Importers today get suppliers and manufacturers around the world effortlessly by using an online platform. An increasing number of people are searching for products and services to trade locally or globally on business to business portals. Using e-commerce platforms, you can certainly find sellers and supplier from other countries without difficulty and successfully. It is to be noted that in today’s competitive business world, having an excellent product, finest technology and aggressive process is not enough in itself. You have to go for b2b platforms. This will help you to locate, spot, enumerate, and target the customers that are really noteworthy for their businesses. Here are some tips on how to locate potential suppliers and make your trading a success.
* Everyday new suppliers register with B2B portals. Hence if you do not find your product today you may find it tomorrow. Therefore source online regularly.
* If you were unable to locate your exact product and services via online sourcing, then always use the online enquiry form in the website to post your inquiries.
Important points to keep in mind when sending an enquiry to a supplier.
* Exactly what you are looking for
* The required quantity
* Expected price range
* Your location
* Delivery time solution
* Payment Options
* Other requirements etc.
If you want a useful and genuine response, you should give enough details. Else sending a vague or incomplete request never serves the purpose. Potential suppliers also do not take them seriously.
* Once you are able to locate your supplier then call him/her or talk to the person in charge. There should be no communication gap between the supplier and you.
If you get a chance to meet the supplier face to face then you should never leave such an opportunity because communicating face to face makes it easier to interact and also reduces any issue or problem directly. There wont be any miscommunication in such cases.
* Know the background of the suppliers is very important. Some B2B portals help you in checking suppliers’ past manufacturing and export experience. This is important for you to evaluate the risk of buying from a particular supplier.
Check the suppliers product quality. But how?
* One should provide the clear picture of what is needed regarding the product quality, material specification, dimensions etc.
* Check the quality certificates including material composition reports, independent quality reports, Pre Shipment Information and other evidence.
* Getting product samples for assessment is also a good idea. Get a prior sample before the full production.
Product Quality and Payment Terms
Send your own quality controllers to check product quality. One should never depend on the manufacturers/suppliers in terms of inspection. The quality and inspection should always be done by the buyer before ordering, during the production process and just before the shipment takes off. Always remember not to make the final payment till you are certain of receiving the goods.