Finding good products for import and their successful resale is the main feature of a successful import business. In this text, we will be dealing with strategies for finding ideas for products that you could import.
Over the years we often received questions "what is it that is currently going, what is it that I could import and sell". There is no simple answer to that question.
We have tried to display some of the products that we have selected and presented them in the products menu.
Since China is the workshop of everything and everyone, we cannot show everything we like. Besides, what you are going to sell should be your business and should be part of your niche business.
If you are planning to start an import business, prepare to face many difficulties and decisions that could significantly change your life and the way you do business.
The type of product you want to import into a particular country is one of the most important elements that you must consider before going into the whole business. While there are many import products you can consider, not all will be suitable for your company or the market you want to penetrate.
Allow plenty of time for research so you have less trouble later. Over time, you will be able to develop a certain trading instinct and get used to the research process before you decide to import a product.
Typically, business owners choose a product to sell based on what they think is profitable and based on their personal interests. Those are two good points to consider, but they also shouldn't be the basis of your import decisions.
You should not rely too much on your own views when it comes to choosing a product to import because what you like may not be liked by others. Carefully observe the demand for the products you plan to sell in a particular country and decide which products are likely to sell better than others.
Guide Contents
- Why are niches important?
- How to find the right products to sell
- Best places to find product ideas
- Fairs
- Online Trading Sites
- Purchasing Agent in China
- Conclusion
Why are niches important?
One of the most common mistakes importers make is to start the import process by looking for products right away. Why is this wrong? Although product research is one of the most important steps in the import process, it should always start with defining your niche. You should first determine the niche you want to operate in before you start looking for products. Here are some of the reasons why it is important to choose a niche for your business:
- You will be able to become an expert immediately if you stick to one, your niche that you know.
- You will easily identify more product opportunities.
- You will have a clear understanding of who your customers are and what exactly they are looking for.
- You will be able to sell products faster.
- Finding the manufacturer will also be easier for you.
When you focus on one niche, you will be more knowledgeable and it will be easier to become an expert in this "your" field which means you will be able to find more business opportunities for your products.
How to find the right products to sell
If you want your products to sell, they must have a competitive advantage. There are two basic ways to make your products more desirable in the market.
- The first is to offer your products at a lower price than the competition.
- The second is differentiating your product from the competition.
What does the latter mean? You have to make your products different from the competition - whether it's just the makeup or the actual quality. The good news is that it's not as difficult as it sounds. Here are some tips on how to do it.
2.1. Choose the market that suits you best
Start by deciding which country you want to trade in. Every country around the world has different needs. What is good and successful in one country does not necessarily mean that it will be successful in another. Consider the climate, geography, culture and lifestyle of the region where you plan to market your product. It's always a good idea to familiarize yourself with other imported products that sell well there. Before making your choice, look at the many statistics and news articles in this area and use that as a reference.
2.2. Study local demand
You need to know the goods and products that are most in demand in the country where you want to sell. In order to collect as much data as possible, research the market on the Internet, but also ask around. What seems like a good idea to you, may not be to others' liking. Be sure to study the latest trends; however, please note that demand for a particular product may decrease or increase from year to year.
Image by Markus Winkler from Pixabay
If you notice that a certain item has been in demand for several years, there is a high probability that you can also be successful by importing that item. The type of market you want to access or reach with your imported product is another thing to consider. Looking at a country's list of export items will help you quickly see what they do and don't need. Importing something that is exported would be a waste of time because chances are high that if a country can export a product, it will be able to supply enough of it for local demand.
Example: Just imagine that you are importing raspberries to Serbia, which is one of the world's largest producers of raspberries. A direct path to the ruin of your business.
2.3. Be online and read/join the forums
Most export and import processes begin and are carried out online. Based on this, you should consider being active on forums and talking to exporters from around the world to discover the best products to import. That way, you'll be informed when it comes to trends and potential products to invest in by joining specific trading groups on Facebook or Reddit. To grow your import-export company, it would be a good idea to find websites that will send you regular newsletters with their tips. Being active online also means having a high-quality website and staying in touch with your old and new customers.
2.4. Find an exporter to work with
Sometimes it shouldn't be entirely up to you to decide which is the best item to import into a particular country. You may want to discuss your options with your exporting partner. Working with your exporter as part of a team will increase your likelihood of progress and benefit both of your businesses. You need to find an export partner as soon as possible if you don't already have one. Your exporter may be the same for different imports depending on the type of goods and products you want to sell. Moreover, if you manage to keep the same exporter, you may also profit from some discounts if you both have a good working relationship. But where exactly can you find a trusted exporter? The solution is also in the online community. All exporters on various websites and forums are looking for importers like you. This is all the more reason to be active on the Internet and not to neglect this aspect of your import-export business. Sometimes you will discover the biggest and best exporters on official websites, such as those of various authorities. To meet new potential partners in your field of business, you can attend various global fairs or conferences. In addition, on many of the websites of numerous Chinese companies there are pages where they themselves are looking for distributors for their products.
