Are you in search of the best China suppliers online? You have an idea for a product, but you don't know where to look to find the best suppliers. In this piece, we will explore best tactics and resouces for you to identify and choose best China suppliers.
When you are looking for a supplier, it’s important to know exactly what you need.
China knot supplier
1. Know What You Want
There are a few key elements important to find the right China supplier for you. By using the following measuring method, you can find the right fit for your company.
Strong partner
When you pick a China supplier, you have to see them as a partner. You want someone who adds value to your business and brand. Your suppliers will affect the way you can deliver quality effectively to your customers. If you don't have a good supplier, you can't run a remarkable business.
Quality product
The product is everything. If you want long-term success in your business, you have to sell a product that can last and function the way as it is advertised. If your customers feel like they have overpaid, then they'll leave poor reviews. And considering customer acquisition costs can be high, you'll also lose potential sales when customers choose not to return. You miss out on word-of-mouth marketing. All this stems from delivering a great product.
Good communication with the supplier
Communication is everything in any relationship you have. If your supplier isn’t invested in the same vision as you, then you can expect roadblocks along the way. Find a supplier that communicates and responds reasonably. Suppliers should understand your mission and goals of the business.
Great price
Your profit margins will rely heavily on the cost of goods sold. Compare quotes and see which one makes the most sense for you and your business. Don't miss out on better opportunities by not asking enough suppliers for price. The better deal you get, the better the opportunity for higher profits.
Effective manufacturing and shipping times
As you begin ordering your products and inventory, your logistics will depend on your supplier. They need to be able to get the product to you and your customers at a reasonable time. If not, you'll have moments when you are out-of-stock, causing a drop in potential sales. Even worse, you may have customers that don't receive orders in time, which affects your reputation and long-term sales. Your brand is represented by how you can add value to your customers.
A great supplier can add incredible value to your business. Do not take this process lightly. Your brand depends on the best partners so that you can function and thrive in your company. Finding the right supplier will make a world of difference for you. It doesn't have to be complicated, but it does require some crucial steps.
Make sure to be intentional about researching these steps. It’s a good idea to keep notes and document what your supplier says. This encourages you to take each one seriously, and it also keeps a record of your conversation with the supplier.
2. Choose Your Wholesale China Supplier
Before you begin searching websites for good directories, it's important to know exactly how you can vet and choose the right company. You want to protect yourself from a mediocre supplier and instead of finding the best solution for you and your business. Here are four ways to get there.
A: Where to Look: Searching for Suppliers
Treat suppliers as your partners. The more your business grows, the more you depend on them for quality and dependability. When you are searching for the right supplier, research everything you can about them.
Chinese Websites (General Wholesale/Bulk)
There are many websites based in China that provide you with large quantities of product. This option is great to get something quick to sell online or at your store. It can be hard to measure quality or get customizations and private labels (it depends if there is contact with the manufacturer).
Trade Shows
This is a great option to connect with suppliers personally. Meet them and physically check out some of the products they offer. While this is one of the best ways to find a good supplier, not everyone can invest the time and resources to travel to China. And with the many tools available for us today, you can get the same product right from where you are.
China Supplier Websites (Directories)
These websites serve as a directory that matches you with the suppliers and manufacturers. It's a great way to customize your products, get private labeling and partner with a company for long-term success.
There are plenty of websites that you find suppliers, wholesale and trade show information. Made-In-China.com is a good source to connect with suppliers to find the product you need.
Find the supplier you need and that can compliment what you want to offer. It’s important that they are willing to work with you and add value to your brand and business.
B. Check Their Reputation
Make sure you have a way to measure their reputation. This is why choosing your supplier online is the best way to go. If the site you are using has quality rating systems in place, you have a better chance of finding someone you can depend on.
Check out their ratings, reviews and anything else that might give you a sense about the supplier. We highly recommend you to contact them so you can get a feel for their service and professionalism.
Quick Questions to Ask Yourself
Do they communicate well?
Are they willing to help you?
Do they specialize in what you need?
Can they scale along with your business?
