How Does AliExpress Work? Read the 2024 Guide Is Enough

Did you know that over 150 million buyers use AliExpress to find affordable products from a global marketplace?

AliExpress, a part of the Alibaba Group, allows you to purchase anything from electronics to fashion, often at prices lower than what you might find domestically.

Understanding how AliExpress works is crucial if you want to make informed purchasing decisions. From learning about the sellers to navigating the buyer protection policies, many aspects to this platform can benefit you.

In this post, you’ll discover everything you need to know, including how to find reliable suppliers, how dropshipping works, and how to secure the best deals.

Whether you’re an individual shopper looking for bargains or an aspiring eCommerce entrepreneur, understanding AliExpress will greatly enhance your shopping experience.

Key Takeaways

• AliExpress offers a global marketplace with over 150 million buyers.
• Understanding seller reliability and buyer protection is key.
• Navigating the platform can unlock significant savings and opportunities.

What Is AliExpress?

AliExpress is a global online marketplace owned by the Alibaba Group. Founded in 2010, it connects consumers and businesses with suppliers, primarily based in China.

Unlike traditional eCommerce platforms, AliExpress operates on a business-to-consumer (B2C) model.

AliExpress offers products in various categories including fashion, electronics, home goods, and more. You can find items at significantly lower prices compared to other platforms. The platform’s vast product catalog includes millions of items.

Key features of AliExpress include:

• Wide Range of Products: AliExpress has millions of products from multiple categories.
• Affordable Prices: Items are often available at lower prices than on other eCommerce sites.
• Global Reach: The platform ships to over 200 countries and regions.

AliExpress connects individual sellers with buyers, acting as a mediator rather than holding inventory. This model differs significantly from platforms like Amazon, which often sells its own inventory.

You can purchase items directly from manufacturers and suppliers, often resulting in cost savings. The platform supports various payment methods, making transactions convenient for users worldwide.

The platform offers buyer protection features like full refunds for products that do not arrive, arrive damaged, or differ significantly from the description. This builds trust and ensures a safer shopping experience.

Products often come directly from Chinese suppliers, making the cost lower but potentially increasing shipping times. Despite the longer delivery periods, many users find the trade-off acceptable due to the price savings.

What Does AliExpress Do?

AliExpress does not have its own products. It hosts multiple suppliers who upload their products on AliExpress. So, that makes AliExpress an e-commerce platform that connects buyers with suppliers.

It handles everything to make online transactions or shopping on AliExpress successful.

AliExpress is one of the most favorite sites for buyers who need to buy cheap products. It provides physical products in almost every category.

You can think of AliExpress as the Chinese Amazon. People within China and from other countries visit this website for buying different products.

The products available on AliExpress are quite cheap in comparison to the products offered by other e-commerce companies. That’s why people tend to buy more from AliExpress.

This also creates some business opportunities utilizing the low cost of these products. We will discuss these opportunities later in this article.

Pros and Cons of Buying from AliExpress

Buying from AliExpress can be a mixed experience. Customers often appreciate the vast product range and competitive prices but may face challenges with shipping times and product quality.

Pros

• Low Prices: Items on AliExpress are often much cheaper than on other platforms. For instance, you can find clothing or electronics at a fraction of the cost compared to retail stores.
• Vast Product Variety: AliExpress offers an extensive range of products, from clothing and jewelry to electronics and beauty products. This variety allows you to find almost anything you need in one place.
• Buyer Protection: AliExpress has a buyer protection program that ensures you get your money back if the product doesn’t match the description or doesn’t arrive. You can take advantage of this feature to shop with more confidence.
• Discounts and Coupons: The platform frequently offers discounts and coupons, especially for first-time buyers. For example, you might receive a first-time buyer coupon code when you register.

Cons

• Long Shipping Times: One of the major drawbacks is the often lengthy shipping times. Products can take several weeks or even months to arrive due to international shipping.
• Product Quality Concerns: The quality of items can vary significantly. While some products meet expectations, others might not match the descriptions or images provided. Unreliable sellers occasionally appear, much like on other major platforms.
• Customs and Import Fees: When purchasing from AliExpress, you might face additional customs or import fees depending on your country’s regulations. These extra costs can make a seemingly cheap purchase more expensive.
• Communication Barriers: Customers sometimes experience difficulties communicating with sellers due to language barriers. This can complicate the resolution of issues or clarification of product details.

Who Are the Suppliers on AliExpress?

Understanding the different types of suppliers on AliExpress can help you make informed purchasing decisions. Each type has its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

Product Manufacturer or Factory

Product manufacturers are the backbone of AliExpress, directly producing the items they sell.

They offer lower prices because there’s no middleman involved, allowing you to buy products directly from the source.

This transparency can mean significant savings, especially for bulk orders.

However, while buying from manufacturers might sound ideal, there are potential downsides. Minimum order quantities (MOQs) can be high, and the communication barrier might present challenges.

Quality control is crucial, and verifying product standards might require additional effort.

Wholesalers

Wholesalers on AliExpress purchase large quantities of products from manufacturers and sell them to retailers or individual buyers.

They often offer bulk discounts, making them attractive for businesses looking to restock inventory. Usually, wholesalers deal in large volumes, catering to B2B markets.

Unlike manufacturers, wholesalers handle multiple product categories, providing a more diverse inventory.

The downside is that prices can be higher than directly buying from manufacturers, but you may benefit from easier purchasing processes and lower MOQs.

Online Retailers

Online retailers on AliExpress act as intermediaries between manufacturers and consumers. They source products from factories and then mark them up for retail.

Their role is crucial in the supply chain, often offering a curated selection of products and sometimes better customer service.

By buying from online retailers, you might experience higher prices due to the markup. However, the trade-off is convenience and possibly lower MOQs.

Retailers often handle issues like returns and customer support more effectively, ensuring a smoother purchasing experience.

Middlemen

Middlemen operate by connecting buyers with products listed by other suppliers. They don’t produce or own the inventory but act as intermediaries.

This setup can simplify the buying process for consumers but usually comes at a higher cost due to the added markup.

Purchasing from middlemen can be a mixed bag. On the positive side, they can offer a broader range of products and assist with logistics. However, the risks include potential for miscommunication and less control over product quality.

Chinese Dropshippers

Chinese dropshippers fulfill orders without holding inventory. When you place an order, the dropshipper contacts the manufacturer or wholesaler to ship the item directly to you.

This method minimizes overhead costs for the seller and allows them to offer a wide array of products without upfront investment.

Dropshipping is popular for its low risk and low startup cost, but delivery times can be longer. Additionally, quality control is out of your hands, and price margins on products may vary significantly.

AliExpress supports dropshipping, making it a viable option for many small businesses.

How Do I Find the Best Suppliers on AliExpress?

• Search and Filter Products.

Start by searching for the product you want to sell. Filter the results by “Orders” to see the most popular items. High order numbers often indicate a reliable supplier.

• Check Supplier Ratings.

Look for suppliers with high ratings, typically above 4.5 stars. Read comments carefully to understand the pros and cons of each supplier.

• Read Reviews.

Go through customer reviews for detailed feedback. Prioritize suppliers with positive remarks about product quality and shipping speed. High-rated suppliers with many reviews are generally more trustworthy.

• Evaluate Shipping Options.

Check the shipping methods and estimated delivery times. Choose suppliers that offer reliable and fast shipping options. Shipping delays can affect customer satisfaction.

• Examine Guarantees.

Suppliers offering buyer protection or money-back guarantees are more credible. Look for terms like “On-Time Delivery” and “Returns & Refunds” policies.

• Contact the Supplier.

Communicate with suppliers before placing orders. Quick and helpful responses indicate good customer service. Ask questions regarding product details, stock availability, and shipping times.

• Assess Order Volume.

Suppliers with a high volume of completed orders are usually more experienced and reliable. High order volume also suggests better handling and quicker dispatching.

