Everybody sourcing products from overseas has heard of Alibaba, but for people looking for great deals on products directly from factories should check out this list. New websites have been hitting the scene, and some of them are really helpful for the larger businesses or the work at home eBay seller.

Niche Directories – These websites are focused on a particular industry and often provide better tools and filtering of information.

MFG – The best website for sourcing parts. Upload your projects, and get quotes from suppliers around the world. Also, the members have been active in leaving feedback on suppliers. You can now also source textiles using MFG. Jeff Beezos from Amazon.com is an owner of this company.

Panjiva – Great for sourcing garment manufacturers, their approach is different from other sites. They offer supplier ratings by reviewing the companies current shipments and customers. They offer information on shipment amount, and the type of customer and shipments.

Trade Intelligence – Ever wanted to know who your competitors have been buying from? US customs shipments reports are open to the public.

Zepol – The most searchable database for US customs reports allows the user to create their own custom filters. The system works within a web browser, and allows an unlimited number of searches.

Import Genius – Offers searches by customer name, product name, and supplier name.

Trade Mining – A lower cost system that allows a user to download trade intelligence reports one report at a time.

Piers – The largest trade intelligence company. Piers data is entered and analyzed, then put into their database. Reports are much better looking, but searches are more difficult and results may not have as much detail. They also offer trade intelligence on other countries.

Manufacturers and Wholesale Suppliers– Good websites for smaller orders and selling on eBay.

Doba – Sell goods on eBay without needing stock. Buying though Doba wholesale partners allows goods to shipped directly from the wholesale warehouse. The cost to the seller is 50% below retail, and the seller can select their own profit margin. Doba charges a monthly fee.

World Wide Brands – Allows you to search for suppliers, manufacturers, and wholesale companies. They charge a monthly fee.

B2X – Buy from China- Pain Free. B2X allows users to search manufacturers products online. No experience needed, B2X will ship the goods to you, and take care of all importing quality inspections. B2X charges an unstated fee that should be a great deal for smaller customers looking for good values.

DHGate – A platform for buying goods directly from manufacturers in Asia. Be careful of branded products, as there are lots of fakes being sold by companies who advertise on this site. But, there are great values if you know how to use it, and the site allows feedback.

The Wholesale Forums – An online forum with 5000 active members discussing goods, suppliers, and products. Very good information for people looking to start buying and selling online.

Liquidation and GoWholesale – A family of web sites that offer off-price goods for retail and discounts for wholesale.

Simplx – Another large platform that allows users to sell goods directly from a drop shippers warehouse.

Large Manufacturer and Supplier Directories – If you want to work directly with factories, these are the best large websites. Please be aware if you are looking for a factory that many companies advertising on these sites are trading companies.

Alibaba – The largest online sourcing community has suppliers from almost every country in the world. Also included are forums where your sourcing and trading questions can be answered.

Global Sources – The most reputable sourcing website. Global Sources verifies suppliers and works more closely to ensure smoother sourcing for its users. Global Sources also operates many large trade shows in Asia and has many print publications for sourcing.

Made-In-China – The 3rd largest sourcing website in the world. They also work with SGS and supplier audit reports can be purchased online.

Global Market – A newer souring website offers a huge amount of suppliers and products. Also, you can email them projects, and they will send you back a list of qualified manufacturers.

India Mart – As the name implies, a huge directory of Indian suppliers and products.

Product Pilot – All types of suppliers and products are listed in the most visually appealing of the large sourcing websites. An arm of the Messe Frankfut tradeshow group in Germany, most of the suppliers listed have also exhibited at their events, but since these events are so world wide, the website gets a good assortment of manufacturers.

Seth Berman (seth@goodfactories.com) has years of manufacturing experience in Asia. He has worked in Quality Control, Purchasing, and Product Development at a large lighting company. Recently, he has been participating in the launch of a new project, goodfactories. The goal is to help improve internet sourcing for home decor and furniture manufacturers, and help suppliers improve performance by allowing critique, and adding a verification system, where we are actively seeking the top manufacturers and getting them to join our site.

GoodFactories is a home furnishings sourcing community that proactively seeks out the best furniture manufacturers, lighting manufacturers, and all types of home décor. Many tools are provided to make finding good factories simple. The innovative sourcing map allows users to see how far a candle factory to the hotel, or a furniture factory to the sofa manufacturer. And, the rating and review system helps buyers all over the world to find the right furniture fair and which to avoid.

GoodFactories also offers supplier audit services, because suppliers are unique, and matching your company, your product and enabling the best fits, is what we do.

PUBLISHING GUIDLINES

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