How Corporate Buyers Find Suppliers: 5 Proven Ways to Stand Out and Win More Business

Corporate buyers are actively looking for new suppliers every day. In fact, more than 2,000 buyers log in to Supplier.io’s SupplierOne platform each month, conducting over 25,000 searches. The opportunity is real, but so is the competition. 

To win business, suppliers must go beyond simply existing in the market; they need to stand out in the places buyers are searching, and in ways that align with how buying teams make decisions. 

This guide outlines five proven strategies to increase your visibility and credibility with corporate buyers. Each step is simple to act on and designed to help you win more business. 

1. Be Where Buyers Search 

The first rule of visibility is showing up where buyers are looking. 

Most corporate buyers don’t turn to Google when they need suppliers. Instead, they rely on specialized databases and registration portals. If your business isn’t listed in these systems, you risk being invisible. 

SupplierOne is designed to help. It’s a free supplier-facing platform that feeds into corporate buyer searches. On average, suppliers who claim their profile here see twice as many opportunities and nearly 50% more spend compared to those who don’t. 

Most corporations use supplier registration portals on their websites. These portals often appear under names like supplier diversity, small business engagement, or simply supplier registration. 

2. Have a Clear Value Proposition 

Buyers need to quickly understand why your company matters. Before highlighting your ownership or diversity status, you need to highlight your value-add to a corporate buyer.  

When reviewing suppliers, buyers look at: 

• Registration status (top filter in searches) 
• Products or services offered 
• Geographic reach 
• Industry experience 
• Contact information 

Registration is important, but buyers also need to see exactly what you do, where you do it, and how to reach you. That clarity helps them move quickly. 

3. Meet Current Buyer Needs 

Corporate buyers search for suppliers in specific categories every month — and those searches change regularly. 

Supplier.io data shows that one month demand may spike for construction and facilities support, and the next month for IT security, marketing, or video production. The suppliers who keep their profiles aligned to those categories at the right time are the ones who win opportunities. 

Popular categories that peak multiple times a year include: 

• IT services, consulting, engineering 
• Marketing, graphic design, PR, video production 
• Facilities services such as construction, roofing, HVAC, landscaping, and janitorial 
• Catering and event support 
• Printing, staffing, logistics 

4. Update Your Value to Meet Changing Demand 

Your profile is not “set it and forget it.” Buyer’s needs change and they use different keywords at different times and need current information. 

Don’t think of your profile as something you do once and forget. Buyers are constantly using new search terms, so if your profile isn’t updated, you won’t be found in the ways you should be. 

For example, earlier this year, technical and IT services were trending searches on the Supplier.io platform, but as the year progressed, we started to see more searches for construction, janitorial, painting, and facility services. These trends are always variable throughout the course of a given year. 

5. Promote Your Business with Corporate Buyers 

While a strong profile gets you discovered, promotion ensures you’re remembered. SupplierOne PLUS gives your business premium visibility: 

• Featured placement in buyer searches 
• Homepage exposure in your target industries 
• Advanced insights into what buyers are searching for 
• Direct support to optimize your presence 

Suppliers who upgrade see a 3x increase in profile views by top buyers. 

When you upgrade to SupplierOne PLUS, you’re not just waiting to be found, you’re featured in front of buyers in your target industries. That visibility is what drives more opportunities. 

The Bottom Line 

Winning business with large corporations isn’t about luck — it’s about visibility, positioning, and consistent engagement. 

By following these five steps, you’ll put your company in the best position to be discovered, considered, and ultimately selected by buyers who are actively searching for suppliers like you.