• Avoiding Frauds.

Be cautious of suppliers with overly low prices—they might be scammers. Stick to suppliers with verified badges and higher customer ratings.

• Sample Orders.

Place a small order first to evaluate the supplier’s reliability. Inspect the product quality, packaging, and delivery time before making a larger commitment.

Who Are AliExpress Customers?

AliExpress serves a diverse range of customers, from individual consumers looking for bargains to businesses seeking wholesale products. The platform caters to various needs and preferences, making it a versatile choice for many types of buyers.

Consumers

Consumers flock to AliExpress for several reasons. Many are drawn by the low prices on a wide range of products, from electronics to fashion items.

The platform’s global shipping options make it accessible to shoppers worldwide. You can find unique items not available in local stores, such as niche gadgets or fashion styles.

Consumers also appreciate the extensive customer reviews and ratings, which help make informed decisions. Buyer protection policies offered by AliExpress provide added peace of mind, ensuring that your purchases are secure.

The site frequently features sales events and coupons, further enhancing its appeal to cost-conscious shoppers.

Younger demographics often use the platform due to its tech-savvy interface and the appeal of discovering trendy, affordable products.

Moreover, many shoppers turn to AliExpress for seasonal shopping needs, such as holiday decorations or gifts, due to the attractive pricing and broad selection.

Businesses

Businesses, particularly small retailers and online sellers, find AliExpress to be an excellent platform for sourcing products.

The website’s structure supports bulk buying at competitive rates, making it a valuable resource for those looking to maintain a low overhead while offering a diverse inventory.

You can access a wide range of suppliers, providing you with options in quality and pricing. The ability to communicate directly with sellers allows for better negotiation and customization of orders.

For businesses focused on dropshipping, AliExpress offers seamless integration with eCommerce platforms like Shopify, making it easier to manage stock and shipments.

The platform also provides detailed product listings and specifications, helping you make well-informed purchasing decisions.

Regular discounts and promotions further incentivize businesses to use AliExpress as a primary sourcing tool, making it easier to maintain competitive pricing strategies.

What Products Can You Get on AliExpress?

AliExpress has a very huge range of products that you can order. When you visit AliExpress, you see the categories of the products on the left side of the website. These categories include the following.

• Women’s Fashion
• Men’s Fashion
• Phones & Telecommunications
• Computer, Office & Security
• Consumer Electronics
• Jewelry & Watches
• Home, Pet & Appliances
• Bags & Shoes
• Toys, Kids & Babies
• Outdoor Fun & Sports
• Beauty, Health & Hair
• Automobiles & Motorcycles
• Home Improvement & Tools

If you take the cursor over any of these categories, you would see that another window of subcategories opens up. The product catalog on AliExpress is so huge that it has divided the products into categories and subcategories.

Not only this, but the subcategories also have subdivisions to make your search easier.

So, starting from fashion and going up towards electronics, home improvement, outdoor, and automotive tools, AliExpress offers as many products as a person can think of.

How Does AliExpress Dropshipping Work?

With AliExpress dropshipping, you can easily list products from AliExpress on your own online store. Once a customer places an order, you purchase the product from AliExpress and have it shipped directly to them.

First, choose a niche that interests you. Then, browse AliExpress to find products to sell. Popular categories include electronics, fashion, and home goods.

Next, use a dropshipping app to import products to your store. Most apps allow you to add product details, images, and prices with just a few clicks.

When someone places an order in your store, you then order the item from AliExpress. The seller will ship it directly to your customer without you needing to handle the inventory.

Advantages of AliExpress Dropshipping

• Low startup cost: No need to purchase inventory upfront.
• Wide product variety: Access to millions of products.
• Ease of use: User-friendly interfaces make managing products straightforward.

Challenges of AliExpress Dropshipping

• Shipping times: Standard shipping from China can take several weeks.
• Quality control: You rely on AliExpress suppliers for product quality.
• Supplier communication: Time zones and language barriers can sometimes cause delays.

How Does AliExpress Search Work?

