How to Find Winning Products on Aliexpress & 13 Must-Have Tools

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Finding the right products to sell is often the most challenging step in starting a dropshipping business. With thousands of potential items to sell, how do you know which ones will be profitable? This is where AliExpress product research and ecommerce competitor analysis comes in. Learning how to find winning products on AliExpress can save you a lot of time and help you avoid costly mistakes. In this blog, we’ll show you how to find profitable products to dropship on AliExpress so you can confidently launch your business.

Shophunter has a simple solution to help you find winning products on AliExpress: the Shopify sales tracker. This tool allows you to see what’s selling on Shopify, identify dropshipping trends, and discover lucrative AliExpress products to sell.

What Is Aliexpress and How Does It Work?

How to Find Winning Products on Aliexpress

AliExpress is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers worldwide. You can find almost anything on AliExpress, from clothes and accessories to electronics and home goods. And because it’s a direct marketplace in China, you can usually find better deals on AliExpress than you would from a traditional retailer.

AliExpress is one of the biggest online marketplaces today. It sells to end consumers and is a dropshipping supplier to thousands of dropshippers. With relatively low prices and millions of products on a user-friendly platform, it has become one of the most successful dropshipping suppliers.

Since AliExpress is full of thousands of Chinese agents and sellers who create and run their stores on their platform, it’s easy to run into sellers who aren’t service-oriented. There are no physical warehouses, as the sellers source their products from other Chinese suppliers. Therefore, knowing how to locate, communicate, and create mutual relationships with your suppliers is crucial for your store’s long-term survivability.

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How To Find Winning Products

What to Look for in a Winning Product on AliExpress

Product Quality: Don't Get Burned By Bad Products

Sure, you may have seen a product that has over 1,000 sales. Naturally, you want to sell the same thing in your store. However, you need to ask yourself one crucial question: what is the quality of this product?

I once bought 100 items from an AliExpress seller, including a ring. The product looked great online and was cheap. When it arrived, however, I realized the quality was not as good as it seemed in the images.

The ring in the sales picture is more detailed and vivid. The real one is bad, plus the quality of the material is different from what I expected. It was lighter, and the material they used was cheap metal.

From this experience, you must investigate before you buy. I suggest that you buy one sample first. Once you have the item, you can decide whether it is good enough to sell.

Sadly, I ordered 100 pieces at once. I hesitated to sell them in my store because my customers may leave a bad review.

As a drop shipper, you will incur this loss. However, your customer will be unhappy, reflecting poorly on you.

Market Relevance: Stay Away From Dead Products

The second thing you want to look for is product relevance. Is the product still in demand today? Does it belong to your niche?

Remember these things

There was a time when the world was so crazy about fidget spinners. As you can see from the screenshot, the fidget spinner has sold more than 5,000 units.

It is a winning product. However, it is dead. Nobody wants to buy it anymore. The world has moved on.

You may get burned if you decide based on the total sales alone. To find out whether or not it is worth selling, go to Google Trends.

There was a massive interest in 2021, but the interest in this product fluctuated as time passed. Maybe you are saying it is okay since you do not buy inventory for dropshipping anyway.

Still, you could have spent more time listing this product. Worse, you would lose money if you advertised on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. You are promoting a product that no one is interested in buying.

Product Originality: Avoid Counterfeit Goods At All Costs

You must never drop ship counterfeit items. It takes only one complaint, and you can get shut down. If you go to AliExpress, you will undoubtedly find many counterfeit items.

Take a look at this

All these items are fake. The wristwatch sold over 1,000 units; you may tell yourself it is a winning product. Yes, it is a winning product. However, are you willing to take the risk?

If you dropship on Amazon, it takes only one complaint to get your store shut down or penalized. The same thing goes with Shopify. If someone files a complaint, Shopify may close your store.

Selling a replica product or a counterfeit item is a bad idea. The only exception to this rule, of course, is if you are dropshipping to an economically challenged country where the people or the government need to tackle the issue of counterfeit goods.

For example, people in China do not mind buying fake Louis Vuitton bags. The same thing applies to other Asian countries like the Philippines.

Shipping Time and Cost: Don't Leave Your Customers Waiting

The fourth factor you must consider, and one of the most important, is shipping options, time, and cost. You must take the time to check this detail in AliExpress.

