E-commerce has undeniably made shopping more accessible for both individuals and businesses, allowing them to get what they need, when they need it.
Among the various platforms on the market, Alibaba and Aliexpress have become particularly popular. But how different are they, and which platform is actually better?
Let’s explore.
ALIBABA
Alibaba is an online marketplace just like AliExpress. It offers varieties of dry goods at wholesale prices to businesses, andconnects global suppliers and buyers in a single platform.
It prides itself on supporting and nurturing small businesses to grow in the platform, and provide affordable yet qualitative products.
With over 200 million products from more than 200,000 suppliers, Alibaba provides a wide range of products that are easy on the budget.
However, Alibaba primarily deals in large wholesale orders and doesn’t support small quantity purchases or dropshipping. This makes it an ideal choice for growing and established businesses that have the facilities to store bulk orders.
ALIEXPRESS
AliExpress is an online retail marketplace that offers a wide selection of products to its international online buyers. From affordable clothing like dresses and t-shirts to electronics, AliExpress offers a wide selection of items that are a feast to the eyes.
If the products look so good, why are they so cheap?
Labor costs in China are relatively low, allowing suppliers to offer products at cheaper prices. But, let’s keep in mind that we get what we pay for. If a product is inexpensive, don’t expect it to have the same quality as more expensive brands.
The difference between Alibaba and AliExpress is that AliExpress doesn’t require a minimum order quantity. This makes it ideal for dropshipping, especially for entrepreneurs who don’t have storage facilities.
Dropshippers can have products shipped directly to their customers, eliminating the hassle of inventory management. The trade-off is that prices on AliExpress are generally higher than the wholesale prices on Alibaba.
IS ALIEXPRESS AND ALIBABA THE SAME COMPANY?
AliExpress and Alibaba are not the same company, but they are both owned by the Alibaba Group. While they share a common parent company and have similar-sounding names, they cater to different markets and operate under distinct business models.
Alibaba is primarily a B2B platform designed for wholesale transactions, connecting manufacturers and suppliers with businesses looking to buy goods in bulk. In contrast, AliExpress is a B2C platform that allows individual consumers to buy products directly from manufacturers and distributors, often in smaller quantities.
ALIEXPRESS VS ALIBABA: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE
The difference between Alibaba and AliExpress is that Alibaba only caters to bulk orders which only suit businesses. This means that Alibaba is a preferable choice for B2Bs (Business to Business) only. The good thing is, the products can be purchased in bulk to further lower the price.
AliExpress, on the other hand, offers a no minimum order requirement, which is great for B2Cs(Business to Customer). However, even with wholesale options, AliExpress products tend to be more expensive compared to Alibaba. AliExpress is best suited for personal orders and small businesses, including startups.
So if you’re considering buying in bulk, take into account the costs involved. Both AliExpress and Alibaba are good options to buy goods at lower prices, but you have to consider the specific needs of your business. Besides, you don’t want to stock up on items that may not sell quickly or could become obsolete.
WHICH ONE IS BETTER IN PRICING & FEATURES?
Alibaba Facets
Alibaba does not require a membership fee to place orders with its suppliers. Simply browse their website, find a supplier (preferably one that has been assessed or verified by Alibaba for your protection), select the products you want for your business, and contact the supplier directly, as Alibaba does not have a “buy” button like AliExpress.
What’s good about Alibaba are features like live-stream shopping, internal re-marketing, and everything is trackable.
PRODUCT PRICING
Alibaba offers a wholesale price that caters to B2B customers. To get a wholesale price means that retailers can put their desired markup prices on their products since they got it at a low price.
Low pricing is achieved by purchasing directly from suppliers, instead of resellers, which is mostly the case in AliExpress.
MINIMUM PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS
Alibaba has a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). This refers to the minimum quantity you must order before a supplier will ship the items to you. The usual MOQ of Alibaba is 500 to 1000 pieces or even more at the lowest price, but this varies depending on the supplier you have chosen.
The great thing about Alibaba is that it connects buyers directly with manufacturers, which often yields the lowest possible prices. This direct connection can significantly increase profitability.
While Alibaba and AliExpress offer many of the same products, prices on AliExpress tend to be higher compared to Alibaba.
THE ALIBABA DROPSHIPPING
Most Alibaba manufacturers and suppliers do not offer dropshipping, as they primarily handle bulk orders.
However, you can browse through the business profiles on Alibaba to find those rare suppliers who do offer dropshipping, though you may still need to order in bulk.
In contrast, AliExpress has no minimum order requirements and readily offers dropshipping services.
ALIBABA PRODUCT CUSTOMIZATION & PRIVATE BRAND CREATION
Alibaba is an excellent choice if you want to create your own brand and customize products to your specifications. You can add your own logo, and customize with specific prints and quotes.
