Source: https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing Source sitemap last modified: 2026-09-11 Supplier operations · Choosing a workflow # Find suppliers or connect your own? Shopify workflow guide Finding a product to sell and getting an order to the right supplier are different jobs. Start with the relationship you already have, then choose the workflow that supports it. By the FulfillRelay product team · Updated September 11, 2026 **In this guide** ## When you need products and supplier discovery A sourcing catalog or marketplace helps you explore products and available suppliers. Evaluate product quality, supply terms, delivery coverage and how the chosen service handles ordering. The supplier relationship is part of the selection process. ## When you already know your suppliers If your retailer store and existing suppliers each use Shopify, FulfillRelay connects those independent stores. Agree the exact product variant, supplier price and currency, then route eligible paid lines to the appropriate supplier. The suppliers are already yours. Connect the work: approvals, orders, tracking and supplier-related returns. - [See an exact SKU routing example](https://fulfillrelay.com/guides/shopify-sku-order-routing) ## Three questions that clarify the choice | Question | Why it matters | | --- | --- | | Do you need a new supplier or a better handoff? | Discovery and order routing solve different problems | | Does each supplier operate its own Shopify store? | FulfillRelay connects Shopify stores; it is not a generic email dispatch tool | | Who approves products, accepts orders and records tracking? | A clear responsibility for each step makes the workflow easier to operate | ## Follow a connected-store workflow See the actual FulfillRelay interface with example data. Start with one supplier and one mapped item. Get started with FulfillRelay. [Read the full transcript](https://fulfillrelay.com/demo#main-start) - [Explore FulfillRelay](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) - [See retailer and supplier pricing](https://fulfillrelay.com/pricing/order-routing) - [Choose your best-fit routing workflow](https://fulfillrelay.com/best-shopify-supplier-order-routing-apps) FulfillRelay ## Put the supplier workflow into practice. Connect a supplier you already work with. Retailer plans start at $49 USD/month; Supplier Connect is free. [Explore FulfillRelay on Shopify](https://fulfillrelay.com/go/shopify?source=supplier-marketplace-vs-order-routing) [Explore the product](https://fulfillrelay.com/shopify-supplier-order-routing) [Bring your supplier in](https://fulfillrelay.com/invite-your-supplier)