For every product listing on AliExpress, you can click on the seller’s name, and you will see some ratings, as shown below:

As you can see, the seller’s shipment time is below average. However, this is still acceptable, as it is above 4.5 out of five stars.

The shipping options link is above the Buy Now or Add to Cart button. Click this for more details about the shipping choices, cost, and timelines.

Free shipping is excellent. However, keep in mind that free shipping always takes time. Since these products come from China, expect the shipment to take 30 to 60 days. The alternative is to choose a seller of the same product who offers reasonable shipping costs and timelines.

Product Reviews: Always Read The Reviews

The next factor you must consider is product reviews. While the product may have many sales, what do the customers say about it? Beware of fake product reviews.

Here is a sample review

From here, we can see an accurate picture, not one that the seller put under many lights or in a studio. The buyer said the ring is the precise size described in the product listing.

Read the reviews and browse through the images. These reviews will tell you a lot about the product and the seller. If the review seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Price and Potential Profit: Don't Get Sucked Into Selling Products With No Profit Margin

The last factor to consider is your price and potential profit. One big problem with Chinese manufacturers is that they sell the products in a B2C market.

What does this mean? This means that the supplier posts the products in online marketplaces, especially Amazon.

This bag sells for $35 on Amazon, and shipping still needs to be in the price.

The same bag sells in AliExpress for $22.85, and shipping is free.

‍From here, it is an excellent product to dropship. You have room to make a profit. However, you may come across a problem.

If you look closely at the AliExpress listing, the product used to be $65. If the supplier decides to return it at that price, I won't be able to sell it anymore.

There will be situations where the AliExpress supplier is also selling on Amazon. If this happens, you cannot beat their prices. The best thing to do is to walk away and look for another winning product.

How to Find Winning Products on AliExpress?

First, go to AliExpress. Use the search tool, but don’t type in a product like you’re a customer. Instead, search for dropshipping products. Use the filters provided to help you find winning products quickly. Sort by order to find the best-selling products.

Your goal is to identify products that have a high number of orders and positive reviews. The number of orders indicates the product’s demand, while the reviews tell you whether the product is as good as it looks. Aim for products with at least a 4.5-star rating.

2. Use the Correct Keywords

Type the right keywords when using search tools. If your target product has a specific design or feature, it might take a few guesses and scrolling to land the correct listing. Online marketplaces don’t have the best search engines, so make sure the words you enter match closely with what you have in mind. You can also go through the categories listed on AliExpress’ homepage if you want a broader range of products. However, the platform has many categories, so narrowing the product results using keywords would be wiser.

3. Verify the Product’s Legitimacy from Other Online Marketplaces

Don’t stick to a single source or marketplace when product hunting. Cross-check your supposedly winning product’s legitimacy from other platforms to better understand how well it can perform. Amazon, eBay, Wish, and Shopify can all be taken advantage of while finding trending products. For instance, Amazon’s best-seller feature displays the hottest products in each niche, giving you insight into what the public is crazy about. Similarly, you can head to other eCommerce markets and check whether the product you’ve found on AliExpress can make it big.

Another helpful way of hunting products is to stay vigilant on social media. Products usually go hot because of social media trends, memes, influencer marketing, TV shows, etc. Keep an eye on Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook ads, and pay special attention to ads that get the most engagement from the public. The earlier you can spot what’s about to skyrocket in the market, the better it will be for your dropshipping business.

Also, consider adding competitors' products to your cart. This way, you’ll be bombarded with ads of similar products, giving you better insight into what’s trending. After that, simply search the keyword on AliExpress, and you’ll find plenty of suppliers for the product.

ShopHunter: Your New Best Friend for Finding Winning Products

ShopHunter's Shopify sales tracker offers a unique tool for e-commerce founders, particularly those in the Shopify ecosystem. At its core, it is a custom algorithm that estimates sales for entire stores and specific products, helping users quickly validate product potential. The platform goes beyond basic sales tracking, featuring an ad spy tool that monitors advertising activity across stores.

This combination lets users spot trending products and successful marketing strategies early on. Whether you're a dropshipper, a Shopify store owner, or someone looking to enter the e-commerce space, ShopHunter aims to streamline product research and reduce the risk of investing in low-performing items.

Sign up for a free trial (no credit card required) to our Shopify sales tracker tool to find your next eCom opportunity or to level up your current eCommerce store by learning from your competitors.

