Most people start dropshipping by partnering up with a dropshipping supplier.
But here's the thing: a dropshipping supplier isn't always the best choice.
Not only do you have limited control over your inventory or shipping methods, but they can also be difficult to communicate with, especially if you're dealing directly with a Chinese factory.
And I can tell you from my own experience, this is where a dropshipping agent can make your life a lot easier!
They help you discover the best suppliers, check product quality, negotiate prices, manage inventory, find the fastest shipping routes, and much more.
In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about getting started with a dropshipping agent.
When do you actually need a dropshipping agent?
A dropshipping agent is an alternative to a dropshipping supplier. It's a person or organization that sources, stores, packs, and ships products for your dropshipping store.
Generally speaking, partnering with a dropshipping agent is a better choice than working with a dropshipping supplier. (But it's not better for everyone, as you'll see in a moment!)
A dropshipping agent has multiple benefits over a dropshipping supplier.
Here are some signs it's time for you to find a dropshipping agent:
- You're having trouble with suppliers. A dropshipping agent can find reliable suppliers, negotiate better prices, and make sure the products meet your standards.
- You're working with multiple suppliers. Different suppliers have different communication styles, shipping times, and quality standards. If you're finding it hard to manage these relationships, a dropshipping agent can help.
- You're having trouble with price negotiations. A dropshipping agent will use their network and negotiating skills to find the product you're looking for at the lowest possible price.
- You need faster shipping. Shipping times can be a major pain point in dropshipping. A dropshipping agent can help you optimize your shipping methods.
- You want more consistent product quality. Sometimes, the quality of products from your suppliers might suddenly drop. A dropshipping agent can perform quality checks to ensure that the quality stays consistent.
- You want to expand your product range. If you're looking to expand your product range but don't know where to start, a dropshipping agent can help. They have the connections and expertise to find new products that fit your niche.
- You want more personalized packaging. You can ask your dropshipping agent to include your logo, a promotional code, a thank-you letter, or your product’s manual in the package.
You may be thinking, "But if a dropshipping agent is so much better, why doesn't everyone use one?"
Well, that's where the drawbacks come in.
There are two main scenarios when a dropshipping agent is not the right choice:
- You have a limited budget. It goes without saying that a dropshipping agent must be paid for their time. If you have lots of orders already, their expertise is likely to save you money at the bottom line. However, if you're a beginner with a limited budget, it's more expensive than working directly with a dropshipping supplier.
- You have extensive knowledge of the industry. If you already know which factory offers the best quality at the lowest prices and which shipping method is best for your audience, then a dropshipping agent might just be an unnecessary middleman.
Here's how you can find a reliable dropshipping agent
If you want to get started with using a dropshipping agent, the first step is to find one.
Now, there are two main types of dropshipping agents: private agents (freelancers) and organizations (public agents).
Private agents are individuals who work independently. They usually offer more personalized attention, more flexibility, and are more affordable:
The downside is that they might have limited resources and might not handle large volumes as well as organizations.
Public dropshipping agents are companies that offer dropshipping services. Examples include HyperSKU or Dropshipman.
These organizations usually have more resources, but the downside is that they might be more expensive.
We will cover the 11 best public dropshipping agents in the next heading, but for now, let’s focus on how to find a private dropshipping agent:
1. Join a Facebook dropshipping group
Facebook is a great place to start your search.
There are many dropshipping groups where members share their experiences.
Join a few of these groups and ask for agent recommendations.
You'll get insights from other dropshippers and can even directly connect with agents:
In fact, this is how I previously found my own dropshipping agent as well!
Just remember that everyone can call themselves a dropshipping agent in these Facebook groups, so watch out for people who are looking to scam you.
Note: Did you know that Do Dropshipping also has its own Facebook dropshipping group? If not, you can find it here!
2. Find dropshipping agents on Upwork
Many dropshipping agents love listing themselves on Upwork. By doing that, they make it easier for clients to find them.
You can find many dropshipping agents on Upwork simply by typing "dropshipping agent" in the search bar:
Tip: Filter the agents in the same country as you want to source your products from. For example, if you're looking to source products from China, working with a dropshipping agent based in Pakistan usually won't yield the best results.
3. Make a post on Reddit
This tip will be pretty similar to the first one. But, instead of looking for dropshipping agents on Facebook groups, you will look for them on Reddit's dropshipping groups!
The biggest one is the subreddit "dropship".
If you're looking for a dropshipping agent, you can make a post there and ask others if someone can recommend you a good agent.