With Alibaba, customization is integrated into the manufacturing process, which keeps costs low. You only pay extra if you add features not included in the initial customization fee.
In addition to competitive pricing, Alibaba allows you to create unique products that reflect your brand’s style and design, helping your products stand out in the market.
On the other hand, AliExpress offers limited customization options since its products are already pre-made.
ALIBABA DELIVERY TIME
The delivery time in Alibaba differs depending on its suppliers or manufacturers. You also have to consider the order quantity as a factor in the delivery time.
In most cases, it takes about 30 days to produce the goods from the time you make your payment to the selected manufacturer.
Here are some tips to make sure you get your orders on time:
- Choose a verified supplier on Alibaba to ensure assurance and security.
- Look for a supplier who is responsive when you request a quote.
- Order samples to verify the quality of the products and ensure they meet your expectations.
- Consider both production and shipping times.
- Anticipate that it may take several months before you receive your orders, so stock up on your most in demand products.
COST OF TRANSPORT
The cost of transport in Alibaba is low since some of its suppliers have warehouses in the U.S. This only applies if you are ordering pre-made products that can be found in its U.S warehouses.
Alibaba has a freight procurement integrated on its platform that is powered by Freightos. This provides freight rate management and instant freight quoting.
With Alibaba freight, U.S retailers and businesses can now compare the pricing, manage and track its bulk orders via ocean and air shipping. AliExpress, on the other hand, typically dispatches their orders via air because of its small quantities.
AliExpress Facets
AliExpress is a large online retail marketplace that also supports B2B transactions, albeit at higher prices compared to Alibaba.
For most customers, AliExpress is their preferred e-commerce platform because of its built-in shopping cart. This feature allows you to add items directly without any minimum order requirements.
PRODUCT PRICING
Products on AliExpress tend to be more expensive compared to Alibaba because most suppliers on the platform are third-party sellers.
However, AliExpress offers the convenience of buying items directly by adding them to your cart without needing to contact suppliers for a quote, as you would on Alibaba.
On top of that, you can purchase small quantities of items based on your preferences.
MINIMUM PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS
AliExpress doesn’t have any MOQ, unlike Alibaba. You just have to browse its platform, choose your desired supplier, place your orders in your cart, and confirm your orders. You can also order from different suppliers at the same time. Also, AliExpress often offers free shipping to buyers.
THE INFAMOUS ALIEXPRESS DROPSHIPPING
AliExpress Dropshipping has enabled entrepreneurs to start businesses from scratch. The platform allows sellers and resellers to earn margins on their products without needing storage facilities. This is because AliExpress can ship items directly to customers, therefore eliminating the need to manage inventory, physical stores, or stock.
PRODUCT CUSTOMIZATION & PRIVATE BRAND CREATION
When it comes to product customization, Alibaba is a much better choice. Alibaba allows for full customization of your products, enabling you to customize them to your exact specifications. In contrast, AliExpress offers pre-made products, which limits customization options. However, AliExpress excels in allowing you to purchase items in small quantities, making it ideal for smaller orders or testing new products.
ALIEXPRESS DELIVERY TIME
The delivery time in AliExpress is much faster compared to Alibaba, since most of the products are premade. With AliExpress, items you’ve ordered are shipped right away once the payment is made.
You can expect your items to arrive at your doorstep within 30 days from purchasing the items, with a possibility of scoring free shipping (this mostly depends on the suppliers).
ALIEXPRESS COST OF TRANSPORT
U.S customers are entitled to free shipping via ePacket. This shipping option is available for retailers and businesses that are using AliExpress to dropship their products to their respective customers.
ePacket has a tracking package that you can use to track your purchases and usually has 15-30 days ETA (Expected Time Arrival) from the date of purchase.
Though shipping is less expensive and often free in AliExpress, products usually take some time to arrive.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO USE ALIBABA?
The best time to use Alibaba is when you have a growing or established business that can benefit from purchasing products directly from manufacturers. This is ideal for achieving higher profit margins, as Alibaba specializes in bulk orders.
While Alibaba primarily caters to businesses placing large orders, this bulk buying model significantly benefits business owners. Once you’ve secured products at lower prices, you can apply a higher markup compared to AliExpress.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO USE ALIEXPRESS?
The best time to use AliExpress is when you are using it for personal orders or you do dropshipping. In most cases, AliExpress is used in dropshipping items by business owners who don’t have a facility to manage and store their customer’s orders.
AliExpress offers convenience to business owners by allowing suppliers to ship ordered items directly to buyers. This eliminates the need for inventory management and the hassle of packing and shipping orders.
ARE THERE ANY POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE ASIDE FROM THE TWO?
If you are looking for an alternative, check out Shopify.