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13 Best Products Research Tools to Find Winning AliExpress Products

1. Shophunter: The Ultimate Sales Tracker for Shopify Stores

Sign up for a free trial (no credit card required) to our Shopify sales tracker tool to find your next eCom opportunity or to level up your current eCommerce store by learning from your competitors.

2. Dropship.IO: Analyze Products by Spying on Competitors

Dropship.IO is a product database tool that allows you to spy on Shopify stores. Our system gives you the ability to do the following:

Find products and know their sales performance

Track stores and their sales performance

Search your competitors and spy on them

See if the competitor has ads on Facebook

3. Dropified: Get Insights on AliExpress Products Profitability

Third on our list is Dropified, a dropship supplier tool that you can integrate with other online marketplaces. Dropified, unlike other dropshipping tools and platforms, provides insights into a product’s profitability. As you can see below, the company offers its users a list of the best-selling categories and products in AliExpress.

Once you click this link, you will find yourself on the AliExpress product page. What’s missing here is whether you can rely on the seller. It would help if you returned to the method I taught you earlier.

4. AliExpress Dropshipping Center: The Tool Built for Dropshippers

AliExpress made AliExpress Dropshipping Center to assist dropshippers in landing winning products. Being backed by AliExpress does give it leverage over other product research tools. Here’s what AliExpress Dropshipping Center lets you do:

Search for the hottest products by name or niche.

Use filters like price, rating, and the number of orders by dropshippers/customers.

Find products by image; this feature helps you find the same products on AliExpress.

Analyze a product’s profitability through the Product Analysis tool.

Determine how reliable suppliers are by scrutinizing their shipping records.

The best part about the AliExpress Dropshipping Center is that it is free. All you need is an AliExpress account, and you’re ready.

5. AliInsider: Speed Up Your Product Research Process

AliInsider can significantly speed up the product hunting process on AliExpress. Boasting several unique and outstanding features, the tool is one of the best in giving you a detailed overview of products. Here’s what you can expect from AliInsider:

See competitors' stats on other online marketplaces such as eBay and Shopify.

Stay up-to-date by having access to a trending list that has 30K products changing every day.

Access data on multiple niches and see which ones perform best.

Get instant access to product scores, stats, orders, ratings, and more.

6. Niche Scraper: Analyze Your Competitors for Better Product Research

You must have a Niche Scraper to have a product research tool list. The tool comes packed with brilliant sorting features to help you filter the cream of the crop on AliExpress. Here’s what Niche Scraper lets you do:

See a product’s AliScore, a particular grade developed especially for ranking AliExpress products.

Use the Product-Scraper, which allows you to sort products by the number of orders, growth rate, competition, and more.

Access the tool’s handpicked products with plenty of in-depth details.

Analyze the best-selling products of your competitors, and even get an estimate of their revenue from a product!

Use the video ad-maker to market your products on social media.

7. Thieve.co: Find Hot Products in the Market

This product-hunting tool allows you to see what’s hot in the market. Thieve primarily focuses on the product’s demand more than other factors. You get the following perks from Thieve:

Analyze images to find the best possible seller for a product across multiple platforms, including AliExpress.

Use the Supplier Finder tool to find different and better suppliers that offer the same product.

Gain knowledge about yet-to-peak market trends powered by Google’s search data.

Analyze niche reports and see if opting for another niche would be more profitable.

Access product conversion rates, top-rated store products, market trends, and more.

8. ZIK Analytics: Demand Tracking and Competitor Research

Much like Thieve, ZIK Analytics is focused on the demand curve of products. It allows you to see what’s hot in the market on both eBay and AliExpress. Not only that, but this tool is also an excellent choice for finding trustworthy suppliers in every niche. ZIK Analytics users can do the following:

Examine a product’s current demand through stats, sales, and average cost.

Find the best suppliers for a product by looking at their performance, reviews, and reputation in the market.

Keep an eye on your competitors and their wallets.

Use the Ali Growth Scanner to determine whether a product has scope in the market.

Get training from ZIK Analytics’ free course, which is ideal for beginners.

9. AliShark: Get Real-Time Data on Products from AliExpress

AliShark is one of the best product research tools that Shopify’s Hurrify developers developed. It’s explicitly designed for AliExpress and doesn’t cover other online marketplaces. Thanks to its dozens of product filtering features, AliShark has made its way into almost every list of the best product research tools.

Offers sorting options, including price, niches, daily orders, wish lists, keywords, and more.

