Which platform does the UK prefer when looking for suppliers

[zoe_h]

We are a manufacture of PVC and TPU material based in China, seeking to expand our operations into the UK. At present, our company has joined the Made-In-China and rebuilt our website in August. We are considering whether to join Alibaba to expand our overseas business. Our product range includes PVC film,PVC tarpaulin,TPU film etc.

Which platform does the UK prefer when looking for suppliers? Company Website or Made-In-China or Alibaba

We need to consider which platform to focus on operating.

We would greatly appreciate any insights or guidance you can provide to help us navigate the UK market effectively.

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[zoe_h]

Mainly considering the advertising budget, for example, the company's website uses Google ads, while Made-in-China and Alibaba use their own platforms for payment

 

[fisicx]

Alibaba is not trusted by many. Are you selling B2B or B2C?

Either way, many customers would prefer to buy from a UK based supplier.

 

[Ozzy]

Hi @zoe_h and welcome to UKBF, and also what a great question to ask.

My wife used to run a retail business, and I know she sourced some products from China. I have asked her where she looked, and she did use both Alibaba and Made-in-China to find suppliers. So both those sites worked for her.

One thing she has suggested is, and this was specific to her being in retail but would work in Business-to-Business that I imagine you operate in, is she attended trade fairs and visited the 'international' sections to speak to manufacturers from other countries. So attending some trade fairs in the UK so that you can meet buyers face to face I am sure would help.

Many buyers are happy to buy from overseas manufacturers, but building trust and a relationship will help greatly. This can be done by being seen in person at industry trade fairs or by having a representative on the ground in a country like the UK.

 

[zoe_h]

Alibaba is not trusted by many. Are you selling B2B or B2C?

Either way, many customers would prefer to buy from a UK based supplier.

Thanks for the response.

We are selling B2B.

Currently, most of our UK clients come from our website, while fewer come from Made-in-China. Does that mean focusing on SEO and SEM for the website is more important?

 

[Ozzy]

We are selling B2B.

Currently, most of our UK clients come from our website, while fewer come from Made-in-China.

Are your customers double glazing and / or window manufacturers and fitters ?

If so, what about doing some direct marketing to these companies? (and I don't mean bulk emails, I'm thinking telesales and / or visiting to speak to their buyers. Perhaps using sites like Linkedin.

 

[fisicx]

Currently, most of our UK clients come from our website, while fewer come from Made-in-China. Does that mean focusing on SEO and SEM for the website is more important?

Yes, but buyers will want to see the products and talk to you. Which means as @Ozzy suggested you need to be here in the UK attending trade shows and visiting potential customers.

Have you identified potential buyers for your products?

 

[zoe_h]

Are your customers double glazing and / or window manufacturers and fitters ?

If so, what about doing some direct marketing to these companies? (and I don't mean bulk emails, I'm thinking telesales and / or visiting to speak to their buyers. Perhaps using sites like Linkedin.

Thank you for your reply！Our clients come from various industries, including tents, backpacks, shoes, boats, and trucks—essentially any sector that requires PVC or TPU fabrics. Our sales team is currently learning how to use LinkedIn for customer acquisition, but at the moment, we are primarily focused on determining our advertising budget.

 

[zoe_h]

Yes, but buyers will want to see the products and talk to you. Which means as @Ozzy suggested you need to be here in the UK attending trade shows and visiting potential customers.

Have you identified potential buyers for your products?

We have not participated in any UK trade shows yet. We only attended a trade show in Vietnam a few months ago, in July.

 

[fisicx]

Forget LinkedIn. Forget advertising. Forget SEO.

Get yourselves on a plane and come to the UK with a whole pallet of samples.

 

[HFE Signs]

Reputation and trust is key for anyone buying from overseas, if you can demonstrate your credibility then its simple targeted marketing.

 

[fisicx]

Reputation and trust is key for anyone buying from overseas, if you can demonstrate your credibility then its simple targeted marketing.

And a good way to demonstrate your credibility is to have an agent in the UK with a van full of sample to show prospective customers.

I built a website years ago for a company making pond liners out of butylrubber. They found all their suppliers at trade shows. They could get samples and talk to the suppliers. Their big concern was the supply chain. Because they had contracts with the UK government they would only deal with suppliers who had a warehouse in the UK.