You can find such companies on our website on the page Chinese firms
2.5. Familiarize yourself with the documentation and local standards
As part of your product research, you need to familiarize yourself with the procedures and paperwork involved in the entire process. they are. In addition to informing yourself about the difference between legal and illegal products, you must also be aware of certain standards that should be considered when importing. Some of these products may have quantity restrictions or some additional tax that you must pay to complete the import process. It is better to know all this in time, and not to be surprised when the goods arrive. Until you know the norms for the products you want to import well enough, you should not start the process of importing them.
2.6. Contact trade development offices of international embassies
It is not necessary but it would be good if you are able, because being in contact with foreign embassies is always a good idea when you have an import and export company. But if you are interested in finding unique and new products to import, stay in touch with the trade development offices and be the first to know the biggest potential before other business owners. Embassies can provide you with lists of suppliers who would like to develop business with you and break into a new market. It is important to note that sometimes the search for the best goods to import does not start with the search for products but with the search for exporters, suppliers and the search for the best offers.
What's more, if/when you develop great connections at international embassies, you'll find it much simpler to consider different offers. You may even discover products you never thought of before. Make sure to honor as many official invitations as possible and create a professional portfolio to impress your potential clients or customers. So never waste a potential future opportunity, especially if you get a great deal from a manufacturer. If you are an experienced seller you can sell almost anything you want at the best price.
Best places to find product ideas
Finding ideas as well as products to sell is one of the essential steps. But how do you know which products or manufacturers are right for you? We will show you different ways to find ideas for your business. These are the best places or websites to start: We are confident that at least one of these ways will connect you with a reliable, good quality manufacturer.
Fairs
Before the Internet, the main way manufacturers and suppliers made acquaintances and built business relationships was trade fairs. Today, trade shows are still a great way for sellers to meet manufacturers, see their products and promote lasting business relationships. Trade shows are exhibitions where businesses and suppliers display their products and services in an effort to attract new customers. They are a great place to meet suppliers and see their products in person. This type of introduction can give you more confidence than emailing an unknown foreign company. At the show, you can ask questions and ask the vendors to answer them while looking them in the eye. Talking to the exporter personally about their products will give you a clear idea of whether what they offer is desirable to sell to your target market. You are more likely to meet local suppliers by visiting local fairs, which can be useful in terms of logistics and delivery.
However, all over the world, there are internationally renowned fairs that are held frequently, including China, which is the world's manufacturing hub.
Trade fairs in China
China is the largest producer in the world. If you're planning a trip to China to meet suppliers and see products in person, there are plenty of great trade shows to visit. You can find all trade fairs in China sorted by category on the page of our website Planning your trade show trip.
The largest fair in China is the Canton fair, which is held twice a year in spring and autumn. We blogged about this fair and often announced it. Since the beginning of the corona pandemic, this fair has also had its own online edition, so you can view it online. In addition to this, we highlight the goods fair in Yiwu as well as the East China Import and Export Fair in Shanghai.
If you decide to visit one of the fairs and you need help contact us
Online trading sites
Alibaba.com
Alibaba is currently estimated to have around 279 million active customers and 8.5 million active suppliers, making Alibaba the world's largest one-stop shop for suppliers.
Among other things, our Gabriel Group is on Alibaba.
Whatever your niche or desired product, you're likely to find it here. Search for your product and phrases in the search box to locate sellers and merchandise. Alibaba allows you to search for best-selling products, experienced suppliers, view their references, licenses and trading lists, see some of their main customers as well as many other details about the seller.
Aliexpress.com
Alibaba and Aliexpress.com are owned by the same Alibaba Group, but Aliexpress is designed to serve a different market. You won't find as many manufacturers on Aliexpress, but its advantage is that if you are starting a business with limited capital, you can place smaller orders, which makes it a great choice in that case.
To discover manufacturers and great products for sale, you'll need to do a little more digging on Aliexpress. In addition, there are numerous videos on YouTube showing innovations from Aliexpress and other Chinese sites. We don't want to advertise any channel, you need to type "aliexpress best selling products" on youtube.com and you will get a lot of channels that present various innovations and products from Aliexpress.
Once you find the product, contact the vendors and see if they can manufacture your product for you. Note that these are usually not manufacturers but resellers.
The nice thing about Aliexpress is that before you decide on the product you want to resell, you can buy one piece of several products from your niche to make sure of the quality.
Another nice thing is to know who you are dealing with in terms of the seller's credibility according to the "seller rating".
Read much more about Alibaba and Aliexpress on the pages of our site Alibaba Group Explore beyond Alibaba. China is huge and there are more quality sites.
Also try Made-in-china.com, Globalsources.com or some other platform that serves to connect producers and clients.
Agent for purchasing goods in China
Also, by contacting the purchasing agents who are in China, you can also get an idea about the product. Professional sourcing agents know what is currently popular and what is regularly shipped. We have presented on our website some of the products that we think are interesting and would encourage some of you to become an importer and seller.
Conclusion
We hope this article was able to provide you with a good starting point for finding a niche to build your business on.
Finding the right product can take time and you can spend a huge amount of time on this whole process.
Sometimes it happens that you won't succeed the first time or with the first product, but don't get discouraged. The Silk Road, as well as the import and resale business, has existed since the beginning of the century.
All in all, know that the basis for a successful import-export company is finding quality niches and products. We hope that we have helped you and given you a little encouragement if you have the desire and idea to try your hand at this business.
If you have any questions or concerns contact us, we will be happy to help you.