See current product performance sourced from AliExpress and Banggood.

Sort products according to their popularity or shipping in a custom country.

Use the period/daily orders filter to set a particular number per period.

Press the AliShark random button to switch up the products for new picks.

10. Spocket: Find High-Quality Suppliers for Dropshipping

Spocket is a dropship supplier database with comprehensive coverage. You can find suppliers from AliExpress and independent ones in the US, the UK, and the EU. You can use the search bar to find a winning AliExpress product. For this example, I searched for “drone.” Besides the search bar, there is a filter option, and I filtered the “ship from” to China.

From this page, I can assess whether this seller is trustworthy and see more details about the shipping timelines. However, I dislike that I need help seeing the product reviews. Because of this, I need to go to AliExpress and manually search for this product.

11. Amazon: Research Products and Competitors First

No, you will not look for suppliers on Amazon. What you want from Amazon is data. You want to check your competitors and see what products they are selling. Once you know what items on Amazon are in demand, you can start looking for a supplier in AliExpress. I searched for “drone,” and these are the results.

As you can see, the first product on the left has 17,512 reviews. All these have sponsored ads, and the sellers have the means to pay for this sponsorship because their products sell. In addition, the first product on the left has over 3,000 views in the past week. This product has a high impression rate (maybe because of the sponsored ad), and people click the thumbnail to see more details.

12. Sell the Trend: The All-in-One Tool for Dropshipping

Sell the Trend is a product finder and dropshipping tool. The people behind it consider their software program the all-in-one tool you need for dropshipping. Aside from helping you find winning products, you can also use the tool to build your website or store.

They call this tool SHOPS. Like Shopify, there is no need to code. For product selection, you will have access to a list of winning products and those rising in demand. The product thumbnail shows you the following things:

Suggested retail price

Profit margin

Total product revenue

How many stores are carrying the product

The system also has a competitor research or comparison tool. They call it Store Intelligence. In it, you can view your competitors and their activities. You will find details such as their top-selling products, what products they recently added to the store, etc.

13. SaleHoo: A Directory with Vetted Suppliers

SaleHoo has two main products: the directory and a dropship importation tool. What you want for now is the directory, as it shows you the potential earnings from a product. What makes SaleHoo different from other companies is that they have a vetting process. The management of SaleHoo has a standard to determine which AliExpress supplier to allow on the platform.

Currently, there are over 8,000 approved AliExpress suppliers in the SaleHoo directory. There are over 2.5 million products you can choose from. SaleHoo is similar to other tools. In the search section, you will see the cost of the product, how much it retails online, and how much profit you can make. However, you have a guarantee with SaleHoo that the supplier you are working with is legit.

25 Winning AliExpress Products to Dropship in 2024

1. Crossbody Bags

Crossbody bags are fashionable accessories with consistent demand. On AliExpress, you can find a myriad of colors and styles. With low prices and solid profit margins, these bags are an opportunity for dropshippers.

AliExpress Price: $3.78

Amazon Price: $15+

Potential Profit: $11+

2. Baby Bottle Warmer

Baby bottle warmers are designed for busy parents on the move. They keep milk warm, feature a temperature display, and come in various colors.

AliExpress Price: $10.86

Amazon Price: $40.00

Potential Profit: $29+

3. Nursing Pillows

Nursing pillows provide stability for babies while nursing. AliExpress offers many options in a range of colors and designs.

AliExpress Price: $7.06

Amazon Price: $18.00

Potential Profit: $10+

4. Beauty Fridges

Beauty fridges have been around for a few years but have taken off over the last year. You can find a range of products on AliExpress, with multi-purpose mini-fridges and others designed specifically for makeup and cosmetics.

AliExpress Price: $43.48

Amazon Price: $70.00

Potential Profit: $26+

5. Car Phone Holders

Car phone holders have been a popular product for some time. These devices come in different types, with some mounting for vents, the windshield, the dashboard, and more.

AliExpress Price: $1.61

Amazon Price: $7.00

Potential Profit: $5.00+

6. Dashcams

Dashcams are among the best-selling products in the car niche. These devices act like security cameras, recording the front and back of your car in case of an incident or accident. They can provide motorists with peace of mind.

AliExpress Price: $19.83

Amazon Price: $40.00+

Potential Profit: $20.00+

7. Portable Car Vacuums

Portable car vacuum cleaners are bouncing back after a few years of slow sales. Post-COVID, people spent more time traveling outside the home, making these devices popular.

