Alibaba.com has an extensive directory of vendors for all kinds of products and services, but finding the right supplier can be quite challenging. With a large pool to choose from, Amazon sellers have to make sure they find the right match for their procurement needs. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to get the ball rolling.
Conduct product research
Before businesses can even think about selling on Amazon, they need to decide what kind of products they want to sell. Profit margins will vary depending on the type of product they choose. For example, if they sell a high-demand product with little competition, there’s more room for profit than if they sell a low-demand product with lots of competition.
One way to find out which products are most profitable is by using the search bar of online marketplaces or SEO tools like Google Trends. These tools will uncover which keywords have the highest search volume and then give businesses some ideas about which types of products people might be searching for. Check out these 10 free ways to find hot and trending products without wasting time or money.
Search for potential suppliers
After deciding which profitable products to sell, it’s time to find a reliable supplier that can meet high-quality standards. By visiting Alibaba.com and typing in the product keyword or phrase into the search bar, the search results will display all sorts of suppliers that sell the desired item and their required minimum order quantities (MOQ). Alternatively, merchants can use the “Image Search” and/or “Find Similar” features to find the right products and suppliers quickly and easily.
Clicking on a company’s profile page will take business buyers to its store page where they can find all sorts of information about the supplier, including its production capacity, workforce size, and quality control procedures. When an Amazon seller has found a vendor that offers what it needs, they can click the “Contact Supplier” button to discuss details of the order and ask the supplier to ship products directly to an Amazon FBA fulfillment center.
Negotiate prices
When discussing the order details with the supplier, be sure to ask about their terms of payment and shipping times. For example, Amazon businesses can send a request for quotation (RFQ) that includes as many details as possible about the desired product, including quantities, colors, and materials. This will give potential suppliers more information about the buyer’s expectations and needs, so they can provide accurate quotes (and hopefully lower costs).
Learning how to negotiate with suppliers is the best way to get the most bang for the buck. Business buyers should not limit themselves to just discussing the cost of goods. They should also think about what happens if something goes wrong. For example, if there is a delay in shipping or an issue with the quality of the product, what will the supplier do to rectify the situation? A clear plan of action will address these issues and keep the supplier accountable if they are not up to par.
Request samples
When considering a business relationship with any supplier, requesting samples before committing is always a good idea. This is true for both big-ticket items and even smaller products like pens or paper clips. Buyers can see what the quality is like up close and personal. Are the products well-made? Do they feel like they will hold up over time? Do they have any flaws in their construction?
These are all important questions that businesses can answer by getting their hands on a sample before making a purchase.