4. Work directly with a dropshipping agent through a company
Most dropshipping agent organizations have teams of vetted sourcing agents.
That means that when you partner with them, one of their dropshipping agents will be assigned directly to you.
In this case, you'll be working with someone directly and you'll have the safety net of the company behind it!
Overview: The 11 best public dropshipping agents in 2024
To further help you find an agent, here is an overview of the 11 best dropshipping agents out there:
| Agent | China-US shipping time | Pricing |
| HyperSKU | 7-12 Days | Free |
| Dropshipman | 7-15 Days | $0 / $9.90 / $29.90 / $49.90 per month |
| EcommOps | 5-8 Days | Free |
| CJdropshipping | 5-11 Days | Free |
| Dropship Agent | 7-14 Days | Free |
| SourcinBox | 7-15 Days | Free |
| NicheDropshipping | 4-20 Days | Free |
| Sup Dropshipping | 14-21 Days | $0 / $19.90 / $29.90 per month |
| Eprolo | 5-15 Days | Free |
| DropHippo | 5-10 Days | Free |
| Wefulfil | 9-12 Days | Free |
Tip: If you want to dive deeper into what makes each of these agents stand out, be sure to check out our article on the best dropshipping agents!
Let's take HyperSKU as an example:
It's a highly-rated platform that can help you source products from factories, perform quality control, and customize your packages.
HyperSKU's team sources directly from reputable factories in China, which guarantees competitive pricing, high quality, and a consistent supply.
They also offer worldwide shipping with a delivery time of just 3-15 days!
Here's an overview of their pros and cons:
| HyperSKU Overview | |
| Shopify App Store Rating | 4.8 out of 5.0 (200+ reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8 out of 5.0 (120+ reviews) |
| Pros | - Easy to get started with - No monthly fees - Great customer support - AliExpress product sourcing - US-based warehouse option - Available automation tools - Extensive integration options - Place orders and payments in batches - Product customization and private labeling services |
| Cons | - Customer support can be confusing at first - The existing product catalog is not the biggest |
| Pricing | Free |
| Shipping location | China / United States |
| Shipping time | 3 to 15 days (depending on the warehouse location) |
| Free trial? | Create your free account here. |
Want to learn more? Check out our in-depth HyperSKU review here!
Choosing the dropshipping agent that fits you best
As you've seen, there are plenty of dropshipping agents out there.
Plus, you can work with an individual agent or through a larger organization.
So, how do choose one that will best fit your needs?
To make it easier, here is a list of things to consider before choosing a dropshipping agent:
1. Location
The first thing to consider before picking a dropshipping agent is something many people don't think that much about; their location.
Your agent should be based close to the product factories so that they can visit them and be restocked quicker.
In China, there are two key locations that you want your agent to be in:
- Shanghai/Zhejiang (1)
- Guangzhou/Shenzhen (2)
Shanghai/Zhejiang and Guangzhou/Shenzhen are important manufacturing regions in China. Many factories manufacture dropshipping products in these regions.
Plus, you'll have good shipping options to the rest of the world due to the close proximity of the Hongkong International Airport.
2. Shipping costs and time
One of the primary things a dropshipping agent helps you with is reducing your shipping costs and time.
So, when vetting an agent, ask what they can offer!
Lesser-known shipping methods like YunExpress, 4PX, CNE Express, or YanWen Express can be cheaper and/or quicker.
Some dropshipping agents even have warehouses in the US or Europe, in which case you can significantly speed up your delivery times!
3. Processing time
This speaks for itself, but every day saved in order processing is a day saved in your delivery times.
For example, if one dropshipping agent ships out your orders within one day, while the other has a delay of four days, the choice is already much simpler.
4. Communication
Next, the communication between you and your dropshipping agent must be effortless.
You should:
- Be able to reach them quickly. In the ideal situation, you will be able to contact your dropshipping agent using a phone number or WhatsApp. This way, you can contact them in case of issues that need to be resolved on time.
- Get swift responses from them. Nobody needs an agent that takes days to reply to your questions. A good dropshipping agent will reply within a few hours.
- Be able to understand your agent. This is important to prevent miscommunications which can cause big problems for your dropshipping store.
So, when approaching a dropshipping agent for the first time, make sure they can speak English well and understand your needs.
Here's an example of how your conversation should NOT look like:
5. Stock procedure and MOQs
Many dropshipping agents will offer to keep your inventory in their warehouse for faster fulfillment.