AliExpress Price: $20.68

Amazon Price: $34.99

Potential Profit: $14.00+

8. Electric Toothbrushes

Although it is widely known that electric toothbrushes clean teeth and gums better than manual toothbrushes, this product has untapped potential. AliExpress offers a range of options catering to every market segment.

AliExpress Price: $11.95

Amazon Price: $20.00+

Potential Profit: $8.00+

9. Neck Massagers

Neck massagers were one of the most trending products during the global pandemic. These devices relieve neck and shoulder pain and stress. You’ll find several different types on AliExpress, with the budget option displayed above one of the best sellers.

AliExpress Price: $3.08

Amazon Price: $20.00

Potential Profit: $16.00+

10. Compression Socks

Compression socks have a wide variety of uses. Some shoppers buy them to alleviate medical conditions, others for sports performance, and others because they are comfy. There’s a wide range of compression socks on AliExpress in many different styles and colors.

AliExpress Price: $3.13

Amazon Price: $11.00+

Potential Profit: $7.00+

11. Exercise Mats

Exercise mats were a top seller due to the booming home workout trend. Even before the pandemic, many dropshippers were making money with exercise mats. According to Grand View Research, sales of yoga mats alone are set to be worth $17.3 billion by 2025.

AliExpress Price: $15.76

Amazon Price: $25.00+

Potential Profit: $10.00+

12. Lumbar Pillows

With more and more people working from home, lumbar pillows have steadily grown in popularity. These products support home office chairs, car seats, and more. The higher-priced versions offer the best margins in several different types.

AliExpress Price: $12.74

Amazon Price: $20.00+

Potential Profit: $7.00+

13. Sofa Covers

Sofa covers peaked in popularity during the pandemic lockdowns. But they have become a consistent seller over the last year. These products are an excellent way for people to change the style of their living rooms without breaking the bank.

AliExpress Price: $7.38

Amazon Price: $25.00+

Potential Profit: $17.00+

14. Jewelry Organizers

Jewelry organizers are always in demand. AliExpress offers a variety of types, with budget and luxury models, to cater to different audience segments. Sales generally peak during the holiday season.

AliExpress Price: $8.68

Amazon Price: $18.50+

Potential Profit: $10.00+

15. Broom Holders

Broom holders are a neat product that can help keep your kitchen organized and tidy. Their space-saving design appeals to a massive audience of potential customers, and with most models priced low, impulse purchases also have great potential.

AliExpress Price: $5.17

Amazon Price: $13.00+

Potential Profit: $8.00+

16. Stove Covers

Stove covers are the type of product that people buy as soon as they see it. These easy-to-clean covers can be washed and returned to the stove in minutes. A variety of styles are available on AliExpress, and they all have an affordable price.

AliExpress Price: $3.17

Amazon Price: $7.99

Potential Profit: $4.50+

17. Cat Beds

Pet niche sales have increased yearly over the last decade, with pet furniture a top-selling product category. Cat bed demand is booming worldwide, and you can find a massive range on AliExpress.

AliExpress Price: $11.56

Amazon Price: $25.00

Potential Profit: $13.00+

18. Dog Bowls

Slow-feeder dog bowls are designed to stop dogs from eating too quickly. The internal molding prevents overeating and mentally stimulates the dog. These products have a vast market, with dog ownership at an all-time high.

AliExpress Price: $7.06

Amazon Price: $12.99

Potential Profit: $5.50+

19. Dog Collars

Dog collars have been a consistent seller in the pet niche. There’s an extensive range available on AliExpress, with novelty options and luxury collars for pampered pooches. A market for health and safety products like the glowing collar above exists.

AliExpress Price: $3.77

Amazon Price: $11.59

Potential Profit: $8.00+

20. Shot Glasses

Shot glass sales peak during the holiday season but also sell well during the summer when people have BBQs and parties. You can sell shot glass sets and more unique products like the skull glass above.

AliExpress Price: $3.30

Amazon Price: $9.99

Potential Profit: $6.50+

21. Model Trains Sets

Model train sets have existed for hundreds of years. Even with shifting consumer preferences, model trains always have a market. While sales peak during the holiday season, these products generate sales throughout the rest of the year.

