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The ever-evolving landscape of eCommerce plays a vital role in our daily lives. It is redefining how we shop and how we access products around the world. Over the years, the sector has grown in leaps and bounds, creating more ways for both consumers and sellers to indulge in commercial activities.
This profound growth, along with the concept of dropshipping, has presented everyone with an opportunity to do business. Whether you are a dropshipping beginner or professional, having an effective tool for inventory management could make a significant difference in the success of your online store.
In that regard, Inventory Source presents itself as a one-stop-shop for all your dropshipping needs. Before taking the plunge, we would suggest reading our in-depth review. On top of explaining how Investor Source works and what features the platform offers, we also unravel how much it is going to cost you.
What is Inventory Source?
Launched way back in 2003, Inventory Source is one of the world’s largest dropshipping data solution providers. The software helps you to find your suppliers, manage your inventory, and allow you to be efficient as well as automate all your services.
Inventory Source is one of the first players in the dropshipping market and has continued to maintain its position as a trusted way to automate your products and services. The platform puts thousands of products within reach at the click of a button.
With access to a free integrated supplier database, the software can connect you to specialty supplies no matter what your niche is. Combine this with its well-oiled automation and the order management tools, and you are looking at a software that can make your dropshipping business a breeze.
Inventory Source Features
Inventory Source is jam-packed with features and benefits – which we unravel in more detail below.
Full-Automation
Undeniably, what makes Inventory Source a useful tool is that it is fully equipped for automation. With its proprietary software, you no longer have to constantly check your business site to complete manual investor tasks. In other words, Inventory Source allows you to set up a fully-automated website that, in essence, can run on autopilot mode.
Users can choose between their Inventory Automation Service or the Full Automation Service, depending on your needs. Inventory Automation enables automatic syncing with your dropship supplier’s inventory and product data to your website.
On the other hand, the Full Automation Service additionally provides you with the option to automatically route orders to your suppliers as well. Furthermore, you can also automatically sync shipment tracking to both your store and the customer.
Full-Product Data
Inventory Source truly stands out its offering of automated synchronization of full-product data integration and product uploads. Compared to other dropship solutions that provide only inventory synchronization, this feature is especially useful for business owners. You can merge data and create categories based on images, brand names, weights, and other key metrics.
The full-product data integration also allows you to streamline the addition of any new suppliers. You can easily browse through supplier’s products and sort them to meet your specific needs, as well as find products by applying filters.
Moreover, you can also turn on notifications for when new products appear in the supplier’s feed. By leveraging its automation tools, you can streamline new SKU uploads and feature the latest products on your site without any manual intervention.
Pre-Built Supplier Directory
One of the most powerful tools of a dropshipping business is its supplier directory.
Inventory Source offers its users an expansive dropship supplier list consisting of over 230 supplier integrations. It covers a diverse array of product categories such as electronics, home accessories, pet supplies, outdoor gear, and more. They also focus on including exclusive and high-quality brands that will help your eCommerce business thrive.
Be it a supplier wanting to connect your inventory management to a shopper, or a retailer hoping to automate sales tunnels, Inventory Source establishes a direct connection by eliminating the middleman. In effect, it avoids manual errors and other common mistakes that often occur during file-transfers.
You can easily find support from popular brands such as Amazon, eBay, Rakuten. Walmart, and more. On top of that, the software also offers support for leading eCommerce platforms, including WordPress, Shopify, Magento, and other content management systems. This wide range of options and integrations can result in the smooth running of your dropshipping business.
Extra Integrations
Another highlight of using Inventory Source for your dropshipping needs is that you also get to access third-party software providers from within the platform.
For example:
- US Direct: US Direct is one such feature that gets you instant access to over 200,000 dropshipping products. From gaining access to suppliers to getting approvals, US Direct solves a range of challenges. Users can integrate US Direct into their Inventory Source account and take advantage of its features in a burden-free manner.
- FLXPoint: FLXPoint is another software provider that is designed specifically for small business needs. For example, FLXPoint gives you the option to include private suppliers, invoice reconciliation, sales reporting, and B2B management.
24/7 Customer Support
As is the case with all eCommerce providers, it is crucial to assess the availability of customer support. When you are dropshipping, you not only need to provide support yourself, but you also need to receive it. As such, Inventory Source ensures a dedicated customer support team is available to you at all times.
Account support is provided through email or scheduled calls. If you have technical issues, you can use support tickets for maintenance. If you are new to dropshipping, the service also offers guides, video tutorials, and other information to help you set up your business.
Inventory Source Pricing
As great as Investor Source can be for your long-term dropshipping needs, it is crucial that you assess the platform’s pricing structure prior to signing up.
Ultimately, the plan that you opt for will depend on your business size and needs. The good news is that Inventory Source has a number of flexible plans of offer – subsequently allowing you to select the one that most suits your business requirements.
Free Directory Account
Investor Source offers a free plan that depending on the size of your business – might suffice. It will cost you nothing to create a free Directory Account that gives you access to a several of the platform’s features. This includes the directory of dropship suppliers, contact information, as well as a preview of products.