To find products on AliExpress, start with the search bar at the top of the homepage. Enter relevant keywords such as product names, brands, or specific features. You can use filters to narrow your search results based on price, free shipping, customer reviews, and more.

Example:

• Keyword: “Bluetooth headphones”
• Filters: Price range $10-$50, 4-star reviews or higher, free shipping

AliExpress also allows you to browse categories to locate products. Categories are divided into sections such as electronics, fashion, home goods, and more. Each main category has sub-categories for more precise searching.

Steps to Use Categories:

1. Navigate to the main category, like “Electronics.”
2. Select a sub-category, such as “Headphones & Earphones.”

To find the best deals and reliable suppliers, check seller ratings and customer reviews. Seller ratings are displayed as a percentage and reflect the seller’s reliability. Customer reviews give insights into the product quality and shipping times.

Tips When Searching Products on AliExpress

• Look for sellers with ratings above 90%.
• Prefer products with multiple high-rated reviews.

Using sorting options can help you order search results by relevance, price, or popularity. This makes it easier to find items that match your criteria quickly.

How Does AliExpress Give Discounts?

AliExpress offers various types of discounts to help you save money on your purchases. These include coupons, new user discounts, and various promotional programs that enable you to earn points or rewards that can be redeemed for discounts.

AliExpress Coupons

AliExpress Coupons are a great way to save on your orders. You can find them on the AliExpress coupon page, various deal websites, or during special sales events.

AliExpress Coupons are usually found in two main ways: through the AliExpress app or by participating in promotional activities.

To use an AliExpress Coupon, add your desired items to the shopping cart and apply the coupon code at checkout. For example, you might find discounts like $5 off a $50 purchase or 10% off on selected items.

These offers help you save more by combining them with other deals on the site.

New User Discount

If you are new to AliExpress, you can enjoy special discounts designed to welcome new users. To qualify, you must register on the platform and make your first purchase.

Generally, new users get a small discount or a special coupon code that can be applied to their first order.

Eligible new users can maximize their savings by combining the new user discount with other ongoing promotions. For instance, you might receive a discount that takes $3 off your first $20 purchase.

This helps new shoppers kickstart their experience on AliExpress with immediate savings.

AliExpress Freebies

AliExpress Freebies is a unique program where users can apply to receive free products in exchange for honest reviews. This program benefits both buyers and sellers, as buyers get free items and sellers receive valuable feedback to improve their products.

To participate, browse the freebies section on AliExpress and apply for items you are interested in. If selected, you will receive the product at no cost, with the understanding that you will leave a detailed review.

This mechanism ensures quality and reliability by fostering honest user feedback.

AliExpress Coins

The AliExpress Coins system allows you to earn digital coins through regular activities, which can then be redeemed for discounts. You can earn coins by logging into the app daily, playing games, or completing specific tasks.

To accumulate coins quickly, ensure you log in every day and participate in coin offers during special sales events.

Once you have enough coins, you can exchange them for coupons or discounts on your purchases, effectively reducing your overall costs.

AliExpress Bonus Buddies

AliExpress Bonus Buddies is a referral program where you can invite friends to join AliExpress and receive discounts in return. When your friend signs up using your referral link and makes a purchase, you both receive benefits such as coupons or coins.

The referral process is straightforward and can lead to significant savings. For example, you might earn a $2 coupon for each friend who completes their first purchase. This program encourages you to share the platform with others while enjoying mutual benefits.

AliExpress Coupon Pals

AliExpress Coupon Pals allows you to share coupons with friends and benefit from collective discounts. This feature enables you to combine your coupon savings with those of your friends, leading to greater discounts on group purchases.

To participate, simply share your coupons through the AliExpress app with your friends. By pooling resources, you can achieve higher discounts on bulk orders or items with higher prices.

This collaborative approach maximizes savings and makes shopping more enjoyable.

How Does AliExpress Make Money?

