Why you should also look outside Alibaba for manufacturing?
Well think about it. Alibaba is a marketplace for anyone to go and find manufacturers for their products. It is mostly a product based search, so you are seeing factories producing XYZ product and you can inquire about getting that same thing made. But, if you are a world class factory producing for major brands, then you probably don’t need random entrepreneurs around the world’s 100 piece orders.
You have a fully scheduled out production 6 months out, and are working with established customers you trust. Therefore, those top factories a lot of the time won’t be there.
There are two ways to find these factories. One way would be going to manufacturing trade shows. The worlds largest is the Canton Fair and happens twice a year.
The other main way is going through import records. I’ll be writing an article about how that works her. The last method I use is physically fly into a country, staying for a month or so, and making connections. Its the hardest way to to do it, but it works. Pro-tip, stay at the nicest international hotel you can find “think Marriott or Hilton” go to the lounge at those hotels. From there start chatting up people. They are most likely there for work.
I am super blunt and say “ Hi I’m Isaac, I run a sourcing company and I’m trying to meet more factories for our customers. I am wondering if you know anyone in __ city that is in the manufacturing supply chain industry that might be able to point me in the right direction” most of the time they will know someone and they will connect you with them, and then that person can connect you with another, and so on.
And surprisingly, use google haha. Finding a reputable supplier is one of the most critical aspects of establishing an eCommerce company. This requires a partner you can rely on to regularly deliver high-quality items on schedule. Otherwise, your company will suffer.
Most eCommerce businesses seek Alibaba for suppliers, and while this is a fine strategy, it isn't the only place to look. There are other similar sites with a wide range of manufacturers to pick from.
Here, we'll look at the benefits and drawbacks of Alibaba, as well as how to use it to identify suppliers. We'll also discuss why you might want to check out other sites and the finest Alibaba alternatives.
Before we go over all of your alternatives, it's crucial to understand why getting your products from sites like Alibaba is a good idea. There are thousands of providers on these platforms. This allows you to search in one location rather than several websites, making it easy to locate the best manufacturer in the shortest amount of time.
There are also further advantages of purchasing from Chinese companies:
· Chinese manufacturers are accustomed todelivering enormous quantities of goods in a short period of time.
· Despite numerous unfavorable preconceptions,most Chinese products are of excellent quality.
· Wages and materials are lower; thus you'll payless for your things.
For these reasons, most vendors buy from China rather than other nations such as India or the United States.
Because Alibaba has the world's most extensive collection of manufacturers and suppliers, most merchants use them to source their items.
Of course, they aren't perfect, just like any other service. They've had some problems with questionable vendors. However, they remain the premier B2B marketplace for eCommerce enterprises.
So, why should you hunt for Alibaba substitutes? Simply, the more sites you visit, the better your chances of finding the most acceptable source are. If you only look at Alibaba, you can miss out on a fantastic manufacturer who is based somewhere else.
Here are a few more reasons to consider alternative markets:
· You might be able to find a lower deal onanother website.
· You'll have a larger selection of things tochoose from.
· You might be able to get better deals elsewhere.
· Some markets may offer higher-quality items.
· You may be able to discover better delivery andshipping terms.
Because of this, it is worthwhile to investigate alternative websites similar to Alibaba.
GlobalSources, Alibaba's most prominent competitor, operates in a similar manner. The platform is totally in English, and manufacturers from all around the world can be found.
There is, however, a distinction between Alibaba and Global Sources. Because the entrance criteria is more stringent on GlobalSources, you will find more genuine manufacturers rather than so-called "Trading Companies."
Prices for all products are not displayed, therefore you must occasionally contact a supplier to obtain them. Remember that Alibaba's prices are frequently wrong.
DHGate not only resembles Alibaba in appearance, but it also functions similarly. There are products of all kinds on the marketplace, and the prices are comparable to those on Alibaba. You can also contact and negotiate with vendors.
The Supplier Database on Jungle Scout is the greatest alternative to Alibaba. You can browse the database for high-quality manufacturers and obtain useful information such as customer volume and confirmed shipments.
Within the Supplier Database, you can also manage quotations and generate purchases.
The Canton Fair is China's largest trade show. Every year, in the spring and autumn, in Guangzhou, China. It is the ultimate conglomeration of businesses that has made China the world's first choice for outsourcing products and components! There are other trade fairs coming this 2023 here.
The 132nd China Import and Export Fair went live online on October 16, 2022, with a record amount of products on exhibit and a longer service schedule.More than 35,000 local and international enterprises are attending the event, which is almost 10,000 more than the previous session, and they have submitted over 3.06 million exhibits.
And if you are interested in getting the most out of sourcing from different countries, my company, Imprint Genius, can help you navigate and get the best products with the best deals. Click for here for more details.
