As we mentioned before, finding a trustworthy supplier is one of the biggest challenges in the whole sourcing process. It is all up to your manufacturer if you’re going to receive your goods on time, if it will be up to your specification and proper quality, if labels and packaging will be correct, etc. In short, it depends on your supplier if your product will be profitable or not. So, where should you search for the right supplier?
Using online B2B platforms may be the easiest way to source products from China. There are four popular product sourcing platforms: Made in China, Alibaba, 1688, and Global sources. These websites won’t only help you to find similar products to yours, but provide insight information about the manufacturer such as business license, business categories, and address. It all sounds easy, but make sure you avoid some traps. Usually, you’ll see some suppliers in different categories such as “Gold Supplier”, “Verified”, “Manufacturer” or “Trading Company”. First of all, it is better to avoid trading companies if you are looking for the best price and trying to find a reliable, long-term partner. Secondly, keep in mind that any Alibaba supplier can pay an annual fee for premium membership, get a good rating or be in a good category.
International trade shows. While there are hundreds of trade shows in China where you can meet manufacturers, there are still some of them that take place worldwide and attract Chinese manufacturers. Trading Fairs are a great place to meet manufacturers face-to-face, which can provide you with greater confidence and peace of mind than doing business with a complete stranger. Visiting a show is a great way for sellers to meet manufacturers, see their products and establish trustworthy business relationships. The largest trade shows in Asia are: Canton Fair, East-China Import and Export Commodity Fair, China Yiwu International Commodities Fair, China Bauma Fair, etc. While visiting trade shows in China nowadays might be problematic, you can still participate online or find them in your region.
Recommendations from business contacts and online or offline networking groups are also good ways to search for the right manufacturer. Chinese factories want to find clients as much as clients want to find a good manufacturer to produce their goods. Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Instagram are great platforms to search. Just simply type “your product/industry + manufacture” and you will come across some good options. Also, don’t forget about the obvious choice of just simply searching in google. Referrals or local industry trade associations and chambers of commerce are very safe sources of information. The Chamber of Commerce organizes various exhibitions, promotion meetings, conferences, and other business activities to help companies find business partners.
This guide has walked you through all platforms you need to know to find the right Chinese manufacturer for your product in 2022. The decision to choose a factory can be a difficult one. If you still have doubts about your manufacture, we highly suggest performing a factory audit before placing your order. Learn more about factory audits here.
