Alibaba vs. AliExpress: Which is Better for Customized Products?

Customized products

If you're looking for customized products, Alibaba is the best option. You'll find many factories , most with professional design teams. You can share your idea directly with them.

For example, if you want to customize a piece of novelty jewelry, you can communicate your needs and ideas to them. They will help you design and produce the design. If you want to print your private label on the product, the manufacturers can do so.

On AliExpress, although you can find a trading company to help you customize your product, the process is more complex. The trading company will act as an intermediary to help you convey your idea to the factory. In such circumstances, if you can't communicate directly with the factory, the product may not be manufactured correctly to your needs.

2. 6 Frequently Asked Questions about Alibaba and AliExpress

Is Alibaba reliable?

Yes, it's definitely a trustworthy platform. It's one of the largest online wholesale marketplaces. However, there are still some scams on Alibaba that can affect people. For example, the supplier increases the price when placing an order, exceeding the quote. To avoid scams, it's a good idea to shop around for alternatives rather than focusing on just one supplier.

In fact, you can encounter these types of scams on any B2B platform, and what you can do is avoid them. The most important thing is to find good suppliers on Alibaba. Only when you find a reliable supplier will you be able to run your business smoothly.

Can anyone buy from Alibaba?

Yes, whether you're buying for personal use or for your business, you can source from Alibaba . But if you're just buying a product for your own use, AliExpress will be more convenient. Alibaba is a better option for wholesale, as you can get very competitive prices on the platform.

Is it safe and reliable to buy on AliExpress ?

In fact, it's completely safe. There are four main reasons why buyers might think it's a scam.

There is a long delay in receiving the package.
Tracking information is not updated in a timely manner.
The items buyers receive are not what they expect.
Some buyers think that “buyer-side production” doesn’t work well.

Check out our AliExpress security guide to learn why these issues arise and how to avoid them for a successful shopping experience.

Which is the best platform for dropshipping, Alibaba or AliExpress?
As I explained earlier, most Alibaba suppliers focus on wholesale orders and don't accept dropshipping orders. However, many AliExpress suppliers are trading companies or resellers and often accept dropshipping orders. So, if you're only buying one item for personal use or don't have enough budget at the start of your business, I recommend AliExpress. You don't need to have a lot of inventory.

However, as your business develops, you can try purchasing in bulk at once and storing the products in the suppliers' warehouses. Then, ask your supplier to ship them to the customer when they receive an order. In such circumstances, I recommend purchasing from Alibaba, as you can get products at a more competitive price. However, not all suppliers offer this service; you can check with your supplier before placing orders.

Which is better for Amazon sellers?
For Amazon sellers, good customer reviews are important for their store. Generally, most bad reviews are due to poor quality and long delivery times. Therefore, Alibaba is a better option. There are two main reasons:

First, if you run an Amazon FBA business, you need to find the best suppliers to ensure abundant inventory in the Amazon fulfillment center and guarantee immediate delivery. This means you need to sell wholesale from China in advance and ship the products to Amazon. In these circumstances, Alibaba is a better option, as it's a true B2B platform. You can get very competitive wholesale prices. Therefore, you'll have a higher profit margin than purchasing products from AliExpress.

Secondly, stable product quality is also an important aspect for Amazon sellers. On Alibaba, you'll find many manufacturers who often have a professional quality control team to oversee product quality. It's also advisable to establish a strong and long-term partnership with the same manufacturer. This way, there won't be any quality discrepancies in each batch, which also benefits your business.

However, many AliExpress suppliers are commercial companies and often purchase products from different manufacturers each time. Therefore, product quality can vary considerably between batches. In the long run, you could receive poor reviews on your Amazon store, which harms your long-term Amazon business.

What's Alibaba's advantage over AliExpress? Is it just price?
The first advantage is the competitive wholesale price for growing businesses. A low cost is the foundation of a good profit margin. You can get a very competitive wholesale price on Alibaba or negotiate with suppliers to get a lower quote. However, you can't bargain on prices on AliExpress.

The second advantage is that you can find manufacturers who produce OEM/ODM orders on Alibaba. Most suppliers will indicate whether they offer OEM/ODM support in their product information.