How to Source from 1688 In English—The Detailed Guide

1688 offers a diverse range of products and product categories. It is common to come across products that are offered in multiple colors, shapes, sizes, and even materials. As such, the site allows you to choose the product variant that best meets your needs. From your search results (step 4), click on any product to navigate to the “product page”. From the product page, you can select the relevant product attributes, including color, shape, materials, and style.

Introduction

Just like Alibaba—its parent company–1688.com is a Business to Business (B2B) supplier directory. However, that is pretty much where the similarities end. 1688 is exclusively meant for domestic trade. This explains why the entire website is in Chinese.

An increasing number of drop shippers are turning to 1688 to find quality products at lower price points. In this regard, the platform is a great place to find reputable suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and trading companies.

Since the entire website is in Chinese, you may need to hire the best 1688 agent for a hassle-free sourcing experience. It is also possible to buy from the 1688 website on your own, even if you are not familiar with Chinese.

In this case, you first have to convert the website to English using the Google Translate plugin. Read on to find out how you can convert the 1688 website into English.

Throughout this guide, you will learn how to:

• Translate the 1688.com website from Chinese to English
• Find the product(s) you desire on the platform
• Evaluate Listings on the 1688 website
• Vet suppliers on this platform
• Contact your preferred supplier and negotiate for the best price points
• Pay the supplier(s)

How Do You Purchase Products from 1688 in English as a Foreigner?

As lucrative as it may sound, buying products from 1688.com is not easy. This is particularly the case if you are not conversant with the Chinese language. There are two ways you can overcome this problem: translating the website into English or working with a reputable 1688 agent.

Method 1: How to Source Products from 1688 on Your Own

To buy products from this website, you first need to translate the page into a language you understand. You can do this using the Google Translate plug-in, as explained later on in this guide. For a seamless buying experience, you will also need to have the following:

• A Chinese credit card or Alipay
• A valid shipping address in China
• China telephone number

Once you are ready with these items, use the following steps to buy from 1688:

Step 1: Download and Install the Google Translate Plug-in

We recommend using the Google Chrome browser for this step. It is the only browser that is capable of translating webpage content directly to your preferred language. If you do not have the Chrome browser on your device, you can download and install it from the official website.

Next, you need to install the Google Translate Chrome Extension. You can get the plug-in from the Chrome Web store.

Once downloaded, you can install the plug-in through the Menus on your Chrome browser. Simply launch the Chrome browser on your device and click on the Settings button.

Now select “More Tools” from the Settings menu then choose the “Extensions” option. Search for the “Google Translate” file you downloaded then click the “Add to Chrome” button.

If the extension was successfully installed, you should see its icon towards the upper right corner of the browser window.

Step 2: Translate the 1688 Webpage from Chinese to English

Launch the Chrome browser on your device, type www.1688.com into the address bar and press the Enter key. This should take you to the 1688 homepage. At this point, you should get an automatic prompt asking you whether you would like to translate the page.

If you do not get the prompt, you can still translate the webpage manually. You can do this by clicking on the Google Translate Chrome extension icon towards the top-right corner of the browser. Alternatively, you should just right-click anywhere on the webpage.

From the context menu that appears, select “Translate to English”. This process will translate the entire page to English, except the pictures.

Step 3:  Create an Account on 1688.com

To enjoy all the benefits 1688 has to offer, you first need to sign up at their website. Even if you are sourcing through a 1688 agent, it is advisable to have a 1688 account. This will keep you on top of the sourcing process.

Since you only need to buy products, you need a 1688 personal account. To begin the registration process, click on the “Sign Up for Free” button, as illustrated below. This will take you to the member registration page.

If the member registration page is in Chinese, translate it into English using the procedure discussed in Step 2 above.  Now click on the “personal account” tab at the top of the page. You should then proceed to fill the registration form with the required information, including:

• Member Name
• Login Password
• Password Confirmation
• Phone Number

Having filled in all the required details, you need to slide the verification bar towards the right. This is meant to verify whether you are a human or a robot.

Lastly, you should accept their terms and conditions. To do this, click on the checkbox adjacent to the terms and conditions, towards the bottom of the registration form.

You will be taken to the code verification page. Check the phone you provided on the previous page for a confirmation code. Enter the code into the empty box on the code confirmation page then click on the “Submit” button

Note: You don’t need to sign up for a new 1688 account if you already have Alipay or Taobao. Instead, you should just log into the 1688 website using your Taobao account information.

Step 4: Find the Right Products on 1688

To find your desired product(s) on this platform, you need to search the website. 1688 currently supports two types of searches: keyword search and image search. Unfortunately, the keyword search only supports Chinese keywords.

