$300+ billion.

That’s what the dropshipping market is set to reach this year, in 2024 (source: Statista). Dropshipping is one of the most popular online business models expected to grow in the coming years. So, why not dive into this right away?

Of course, you can! But like any other eCommerce business, you need to do your research, choose the right platform, partner with the right people, in this case, find the right dropshipping agents, who can help you build a robust dropshipping business. But with so many dropshipping agents out there, it can get tricky to choose the one that is most suitable for your needs. 

In this blog, we will explore the best dropshipping agents for your online business, how to choose from them, and how to maximize your success as an entrepreneur.

What is a Dropshipping Agent?

Firstly, what or who is a dropshipping agent? If you are just exploring dropshipping or are simply new to this, you might have come across this term several times and failed to understand its role.

So, here it is. A dropshipping agent is a person, team, or company that helps in the sourcing, storing, packaging, and shipping of your products. In short, they facilitate the entire eCommerce process for your business.

Let's understand this a bit better through an example. If you are planning to sell clothes online in the dropshipping model, a dropshipping agent will manage the inventory for you, fulfill orders, and ship them directly to customers. 

Private VS. Professional Dropshipping Agents - What is the Difference?

There are two types of dropshipping agents you must know of.

• Private dropshipping agents - They are either individuals or small teams who offer personalized services to you and may even work with you on a commission basis. They are indeed more flexible, and communicating with them might be smoother with quicker responses as they handle only a few clients at a time. But, the possible drawback here is that they could have limited resources and scalability.
• Professional dropshipping agents - These are usually established companies with standard processes, extensive networks, and tons of customers and services to offer. They might seem more reliable for your business if your focus is on scalability. Also, they have more resources than a private agent. The drawback here is that professional dropship agents have higher fees and offer less personalized attention.

Choosing between them depends on factors like budget, scale of operation, and your preference for personalized service versus scalability.

How Much Does a Dropshipping Agent Cost?

There is no "one" cost to hiring a dropshipping agent for your store. But you can expect one of the following:

• Fixed price per order - In this, dropship agents charge a flat fee for specified services per order, irrespective of its size. They are usually calculated based on the service you request (such as sourcing, packing, quality control, etc.).
• Percentage commission per order - This is not a usual pricing model with dropshipping agents, but if you have a big order or are looking for a long-term partnership, then this might work for you. The commission can vary from agent to agent. You can expect 3% to 10% of each order's value, which excludes shipping costs.
• Monthly or membership fee: Agents provide access to a supplier database for a recurring fee, with additional charges for services like quality control.

How is Dropshipping Different from Print-on-Demand?

If you are wondering what the difference is between a dropshipping business model and a POD (print-on-demand) model, let us break it down for you.

While both these online business models function similarly, the main difference between them is supply chain dynamics.

Dropshipping sells pre-existing products sourced from other suppliers. You can also sell a wide variety of products without any inventory investment. POD, on the other hand, lets you customize and create your "own" products like apparel, mugs, stationary, etc, on-demand. 

In short, the distinction lies in immediate access to diverse products versus the ability to offer unique merchandise, making each model suitable for different entrepreneurial goals and customer preferences.

How to Find & Choose a Dropshipping Source Agent?

There are plenty of ways to find and select reliable dropshipping source agents. You can check out online platforms like Alibaba or AliExpress, freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr, and social media groups dedicated to eCommerce. 

It is always a good idea to seek recommendations from friends, colleagues, or industry peers who have experience in dropshipping. 

No matter what channels you use to find these agents for your dropshipping store, it is important to select the right one for them. So, here are a few things that can help you make the easy choice.

• Reliability and reputation - Look for dropshipping agents with a proven track record of reliability and positive feedback from their clients. On platforms like Alibaba, Upwork, etc., you can see detailed reviews and star ratings, making this task easy for you.
• Product range and quality - This means you can use just one agent for all your product needs, streamlining the communication network and ensuring consistent product deliveries.  
• Customer service and communication - Select agents with responsive customer service and clear communication channels. Addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly is very important to start an automated dropshipping business.

Top 7 Dropshipping Agents for 2024

Here are 7 of the best dropshipping agents you should look out for in 2024:

‍

• Spocket 

Spocket is one of the top dropship source agents to check out this year. In Spocket, you can find top dropshipping suppliers of original US/EU products and automate order fulfillment with ease. You can even order product samples right from your dashboard in a few clicks and test them out before ordering in bulk. Since most of their suppliers are based in the US or Europe, you can expect swift deliveries through reliable partners.

‍Key features and services:

• Spocket integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, Amazon, BigCommerce, and many more, so you can easily connect your online store and sell products.
• Spocket also allows for branding invoicing, helping you mark your invoices with brand identity.
• Sometimes you can find products at heavy discounts of 30% to 40%.
• Comes with a 14-day free trial, perfect for testing the platform out.

Pros:

• 15+ categories with millions of products.
• High-quality branded products.

Cons:

• Low profit margins.
• Longer delivery times for certain products or with some suppliers.

