Find Your Manufacturers for Your Business or Products - Shopping Tips

Source: DHgate, Tag: E-Commerce Tips

Choosing a suitable manufacturer for your products is an important decision. It can be challenging to choose the right one, so we have put together some tips to help you get started.

When looking for a manufacturer, you want to find a company that offers competitive prices, high-quality products, and excellent customer service. Manufacturers can be hard to track down because they often operate behind the scenes. If you are looking for something specific and do not know where to begin, check out the following general shopping tips:
Domestic vs. overseas manufacturers
At the outset, it is essential to know that there are two types of manufacturers: domestic and overseas. Domestic manufacturers are those located in your country, while overseas ones are located in other countries. If you are looking for a manufacturer, consider whether it is best to work with domestic or overseas manufacturers.
To know how to find manufacturers, you must start by comparing domestic and overseas companies and ask yourself which ones are best to supply your business or produce your products. Whatever the answer to this question, experts often recommend securing two manufacturers – one overseas and one domestic. You can use your domestic manufacturer as a backup. That means you can always fall back on your domestic manufacturer when orders from your overseas supplier are incorrect or late. Yes, domestic manufacturers can be expensive sometimes. However, keeping products stocked and ensuring your customers are happy is better than keeping them waiting for overseas items.
Sourcing products overseas is often cheaper because of the lower production costs, especially from China and other Asian countries. However, there are many other things to consider besides the cost per unit and upfront investment. Weight the advantages and advantages of each option before making a decision.
The advantages of domestic sourcing include the following:

• • Easier communication because there is no language barrier

  • Faster shipping time

  • Guaranteed intellectual property protection

  • You can get a better understanding of your products and how they are made because you can witness the process yourself

  • Easier reputation verification

  • High-quality labor and manufacturing standards

Disadvantages of domestic manufacturers include the following:

• • Fewer product choices because many products are not manufactured locally

  • Higher production costs, hence higher prices

The advantages of working with overseas manufacturers include the following:

• • Plenty of producers to choose from

  • Lower manufacturing and labor costs, which means you will source the products at lower prices

  • One-stop sourcing services. For example, DHgate has made it seamless to navigate manufacturers.

Disadvantages of overseas sourcing are:

• • Time zone and language barriers can be hard to navigate

  • Customs clearance procedures involved

For easier overseas sourcing, work through a one-stop service like DHgate, which works with verified manufacturers only. Such services eliminate the need for agents or third-party distributors, who make overseas sourcing more expensive.
If you have an issue with your manufacturer, the customer service team at DHgate will help resolve it quickly and effectively. That helps make the sourcing process smooth and fast for your business.
Easy steps to finding the best manufacturer for your products or business
To bring your products or business to life, you must know how to find manufacturers. The following steps will help you find a reliable partner to manufacture high-quality products for your business at reasonable costs.

• • Research

You can do some research to find manufacturers for your product. You can do this in many ways:

• • Directories

Directories are an excellent place to start your search as they can make it easier for entrepreneurs to how to find manufacturers. There are many online domestic directories and online overseas directories. Both types act as manufacturer and supplier catalogs that contain many suppliers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. Some of the most trusted overseas directories include the following:
eTradeAsia.com
eTradeAsia.com is considered one of the best online manufacturers directories in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. It has a database of over 150 manufacturers from all over Asia. You can search for manufacturers by product type or country. The site provides information about their products and services, including contact details and location maps.
DHgate
DHgate is a Chinese e-commerce company that provides a platform for manufacturers to sell products to consumers and retailers worldwide. The company has its headquarters in Hangzhou, East China, and operates as a marketplace based in Asia.
DHgate offers free shipping on orders over $50 with some promotions. There are no minimum order requirements to order products from DHgate, and they accept credit cards and PayPal payments through their website.
The site is available in multiple languages, including English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean and Japanese.
You can visit to create an account on DHgate and start searching for manufacturers.
DHgate's website features several sections that allow you to narrow your search by product category or brand name. You can also view the most recent items on the site by clicking on "Recently Added."
Made-In-China.com
Made-In-China.com is a directory of Chinese manufacturers. It provides customers with a comprehensive list of Chinese manufacturers who can produce anything from consumer goods to medical devices.
This directory is highly reliable and is considered one of the most trusted overseas directories. It is an excellent place to start your research because it provides contact information for many companies you may not find on other websites.
China Manufacturers Directory
China Manufacturers Directory is an up-to-date directory that caters to domestic and foreign customers. It has a database of more than 70,000 Chinese manufacturers and business directories in China. You can search for products you want to buy by using their search engine feature or by entering keywords into their search form box, which will provide you with relevant results in no time.
Alibaba.com
Alibaba is an e-commerce platform that connects buyers with sellers worldwide in a trusted marketplace environment. This website is also known as “the Amazon of China” because it has more than 250 million active buyers and sellers on its platform every day. It has become one of the most popular online shopping sites for Chinese and non-Chinese consumers, so it is no surprise that manufacturers use Alibaba to find new business opportunities in this growing market.
AliExpress
AliExpress is another popular e-commerce platform that acts as an extension of Alibaba and acts as an extension of eBay in some ways, too. However, it tends to focus more on selling products directly from China rather than through a third-party seller.
Google
The internet is an excellent way to discover manufacturers, but it is only sometimes reliable because many manufacturers use fake websites. Type in what you are looking for, and you will be presented with a list of manufacturers that fit your requirements. You can search for "manufacturers" on Google or Yahoo, and you will come across many sites that show you how to find a manufacturer.
Search through social media
You can also find the best manufacturers through social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. When looking at a manufacturer's page, ensure they have an active profile on Facebook. If they do not have one, look at their website and see if they have any other social media accounts, such as Twitter or Instagram. The best way to find out if someone is active on social media is by checking out their posts. If they post regularly about their company and products, there is something worth looking into further. Look at their friends' list and timeline to see if anyone else has recently mentioned them and posted about them. It is also worth looking at the comments section since this can offer insight into why people like or dislike certain manufacturers, which will help you decide whether or not you want to work with these people in the future.

