In the era of global eCommerce, sourcing websites and online marketplaces have become the go-to resource for businesses searching for products to sell in their online stores. These platforms offer a wide array of goods at competitive prices and provide a streamlined process for connecting buyers with suppliers worldwide.
From established giants like Alibaba to specialized sourcing solutions such as Jungle Scout, these platforms serve as invaluable tools for businesses of all sizes. In this guide, we will delve into some of the best marketplaces where you can source products internationally, providing insights into their unique features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to consider.
Let’s get started.
Alibaba
Alibaba is the largest online B2B marketplace in China, with more than 811 million active buyers. When it comes to procuring goods for your online store, sourcing websites like Alibaba provide a vast array of options at competitive prices.
This is one of the most popular online marketplaces. The site is massive, with over 1 million sellers offering an endless number of products.
The platform has thousands of suppliers and offers millions of products grouped into over 5,900 categories at highly competitive prices.
To avoid getting scammed when buying:
- Make sure to tick the Verified or Gold supplier and the Trade Assurance boxes.
- Check the reviews and the price – don’t feel tempted by irrationally low-priced offerings (the chances are they’ll turn out to be too good to be true).
- And finally, avoid branded products – they’re most likely to be fake.
With these three steps, you’ll be able to find reliable, quality, and cost-effective product sources.
So, Alibaba is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for products to sell on your own website, or if you’re looking for wholesale suppliers from which to purchase the merchandise for resale.
Aliexpress
Aliexpress is very similar to Alibaba. However, the two sites have different focuses and goals. While Alibaba focuses more on B2B transactions, Aliexpress serves more as an online marketplace where individuals can buy and sell their goods online.
Unlike traditional methods of finding suppliers, sourcing websites such as Aliexpress have revolutionized the process, making it easier and more efficient.
Aliexpress is an online retailer based in China, similar to eBay and Amazon but with cheaper prices due to the lack of taxes on imported goods.
You can find anything from clothing to electronics, home appliances, jewelry, and more.
All items are shipped directly from factories in China and Hong Kong, and there’s a free shipping option for most of them.
To avoid scams, take the following precautions:
- Stay away from sending money to the supplier’s account directly as this means you’re no longer covered by AliExpress’s buyer protection policies and you’re susceptible to fraud.
- Opt for sellers with high scores.
- Don’t be tempted by incredibly low prices that sound fishy.
As a whole, Aliexpress is a user-friendly platform that is particularly useful for smaller orders. It’s a good option to start product sourcing with.
Global Sources
Global Sources is a leading B2B eCommerce platform that connects buyers and sellers across Asia, Europe, and North America. The company has been around since 1971 and the website was launched in 1995.
The diversity of products available on a sourcing website like Global Sources is astonishing, covering everything from clothing to electronics and beyond.
The platform has more than 1.5 million registered members worldwide.
Global Sources offers more than 20 product categories from over 150,000 suppliers around the world with low minimum order quantity requirements (MOQ).
This is an eCommerce platform where you can buy products to sell online provided you make sure to evaluate your potential supplier before placing your order.
DHgate
DHgate has been in business since 2004 and has grown to become one of the largest online marketplaces for wholesale goods.
As of the end of June 2020, the marketplace had 32 million products for sale by 2.2 million wholesalers and manufacturers. The site provides a wide selection of items, such as clothing, jewelry, electronics, home improvement, and more.
The downsides of the sourcing website that you should be aware of before you decide to use it are the poor customer support, quality and size mismatch, and sluggish refund procedures cited by many users.
The sourcing website offers a wide range of payment options for its customers, including PayPal, Western Union, and leading credit cards like Visa, American Express and Mastercard. It also has a reputation for providing safe and secure transactions.
ThomasNet
ThomasNet helps North American businesses find the products and services they need by connecting individuals with a global network of manufacturers, distributors and service providers.
For businesses looking to source industrial products, a sourcing website like ThomasNet can be an invaluable resource.
ThomasNet is an online marketplace for industrial products with more than 1,4 million registered users and 500,000+ suppliers. The platform offers a wide range of product categories including machining tools, heating equipment, metalworking machinery, and much more.
ThomasNet also offers marketing services and press release distribution as well as thousands of standards and technical documents. However, you should be careful when signing a contract and when opting for the advertising offerings of the platform.
Worldwide Brands
Founded in 1999, Worldwide Brands is an upper-market directory for wholesalers and dropshippers that offers a huge range of products from an expansive list of suppliers.
Worldwide Brands is one of the sourcing websites that prides itself on being the only 100% certified legitimate directory offering over 16 million certified wholesale products.
So, if you’re exploring where to buy products to sell on Amazon, eBay, or other online sales giants, Worldwide Brands is an excellent way to avoid the risks of scams and over-pricing and find reliable suppliers.
This is a high-quality and secure option but as usual, quality and security come at a price. The lifetime membership fee charged by the platform is $299 or $197 if you manage to sign up for their discount offer.
Another drawback is the hidden potential costs on any extras, such as tools and perks that you’re likely to find useful and necessary – mind that you’ll have to pay extra if you decide to opt in.
Worldwide Brands is the perfect option if you’re trying to find suppliers with low prices and cut out the scams. The steep fees could easily be neglected if you get reliability and a good return (after all, once paid, the access to the directory is granted for life).
Jungle Scout Supplier Database
Jungle Scout’s Supplier Database,one of the most useful sourcing websites, is a solution that allows you to find and contact suppliers. It is particularly focused on helping businesses succeed on Amazon and includes over 600,000 different suppliers and 500,000+ sellers.
The tool analyzes data from over 500 million Amazon products, tracking their sales history and providing insights on sellers and customer buying behavior and preferences.
You can search products featured on the platform by category, keyword or filter results by price, location, minimum order quantity, and more. The goal of this feature is to make it easier for you to source products from anywhere in the world.
A potential drawback of Jungle Scout is the monthly fee, which comes in three options: $29/month for the Basic plan, $49/month for the Suite, and $84/month for the Professional plan that allows for six seats.
The supplier database is a great tool that will help you find suppliers for the products you need. However, it is still important that you do your own due diligence and make sure the supplier has the capacity to fulfill orders before signing a deal.
Now that we’ve discussed the best places to look for products to source, the question is how to get around to finding viable sourcing options for your store.
Frequently Asked Questions on Sourcing Websites and Online Marketplaces
What are sourcing websites?
Sourcing websites are online platforms where businesses can find and connect with suppliers to procure products for their online stores. Examples include Alibaba, AliExpress, and Global Sources.
Why should I use a sourcing website for my online store?
A sourcing website can provide a vast array of product options at competitive prices, making the procurement process easier and more efficient for your online store.
How can I avoid scams on sourcing websites?
To avoid scams on sourcing websites, always choose verified suppliers, check reviews, and avoid products with suspiciously low prices. It’s also recommended to avoid buying branded products as they are more likely to be counterfeit.
Which sourcing website is the best for smaller orders?
AliExpress is a good sourcing website for smaller orders due to its user-friendly platform and direct shipping from factories in China and Hong Kong.
Are there sourcing websites for industrial products?
Yes, ThomasNet is a sourcing website specializing in industrial products, connecting individuals with a global network of manufacturers, distributors, and service providers.
What are the potential drawbacks of using sourcing websites?
While sourcing websites offer many benefits, potential drawbacks include poor customer support, quality and size mismatches, slow refund procedures, and scams or counterfeit products.
Are there any fees associated with using a sourcing website?
Some sourcing websites, like Worldwide Brands and Jungle Scout, charge fees for their services. It’s important to research and understand any potential costs before using a sourcing website.
