Where is the best place to go for sourcing new products? Sure you could hit up the usual suspects like Alibaba, or you could try a different group like Global Sources. On this episode of The Amazing Seller, you’ll hear from Scott as he welcomes his guest, Meglah from Global Sources. In her conversation with Scott, Meglah talks about how she got started with Global Sources, what you need to know about sourcing your product, the difference between a trading company and a manufacturer, and much more. Don’t miss a minute of this informative episode! Sourcing your product. Trying to figure out the sourcing piece of building your ecommerce business can be quite the hassle. Meglah is here to help cut through all the complexity and help sellers like you get a better understanding of what sourcing your product entails. Starting off, make a list of what your ideal supplier would offer. Once you’ve determined the parameters, it will make your search that much easier. If you just want to get test products and samples, your best bet is to connect with a trading company. To hear more about sourcing your product, make sure to listen to this episode of The Amazing Seller! The difference between a trading company and a manufacturer. Do you ever get confused by the terms and the differences between various organizations like a manufacturer and a trading company? You are not alone! Thankfully, we’ve got Meglah here to help clear up some of the confusion. According to Meglah, a manufacturer has their own factories, and they specialize with one type of product like wood, metal, or plastic. Trading companies will often have several different types of products available, and they usually won’t help you modify a product. Learn more about the difference between these two types of suppliers by listening to this episode! Why you should check out Global Sources. Don’t get stuck using the same old names in product sourcing if you don’t have to! Branch out beyond Aliexpress and Alibaba and give Global Sources a shot. Global Sources has been in business for over 40 years. They have built a trustworthy B2B platform that serves buyers and suppliers online and offline. Global Sources has more than 1.5 million international buyers, including 94 of the world's top 100 retailers who use these services to obtain product and company information to help them source from overseas supply markets. You can learn more about Global Sources by checking out their website located in the resources section. Make sure to do your homework! Let’s face it, sourcing your product can be a complicated and scary process! After all, you are talking about sending funds overseas with the hope that you’ll get a shipment of product in return. Don’t take this step lightly; do your homework! If you still don’t feel comfortable after your research, reach out to folks like Meglah to see if they can help alleviate some of your fears. To learn more about the whole sourcing process, make sure to check out this helpful episode of The Amazing Seller! OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE OF THE AMAZING SELLER [0:03] Scott’s introduction to this episode of the podcast! [3:30] Meglah joins the podcast to talk about her work with Global Sources. [7:00] What you need to know about sourcing your product. [9:00] The difference between a trading company and a manufacturer. [13:30] What makes Global Sources different than their competitors? [16:45] How does Global Sources vet their manufacturers and suppliers? [19:00] Meglah talks about the Global Sources process for getting product samples. [24:30] Where are the suppliers featured by Global Sources located? [29:40] Scott and Meglah take a look at the Global Sources website. [32:30] What is the benefit of attending a trade show? [38:00] How to connect with Meglah and Global Sources. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Global Sources - TAS Discount : SV100 Global Sources Exhibitions - Tradeshows in Hong Kong www.alibaba.com www.aliexpress.com