Shopify is a multinational e-commerce platform that enables you to build and design your own online stores, unlike Alibaba and AliExpress which are primarily for shopping and purchasing products.
Just take note that you need to subscribe to Shopify’s services to use its platform for selling your items. Here are the prices:
Shopify Monthly Rates for 2024:
- Shopify Basic (For Solo Entrepreneurs): $25/month
- Shopify (For Small Teams): $65/month
- Shopify Advanced (For Growing Businesses): $399/month
- Shopify Plus (For Complex Business): $2,300/month
Shopify Annual Rates for 2024:
- Shopify Basic (For Solo Entrepreneurs): $19/month
- Shopify (For Small Teams): $49/month
- Shopify Advanced (For Growing Businesses): $299/month
- Shopify Plus (For Complex Business): $2,300/month (3-year term)
Unlike Alibaba and AliExpress, where merchants can sell directly with minimal fees only for verification, Shopify requires a subscription but offers more comprehensive services.
Shopify allows you to build and manage your own online store, handle inventory, and facilitate dropshipping. You can try it for free for a limited time.
WHEN IS THE TIME TIME TO USE ALTERNATIVES TO ALIBABA OR ALIEXPRESS ?
If you want a customized online store, it’s about time you use Shopify. Shopify allows you to design your store with various themes that match your products.
Unlike Alibaba and AliExpress, Shopify is an e-commerce platform for building and managing your own online store, including dropshipping. You can sell on multiple platforms, such as social media and other online marketplaces.
In contrast, Alibaba and AliExpress are e-commerce marketplaces where you buy and sell products. They do not offer the same level of customization or store management features as Shopify.
ALIBABA VS ALIEXPRESS? WHICH IS MORE USER-FRIENDLY?
Both Alibaba and AliExpress offer user-friendly websites and services, but the comparison between the two platforms remains a hot topic.
So, which platform is better in terms of ease of use: Alibaba or AliExpress? At first glance, Alibaba and AliExpress appear quite similar. However, there are a few notable differences.
ALIBABA NAVIGATION
The ease of use is pretty much evident on Alibaba’s website. It is easy to navigate and simple to use. The only downside is that you need to contact the manufacturer to request for a quote, get samples, and place your orders.
ALIEXPRESS NAVIGATION
AliExpress is easy to navigate. It’s a breeze to add items on your cart and place your orders. This means that you don’t have to contact the sellers directly and request a quote before ordering.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Good customer service is important for any business. It helps retain customers and deliver more value to them. It also helps businesses gain positive reviews and build a loyal following, which can be converted into valuable business opportunities.
Alibaba and AliExpress are two of the largest e-commerce platforms based in China, and buyers’ experiences can vary significantly depending on the seller they interact with.
So, which platform offers better customer service: Alibaba or AliExpress?
ALIBABA
Alibaba does not offer phone support. However, buyers can contact the suppliers via email. Additionally, buyers can contact Alibaba’s support via live chat.
If buyers still feel that the action taken is too slow or to no avail, they can write about their experience in community forums or reach out to Alibaba’s help center.
ALIEXPRESS
Just like Alibaba, AliExpress does not offer phone support. However, they have live chat support you can reach out to. The platform also has a dispute management service where buyers can report any issues and ask refunds from the suppliers.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
In business, positive customer reviews are important in buildingcredibility . It empowers businesses by gaining the trust of buyers through positive reviews and encouraging engagement from web visitors, who can potentially be converted into customers.
Reviews for Alibaba and AliExpress can vary based on the suppliers you purchase from. Each supplier has different standards, policies, and product quality. While experiences may differ, choosing reputable merchants can lead to high satisfaction with both product quality and service.
ALIBABA REVIEWS
Alibaba has a mix of reviews, ranging from happy customers to those who have had bad experiences, including reports of scams.
However, there are many honest and trusted suppliers on the platform. That’s why it’s crucial to choose suppliers with complete profiles and Alibaba verification.
While issues with counterfeit products and quality do exist, Alibaba has taken steps to address these problems.
Overall, Alibaba is a great choice for buying bulk and customized items because they offer low prices. Plus, there are many positive reviews about their wholesale products.
ALIEXPRESS REVIEWS
AliExpress reviews are similar to Alibaba’s, with some customers requesting refunds for wrong items and others reporting undelivered orders.
However, businesses using AliExpress for dropshipping generally don’t face these issues.
To avoid problems, always check reviews and the seller’s profile before making a purchase on AliExpress or any other platform.
HOW TO GET THE EXACT PRICE OF WHOLESALE PRODUCTS FROM ALIBABA AND ALIEXPRESS SUPPLIERS?