AliExpress Price: $25.60

Amazon Price: $60.00+

Potential Profit: $35.00+

22. Fishing Reels

An estimated 46 million people in the US fish each year. These anglers spend $48 billion on their fishing hobby, averaging over $1,000 each. There is a huge niche market for fishing products like reels, rods, and other accessories.

AliExpress Price: $9.68

Amazon Price: $20.00+

Potential Profit: $10.00+

23. Bird Feeders

Bird feeders are a niche product with a surprisingly large customer base. Some 59 million Americans regularly feed wild birds. People enjoy watching wild birds in their gardens while providing nutrition for their feathered friends. You’ll find an extensive range of bird feeders on AliExpress.

AliExpress Price: $9.94

Amazon Price: $15.00+

Potential Profit: $5.00+

24. Wallets

Wallets are a classic gift idea that spikes in sales every holiday season. In recent years, personalized wallets have grown in popularity. A name etched into the wallet makes it a more special and unique gift.

AliExpress Price: $3.98

Amazon Price: $18.95

Potential Profit: $15.00+

25. Phone Cases

Everyone is guilty of dropping their phone at some point. Phone cases help prevent those clumsy moments that result in scratches, dents, and other damage. AliExpress offers many phone cases, including primary cases, novelty designs, and customizable cases.

AliExpress Price: $2.49

Amazon Price: $10.00+

Potential Profit: $7.50+

The Importance Of Choosing A Reliable Dropshipping Supplier

Why Your Supplier’s Shipping Times Matter

When you dropship, your customers expect you’ll ship their orders quickly. After all, they found your store online, and you likely advertised fast shipping times. If your supplier takes too long to ship the products, your customers won’t be happy. They’ll blame you for the poor service, not your supplier.

Delivery times can lead to positive reviews and customer attrition. To avoid this, look for suppliers with proven track records of fast shipping. You can find this information by reviewing the supplier’s feedback ratings and checking the shipping speed on their product pages.

Why Your Supplier’s Product Quality Matters

What happens if you get a terrible review for selling a product of poor quality? You’ll likely lose the next sale for that item, and it could take a long time to regain your customers’ trust. Not only do you lose money, but you can also lose your business’s ranking on search engines and online marketplaces, making it even harder to get sales.

The solution? Avoid this problem altogether by finding a reliable dropshipping supplier with good-quality products. Again, you can assess product quality by reading reviews. Look for suppliers with high ratings and offer products with a lot of positive feedback.

Why Your Supplier’s Product Availability Matters

Nothing is more frustrating for a customer than ordering a product only to find out later that it’s out of stock. It’s even worse when the seller takes too long to communicate this issue, and the buyer has to wait days or weeks to get their money back. You can avoid this by finding a dropshipping supplier with consistent product availability. Look for suppliers with multiple warehouses so you can always get a product shipped to your customer as quickly as possible. Also, check for inventory levels on product pages and avoid items with low stock.

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Six Steps To Find The Best Suppliers on AliExpress

1. Filter and Sort Your Search Results

Several filtering and sorting options exist on the search results screen for any product. The default sort setting is on ‘Best Match.’ Change that to ‘Orders.’ Also, click on the ‘4 stars and up’ filter.

You’ll see the most successful products with significant sales and the highest customer feedback rating. Even if you’re unsure which niche or product line you are going for, search for something general that other dropshippers are selling. You’ll find your next best-seller with your next supplier.

Notice the ‘ePacket/No ePacket’ frame and the processing time around each product. This excellent feature is available on the AutoDS Chrome Helper Extension. It will save you time by displaying the ePacket shipping price and processing time without manually entering each product listing.

2. Analyze Each Seller’s Performance

Once you enter the product listings from your search results, you can analyze the sellers’ performance on the top. Next to the seller's name, you’ll notice a positive feedback percentage. The first parameter is that the seller must have an overall rating of 95% or above. Anything below 95% can threaten overall customer satisfaction. Next, hover your mouse over the feedback percentage. Now, you’ll see how long the seller has been selling on AliExpress. You’ll also see a detailed description of the seller rating—item as described, communication, and shipping speed rating.

Once there, ensure that your seller has been active for at least one year on AliExpress. That’s because many new sellers on AliExpress do not have enough experience providing high-quality products and delivering them quickly. That’s why at least one year of experience minimizes the risk of working with new suppliers who are likely to make mistakes.

