Do you need to find a reliable supplier for your business?
Alibaba is the world’s largest online wholesale marketplace. It connects millions of buyers and suppliers from around the world. It’s where businesses of all sizes connect, compete and win. However, there are other sites like Alibaba that you may not be aware of! If you’re looking for a similar site like Alibaba, we have some great options to recommend!
We’ve done all the research for you so you don’t have to spend hours scouring Google to find these alternative sites. You can check out our list below and get started on your sourcing right away!
It doesn’t matter what industry or size of the company you’re in, we’ve got something for everyone. Whether it’s sourcing products from China or finding suppliers all over Asia, these sites will be able to help you out tremendously and save time along the way. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
The sooner you sign up, the sooner your business can start growing and thriving with new opportunities every day. These companies know their stuff so don’t waste any more time browsing around – get started today!
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Why Alternative Sites: Reasons to Know!
There are a few reasons why you should know about alternative sites to Alibaba. First of all, it’s simply smart business. The more suppliers and manufacturers you can work with, the better chance your company has to grow and thrive. You never know what hidden gems you’ll find out there.
Another good reason to use these alternative sites is that they’re more transparent than Alibaba. Although Alibaba has strict policies regarding suppliers, it’s still a massive site.
Below are the main reasons why you need to know about alternative sites besides Alibaba:
- Get More Transparency
- Find Suppliers outside of Mainland China
- access more suppliers who are eager to work with you
- Build a bigger network
- Access to more products
- Use your sourcing from ANYWHERE in the world
- You have access to more trustworthy suppliers
- More Cheaper Prices than Alibaba
- You can get more payment options
- You can find new suppliers easier.
Are you still unsure about using alternative sites? If so, let’s go over some reasons why you should think twice before ignoring these sites:
If you’re skeptical that these sites are legit, then don’t be. They may not have the same reach as Alibaba but they do provide a large platform for potential buyers and sellers to connect via their site. It’s better than having no platform at all!
On top of being more trustworthy than Alibaba, many of these companies often offer services that work with your needs. For example, most will allow round-the-clock service and free searches of their marketplace.
5 Best Alternative Sites Like Alibaba!
With all the benefits combined, you have to wonder why you haven’t used these sites yet! The next question is: which one should I use?
Don’t worry – we’ve already researched for you and compiled a list of our favorite alternative B2B sites like Alibaba.
Here are our top 5 alternative sites to Alibaba for your sourcing needs!
1. Aliexpress
If you haven’t heard of Aliexpress, then you’ve been missing out! Aliexpress is China’s biggest online marketplace and is considered by many to be an “Alibaba Clone” – meaning it works almost the same as Alibaba.
One great thing about Aliexpress is that they have a huge range of products from categories other than just clothing – unlike Alibaba. For example, you can find anything from air purifiers to cell phone parts on this site. This makes it ideal for buyers who don’t want to deal with suppliers who only specialize in clothes or shoes.
Here are some useful features that come with Aliexpress,
Cancel Orders – You can cancel any order you’ve already made on Aliexpress. This feature is especially useful if the supplier hasn’t sent you an image of your ordered product yet or there’s a problem with the item
Customer Service – Aliexpress offers round-the-clock service so that you’re not limited to just certain hours of communication with your supplier. Many suppliers won’t respond during certain parts of the day, but these companies make sure they are taken care of no matter what time it is.
Payment Methods – You have access to a wide range of payment options on Aliexpress and can pay in your desired currency too!
2. DHgate
Another great site that’s similar to Alibaba is DHgate. It works the same way as Aliexpress, but it also has a larger product range than Alibaba (clothing and shoes are not included).
DHgate is one of the biggest C2C and B2B sites for buying and selling all kinds of things – from shoes to clothing, household items, electronics, and more!
Here are some useful features that come with DHgate:
Seller Protection – You can purchase a service plan for an additional $1-$6 depending on what level package you choose. With this feature, your orders are insured against shipping problems such as lost packages.
Item Search – DHgate’s search feature allows you to narrow down your choices based on price, popularity, and the number of items for sale.
Customer Service – The site offers live chat support which is a convenient way to communicate with suppliers or get quick updates about your order.
3. 1688.com
1688.com might not be as popular as the other sites we’ve talked about so far but it has some great features that make it worth checking out.
The platform is very similar to Alibaba since both allow you to communicate with suppliers and order products directly from them.
However, this site does have a few distinct features that are different from Aliexpress and Alibaba:
Coupons – You receive coupons for discounts on your orders. They’re usually time-sensitive and can range between 5%-15% off your purchase depending on when you use them.
Bulk Orders – This platform is great for getting discounts on your orders if they’re over $500.
4. Global Sources
It’s a pretty straightforward platform that allows you to buy and sell products from all over the world. It allows you to contact suppliers directly with no middleman involved which gives you some great control over the product.
Based in the United States, GlobalSources.com is a B2B business that connects buyers and sellers online and offline. They also provide services to suppliers, such as export sourcing shows in Hong Kong every April and October; they also give Free Sourcing e-Magazines for purchasers. A Made-in-China platform like Alibaba does not exist.
5. MIC (made-in-china.com)
This business-to-business platform connects suppliers and buyers all over the world.
The company provides sourcing events in different parts of China, Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil, India as well as manufacturing seminars and conferences. The MIC mission is to help businesses from all sectors source their products with ease regardless of location or size.
They also provide services like tradeshows, seminars as well as an e-magazine subscription service that gives content preferences towards business areas. Although they offer very similar services to Alibaba, it does not focus specifically on Asia so it is more suitable for global sourcing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Sites Like Alibaba
1. Which site is better Alibaba or AliExpress?
The answer to this question is really simple. Alibaba and AliExpress are fundamentally different sites with different features, so each site has a unique value of its own.
2. What is the difference between Alibaba & AliExpress?
Although Alibaba and AliExpress are both platforms that promote the sale of products directly to consumers, they have different features.
For example, Alibaba is a B2B platform that connects manufacturers and distributors for trade purposes, while AliExpress is an e-commerce site where you can buy products straight from suppliers at wholesale prices.
3. Are Alibaba products original?
Yes, all the products on Alibaba.com are 100% genuine. You may have seen many sellers offering similar products on both sites, but the difference is that – although it might look like there are more similar looking items on AliExpress, the reality is that almost everything available on Ali-express has a cheaper and 100% identical version on Alibaba
Conclusion – The Bottom Line!
With the rise of Alibaba, many new sites like Alibaba have popped up that offer similar services. This article summarizes a few of them so you can explore your options for sourcing products from China and other countries without having to go through Alibaba. However, Alibaba is still an excellent resource that will always be used by many importers and exporters.
You cannot go wrong with Alibaba if you are looking for a supplier, but the other sites covered in this article should be explored as well. There is no reason to limit yourself to just one sourcing site while there are so many options available online.
However, if you are having trouble finding reliable suppliers or are looking for expert assistance and sourcing agents in China, you should reach out and organize a free demo with us today to see how we can help you.
Our main goal at S Sourcing is to help you save time and money when sourcing and importing items from China by vetting new suppliers.