AliExpress operates on multiple revenue streams to sustain its business model. Here’s a closer look at how they make money:

Transaction Fees

AliExpress charges sellers a commission on each sale. The commission rates vary based on the product category but typically range from 5% to 8%. This fee is deducted from the total transaction amount.

Advertising

Sellers on AliExpress can pay for promotional services to enhance their visibility. This includes sponsored placements and keyword advertising. By purchasing these services, sellers can boost their product listings, which in turn, generates advertising revenue for AliExpress.

Premium Services

AliExpress offers additional services to sellers such as special store management tools, advanced analytics, and customer relationship management features.

Sellers pay a fee to access these premium tools, which helps AliExpress monetize beyond just transaction fees.

The combination of these revenue streams ensures that AliExpress remains profitable while providing various benefits to both sellers and buyers on the platform. This diverse income model also allows AliExpress to maintain and expand its operations globally.

How Does AliExpress Work with Shopify?

Connecting AliExpress with Shopify is straightforward and offers various benefits.

To get started, you need accounts on both platforms. Sign up for AliExpress and Shopify if you don’t already have them.

Next, browse AliExpress for products that fit your store’s niche. Using dropshipping apps like Oberlo or AliExpress Dropshipping via AutoDS will simplify the process.

Here’s a simple way to connect and set up:

1. Create AliExpress Account: It’s free to join. Just fill in basic details and you’re set.
2. Browse Products: Look for items that relate to your store’s theme.
3. Select Products: Use your dropshipping app to import the products into your Shopify store.
4. Edit Listings: Customize product titles, descriptions, and images to match your brand.

When you receive an order, your app will notify the AliExpress seller automatically. They will handle shipping directly to your customer. This eliminates the need for you to manage inventory, saving time and reducing risks.

Many Shopify stores have found success using this method. For instance, Trendsetting Tee saw an increase in sales using trending products from AliExpress. By leveraging both platforms, they scaled rapidly without high upfront costs.

Automate as much as possible for efficiency. Use apps that track orders, update inventory, and provide real-time shipping updates. This helps maintain customer satisfaction and streamlines your operations.

How Does AliExpress Shipping Work?

AliExpress offers several shipping options to suit different needs. These include standard shipping, expedited shipping, and free shipping.

Standard Shipping

Standard shipping acts as an intermediary between the seller and the buyer, collecting packages from the seller and ensuring delivery to you.

Delivery times typically range from 15 to 45 working days. This option often includes tracking, which lets you monitor the package from the warehouse to your door.

Expedited Shipping

Expedited shipping is faster, usually taking 7 to 15 working days. It typically includes tracking as well. This option is ideal for urgent purchases. However, it generally costs more compared to standard shipping.

Free Shipping

Free shipping is available for many products but usually takes the longest, sometimes up to 60 days. Some sellers cover the shipping cost to attract more customers. This option might not always come with tracking services.

Tracking Your Order

To track your order, log into your AliExpress profile, go to ‘My AliExpress,’ and then ‘My Orders.’ Select the order number and click ‘Track Package’ to view your tracking number and status.

Shipping Costs

Shipping costs depend on the method chosen and the destination. Free shipping can save you money but may result in longer wait times. You can see the shipping cost breakdown before completing your purchase.

How Does AliExpress Manage Returns And Refunds?

AliExpress has a very smart and reliable way of handling the payments of its customers. When a customer makes a payment, AliExpress does not hand it over to the supplier right away. Rather, it holds the payment until the customer receives the product.

AliExpress does this to give a partial refund or a full refund to the customer in case he did not receive the product.

AliExpress offers an exclusive buyer protection policy to every customer. According to the policy, every customer has a refund and return guarantee provided by AliExpress.

When you have a problem with any of your purchases from AliExpress, you will notice that your supplier will try his best that you do not open a dispute. That is because it hurts his business on AliExpress.

He will try to negotiate with you and will try to convince you not to process the return or a refund. In that situation, you are free to settle the dispute with your supplier on mutual consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the intricacies of AliExpress can help you shop more confidently. Below, we explore some common questions about the platform.

Is AliExpress Legit?

