How to buy products on Alibaba ?

20 April 2024
Alibaba

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Do you want to buy on Alibaba, the renowned e-commerce platform?

With a fantastic shopping experience, especially for foreign brands, Alibaba is an ideal B2B platform. However, it is essential to be vigilant to avoid scammers and buy safely with reliable suppliers.

In this article, I will guide you step by step through the purchasing process on Alibaba.

Table of Contents

1 – What is Alibaba?

Alibaba is the largest wholesaler of products in China. The company was founded in 1999 with the launch of an e-commerce site: Alibaba.com. This platform connects Chinese suppliers of all types of products with buyers from around the world.

Here is a summary of what you need to know about Alibaba

Founded in 1999, Alibaba.com launched a B2B e-commerce platform.
Connecting Chinese suppliers with global buyers.
Platform offering a wide variety of products.
Listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange, 71.5% owned by Alibaba Group.

Buying on Alibaba

The purchasing process on Alibaba involves finding a specific product using the search bar, exploring supplier options, and negotiating the price to obtain products at a cost-effective rate.

Buyers can establish a relationship with a reliable supplier to obtain customized products with their own logo on the packaging.

Although the platform is primarily focused on businesses, some sellers also offer retail options.

Communicating with potential suppliers is important to obtain the necessary information to make an informed purchase decision.

Why are products on Alibaba economical?

The affordable pricing of products on Alibaba is explained by:

Reduced import taxes,
Abundant labor,
Direct sale of products to buyers without an intermediary,
Lower production costs due to the procurement of raw materials at reduced prices on wholesale markets.

Delivery with Alibaba?

Alibaba’s shipping costs can be affordable thanks to several options available.

You can discuss with the supplier to determine the best shipping method and track your shipment in real time.

Shipping methods such as air or ship can be considered for fast and affordable delivery.

Remember to confirm shipping costs with your supplier, which can vary depending on the delivery time chosen.

How to succeed in dropshipping from Alibaba?

Dropshipping via Alibaba is an easy process to follow. Here are the steps:

Create a buyer account on Alibaba.
Order your inventory from reliable suppliers.
Ask your supplier to deliver directly to the end customer.
Integrate your sales channel to effectively manage online orders.
Ensure good supply chain management.

2 – Why Buy on Alibaba?

Wide selection of products:

Alibaba offers a large selection of products for all niches.
You can easily find the product that meets your needs.

Possibility of customization:

Alibaba allows you to customize or create your own products.
Branding is very important in e-commerce, and Alibaba offers you this opportunity.

Decreasing prices for bulk purchases:

Alibaba offers very attractive prices for bulk purchases.
The more products you buy, the more the price decreases.

Efficient logistics:

Alibaba has an efficient logistics system to ensure the fast and reliable delivery of your products.

Customer service 7 days a week:

Alibaba offers customer service available 7 days a week to answer all your questions and solve any problems.

3 – How Does Alibaba Work?

Follow these steps to successfully make your purchase on Alibaba:

Find the right product:

Conduct research on products to find the one that meets your needs.
Use filters to refine your results.
Check images and descriptions to ensure the quality and functionality of the product.

Assess the supplier’s responsiveness:

Send messages to suppliers to obtain additional product information.
Check how quickly they respond to determine their level of service.
Evaluate their professionalism and transparency to determine their reliability.

Negotiate the rate:

Evaluate the prices of similar products to determine the market price.
Discuss with suppliers to negotiate a lower price.
Negotiate discounts for bulk orders.

Establish trust:

Check the supplier’s reputation by reading comments and evaluations.
Establish a trust relationship by communicating regularly with the supplier.
Ensure the supplier meets delivery times and warranty conditions.

Place your order:

Check the order details to ensure everything is correct.
Make the payment securely.
Track your order to be informed of its progress.

4 – How to Find a Good Alibaba Supplier?

Follow these steps to find the best suppliers on Alibaba:

Filter “Gold suppliers”:

“Gold suppliers” are suppliers who have proven their reliability and seriousness on the Alibaba platform.
This filter allows you to find the best suppliers to help you make an informed purchase decision.

Check “Trade Assurance”:

“Trade Assurance” is a buyer protection service on Alibaba.
It ensures that you will receive your products within the stipulated time and that the products meet the advertised specifications.

Check “Verified supplier”:

“Verified suppliers” are suppliers who have been certified by professionals.
This certification ensures that you are dealing with a reliable and qualified supplier to offer you a shopping experience with confidence.