Alibaba is an online marketplace that allows businesses and individuals to buy and sell their products both locally and internationally. This means you can freely search for the products you want. Shopping on this platform is not difficult, and the following steps can help you learn the right way to shop on Alibaba. In this first part, we will guide you on how to search for the products you’re looking for.
Also Read : How to Order Product From Amazon Marketplace
How to Buy from Alibaba Safely :
1. Creating an Alibaba Account
Just like other websites, the first step to shopping on Alibaba is creating an account on the Alibaba website. Having an account makes it easier for you to search for the products you want to buy and sell your items on the marketplace. Here is the information you need to provide when registering :
- Country/Region
- Trade role
- Email address
- Password
- Company name
- Full name
- Telephone number
After filling in all the required information, you will need to create a password and complete the verification process. For the “trade role,” you can choose the “buyer” option or select “both,” especially if you want to be both a buyer and a seller on Alibaba. However, there are a few things to consider if you plan to sell products from Alibaba :
- You do not need a wholesaler license to create an account on Alibaba. However, if you sell products from Alibaba elsewhere, be prepared to deal with local business and tax authorities in your country.
- If you don’t have a wholesaler license but want to resell products purchased from Alibaba, it’s a good idea to seek help from a third party to handle your product procurement. For instance, Asia Commerce can assist you.
Once you’ve registered, simply click the “Sign In” button to access the Alibaba marketplace with your account, and you can proceed to the next step.
2. How to Buy from Alibaba : Searching for Products
The second step, and the most essential part of shopping on Alibaba, is searching for products. There are two methods you can use to find products on Alibaba: the search bar and the Request for Quotation (RFQ) feature.
- Searching Through the Search Bar. Using the search bar on Alibaba is a simple way to find products. Just type the name of the product you’re looking for, and for more accurate results, you can also include an image of the product. The search results can be filtered based on various criteria, such as product type, product category, and supplier’s country of origin.
- Using the Request for Quotation (RFQ) Feature
If you prefer a more convenient approach, you can submit a product request through the RFQ feature. Once your request is submitted, suppliers will contact you directly to offer their products. This method makes it easier for you to receive direct offers from suppliers without actively searching for products.
Between these two methods, the most common and straightforward option is using the search bar. However, if you want to receive better offers from multiple suppliers, the RFQ feature is a great choice.
3. Filtering Search Results
The third step in shopping on Alibaba is filtering your product search results. The easiest way to search for products will generate many results, which can make it difficult to sift through all the options. To save time, you can use the “Options” on the left side of the search results page. This will allow you to narrow down your search more specifically.
For example, if you search for “Jeans,” you might get 500,000 results. However, you can make your search more specific by checking options like “Men’s Jeans” or “Denim,” and also adding other keywords, such as a specific color, to further refine your search and make the process easier.
You can also filter product searches by the country of origin. This way, you can track suppliers from your country, which can help you save on shipping costs and time.
4. Searching by Supplier
To enhance the efficiency of your product search, we recommend focusing more on searching by supplier. Instead of directing your attention to the products directly, you can easily change the search preference in the tab next to the search bar, from the “Product” category to “Supplier.”
If you have previously worked with a supplier that provides the products you need, this strategy can help you find them again without going through the detailed product search process. By optimizing searches based on suppliers, you can re-establish partnerships that have already been formed.
Additionally, the search results page also provides the option to filter based on the supplier’s country of origin. This can be a very useful feature to narrow down your options and align with your preferences regarding the origin of the products you’re looking for. Therefore, searching by supplier not only speeds up the search process but also gives you greater control over the sources and characteristics of the products you want.
5. Check the Supplier’s Profile
How to buy from Alibaba, Once you have found a supplier through the search engine or via RFQ, visit their profile page to verify their legitimacy.
Alibaba has several types of badges or labels that can be found on a supplier’s profile page. These badges provide additional information to buyers about the supplier’s reputation and credibility. Here are some common types of supplier badges on Alibaba :
- Gold Supplier : This badge indicates that the supplier has subscribed to the Gold membership on Alibaba. It signifies that the supplier has been verified and has been in operation for several years. The Gold Supplier badge is a symbol of trust and suggests that the supplier has a good track record.
- Trade Assurance : Suppliers with the Trade Assurance badge offer additional protection to buyers. Alibaba guarantees that the buyer’s payment will be refunded if the product does not meet the contract requirements or is not shipped as agreed upon.
- Verified Supplier : The Verified Supplier badge shows that Alibaba has verified the supplier’s basic information, such as contact details and business legitimacy. This helps buyers avoid fraud and work with suppliers who have been verified by the platform.
6. Negotiate or Order Directly
After successfully finding how to buy from Alibaba a suitable seller, the next step is to negotiate the price and product details with the seller. To make this process easier, Alibaba provides a chat feature that allows direct communication with the seller. On the platform, we can negotiate various aspects, including the product price and desired specifications. It’s important to maintain politeness during negotiations to create a positive atmosphere and ensure the seller feels open to discussion.
Alternatively, if we prefer to make a purchase directly without going through the negotiation process, we can pay immediately by clicking the “Ready to Ship” option and selecting “Start Order.” After that, we will be presented with various payment method options. The details of these payment options will be explained in the next section.
7. Find an Import Procurement Partner
Once you’ve identified a supplier that meets your needs, the next step is to find a partner who can assist you with importing from Alibaba. There are various types of partners that can collaborate on imports, such as cargo companies, forwarders, and procurement services. If you want a safe and hassle-free experience, consider partnering with an import procurement specialist like AsiaCommerce.
A procurement partner can assist you with the entire import process from start to finish, not just with shipping like forwarders or cargo companies. A procurement partner helps you find quality products and ensures safe payment transactions. So, if you want a smooth and secure import process without the hassle, working with a procurement or import procurement partner is the way to go.
Also Read : Import Quotas : Definition, Purpose, Types and How It Works
How to Buy from Alibaba Safely in 2024 with Asia Commerce!
That’s the guide to shopping on Alibaba. If you’re still unsure or worried about shopping on Alibaba, you can find the solution by importing with AsiaCommerce. We can assist you throughout the entire process, from finding products to handling shipping, preparing regulatory documents, and ensuring secure payments. With us, you can shop on Alibaba hassle-free and with guaranteed safety.
Ready to start shopping on Alibaba now? Let’s have a free consultation with us here or click the banner below!