However, although this plan is labeled as free, it is essentially a trial, insofar that you will need to upgrade if you want to gain access to its full suite of services.
Nevertheless, the key advantage here is that Inventory Source provides supplier information for free regardless of the plan you choose. So, if you are considering the service for what it does best, then there are a few different automation plans to pick from.
Inventory Automation
Inventory Syncing comes at two different rates, a Basic plan of $99 a month and a Plus plan at $125 a month.
- The Basic Plan comes with a single integration along with product and inventory syncing. It also has a 50k limit on SKUs along with a $50 per month fee for additional integrations. If you are just starting out in the world of dropshipping, then this plan will likely work best for you.
- The Plus Plan offers two integrations and $25 for additional connections. It also exceeds its SKU limit to 250k, and offers doubles the daily sync. If you end up establishing connections with more than one supplier and expand your business further, then you might want to take a look at the Plus option.
Remember than Inventory Automation still has limited features that covers only the synchronization of inventory. While the availability of products will be handled automatically, you will still need to ensure that they are in stock. You will also have to facilitate order processing manually, and verify each order before you send the details to your supplier.
If you want to benefit from the complete suite of what Inventory Source offers, you will need to consider upgrading further.
Full Automation
If you are a professional drop shipper that has greater business needs, then full automation is likely to be the way forward. Along with inventory automation, you will also receive a multi-supplier order routing facility along with automated order processing. The shipment tracking synchronization is a great addition to know where the orders are coming from and manage them efficiently.
The Basic Plan for a single integration will cost you $150 per month, whereas the Plus Plan will take you to $225 per month. In both the plans, you have to pay an additional $50 per month for new integrations.
If you want a full-fledged dropshipping management tool, then Inventory Source offers enterprise-level services with FLXpoint. The plans start at $399 a month and above, but you will have an eCommerce website that mostly runs by itself.
Inventory Source Drawbacks
With all its notable features, Inventory Source has managed to put thousands of products available to the average supplier. However, there are also a couple of drawbacks that require further attention.
Lack of Free Market Research Tool
Compared to its competitors, Inventory Source misses one key feature that is highly relevant. For an eCommerce website, market research is a crucial part of competitor analysis. Having a free analytical tool would be of great use to users and one that complements the end-to-end dropshipping process nicely.
Order Limitations
Regardless of the plan you choose, orders are capped on a monthly basis. Though you can exceed your allotments, you will have to pay an extra fee.
Added Fees
The Inventory Source pricing structure allows you up to two integrations or connections to suppliers, even with the top tier plan. You pay a set monthly fee and a slightly smaller fee for each supplier to add after that.
If you want to work with more than one supplier, you will soon see your prices mounting up. For those who require more than five integrations, you will have to opt for the FLXPoint that is much more expensive.
E-Commerce Integrations
Inventory Source currently works with over 33 sales channels, including some of the most popular eCommerce sites. You can also find dedicated apps on these platforms that will help you seamlessly integrate the two services. Let us take a quick look at two here.
Inventory Source on Shopify
With this app, you can easily upload products to your Shopify store, and list over 20+ marketplaces. It delivers all features of Inventory Source such as auto-upload of product data and syncing shipment tracking.
The app further integrates with BigCommerce, eBay, Amazon, Walmart, Amazon UK, and other sales channels without requiring an intermediary.
Integrated Supplier Network
The integrated supplier network helps you find trusted wholesale suppliers for free. You can also take advantage of the US Direct application to find exclusive products from trusted US-based suppliers.
Further options include automation and customization of dropshipping, including product uploading and continuous monitoring of all aspects of your site’s upkeep.
Custom Integrations
If Inventory Source doesn’t integrate with your sales channel of choice, the team can also provide you with custom supplier integrations. The provider notes that a custom request can help you take your SKU range to the next level, to help you create a plan that accommodates all your business needs.
Inventory Source Review: The Verdict?
As one of the oldest players in the dropshipping industry, Inventory Source certainly has a long list of notable features. Its most significant offering is the extensiveness of its supplier network, which allows retailers to find the best partners for the success of their business.
Irrespective of the plan you choose, Inventory Source ensures that you deliver a competent dropshipping experience. Its automation tools can take away a large chunk of your manual workload while making your business ever-more efficient. From inventory management to customizations, it can take your business to new heights.
Having said that, Inventory Source is undoubtedly not without limitations. How much you benefit from the software will depend on which plan you choose. Its true potential lies in the automation tools and if you have the budget for Full Automation, then you are likely to see some notable results.
Inventory Source
Pros
- Vast range of suppliers & Products
- Excellent eCommerce Integrations
- Free Account Available
- Full Product Information
- US Direct Offering
Cons
- Need top plan for full automation
Stay Ahead of the Market with Benzinga Pro!
Want to trade like a pro? Benzinga Pro gives you the edge you need in today's fast-paced markets. Get real-time news, exclusive insights, and powerful tools trusted by professional traders:- Breaking market-moving stories before they hit mainstream media
- Live audio squawk for hands-free market updates
- Advanced stock scanner to spot promising trades
- Expert trade ideas and on-demand support
