Open an Alibaba store: Standard checklist for newbies

1. What is Alibaba?

Alibaba.comis a B2B (Business to Business) e-commerce platform. Connect selling businesses (factories, export companies) with international buying businesses. Main customers are:

• Importer

• Distributor

• Retail chain

• Merchants buy wholesale

2. How does the B2B model on Alibaba work?

The B2B model on Alibaba includes 4 main elements:

Supplier

• Manufacturing enterprise

• Export trading company

Buyer

• Foreign enterprises

• Buy in bulk

Alibaba booth

• It is the "export website" of businesses on the floor

• RFQ – Inquiry – Chat – Deal system

Basic process:

Customers looking for products => Send Inquiry=>Chat=>Quote=>Negotiate=>Sign the contract=>Export

3. Conditions required before opening an Alibaba store

Enterprises need to have legal status

To open an official Alibaba store, businesses need:

• Business registration license

• Valid tax code

• The company name is clear and transparent

The product is suitable for export through Alibaba

Not all products are suitable for Alibaba. Suitable product groups:

• Processed agricultural products

• Dry food

• Seasoning powder, seasoning powder

• Plastic, packaging

• Wood, furniture

• Textiles, footwear

• Machinery and components

Products needed:

• Capable of large quantity production

• Have export documents (CO, CQ if necessary)

Production & supply capacity

Before opening an Alibaba booth, businesses need to clearly determine:

• Factory capacity/month

• MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)

• Production time

• Packaging and transportation capabilities

4 . Documents & information needed to prepare to open an Alibaba store

Company information

Businesses need to prepare:

• Company name (English)

• Factory address

• Year of establishment

• Personnel size

• Production capacity

• Current export market

Business authentication profile (Verification)

Alibaba requires authentication to increase trust:

• Business license

• Factory image

• Production video (if any)

• Electricity/water/workshop bills

Bank accounts & payment methods

Businesses need to prepare:

• Company bank account

• Swift code

• Information on receiving international payments

Serves:

• Trade Assurance

• International payment

5. Prepare products for sale on Alibaba

Strategic product portfolio

Don't post too many products right from the start. Should prepare:

• 5–10 key products

• There is high export demand

• Has an advantage over China

Product images meet export standards

Images needed:

• White background

• Clear details

• Actual production pictures

• Packaging image – container

Alibaba SEO standard product description content

Each product should have:

• Standard keyword title

• Detailed description

• Specifications

• Application

• MOQ

• Pack

6. Prepare personnel to operate the Alibaba booth

Human resources respond to Inquiry & Chat

Businesses need:

• People who know basic English

• Quick response

• Understand the product

Should be prepared:

• Sample greeting guests

• Quotation form

• Needs inquiry form

• Follow-up form

7. Understand the costs of opening an Alibaba store

Cost of opening an Alibaba Vietnam booth

At Alibaba Vietnam, costs usually include:

• Gold Supplier booth fee

• Service fee

• Consulting fee for opening a booth (if any)

Operating & marketing costs

Include:

• Human resources

• Content

• Internal advertising (P4P)

• Guest care time

8. Why should you use consulting services to open an Alibaba store?

What difficulties do businesses often encounter?

• No quality inquiry

• Don't know how to optimize the product

• Chat is not effective

• No application after 3–6 months

Benefits of consulting on opening an Alibaba store

• Correct product orientation

• Set up a B2B standard booth

• Training on inquiry handling

• Optimize content to SEO standards

9. Common mistakes when opening an Alibaba store

• Post mass products

• Copy content from China

• Not responding quickly to customers

• Not understanding B2B customers

• Not persistent in the first 3–6 months

10. Suggested roadmap to successfully export through Alibaba

Stage 1 (0–1 month)

• Prepare documents

• Booth setup

• Post key products

Stage 2 (1–3 months)

• Receive inquiry

• Optimize chat

• Test quote

Stage 3 (3–6 months)

• Got my first order

• Market expansion

• Build an export brand

Free consulting support!

ALIBABA VIETNAM COMPANY - EXPORT E-COMMERCE FLOOR

• Head office: 19th Floor, Saigon Center Building, No. 67 Le Loi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1

• Email:  [email protected]

• Phone: (+84) 987 258 510

• Branch 1: 10th Floor, Becamex Tower, 230 Binh Duong Avenue, Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong

• Branch 2: 9th Floor, TTC Plaza, Vo Thi Sau, Thong Thong Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai

• Branch 3: 123 Cong Hoa, Ward 12, Tan Binh, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam