Where to find manufacturers!

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Are you looking for manufacturers to who can help bring your products to life?  why not try Alibaba.com. Are you looking for shoe manufacturers? or manufacturers who can work with you to develop the latest brand of makeup?. You can find a manufacturer for virtually any type of product on Alibaba.com.

Alibaba.com is the global leader in e-commerce for small businesses and the flagship company of Alibaba Group. Founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba.com makes it easy for millions of buyers and suppliers around the world to do business online through three marketplaces: a global trade platform (www.alibaba.com) for importers and exporters; a Chinese platform (www.1688.com) for domestic trade in China; and, through an associated company, a Japanese platform (www.alibaba.co.jp) facilitating trade to and from Japan.

Alibaba.com also offers a wholesale platform on the global site (www.aliexpress.com) geared for smaller buyers seeking fast shipment of small quantities of goods. Together, these marketplaces form a community of more than 53 million registered users in more than 240 countries and regions.

Alibaba.com has offices in more than 60 cities across Greater China, India, Japan, Korea, Europe and the United States.

A word of caution courtesy of Allbusiness.com and Alibaba.com

When dealing with any online business, you want to make sure you take the necessary precautions to protect yourself.

Here are some tips to prevent you from being a victim of fraud.

1. Do your homework. Don’t just take a supplier’s word to be the truth. You are ultimately responsible for your business and the deal you do, so make sure you are comfortable. Once you find a supplier you would like to do business with, Google them. Do a search on Alibaba.com forums on the Safe Trading Center. Ask other people involved in global trade if they’ve heard of them.

2. Ask for references. When you find a supplier it will tell you how many years they’ve been an Alibaba.com member. We strongly recommend that you work with a GOLD SUPPLIER (this means they’ve been verified by a third party), but you should also ask them for references of other companies they’ve done business with in the U.S.

3. Do a bank reference check or credit check on your potential supplier. This way you can find out if there are any outstanding problems pending.

4. Familiarize yourself with import/export terms and laws. You don’t have to be an expert to do this, but you need to know the basics to make sure you are covered and that your goods don’t get stopped in customs. The Official Alibaba.com Success Guide by Brad and Debra Schepp is a great place to find out everything you need to know to get started.

5. If a supplier is pressuring you to make a decision fast or send money quickly, don’t do it. This is a red flag and a quality supplier will be willing to work with your timeline. Be very careful in the payment method you select as this will make a big difference in how you are protected later.