Dropshipping, as a business venture, has grown over time and is still a favorite among online merchants. So many sites offer dropshipping services but, you can hardly talk about dropshipping without mentioning the Alibaba site because it revolutionized the idea of dropshipping. Before Alibaba, few sites were into dropshipping, and they weren't the best for potential drop shippers.
Alibaba Dropshipping center runs on a B2B business plan, which allows you to buy things in bulk to stock your dropshipping store. This means that the site works better for wholesalers than retailers. So, most people who use Alibaba dropshipping sell their products in bulk.
Alibaba Dropshipping: Pros and Cons
Dropshipping through Alibaba is safe, secure, and cheap, especially when compared to similar dropshipping sites. The platform has a wide variety of products, so you can easily find a niche within the site. Another great option for Dropshipping is the SaleYee Dropshipping Platform. It has a good reputation and product and also offers different options for the average drop shipper.
Pros
· Alibaba allows you to bargain with the supplier. So, before placing an order, you can communicate with the supplier to get the minimum price available.
· Alibaba allows different payment options like Western Union and credit cards.
· The prices on Alibaba are much lower than the prices on other dropshipping sites, especially when you buy bulk. Some suppliers offer higher discounts when you buy more products so that you can earn a significant profit that way.
· Alibaba has a clear line of communication between the supplier and the buyer from the point of orders to the delivery time.
Cons
· You can't get product reviews on Alibaba. Only suppliers can be rated, so you can't be sure of the quality of their products.
· It doesn't have ePacket shipping, so the shipping costs are higher than normal.
· Most products available are only available in bulk. You won't find many single piece products for sale, so it is better for wholesale buyers.
How to Dropship from Alibaba
Dropshipping Alibaba is a straightforward concept, and once you master it, you don't need much guidance. Follow the steps below to find out how to dropship from Alibaba and deliver to your customers:
1. You have to register an account on Alibaba with the required details;
- Then, search for your preferred product. You will find several suppliers offering the same products at different prices. Look around and pick the one you prefer. Also, check the supplier ratings and their transaction history to confirm that they are reliable;
3. Contact the supplier and negotiate the price you can pay. When you agree on a price, pay for the amount you want;
4. Place your order and track the product until it gets to your buyer.
AliExpress or Alibaba for Dropshipping
Alibaba and AliExpress are two popular sites for dropshipping, with both sites offering great prices, product selection, and shipping. The same parent company owns them, and that is where their similarities end. Both sites have very different business plans, and they have very different patterns of working despite being popular dropshipping sites. So, we will look at some of the differences between them and find out whether to use Alibaba or AliExpress for dropshipping.
1. Pricing
The main difference between Alibaba and AliExpress pricing is that Alibaba prices products as wholesale prices while AliExpress has end consumer prices. So, Alibaba has much cheaper products and come straight from the manufacturers most of the time. AliExpress prices are still quite low compared to other sites, except Alibaba.
2. Shipping options
Shipping on Alibaba tends to be much higher than AliExpress because it doesn't offer the ePacket shipping system. AliExpress often offers free shipping for some of their products, especially the small single-piece products. Shipping prices when using AliExpress or Alibaba for dropshipping depends mostly on the package's weight and location.
With your credit card, you can easily buy anything on AliExpress. Some suppliers accept cards, but you may have to use Western Union when dropshipping through Alibaba. It depends mostly on the supplier.
4. Product rating and quality
On Alibaba, you can only rate the supplier of the goods by how well they performed and not the product itself. But the form required to rate the supplier also allows buyers to rate the product quality and shipping, so you may have a glimpse of how good the product is. Meanwhile, AliExpress allows buyers to rate the product so you can see the product quality.
5. Buying options
Alibaba is a B2B platform, which means it supports mostly wholesale buyers. You may find single sale products, but that is not determined. AliExpress, on the other hand, is a B2C platform, which means it sells straight to the consumer. Some AliExpress sellers offer discounts when you buy over a certain number.
6. Buying guarantee
AliExpress offers buyers a guarantee if the product doesn't get to them or if they have to return it. It usually works as a refund or a replacement for a particular item. Alibaba doesn't offer such guarantees, but you can talk to the supplier and discuss your buying conditions and requirements.
Tips for Alibaba Dropshipping
1. Before you start buying in bulk, buy a single product from the supplier, and see how the pricing and shipping work. Also, check the package's condition when it gets to you, so you know what to offer your customers;
2. Look for suppliers who have good ratings;
3. Get a good dropshipping plugin to help you automate the process. It makes your job faster and better;
4. Always look for a better price from different suppliers and go with the one with the lowest price and best rating;
5. Keep an eye on other drop shippers and always try to improve your business practices.
Pro Tip: Use SaleYee.com to Save Time on Communication
SaleYee Dropshipping Platform is a B2B ecommerce website for dropshippers to start and grow their dropshipping businesses easily in the United States and United Kingdom. There are over 20,000 selected profitable products based on big data research, and product recommendations for selling successfully on Amazon, eBay, Wish, and more platforms. You won't need to contact suppliers one by one and haggle over the best prices. Product, stock, tracking, and order information can be automatically synchronized for your dropshipping store. We also offer API docking.
All products come with fast and free delivery from our US/UK/DE/FR warehouses. No membership fees, but big discounts, 24/7 professional customer support, and up to 3 months long after-sales periods.
With SaleYee.com, you can dropship in a carefree way and enjoy earning money casually!
Conclusion
Dropshipping through Alibaba may seem risky, but it is safer than some other sites online. Alibaba dropshipping allows you to bargain prices, which is not seen in most online stores. It also connects you straight to the manufacturers, so you can easily customize your products before sale. This article has shown you how to use Alibaba for dropshipping, so you can set up your store and start making a profit today.
