How can you find suppliers and vendors for your business?
Written by Shivangi Singh, Senior Content Writer · October 17, 2026
Where to look
- Existing data. Your purchase history, approved vendor list and the suppliers your competitors publicly work with.
- Industry directories and trade bodies. Sector associations, trade fairs and B2B marketplaces list vetted manufacturers and distributors.
- Referrals. Ask peers in procurement, your logistics partners and even current suppliers for adjacent categories.
- Supplier discovery tools. Procol's free Vendor Finder searches by category and location and returns a ready shortlist.
How to shortlist
- Send a short request for information (RFI) to gauge capability and interest.
- Check financial health, certifications, references and compliance records. Third-party risk checks belong here, not after award.
- Run a request for quotation (RFQ) or a reverse auction with the three to five strongest candidates.
- Score on total cost, quality, lead time and risk, not price alone.
Once a vendor is selected, onboard them properly and track performance from day one. A supplier you found quickly is only a win if they keep delivering.
Shivangi is a Senior Content Marketer specializing in B2B SaaS, procurement, and enterprise technology. She creates research-driven content that helps procurement leaders and business decision-makers navigate AI, digital transformation, sourcing, and spend management. Her work focuses on turning complex industry developments into clear, practical, and actionable insights.