Find Products on 1688 by Using a Keyword

If you need to search for a product by its name, you first need to translate the name into Chinese. Just open your browser and run a Google search for “Translate English phrase into Chinese”. At the top of the search results, you should see two fields labeled “English” and “Chinese” respectively.

Enter the phrase you wish to translate into the input box labeled English. The phrase will be automatically translated into Chinese and appear on the output field. Copy this Chinese Keyword to use on the 1688 website.

Now you need to open the 1688.com website on your browser and translate it, as illustrated in step 2 above. Finally, enter the Chinese Keyword into the 1688 search bar and click the blue “Search Factory” button.

For instance, a search for the “手表” keyword will display a variety of watches that have been listed for sale on the website.

Find Products on 1688 by using an Image

If you happen to have a product picture, simply upload it to the search bar to search for similar items. Open your Chrome browser and navigate to the 1688 homepage. After you have translated the webpage to English, click on the camera icon—located towards the right end of the 1688 search bar.

Using the explorer window that opens, choose the right location folder for the image you wish to use. Select the product image to upload it to the search bar. Finally, click on the blue “Search Factory” button to search the website for your desired product.

Regardless of the search method you use, the website will display the products that are relevant to your search. Initially, you could use such details as product images, specifications, and prices to narrow your search.

Step 5: Contact Your Preferred 1688 Supplier

You can purchase most of the products listed on 1688 directly. However, you may require further clarification from the supplier for certain products. In such cases, just click “online communication” to talk to the supplier

Get in touch with a 1688 supplier to:

• Ascertain product specifications and delivery time
• Negotiate product quantity and price
• Enquire whether the product has passed the relevant certifications, such as FDA, CE, and RoHS

Additionally, the 1688 B2B platform supports three main communication tools as discussed below:

Ali Wangwang

This is the official chat tool on this platform. To use this tool, navigate to either the merchant page or product page. Next, click on the small blue to chat with the supplier through the Ali Wangwang tool. Alternatively, you could just download and install the app on your device.

Once installed, log in using your 1688 login credentials, add the supplier you wish to talk to, and start chatting.

WeChat

WeChat works much like the WhatsApp application. It is a very popular communication tool in China and your supplier is likely to be using it. As such, using WeChat guarantees a prompt response. First, you need to download and install the WeChat application on your device.

At this point, you need to find the supplier’s phone number to connect with them through WeChat. To find your supplier’s phone number, navigate to their product homepage on 1688. You should then click on the “Contact Information” link on this page. This should display the supplier’s contact information, including the number associated with the account. Enter this number into your WeChat app and connect with the supplier.

Step 6: Choose Product Attributes

1688 offers a diverse range of products and product categories. It is common to come across products that are offered in multiple colors, shapes, sizes, and even materials. As such, the site allows you to choose the product variant that best meets your needs.

From your search results (step 4), click on any product to navigate to the “product page”. From the product page, you can select the relevant product attributes, including color, shape, materials, and style.

You will also be able to view pricing information and stock availability from this page. Be sure to select the color and styles that are available.

Step 7: How to Order Products and Confirm Order Details on 1688

Having selected the relevant product attributes and quantities in Step 6 above, click the red “Order Now” button at the bottom of the product page. This will open a form that you are supposed to fill with details of where you would like to have the product(s) delivered.

Do you wish to have the item(s) delivered to the address you set on your Alipay or Taobao account? If so, click the blue “import the address” link at the top of the page.

If you would rather have the products delivered elsewhere, fill the “Shipping Info” page with accurate data. Once you have filled this form, click on the orange “Confirm receipt information” button at the bottom.

You will get a summary of your order and shipping information. Crosscheck your order information to ensure that everything is accurate before proceeding. Having verified that everything is in order, click the orange “Submit Orders” button at the bottom.

This operation will submit your order to the supplier and take you to the payment page.

Step 8: Choose a Payment Method and Pay

Once you have filled and submitted your order form, the next step would be to pay your supplier. In this regard, most 1688 suppliers support multiple payment options. Some of the payment methods you can use on the 1688 platform include:

Bank Transfer

Almost all suppliers on this platform accept Bank transfers. In this case, you will be required to transfer the money directly to the supplier’s bank account from yours. Even so, a good number of suppliers only accept RMB Bank transfers.

Alipay

You will find this to be the easiest and fastest payment option on 1688. However, you will be required to link a Chinese bank card while opening an Alipay account. Unless you have linked the right card, you will not be able to make payments using Alipay.

