You’ve done your market research, and designed your product prototype. Your eCommerce website is nearly ready.
There’s just one thing left to do: actually create your product!
Here’s your step-by-step guide to manufacturing an eCommerce product, with pro tips from our own experience.
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1. Find a manufacturer.
You have two main options for finding a product manufacturer. You can ask other business owners for a referral, or you can find one using a manufacturer directory.
Popular domestic manufacturers include ThomasNet, Maker’s Row, MFG, and Kompass. Overseas manufacturers include Alibaba, Oberlo, AliExpress, IndiaMart, and Sourcify.
We recommend reaching out to several manufacturers and asking them about their costs and minimum order quantity (MOQ) for custom products.
Most manufacturers will only create a product sample for you once you’ve agreed for MOQ. Typically, the more you buy, the lower the cost per item. If you’re confident you can move the inventory, it’s more cost-effective to order a higher MOQ. If you’re just testing the market, go with the lowest MOQ you can afford without eating into your profit margins.
Pro Tip: Ask about the timeframe. Bulk orders can take up to 60 days to produce, and that doesn’t even include shipping times. Plan your launch time accordingly to avoid upsetting any of your pre-order customers.
Domestic vs. overseas manufacturers: which is right for you?
Should you work with a local manufacturer or someone overseas? It depends.
Using a local manufacturer enables you to say “Made in the USA.” This really appeals to certain target audiences and can set your brand apart. It’s usually easier to communicate with a local manufacturer and get your products shipped faster.
However, local manufacturers are more expensive to work with. If you go with a local manufacturer, make sure you run the numbers first to ensure you can afford the higher cost.
Overseas manufacturers, on the other hand, are significantly more affordable to work with. However, the cheaper cost also comes with certain disadvantages, such as longer shipping times and communication challenges. You also can’t visit in person to verify product quality and working conditions.
If you go with an overseas manufacturer, it will be cheaper. But, don’t forget to factor in additional costs like fees and tariffs.
2. Ask for exclusivity.
It’s a smart idea to have your manufacturer sign an exclusivity agreement so they can’t sell the product they’ve created for you to another buyer.
These are harder to enforce if you work with an overseas manufacturer, but it will give you peace of mind to have them sign it.
3. Order a sample first.
Always order a product sample before you bulk order.
Samples are more expensive than ordering in bulk (since they’re more labor-intensive to create), but they’re definitely worth it. A 3D product you can hold in your hands feels way different than the 2D prototype you’ve been looking at.
Be prepared to iterate on the product sample a few times before you’re ready to make a bulk order.
“There will be back and forth between you and the product engineer, you and the manufacturer, etc. This process can take weeks to months,” shared Ishani DePillo, our cofounder. “Stick with it and stay on task. You’ll get there.”
4. Use visuals to provide feedback.
Do what you can to ease communication with your manufacturer. When providing feedback, don’t rely on text alone. Use photos and videos to point out what you want to change, and markup the photo and video if you can to make it super crystal clear.
This will prevent miscommunication, especially if you’re working with someone overseas.
5. Build a relationship.
Finally, we cannot stress enough the importance of establishing a good working relationship with your manufacturer. These are the people who will be bringing your product to life. It’s worth getting them on your side.
You’ll see the payoff in the quality of your product. You may enjoy a few other perks as well, such as extra samples, exclusive pricing, or a discount on rush orders.
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