In Alibaba, you have to request a quote to get an estimated price for your bulk orders. This is also where you can ask for a discount on the manufacturers or suppliers for the products that you are planning to purchase. Nonetheless, there are steps that buyers need to follow to get great deals
FIGURE OUT THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU WANT TO PURCHASE
When purchasing products, be specific about what you’re searching for. For example, if you want to order a dress, search for “floral dresses” if that’s exactly what you’re looking for. This will save you time.
SEARCH FOR SUPPLIERS
Suppliers are crucial for any business, so choose them carefully. Look for those offering the lowest prices, are assessed, listed as Gold suppliers, and support Alibaba’s trade assurance.
But what are assessed, Gold, and trade assurance suppliers?
- VERIFIED OR ASSESSED SUPPLIERS means that Alibaba has verified and inspected the manufacturers’ factories, which makes them trustworthy in the industry.
- TRADE ASSURANCE SUPPLIERS are those who support Alibaba’s Trade Assurance program, which empowers customers to submit a report or claim if they are dissatisfied with the shipped products. This service ensures that buyers can address issues related to product quality or shipping delays.
- GOLD SUPPLIERS means that the manufacturers or companies pay Alibaba to be listed as Gold suppliers. This only means that they invested in their Alibaba listings in good faith.
So, does this mean other suppliers who do not fall under any of these categories are not trustworthy? Not exactly.
Suppliers are still trustworthy even if they don’t opt for paid listings. Just look for more positive reviews on the manufacturers’ page.
SUBMIT YOUR INQUIRIES
When submitting inquiries, contact suppliers directly. Introduce yourself, specify the products and quantities you want, and request a sample. Remember, you will need to pay for the sample and shipping.
GET YOUR PRODUCT SAMPLE
Before submitting your inquiries, make sure to ask for a sample of the products you want to purchase. Since Alibaba requires bulk orders, it’s important to ensure the product quality meets your standards. Requesting a sample allows you to assess the quality before committing to a large order.
DO’s and DON’TS in buying items from ALIBABA & ALIEXPRESS
DO’S
GET A SAMPLE OF THE PRODUCTS THAT YOU WANT.
This is crucial to avoid wasting resources on low-quality products. Assessing and testing products before placing a bulk order is essential for your business.
CHOOSE VERIFIED SUPPLIERS
Choosing verified suppliers is the best way to ensure you get what you paid for, whether ordering in bulk or individually on AliExpress. This helps prevent issues like missing orders, making it essential to select the right and verified suppliers for your business.
USE ALIBABA TRADE ASSURANCE
What does trade assurance mean on Alibaba ? Alibaba Trade Assurance is an order protection service for buyers, wherein the buyers can ask for a refund to the suppliers in an instance where the supplier fails to send the right order or did not receive the product at all
CHOOSE A SECURE PAYMENT METHOD
When paying for your purchases, choose a secure payment method to ensure your money is safe. Some buyers have paid but never received their items. Always transact with suppliers within the Alibaba platform and avoid paying through personal bank accounts, as Alibaba can’t protect you outside its platform. Treat this as a red flag for suppliers.
DON’TS
DO NOT TRANSACT OUTSIDE THE PLATFORM
For your own protection, do not transact outside the platform because Alibaba or AliExpress cannot protect your rights as a buyer if you transact outside the platform.
DO NOT PURCHASE BRANDED GOODS
Branded goods like bags, shirts, and denim are very appealing to buyers, as they convey prestige and pride. However, avoid buying branded products. If you sell counterfeit items as a business owner, you risk getting caught and facing legal issues.
So, how will you know if the “branded” item is a counterfeit?
Just look at the price. If it is too good to be true, then perhaps it is. Branded items are expensive. So, if you found some branded items and the prices are cheap or lower compared to the website store prices of the said brand, then it may probably be a counterfeit.
IS IT SAFE TO BUY FROM ALIBABA?
Yes, Alibaba has a trade assurance policy that you can use to request a refund if the specification of the ordered items is not the same as the specification indicated in the description
IS IT SAFE TO BUY FROM ALIEXPRESS?
Contrary to popular belief, AliExpress is very safe thanks to its buyer protection program. This program ensures that if the items you receive are not as described or do not arrive on time, you can request a full refund. Just remember to conduct all transactions within the platform.
CONCLUSION
In summary, Alibaba and AliExpress each offer unique advantages for businesses and customers.
Alibaba is ideal for bulk orders and product customization, providing direct access to manufacturers at competitive prices. On the other hand, AliExpress excels in dropshipping, offering convenience and flexibility with no minimum order requirements.
Both platforms play a crucial role in the e-commerce landscape, empowering businesses to thrive in different ways.
Whether you need large quantities or small, ready-to-ship items, understanding the strengths of each platform can help you make the best choice for your business needs.