• Alibaba

Alibaba stands as a global leader in online commerce and offers a vast marketplace connecting millions of buyers and sellers worldwide. While Alibaba does not offer direct integration with eCommerce platforms, entrepreneurs can manually import product listings from Alibaba to their online stores using various third-party tools and plugins. This makes it the top choice for many dropshippers.

Key features and services:

• With dropshipping Alibaba, you can enjoy peace of mind with verified suppliers and protected transactions.
• Streamline your entire trading process from product and supplier search to order management, payment, and fulfillment.
• Receive tailored benefits, including exclusive discounts, enhanced protection, and additional support.

Pros:

• Extensive product catalog with millions of options.
• Competitive pricing from verified suppliers.

Cons:

• Lack of direct integration with eCommerce platforms.
• The quality of products may not be up to the mark all the time.

‍

• AliExpress Dropshipping 

AliExpress Dropshipping is another versatile dropshipping agent for entrepreneurs looking to start and expand their dropshipping businesses.With this solution, you get access to millions of products and a vast network of suppliers. You can find a wide range of products across furniture, beauty and games, toys, and 15 other categories.

Key features and services:

• Extensive product catalog with access to millions of trending products across various categories.
• Fast delivery for many products.
• Competitive prices for millions of items.
• Trusted by 300M+ shoppers.
• Buyer protection for instant refunds if products arrive late or damaged.
• Integrates with Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and WooCommerce.

Pros:

• Responsive sellers.
• Great deals on products.

Cons:

• Inconsistent customer service.
• Some suppliers may have longer shipping times.

• Oberlo 

Oberlo is a powerful dropshipping platform that simplifies the process of sourcing and selling products online. With its user-friendly interface and extensive supplier network, it offers entrepreneurs the tools they need to build successful dropshipping businesses.

Key features and services:

• You can open an online store on Shopify and sell without the hassle of managing inventory, packaging, or shipping.
• Easily import products to your Shopify store and fulfill orders with just a few clicks. 
• Automate order processing, tracking updates, and inventory management to save time and effort while ensuring a seamless customer experience.
• You can test out new products and prices without splashing cash upfront.
• No big-cost bulk buy.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use interface.
• Wide range of products and suppliers.

Cons:

• Good for beginners only.
• May experience occasional delays in order processing.

• Zendrop 

Zendrop is a high-margin dropshipping app for fast-paced growth. They claim to help you start a dropshipping business in 30 seconds. They even have 1M+ products for you to select from. You can even easily scale and grow your brand with effortless fulfillment and automated shipping, all in one place.

‍Key features and services:

• You can easily turn on auto-fulfillment to put your fulfillment on autopilot.
• A world-class support team is around the clock in order.
• Gain access to exclusive products from their catalog that ship from the US in 3-5 business days.
• Customize your products with private labeling and custom packaging.
• Zendrop integrates with leading eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, allowing for accessible product listing and synchronization.
• You can even take advantage of their recurring revenue model by creating subscription boxes with a few easy clicks.

Pros:

• High-quality product selection.
• Great customer service and experience.

Cons:

• Pricing may be higher compared to other platforms.
• Delay in order processing.

• Wholesale2B 

Wholesale2B is a comprehensive dropshipping platform with over 1 million products. The best part of this dropshipping agent is its dropshipping tools, including API, analytics, supplier directory, etc. You can also dropship through numerous selling channels, including Ecwid, WooCommerce, Amazon, Shopify, etc.

Key features and services:

• Over 25+ categories with 1M+ products.
• Easily manage your inventory and track product availability in real-time to prevent stockouts and ensure seamless order fulfillment.
• Push products to multiple marketplaces in one go. 
• Process all your orders from one single account to the USA, Canada, and UK.
• Order processing takes place in 1 day.
• Find top-selling products and create a profitable dropshipping business.

Pros:

• Wide range of products and suppliers
• Flexible integration options for various eCommerce platforms.

Cons:

• Interface may be overwhelming for beginners
• Pricing structure may vary depending on selected services and subscription plans.

• AutoDS 

AutoDS is an all-in-one dropshipping solution that can help you not only start your business but also scale it up. This automation tool aids in finding the right products to exploring the best private suppliers hassle-free. AutoDS has over 500M+ monitored products across 10+ categories and has supported over 87,000 entrepreneurs, accruing $200M+ in annual sales. 

‍Key features and dropshipping agent services:

• Compare millions of trending products from suppliers instantly and add them to your cart in one click.
• Offers bulk importing for over 500M+ products from global suppliers in one click.
• You can automate order fulfillment, tracking updates, and returns without a buyer's account.
• Integrates with selling channels of Shopify, eBay, Wix, and Facebook Marketplace

Based on the customer reviews, here are some of the pros and cons you need to be aware of:

‍Pros:

• Intuitive and easy-to-use dashboard.
• Ability to import products from other websites.‍

Cons:

• Customer service is not very active.
• High cost.

Final Tho​​ughts

Choosing the right dropshipping agent is critical to the success of your business. So, don't forget to do your own research to identify profitable niches and products with high demand and low competition. Create compelling product listings and stay ahead of the industry standards for continuous sustaining in this competitive world. Hope this blog conveyed all the information you needed.

Good luck!