Alipay Business Account With 1688 Cross-Border Pay

The 1688 cross-border Pay is an innovative payment solution that is offered by Alipay alongside 1688. This method allows foreign buyers to pay their suppliers directly on the platform using their 1688 and Alipay accounts.

Since the solution is backed by the two companies—Alipay and 1688—account security on your part is guaranteed. As such, you won’t need to worry about the account getting restricted or frozen.

Find Someone to Pay

Lastly, there is an option referred to as “Find someone to pay” on the 1688 platform. This option allows you to share a link with your friends in China and have them pay on your behalf.

Just select the method you find to be convenient by clicking on it. Once you have verified that the amount is right, click on the “To Pay” button to proceed.

Method 2: Find a 1688 Sourcing Agent Help You Source

As you might have noticed, translating the 1688 page to English is not enough for you to successfully buy from Chinese suppliers. You are required to have a China phone number and bank account to register an account and make a payment on the platform.

Again, most of the suppliers only deliver within the country. This means that you need to have a Chinese delivery address. As if that is not enough, most suppliers on 1688 do not speak English, which can be a problem when you need to communicate with them.

To overcome all these problems, you need to find a 1688 sourcing agent that is based in the country. With the right agent, all you need is the details of the product(s) you need on 1688. The agent will take care of everything else, including negotiations, purchase, and delivery of your products. You can start the search for the right 1688 agent through a simple Google search. Freelance, Fiverr, and Upwork are also great places to find a 1688 sourcing agent.

At BestFulfill, we have the expertise and experience required to guarantee you a seamless buying experience. Our 1688 sourcing agents are proficient in both Chinese and English, which comes in handy when negotiating for the best rates and terms with 1688 suppliers.

We handle pretty much everything, right from negotiations and ordering to payments, and international shipping of 1688 products. All products are inspected by skilled technicians for quality and consistency.

Additionally, we offer some of the best branding and customized packaging services to meet different customer needs.

As opposed to other 1688 sourcing agents, we back out services with a money-back guarantee. In this regard, we will ensure that you get a refund or replacement for wrong, damaged, or lost products.

To this end, our track record speaks for itself—we have served more than 1,000 satisfied dropshippers for the 6 years we have been in business. Finally, we handle 1688 payments on your behalf, allowing you to pay for your goods with almost any method you find convenient.

Get in touch with our expert 1688 agents for a custom quote, and assistance on any problem you may face while buying products on 1688.com.

Why Would You Want to Buy from 1688.Com?

1688 works much like Alibaba and Aliexpress. As opposed to these two, 1688 is a “local marketplace” which makes it unique in several ways. So, what makes 1688 stand out from other supplier directories?

• Credible Suppliers

All suppliers are required to have the relevant government-issued business licenses before they are allowed to sell on 1688.com. Again, businesses on this platform are required to pay an annual membership fee as a way to prove their commitment.

That said, the chances of encountering a scammer in 1688 are slim to none.

• Affordability

As you may have noticed, products are comparatively cheaper on 1688 than they are on other B2B platforms. This may be attributed to the stiff competition among manufacturers and suppliers of the same product.

Most of the suppliers on this platform also accept lower Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ). This makes it a convenient marketplace for dropshippers who need to import products in lower quantities.  All in all, sourcing from 1688 gives you a better value for your money.

• Variety

1688.com lists a larger number of Chinese suppliers, manufacturers, and trading companies than any other B2B online directory. In total, the platform lists more than 5,000 genuine Chinese suppliers. This gives you access to more products and product categories.

What Issues Should Be Paid Attention to When Sourcing Products from 1688？

Just as is the case with other B2B online directories, there are things you need to observe while sourcing products from 1688. Due diligence should be observed to ensure that you are on the safe side. Some o things you need to observe, in this case, Include:

• Be sure to confirm product details with the supplier before placing an order to avoid buying the wrong product(s).
• Always confirm the delivery time from the supplier before placing your order
• When ordering larger quantities, consider paying the supplier 30% of the total purchase cost upfront.
• It is safer to work with suppliers who have verifiable sales on 1688 and have good reviews from previous buyers.

Conclusion

Many foreign buyers are now seeking to source products from 1688—the largest online wholesale marketplace on the globe. Being a local market, products on 1688 are relatively cheaper than they are elsewhere. As such, it is a great place to find the best value for your money.

Despite this fact, buying from 1688 is not easy. You first need to translate the website to English, register an account, search for the right products, communicate with the seller, and make payments. Most of these steps require you to be in China or have someone in the country purchase the products on your behalf.

That said, it is easier and safer to work with a renowned 1688 sourcing agent. If you decide to purchase from 1688 suppliers on your own, this guide will help you throughout the process.