• • Referrals

If you are looking for a manufacturer, the best way to find one is through recommendations from other people.
Start by talking to your friends and family. Tell them about your project and ask if they know of any manufacturers that could help you. If you want to be more specific, ask them if they know of manufacturers who can make your product exactly as you want.
If there is not anyone in your network who can make a replica of what you want, then consider asking around on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Post a request for recommendations for a manufacturer on these sites and see if someone can recommend someone else who can help with your project.

• • Contact manufacturers and collect vital information

Once you have listed top manufacturers that can provide unmatched manufacturing services, the next thing is outreach and requesting information. You must first contact them to learn more about their products and services. That will help you determine whether or not they can meet your needs.
Get quotes from 3-5 manufacturers and compare options. Ask the potential supplier directly how much it will cost to produce your products. However, before asking for quotes, it would help if you answered a few questions:
Can the manufacturer accommodate custom orders?
An excellent way to find out is by asking them to email you a quotation list with all the details of their products and services, along with their pricing. If they still need to get a quote list, call them and ask them directly.
Can I inspect the factory before placing an order?
Yes, it is always better to visit the factory to check the quality of their services and products before hiring them for your business needs. That helps you avoid any surprises later on because if something goes wrong with the product after purchasing it from them, then you know exactly what went wrong at that time so that this does not happen in the future when using their services again for any other project or product creation work.
What about quality assurance?
Quality assurance is another major thing that every manufacturer must focus on to ensure that their products are sold at reasonable prices without compromising on quality standards or quality assurance measures by using inferior materials or not paying attention to safety measures during production.
How long will it take for the manufacturer to produce your products?
A good manufacturer can produce your product in a short time frame and at an affordable price. However, ask them when they can start production and when they will be able to deliver your products.
What are the manufacturer’s warranty and delivery guarantee?
Some manufacturers offer different types of warranties to their customers, such as one-year or lifetime warranties on their products. You should always check whether or not the manufacturer has any particular policies or guarantees that could benefit you in some way or another.
If they match your requirements, you can proceed with the next step

• • Negotiate with potential manufacturers

Once you have found a manufacturer that you are happy with, it is vital to negotiate the price of your products. That may seem simple, but it can only be challenging with the correct information. That will be fine if you have been in business for some time and have established relationships with other manufacturers. However, if you are new to manufacturing, you must know how to negotiate before signing up with a new supplier.
Negotiating with a manufacturer will only work if you can get the best price possible for your product. It would help to ask what is fair and reasonable for your business and what is within your financial means. You also need to understand how much the product costs per unit to determine if it makes sense for your business.

• • Ask for samples

Consider asking for samples of the manufacturer's work or looking at other products they have produced before. That will help you get a feel for their quality and style, allowing you to compare their prices and see if they are worth working with.

• • Choose your manufacturer and place your first order

Compare the samples, minimum order quantity requirements, costs, terms of payment, and shipping methods from various manufacturers before choosing the one that best suits your business needs and offers the best deals. Finally, place a full order and build a healthy relationship with your manufacturer.
FAQ
How much does it cost to manufacture a product?
The cost of manufacturing a product depends upon many factors, including the number of parts, labor, and materials used to create the final product. For example, if you are producing a small number of identical products that can be mass-produced, then the cost per unit will be lower than if you were making custom-made items.
Which country is No 1 in manufacturing?
China, the world's largest manufacturer, is also the world's biggest exporter, with exports of manufactured goods accounting for almost half of its total trade balance. You can find thousands of China-based manufacturers on DHgate and other E-Commerce platforms. Find out more at here.
How do you pitch an idea to a manufacturer?
The best way to pitch an idea to a manufacturer is by contacting them through a phone call, email, or online through their website. Most manufacturers have a form where you can fill in the details of your idea and upload some pictures of your prototype. The manufacturer will then review the idea, send it to their design team and get back to you with feedback.
Where is it cheapest to manufacture?
The answer is different for every product or service, but generally speaking, the cheapest place to make your product or service will be where labor costs are the lowest. That may be in a country where wages are low and taxes lower or another country where wages are higher and taxes higher.
Takeaway
Manufacturers are everywhere, but not all of them can help you achieve your business goals. We hope you have learned how to find manufacturers from this write-up. We are reminding you to consider what kind of quality control you want from a manufacturer. Also, focus on building a lasting relationship with your producer. Remember that you can always find verified manufacturers on DHgate if you want to partner with factories in China.