Alibaba and 1688: Do sellers know the differences between the two?

In the field of cross-border e-commerce procurement, Alibaba and 1688 are two platforms that cannot be ignored. Each of them has its unique positioning and advantages, providing sellers with a wide range of purchasing options.

  1. Alibaba: The top choice for International Procurement
    Alibaba is a globally renowned B2B trading platform, targeting international buyers and large enterprises as its main audience. The platform brings together a large number of suppliers and manufacturers and is renowned for its bulk and high-volume transactions. If you need to purchase a large quantity of affordable products, Alibaba is your ideal choice. It supports multiple languages, including English, French, Italian, etc., making it convenient for international buyers to place orders. However, as it involves international transportation, the freight charges may be relatively high.

Ii. 1688: A Treasure Trove for Domestic Wholesale
1688 is a B2B platform dedicated to domestic and wholesale business, mainly targeting the Chinese domestic market. It is renowned for providing raw materials and finished products at affordable prices, making it an excellent choice for purchasing high-quality Chinese products. 1688 offers a wide variety of products, ranging from electronic products to household items. However, 1688 only supports Chinese. For international buyers who do not understand Chinese, they may need to use translation tools or cooperate with professionals who understand Chinese.

Iii. Alibaba vs. 1688: Main Differences

  • Target audience: Alibaba targets international enterprises and is suitable for bulk purchasing; 1688 mainly serves the domestic market in China and is suitable for sellers looking for high-quality and cost-effective products.
  • Language: Alibaba supports multiple languages, facilitating international buyers; 1688 only supports Chinese, which may cause certain obstacles for international buyers.
  • Product range: Both offer a wide range of product choices, covering multiple categories.
  • Pricing: Alibaba is suitable for bulk purchasing. The prices are affordable but may involve additional charges. The products of 1688 are low-priced and suitable for small-batch purchases.
  • Shipping: Alibaba’s international transportation costs are relatively high; The domestic logistics of 1688 is fast and cost-effective.

Iv. How to Place an Order on Alibaba

  1. Procurement: Search for product categories and find the products that meet your requirements.
  2. Check the business type: Confirm whether the supplier is a retailer, wholesaler or manufacturer.
  3. Pricing Negotiation: Negotiate prices with suppliers to strive for more favorable deals.
  4. Request samples: Before making bulk purchases, request samples to confirm product quality.
  5. Deposit: Pay a certain proportion of the deposit as required by the order.
  6. Manufacturing: Understand the manufacturing process and raw materials of the product.
  7. Balance payment: The remaining amount will be paid upon receipt of the goods.
  8. Transportation: Pay attention to the transportation time to ensure that the goods are received on time.

V. How to Place an Order on 1688

  1. Procurement: Search for the required products on the website and select suppliers with good reputations.
  2. Inquire about export experience: Confirm whether the supplier has export experience and understand its past transaction situation.
  3. Pricing Negotiation: Negotiate prices with suppliers to strive for more favorable bulk purchase prices.
  4. Payment Method: Select an appropriate payment method, such as credit card, PayPal or cash on delivery.
  5. Production and Transportation: Pay attention to the production progress and transportation time to ensure the prompt receipt of goods.

VI. Smartdropping is recommended: A one-stop purchasing solution
Whether purchasing from Alibaba or 1688, choosing a reliable freight forwarder service provider is of vital importance.

Smartdropping offers one-stop purchasing services to help you easily manage the entire process from purchasing to shipping.

Smartdropping has a professional purchasing team that can respond quickly to your needs and ensure that orders are completed promptly and accurately. Its system is seamlessly integrated with multiple e-commerce platforms, with orders automatically synchronized and the shipping process highly efficient and convenient.

Choose Smartdropping to make your purchasing and shipping easier, focus on store operation and marketing, and achieve business growth.


Dear friends from all independent websites who need cross-border shipping, you can leave a message in the comment section or send me a private message! Looking forward to your reply. Contact information: WeChat: rongexpress, Whatsapp:19129561508

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