3 Steps To Find A Reliable Supplier on Alibaba

The process of finding a supplier for your business who will maintain consistent quality and supply of goods is not something that you can take for granted. Some importers don’t pay sufficient attention to this, and end up losing both their money and clients. The thing is, not all importers are well-informed. In this blog, some unique guiding tips are discussed, especially about finding suppliers on Alibaba.

3 Steps for finding a Supplier on Alibaba

If you are an importer, surely you have heard about Alibaba.com. After all, it is one of the biggest online B2B trading platforms. Importers from around the globe are ordering from Alibaba, and making handsome incomes. Nevertheless, your success will depend on the type of supplier you deal with. So, here are a few tips to help you find a trustworthy supplier on Alibaba.

1. Understand the process of searching

Using the right type of keywords will get you clear results. Therefore, understand the product well and then start looking for it. If you are typing in the wrong phrases, you will not get proper search results. To connect with more suppliers, start exploring such keyword phrases that direct you to them. Well, surely you can scan and go through more products, but search results will vary a lot depending on the keywords you use.

Furthermore, you can shortlist suppliers by putting them in manufacturing locations. This will give you results from a specific location. For instance, if you want products manufactured in Zhejiang, Wenzhou Ningbo, Yongkang, Jinhua, and Guangzhou (the cities known as manufacturing hubs) put those details in your search.

Keep in mind, for anyone who is claiming to be a manufacturer and does not belong to any of these cities, there are good chances that they are just a middle person, not the manufacturer themselves.

2. Note down your requirements

Every importer has their requirement when it comes to ordering from Alibaba, or any other platform for that matter. So, start noting down yours. Consider things like the demand for your product, the size of your market, the regularity of your order, order quantity, etc. There are many manufacturers in China, and thus finding someone to suit your requirement is always possible.

3. Work with someone who maintains strong communication

You surely have heard the phrase – communication is the key. Well, it surely is. Someone who responds promptly, answers all your queries, and is proactive about the deal is someone you can rely on. Besides, if the supplier maintains steady communication, you can inquire about the product as much as you can. You need to discuss the following details with them:

Product Description

Irrespective of whether you know the product or not, it is best to inquire about it from the supplier. Any good supplier will readily provide such details.

Check the supplier’s authenticity

When you are ordering from Alibaba, you are investing your money and time, and expecting to gain something out of this. Now, while all this depends on the product quality and demand, it even depends on how the supplier is. So, ask questions that let you know about the experience level of the supplier, their qualification, and even certification and licenses.

Verify their membership

Suppliers who are regularly associated with Alibaba and other online B2B platforms have membership in these platforms. This means, they are consistently working on these platforms, and have proven to be reliable suppliers. Ideally, a membership that is longer than 5 years suggests better product quality and professionalism.

If you fail at finding a good supplier, it is best to seek the help of an established China Sourcing Company. Using their contacts, they can get you dependable products at the right prices, and thereby cut down your never-ending search of suppliers.