The supply chain system is a complex and challenging platform where you need to be on top of your game to be a consistent player and grow big. One of the many and probably one of the most important components of the supply chain system is the supplier.
Supplier businesses are tricky as you need to consider several aspects of both the manufacturing industry and the retailer to make transactions feel smooth and effortless. The experience you provide to your clients as a supplier can go a long way in a supply chain market. Whether you want to begin a career as a supplier or trying to expand your range in the market, basics are key to success. You need to understand who or what a supplier is, their role in the supply chain market, and then find ways to rule your niche market.
So, what is a supplier business, and what makes them so important?
In a general sense, anyone who provides the connecting link between the manufacturer and the retailer is a supplier. But from a business point of view, a supplier definition can be stated as an entity or business that can manage the procurement of goods and services to other businesses or industries.
Take a pencil, for example. Quite a few stakeholders are involved in making the pencil, from getting the raw materials to distributing the finished product to market places to be sold. In this process alone, there are numerous suppliers, other than the manufacturers and dealers, who actively contribute to making the pencil. Likewise, when you consider any type of manufactured product, the supplier is pivotal in ensuring continuity in product life cycle.
A supplier’s role in a business is to provide high-quality products from a manufacturer at a reasonable price to a distributor or retailer for resale. A supplier in a business acts as an intermediary between the manufacturer and retailer, ensuring that communication is forthcoming and stock is of sufficient quality.
How do you go from a regular supplier that just about gets the job done to a top-notch business supplier who is synonymous with reliability and quality?
You’re at the right place!
We want you to not only get a headstart at approaching manufacturers and building your network as a top supplier but also be a major player in your genre. For this, you first need to understand your role as a supplier.
Do you know what manufacturers expect from a supplier? Do you understand your role in the smooth functioning of the supply chain system?
Here are some great tips put together to take your supplier business to the next level:
- Price
As a supplier, pricing is your ace up the sleeve. Competitive pricing can give you valuable leverage over your business rivals. Get your clients to feel that they’re getting a great deal over others. But also make it clear that price equals quality. Your clients must know that they’re getting the best bargain without compromising on any aspect of product quality.
- Reliability
Reliability is all about the little things in the business that you may feel don’t really affect your supplier business. Keeping detailed records of POs, bills, and receipts makes a big statement when managing client-supplier relationships.
- Stability
Clients need a long-term commitment. So when starting as a supplier, keep your resources stable. If at any point the client feels that the supply chain can be disrupted, they may seek other suppliers, sometimes without your knowledge and even before you know it, you’ve lost a valuable client.
- Communication
You need to gain trust to build a strong relationship with your clients. And trust requires great communication. Keep your clients in the loop about everything they need to know. Keep them updated about stock details, delivery timings, logistics or even if something isn’t going according to plan.
- Commitment
Clients love suppliers who are on time, organized in their work routine, and as promised. Remember, clients go for suppliers with an organized business setup with minimum hassle. This speaks of your commitment in terms of service quality and client relationship. Streamline your business operations to reduce delays and set-backs.
“Would you be willing to take your supplier business to an online platform?”
“Do I really need an online presence? I can find clients through my network, and it works just fine”.
This line of thinking is what brings us to the second part of getting your supplier credentials off the chart. While it’s true that offline networking and word of mouth can sustain your business, maintaining an online network can mean the difference between you and your rivals in the market.
Technology has made the world more accessible. We have access to data and information to help us with every aspect of our business. Then why not work with website analytics to improve the reach of your business? With AI technology and cloud computing, the digital world is far more powerful than you can fathom. The door, windows, and air vents that an online presence can offer are just unreal!
Manufacturers now understand that they don’t need to rely on a local supplier when they can get tonnes of other options.
Google has brought the internet to our fingertips. Just by typing how to find a vendor or where to get the best supplier for raw materials is an easy task. Choosing the best among the lot has become simple and easy.
As an online presence, you can either have an App, a Website, or both. As a supplier, may it be raw materials or a products supplier, an innovative website with eye-catching design and simple accessibility is the easier way. You have many websites that help you create an online profile.
Check out these 5 website builders to transform you into a global supplier:
- Wix
- Wordpress
- Bigcommerce
- Themeforest
These platforms get you the best possible solution for a niche-specific website that curates all your needs. Beginning to build a website may look complicated, and you’re done with it even before you get started.
Here are a few tips to help you get going and create that fantastic supplier website you’ve always wanted.
- Get your Label
The first thing you need to do to get started is to get your domain. Your domain name is your company’s name; your identity in the market. Choose the best possible domain for your supply chain niche. For example, .com, .biz, .global, .xyz, etc.
Strikingly offers you tonnes of fresh domain names and extensions to boost the prospects of your supplier business. Moreover, you can get all a $24.95 domain credit for one year when you sign up for any yearly paid plans. This gives you ample time to build a neat website and get used to it without being charged.
Image taken from strikingly website
- Choose a Template
The domain is the first step at building your online presence, after which you’ll need a design template. Website builders generally have domain tags and web templates within the same site. You need to find a template that reflects your business in the virtual world.
Choosing a template is quite simple at Strikingly, which provides several categories of templates with fantastic design layouts. You just click on the template you like and begin building your supplier website.
Image taken from strikingly website
- Customize the Template
Once you’re done choosing the template, the next thing you need to do is personalize it according to your needs. Various websites have their own design template layouts and customization options. Some websites have most of the widgets in-built, while others give you more control and freedom to design it according to your liking.
At Strikingly, you don’t really need to be specific about your choices as you have loads of custom options in the template.
- Call to Action
The most important part of the website is where you connect to your client. You can do this by adding buttons that specify various actions to be taken by the website visitor. This can be in the form of a Contact us, Reach us, Make an Appointment, or options to make direct purchases.
You can find ways to create an attractive call-to-action button and choose where you want it on your screen at Strikingly website builder.
Image taken from strikingly website
- Keep it Engaging
Your website is your business communicator, which organizes your work and streamlines processes. And this won’t happen if you aren’t actively engaging your visitors (that is, website visitors). Always remember, websites let you interact with visitors; make the most of it. Emails are the best way to keep your clients informed about your new products, promotions, and more.
These features are made simpler with strikingly where all your emails are organized in one place. You also have the option to send newsletters and campaign banners at the click of a button.
The supply chain industry is ever-changing terrain where you need to adapt to survive. It’s about time you explored global markets and made your mark on the international supply chain market.
Image taken from strikingly website
You must keep up with technology and learn to incorporate it into your supply chain industry. The data and analytics will get you the hang of how to find supplier markets that suit your niche.
You can be the best only when you choose to work with the best in the business. Become a member at strikingly and get your free membership to start your online supplier business.