Some dropshipping agents will require you to pay for it before, while others will want to see that you will need a certain MOQ of orders per day:
If you're choosing an agent, be sure to consider their MOQ and whether you must purchase inventory upfront.
6. Flexibility
Continuing with the agent's requirements, it's best if they are flexible with them.
If you're just starting out, you don't want to use a dropshipping agent that demands a minimum of 50 orders per day.
In that case, something like 5 orders per day would be much better:
Besides that, what if your store isn't performing that well anymore suddenly?
In that case, you would pause your marketing efforts, try to improve your store, and try to increase your conversion rate, right?
Therefore, it's great to work with a dropshipping agent who understands this and won't mind that you may not get that many orders in the next one or two weeks.
7. The dropshipping agent's network
Make sure that your dropshipping agent has genuine connections with local factories.
When agents have their own network of manufacturers, that’s when you will often find products for the best prices.
You want your agent to call factories, manage relationships with them, and maybe even visit the factories to check the quality.
8. Package customization
If you want to take your dropshipping store to the next level, branding is definitely something that you should consider.
Therefore, it's important to consider whether the dropshipping agent you will be working with can pack your products in branded packaging (or at least add custom flyers or thank-you cards).
9. Aftersale services
Next, ask the agent what services they provide after the products are shipped out.
When things go wrong during transit, you want your dropshipping agent to take responsibility and quickly resolve any issues!
10. Fulfillment process
Another important criterion for choosing a dropshipping agent is how they integrate with your store (we'll discuss this more in a moment).
That's because some dropshipping agents ask you to manually fulfill your orders through unique AliExpress pages or CSV files.
However, the best solution is when the agent offers an automated app integration:
11. Reviews
Last, but not least, make sure to check a dropshipping agent's reviews if possible.
Trust can be a challenge when working with dropshipping agents, especially if you've found them through a Facebook group, for example.
If that's the case, ask them if they can show photos/videos of their warehouse, a list of previous tracking numbers, or even some positive words from their current clients.
And if you're working with a dropshipping agent platform, always check their reviews on Google or Trustpilot!
Integrating a dropshipping agent with your store
So, you've found the perfect dropshipping agent.
Congrats!
Now it's time to start working with them and integrate them into your current system.
The first step is to discuss your needs and the agreement between you and the dropshipping agent.
You and your dropshipping agent will talk about your products, target market, and specific requirements.
Then, you both agree on terms such as fees, shipping times, and return policies.
If you want your dropshipping agent to source your products, you must provide them with details such as product descriptions, prices, and any special instructions.
Once the agent has prepared the inventory and order fulfillment process, it's time to integrate the dropshipping agent with your store.
Ideally, you use an ecommerce platform like Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce and your agent has an app that connects your store to their system.
Most dropshipping agents from the overview table earlier provide automated integrations. For example, here is HyperSKU's Shopify app:
In this case, it's just a matter of installing the app to ensure your agent automatically receives any new orders placed on your store!
Summary
Before we go to the conclusion, we've created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:
- Most people start dropshipping by partnering with a supplier, but a dropshipping agent is better for those who want more control over inventory and shipping.
- A dropshipping agent helps you find suppliers, check product quality, negotiate prices, manage inventory, and optimize shipping.
- Signs you need a dropshipping agent include trouble with suppliers, working with multiple suppliers, needing faster shipping, wanting consistent product quality, and personalized packaging.
- Drawbacks include needing a budget to pay the agent and it possibly being unnecessary if you have enough industry knowledge.
- There are two types of dropshipping agents: private agents (freelancers) and public agents (organizations like HyperSKU).
- Methods to find dropshipping agents include Facebook groups, Upwork, Reddit, and dropshipping agent platforms.
- You can find the best dropshipping agents in this article.
- Choosing the right agent involves considering location, shipping time, package customization, and more.
- Integrating a dropshipping agent is easiest with a dedicated integration app.
Conclusion
With the right dropshipping agent, you can take your store to the next level.
You’ll have more time to focus on marketing, customer service, and expanding your product range.
If you have any questions or want to share your experiences, feel free to leave a comment below.
We’d love to hear from you!
Want to learn more about dropshipping?
Ready to move your dropshipping store to the next level? Check out the articles below:
- The 12 Best Dropshipping Suppliers in 2024 (Free & Paid)
- Should You Do Dropshipping With an AliExpress Agent in 2024?
- Can You Do Dropshipping With 1688? (The Same as AliExpress?)
- Can You Hide the Chinese Address When Dropshipping? (Guide)
Plus, don’t forget to check out our in-depth guide on how to start dropshipping here!
