Things You'll Need

Instructions

1

Contact your local county administration office or city hall. Find out what permits or licenses you will need for your business, as you will not need a vendor's license as a wholesaler. Go to Business.gov and search your state for business licenses or permits you may need.
2

Find a wholesale or manufacturer supplier for your online wholesale business. Visit the NAW (National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors) website at Naw.org. Call the NAW and have them send you a list of wholesale suppliers. Check the Thomasnet.com site for potential American manufacturers, according to Businessknowhow.com.
3

Call various wholesaler and manufacturer distributors. Ask these companies what products they sell. Try to limit your supply source to one company to simplify your ordering and shipping processes. Ask the wholesaler or manufacturer suppliers if they drop-ship products, which means they will ship products out for you. Choose the drop shipping option if you want to keep your inventory levels and expenses down. Select the supplier that offers your the lowest cost so you can attain the highest profit margin possible.
4

Create a website for your online wholesale business. Use various free website templates that are available at Yahoo.com or Freewebsitetemplates.com. Hire web designer to create your website if you want better graphics. Obtain pictures of your products through your supplier. Order product samples and take pictures of your products if your supplier will not provide you with the pictures.
5

Find various trade publications in which to advertise. Go to Tradepub.com and order some free retail and wholesale publications. Place classified or small display ads in the publications that best target retailers, wholesalers and flea market professionals. List your website in major search engines such as Yahoo.com, Altavista.com and Google.com.
6

Retain e-mails of customers when they purchase your products. Ask these customers in advance if they would like to receive future offers from you. Send special deals or coupons to customers that request additional information.
7

Order from your supplier when retail and wholesale customers place orders. Create a shipping label with your customers name and address. Send the shipping label and order to your supplier along with your wholesale payment for the products. Keep the remainder of the money as profit.