For foreign friends who want to use 1688 to import goods from China, it is challenging to use this software with a Chinese interface language alone, not to mention finding the best merchants on 1688 quickly and accurately for the products you want. This article will analyze how to use 1688 software step by step, from product search methods, quick product screening, merchant evaluation indicators, etc., to quickly identify the best 1688 merchants and escort your business.
1. Product search methods
In 1688, you have two ways to search for products: image search and keyword search.
Mobile version: In some countries, the search box in the 1688 mobile client does not have the “search by image” function. In this case, if you want to use this function, we recommend that you use the web version of 1688, which provides the “search by image” function no matter which country you are from. The picture below is the logo of the image recognition function in the 1688 mobile client – a camera pattern, which means that you can import product pictures from the album or take pictures directly.
Web version: In the web version of 1688, whether you are using the old version or the new version, you can find the logo for using the “Search for Money by Image” function on the right side of the search box. Refer to the two pictures below.
2. How to quickly filter products
A quick way is to recognize the word “跨境”, which means cross-border trade. Products with this word in the title are commodities that can be used for cross-border trade, so those products that do not meet the qualifications for foreign trade can be quickly filtered out. However, it should be noted that this is a rough screening method, which means that other products that do not have “cross-border” written on them but are equally good will be filtered out.
Applying this method, when using keyword search, use Google Translate to translate the product you need into Chinese, and use “跨境+product name” to search, which can improve your efficiency. After using the “search by picture” function, you can also pay attention to whether the displayed product titles contain the word “跨境”.
3. Indicators for evaluating merchants
When you are in the lower left corner of the product details page, you can see the “店铺” icon, which means “store”, (as shown below). From this icon, you can enter the store to view all the products.
On the product details page, when you put the mouse on the merchant’s name (bold font), you can see the information card shown in the figure below. The meanings of 1-7 are as follows.
1 Comprehensive service
This is a comprehensive score for the merchant, usually 4 points and above are better.
2 3 years
This is the number of years the merchant has opened the 1688 platform so far, so the larger the number, the better, and it is better to choose a number of years or more, because this shows the stability and trustworthiness of the merchant.
3 Return experience-Purchase consultation
The five lines of text from top to bottom represent the buyer’s return experience, quality experience, logistics timeliness of goods, dispute resolution, and purchase consultation scores, so the higher the score, the better, and the full score is 5 points.
4 Trading medals
The trading medals include A medals, diamonds and crowns. The merchant who gets the most crowns has the strongest trading ability in the month. They are a dynamic rating system to measure the merchant’s trading ability:
- Represents the merchant’s strength: the higher the medal level, the stronger the store strength displayed, and the higher the customer trust and conversion rate.
- Influence on search ranking: The stronger the transaction ability, the higher the search ranking, and the more search traffic.
- Financial service benefits: With a high medal level, you can enjoy financial service benefits such as extremely fast payment, and reduce capital costs.
- Marketing activity opportunities: Merchants with high medal levels can obtain more core traffic scene activity opportunities and traffic weighting.
- Store treasure quota: With a high medal level, the store treasure quota is more, and you can enjoy search weighting, which increases search and recommendation traffic.
- Powerful merchant rights: Enjoy more marketing activities, tools and strength display rights.
4. Make good use of the filter bar
As shown below is the filter bar in the web version of 1688. Through the two blue circles below, you can enter the minimum order quantity you need and the merchant’s shipping area. The number “1” means “all areas”.
Likewise, here is where the filter bar is located on the mobile client.
5. Merchant location
There are two reference angles for the merchant location. One is that if you have your own freight forwarder, you can choose a merchant that is close to or the same city as your freight forwarder. This saves time and transportation costs, while reducing the risks in the transportation of goods. The second is to choose a merchant located in a city or province that is famous for the product. Each type of product has a source of origin. Although there is no 100% guarantee, it can also avoid some false and inferior products.
6. Cooperate with a sourcing agent
If you are importing from China for the first time, choosing a good sourcing agent can save you a lot of time, energy and money. Like our team, sourcing agrnt will help you do the following:
- Save Time and Resources：By managing supplier communications and negotiations, we free up your time, allowing you to focus on strategic business activities.
- Ensure Quality：Our on-ground team conducts thorough inspections, ensuring you receive high-quality products that meet your standards.
- Optimize Costs：Leverage our extensive supplier network to get the best pricing without compromising on quality.
- Hassle-Free Logistics We handle all logistical details, from shipment consolidation to customs clearance, ensuring smooth and timely delivery.
- Reduce Risk：Our due diligence and compliance checks mitigate risks, safeguarding your investment.
- Low MOQ and OEM/ODM service：The interpersonal network between sourcing sgents and factories enables them to purchase goods from factories with lower minimum order quantities. At the same time, they can also provide OEM and ODM services to customers and collaborate with customers to carry out necessary product and packaging design, etc.
Summary
By introducing the product search method of 1688, the method of quickly screening products, the indicators for judging merchants, and the reference to the region where the merchant is located, I believe that everyone has mastered the method of quickly finding the best 1688 sellers. Welcome to reach out over time to get more assistant for importing from China. And subscribe to our blog at the bottom of this page to receive tips on importing from China every week!