C. Check Out Your Supplier’s Minimum Order Quantity
In the bestselling book, The Lean Startup, we learn how to start thinking in terms of effectiveness instead of being "big". Order large quantities aren't always the best. It can cost money and resources to store that inventory and it can increase your risk. Businesses can now operate on a pull system instead of a push system.
In the old push system, we ordered as many products as we could to push them out to market. This proved costly and added unnecessary risks. China suppliers now allow us to use the pull system, which lets us order quantity as needed. Now we can minimize risk and better control our business based on the market and its demands.
Each supplier has a MOQ that gives you an idea of what your starting order needs to be. Find out if the initial investment is worth the risk. If you don't think it is, then it sounds like you may need to research your product and target audience a little more.
If you aren’t sure about getting the MOQ right away, consider ordering a few samples. You can test the product. But even more effective, you can sell those samples after and see if there is a natural demand for them. This is a quick way to test the water for your business venture.
D. Learn Everything About Your Supplier
When does the product arrive to you or your customers? How much will it cost to get there? What happens if a product is defective? These are all things you want to research your supplier. Before you make your investment, make sure to ask all the questions necessary for your venture.
View your supplier as a major partner for your business. When you are considering a partner, isn’t it expected that you consider every detail about them? As you sell your product, you are building a brand and consistent customer following. Switching suppliers can be difficult when trying to maintain a certain expectation. Make sure you know you can trust your China supplier for what you need.
Don't feel bad about asking too many questions. These suppliers want your business. It's also a great way to test your relationship. If it is difficult to get the answers you need, then that you can expect getting the product you need will be much more difficult.
3. What You Can Do Today to Start
Sometimes it can be intimidating to find a China supplier. If you don’t know anyone in China, it can be hard to start. Just like anything that requires networking, it can take time and some hard initial steps. But there are ways to overcome those obstacles.
Take Your Time
Most people make mistakes when they are in a rush. Take your time in finding the right supplier for you. Communicate with them, order samples and get a feel for everything you will need. Begin to build your own list of potential suppliers. By establishing a trustworthy network of possible suppliers, you have more leverage to make the right decision.
The Rule of 3
At the minimum level, have at least three top suppliers you are interested in. Treat them like they all equally could be your partner. At the end of your evaluation, pick the best one. This technique forces you to analyze all options without missing better opportunities or rushing into decisions.
When you find your supplier, you're ready to make sales. Using your suppliers list, you can find a website that matches you with the right people. Search what kind of products you need and you'll quickly find candidates for your short-list.
Start On the Right Track
When you contact your supplier, you want to make sure you are serious about ordering from them. All it takes is a very intentional message that’s clear and concise.
Here is a sample template that you can use.
Hello,
My name is ____ and I am in search to find a supplier for [insert product or material]. We are developing a product for the ___ market. I am interested if you would be able to partner with us to produce it.
We predict an MOQ of ___ units for [Insert monthly, weekly, or your time frame]. I have connected with a few suppliers already, hoping to find the right one that can provide a great product for us.
I would also like to order a sample to test the product. I look forward to communicating with you soon.
Regards,
[Name]
CEO
Schedule a Visit to China
If you want to understand everything about your product and suppliers, visit China. You can get a lot done while you are there since all their hubs have the resources you need in close quarters. Visit trade shows and fairs that can connect you with the right people.
Work on scheduling productive factory visits. This is a great option to see how everything is made in person. It’s also much easier to discuss prototypes or any customizations you may need.
Explore Your Network
We often hear that we are only six degrees away from any person in the world. When dealing with our professional network, we quickly see how true this can be. You can start today by exploring your LinkedIn for people who have connections in China. Contact them and ask for the right people you can get in touch with for your business.
Finding people in your network with connections to China suppliers is extremely effective. You can utilize that relationship to find an already-vetted supplier or contact that can help your business grow.
Your network can also get you meeting with factories or suppliers in China that are relevant to what you need. These connections get you one step closer to creating a winning product.
Use this information as a good resource to start your process. Follow these steps for the best results.