AliExpress, a platform owned by Alibaba Group, is one of the largest e-commerce marketplaces globally. Millions of transactions and customer reviews back its legitimacy.

Be sure to check seller ratings and read customer feedback to ensure a safe shopping experience. Avoid deals that appear too good to be true.

Can You Get Scammed on AliExpress?

No. It is not technically possible to get scammed on AliExpress. That is because AliExpress takes special care in protecting the interests of its buyers.

However, you can sometimes expect to experience some of the following situations on AliExpress.

• Delayed shipments.
• Products received may be different than promised.
• Products may be damaged during shipment.
• You can get a fake product from some sellers.

All of the above-mentioned scenarios are manageable in AliExpress buyer protections discussed above.

Is Your Data Safe on AliExpress?

Yes. Your data is safe on AliExpress. As AliExpress is one of the leading global e-commerce platforms in the world, it takes special care in protecting the data of AliExpress users in every way.

It is safe to search any kind of product on AliExpress as it won’t disclose your data to any of the third-party sources.

However, it seems that AliExpress saves your data with itself to refine the searches and show you the products that you are more interested in.

It does so in a way to make its processes smarter for delivering targeted services to its users. For example, if you are more interested in electronics, it will show you more and more similar products when you log on to AliExpress in the future.

Just like other websites, it can use cookies to save files on your computer. Cookies help to save your login information and site preferences so that you can be guided according to your choices when you visit that website again.

Additionally, you would also experience that you see more advertisements of the products from AliExpress as you log on to your social media accounts including Facebook and Instagram, etc.

That is because of the advertisement collaboration of Google, Facebook, and AliExpress. Google knows that you searched for AliExpress if you tried to search it on Google search engine or you logged on to AliExpress using Google Chrome browser.

Google then hints your IP address to social media sites like Facebook and Instagram and those sites show you the targeted advertisements from AliExpress so that the overall AliExpress marketing campaign can be capitalized more efficiently.

What Are the Payment Options on AliExpress?

The most common and widely used payment method for international customers is via credit card or a Mastercard. While there are other payment methods on AliExpress like a bank transfer, most shoppers prefer payment via credit card.

AliExpress does not currently support common international payment methods like PayPal and Stripe, etc.

The most common payment method for mass payments with AliExpress suppliers is by making a spreadsheet of the products and making payments daily if you have regular daily orders.

The supplier will dispatch the products to your customers after receiving the payments.

Why Is AliExpress Shipping So Cheap?

AliExpress has a very detailed and collaborative system of shipping networks around the world.

The shipping service that AliExpress offers involves multiple courier companies that collaborate to make the parcels delivered at the customers’ addresses safely and promptly.

Chinese leading shipping and logistics companies like Yanwen also play their part in this process.

Let us understand a typical shipping process followed by AliExpress after it receives an order. After the order is confirmed, the supplier has to start the dispatch process within a stipulated time.

The parcels are packed and shipped from the supplier’s warehouse and are received at the collection center in China.

Then, these parcels are set to leave China via sea, road, or air whatever options are available and suitable.

The parcels that reach destination countries are then handed over to their local courier services. These courier services are then responsible for the delivery of those parcels at the given addresses.

So, this kind of smart collaboration makes it possible for AliExpress shipping to be so cheap.

How Long Do AliExpress Orders Take?

Delivery times on AliExpress vary depending on the shipping method and destination. Standard shipping can take 15-45 days, while expedited options might deliver within 7-15 days.

Factors like customs processing and local delivery services can also impact delivery times.

Conclusion: Navigating the Platform—How Does AliExpress Work?

AliExpress is one of the most profitable subsidiaries of Alibaba group. That is why it always tries to adopt the best possible ways to streamline the way it works.

We have tried to explain the processes that AliExpress adopts to dominate the e-commerce business. We hope that you have got value out of this article.

Do tell us what you think about this article in the comments. If there is something that you want us to cover regarding AliExpress, do let us know. We will get back to your comments and queries as soon as possible.

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