Topic
Product Research & Sourcing
Pick the right thing to import: find the source, read market signals, validate demand, and avoid loss-making niches.
17 posts
Manual 1688 Sourcing vs Automated Tools: Which Is Faster?
Compare manual 1688 product sourcing against automated tools like Scout: how much time you actually save each day. Ordinex Scout is now in private beta.
Finding Source Suppliers on 1688 Instead of Middlemen
How to reach the original factory on 1688 to cut a middleman markup, and when an agent is still worth it.
Find 1688 Products by Image: No Chinese Keywords Needed
Don't know the Chinese keyword? This guide shows how to find 1688 suppliers using image search in the 1688 app and Google Lens, no translation needed.
Find Hot Products to Source on 1688 Using TikTok Signals
Read demand signals on TikTok Shop and Shopee to pick the right 1688 products before you commit capital: demand, saturation, margin.
Finding Low-Competition Niche Products on 1688
How to find niches with headroom instead of crowded items, using demand and saturation signals.
How to Choose 1688 Product Niches for Shopee and TikTok
Not sure what to import from 1688? This framework helps shop owners pick product categories by margin, MOQ, and platform competition on Shopee and TikTok Shop.
1688 Product Portfolio Strategy: Picking Hero and Volume SKUs
Split your 1688 catalog into Hero SKUs (high margin) and Volume SKUs (cash velocity), and how to balance the two as you scale.
Studying Shopee Competitors to Pick Imports
Reading competitor shops on Shopee to learn what sells, which prices hold, and where the gaps are.
Validating Product Demand Before Importing From 1688
How to measure real demand with marketplace and search data before committing capital, instead of guessing.
How to Tell a Product Is About to Saturate
Early signs of saturation: shop counts rising, prices falling, ads getting pricier, and how to react.
Evergreen vs Trend Products: Which to Import First
Comparing steady year-round goods with short trends, and how to balance the mix by capital and risk appetite.
A Product Is Going Viral on TikTok Shop. Should You Jump In?
Four questions to answer in 30 minutes before putting capital into a trending product, so you do not end up chasing the wave after it has passed.
Five Product Groups to Avoid Sourcing on 1688
Five 1688 product groups that quietly lose money: fragile, bulky, brand-infringing, short-season, and regulated goods. How to spot and avoid each.
Reading 1688 Sales Data: Sold, Reviews, Repeat
How to use sold counts, reviews, and repeat-buy rates on 1688 to gauge supplier reliability.
Sample Orders on 1688 Before Buying in Bulk (2026)
New shop under 6 months? Learn how to convince 1688 suppliers to sell small quantities, and when paying a premium protects your first bulk order from going.
How Much to Import for a First Market Test
How to size a test order small enough to limit risk but large enough to get a trustworthy sales signal.
Sourcing from 1688 vs Thailand vs India: Margins & Risk
Compare sourcing margins and risks across 1688, Thailand, and India. Which fits your Shopee or TikTok Shop niche?