions like a pro. And if you’re still finding your dropshipping feet, AutoDS Academy hooks you up with free courses, mentorship, and guides. It is best for hands-off product sourcing with automation and smart product optimization.

3. CJdropshipping

If you wish product sourcing could just… handle itself, CJdropshipping is here to make that dream a reality. This all-in-one app lets you source products, auto-list them in your Shopify store, and fulfill orders faster than you can say “passive income.” It even recommends trending products using big data (because apparently, AI is better at predicting what people want than we are).

Worried about shipping delays? Don’t be. CJdropshipping’s local warehouses get products to your customers in as little as 2-3 days. And if you ever need backup, their 24/7 support team is ready to jump in; no chatbots pretending to understand your frustration. 

In order to make your brand become personal, it’s best to change the products and their boxes. That’s the easy part, the hard part is covered by this app, from finding products easily, getting them shipped quickly, finding good products to sell, to making your brand look unique (all in one app, huh?)

4. Zendrop

If you're worried about slow shipping and sellers you can't trust, Zendrop can help. This dropshipping powerhouse hooks you up with over 1 million products, lets you add them to your Shopify store with a single click, and, best of all, takes care of fulfillment automatically. No more late-night order processing marathons.

They ship things faster than most other companies, and they have customer support available all the time; you can even put your own brand's name on the products, so your store looks really professional without you having to do extra work.

This app helps you find products easily, ship them super fast, add as many products as you want, and make your brand look exactly how you want it. 

5. Printify

You prefer and want to sell t-shirts, mugs, or hoodies with your own designs, but don't want to store them in your house? Printify can do that for you. This app lets you put your designs on lots of different products and sell them without buying any stock first.

It's super easy to set up. You just upload your design, pick the product, and Printify prints it and sends it to the customer. You don't need any special printing machines, you don't have to pack orders, and you don't have to go to the post office. 

Whether you're an artist, popular online, or just have a great design idea, Printify lets you sell your creations and make money. You can sell your designs on products without needing to store anything or ship orders yourself. 

Smart Sourcing: Best Practices for Shopify Sellers

The year is 2025. You can't just pick stuff to sell anymore. You need to plan carefully, study the market, and make smart choices, like a pro investor. Just throwing random things into your store and hoping they sell? That doesn't work well anymore. (Some people still try, but they don't last long.) 

If you want to source products smartly, you need a game plan. Lucky for you, we’ve got one:

1. Play Detective With Your Suppliers: Not all suppliers are created equal. Some will ship your products at lightning speed; others will take so long that your customers will have had time to move, change their names, and forget they ever ordered from you. Do your homework; check reviews, order samples, and make sure your supplier won’t leave you hanging.
2. Trends Are Cool… Until They’re Not: If you’re still trying to sell fidget spinners, we need to talk. Jumping on trends too late is a one-way ticket to clearance-sale purgatory. Use Google Trends, TikTok, and product research tools to get ahead of the curve before everyone else floods the market.
3. Test the Waters Before You Dive In: Going all-in on a product without testing is like proposing on the first date. Bold, sure, but also risky. Run a small batch first, gauge demand, and scale up only if the numbers make sense.
4. High Margins = A Happy You: If your profit margins are lower than your morning motivation levels, it’s time to rethink your sourcing strategy. Consider product costs, shipping fees, marketing expenses, and Shopify’s cut; then make sure there’s enough left over for you to actually make money.
5. Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Supplier’s Basket: Relying on one supplier is like trusting one alarm to wake you up on time; dangerous. Mix it up with wholesale platforms, dropshipping apps, and local manufacturers so you’re never left scrambling when things go sideways.
6. Fast Shipping or Bust: Customers today expect their orders to arrive at their door yesterday. If your shipping times are measured in weeks instead of days, you’re just handing sales over to your competitors. Look for suppliers with local warehouses or express shipping choices to keep your customers happy (and your refund requests low).

Smart sourcing isn’t about guessing; it’s about making informed, strategic moves. Nail this part, and you won’t just sell products; you’ll sell them profitably.

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Final Thoughts

Okay, now you know how to find things to sell on your Shopify store. You can choose from lots of different ways, like dropshipping, print-on-demand, or selling handmade items.

Finding the right product is just the beginning. What really matters is how you advertise it, make your brand look, and convince customers to buy. People don't just buy things; they buy the feeling and story you sell. 

So, choose how you'll get your products, fill your store with them, and get ready to sell a lot. Your next big selling item is out there waiting for you. Go get it!