The image above shows that this supplier has been active for over a year. Next, on the same hover window, check out the detailed seller ratings on the right (Item as described, communication, and shipping speed rating). The minimum rating for each parameter should be 4.6 and above. Seller ratings of 4.7 and above are shown in green. 4.6 and below are shown in orange/red. While it is better to go with green seller ratings, this shouldn’t hold you back from an orange 4.6 rating. Many sellers with that rating still perform well.

In the example above, this seller has many more sales and followers than the one on top. But does a more successful supplier mean your customers will be well cared for? Let’s look at the statistics. On the one hand, this seller has been active for more than one year, so they have good field experience. The ‘Item as described’ and ‘Communication’ ratings are standing on the edge at 4.6. However, their shipping speed has a 4.3 rating, a big no-no. The last thing you want is for buyers to request order cancellations and refunds on products that are slowly coming.

Ensure that AliExpress suppliers have over one year of experience selling on the platform. The seller rating parameters should all be 4.6 and above. Then, you can proceed to the next step.

3. Check the Shipping and Delivery Time

The third step to finding high-quality AliExpress suppliers is to check their shipping and delivery times. Scroll to the top of the page where you see the country/language/currency. Choose the country where your customers reside.

Next, choose the product variation on the product page and which warehouse to ship from (if the option exists). Then, above the ‘Buy Now’ button, you’ll notice a link to the clickable shipping method. Click on that to see your shipping prices and delivery dates:

Once you click the shipping link, a pop-up window with the shipping options, prices, and delivery times will appear. You can analyze the options available and update your preferred shipping method there.

Ensure products shipping from Chinese warehouses don’t take longer than 20 days to arrive. But don’t stand on the edge – satisfied customers are more important than the specific product you are looking at.

The optimal time from China to the USA should be around 2 weeks. Note that the estimated delivery time shown is usually the maximum delivery time. If the supplier is high-quality, the product will likely arrive before the estimated delivery time.

Also, check to see which warehouses are available. In some cases, you’ll find products in US warehouses that can ship much faster to US residents:

Providing tracking information protects me from having to refund my buyers in such cases without being reimbursed by my supplier.

4. Read Customer Reviews

Even though you activated the ‘4 stars and above’ filter on the search, checking customer reviews on the product you’re looking at is crucial. In the customer reviews section below the product description, you can find more details about the product from first-hand customer reviews.

You can also see and download their photos and use them in your listing for better social proof.

Reading the customer reviews will give you a better picture of how this seller performs regarding delivery times, item descriptions, and overall product quality. You will likely find my answer in the customer reviews if you raise any questions while reading the product description.

5. Returns/Refunds, Money-Back Guarantee

The product page's ‘Buy Now’ and ‘Add To Cart’ buttons have a buyer protection guarantee. Clicking on it will show you the conditions under which you can be reimbursed for your purchase.

For example, in ‘item not received’ or ‘item not as described’ cases, AliExpress will gladly assist you if your seller is not responsive. On the other hand, you shouldn’t have many situations like this if you take the steps in this guide to finding a good and reliable supplier.

But it’s always good to know that you are protected. Should there be any problems, you’ll be able to act quickly with your buyer to resolve them and maintain a high level of customer service and satisfaction.

6. Communicate With Your Supplier

Did you find AliExpress suppliers who meet all of the requirements above? Great! Now, it’s time to contact them and check their communication speed and quality. Once again, hover your mouse over the seller’s feedback rating at the top of the product page.

Below the seller history information is a ‘Contact Now’ link. Click on it to open a message box between you and the seller. Use this opportunity to ask them about the product quality, shipping speed, or anything else that concerns you. The point of opening this communication protocol is to check if the supplier answers quickly and efficiently. If it takes the supplier longer than 24 hours to respond, consider moving to the next supplier. And that’s because you don’t want your buyers waiting 2-3 days or more to get your replies.

Furthermore, if you find high potential in a product the supplier is selling, you can ask them to order a sample product to take better photos/videos and try it out for yourself. Either way, if your supplier answers fast and their English is good enough to converse with, you won’t have to worry about non-responsive suppliers that can damage your sales and reputation.

Another smart thing to do is ask the supplier for his best sellers. They will happily share them with you so you can sell them, too. Plus, they can notify you about fresh new products so that you can start new trends. Lastly, ensure that your supplier ships the products to your customers without their or AliExpress logo on the packaging. You don’t want your customers to know where you bought their product. This can only be done through communication before and after placing your order.

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