So you have finally decided to start an online business to make a living. But then, you see the overflowing number of sellers on the e-commerce platform. How would you compete with them when you’re just starting?
As a small business owner, it can get overwhelming to see other sellers thrive and become successful. However, you shouldn’t get discouraged, instead, you have to learn from them. The only difference you have between them is that they already have built a name for themselves in the e-commerce platform so that’s what you also have to do.
Making a name for yourself in a highly saturated industry is a challenging process but never impossible. You have to level up your branding so that you leave a good impression on your consumers.
Creating your brand with Chinese manufacturers
The success of your business relies on the products you sell so you must have good quality items. Many online sellers and even popular brands turn to China for the manufacturing of their products and that’s because their massive labor force allows them to manufacture goods at a fast pace and at relatively low costs. So before you go ahead and find a supplier, you have to decide what kind of products you want to have:
Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) products are designed and produced by the manufacturer. These are also called “private label products” and are made with standard materials. If you choose to sell ODM products, you can just add some customizations and add your logo for personalization.
On the other hand, if you are looking to sell unique products with your design, you might benefit more from Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products. This option gives you more freedom to choose how your final product would look and you would be the one to decide the specifications such as materials, colors, and dimensions. You need to be very clear with your instructions so the supplier can provide you with the exact product you have in mind.
No matter what kind of product you are looking to sell, you should give special attention to how it looks to your consumers. How do you make it your own brand and what would you do so that your customers can remember it as yours?
Aside from the product itself, you have to decide on the packaging and your logo as well. These aspects would be the first things your consumers see when they receive their orders. If you want to leave a good lasting impression on them, your packaging and logo should be great. Most manufacturers offer standard packaging and labeling services but if you want them customized, better to ask if they offer such services or you can ask your sourcing agent to find one for you.
Product packaging
A product’s packaging is what consumers first see when they receive it. Depending on your product, you can avail of a standard packaging and have your logo printed on it. You may also create your own packaging design, however, this would require additional materials to create. If you are looking for more cost-effective solutions, you should go for standard packaging.
If you are importing products in China or other foreign countries, you also have to follow certain product labeling regulations like the CPSIA in the United States. Failure to comply with these regulations might result in your products getting recalled which you don’t want to happen.
Logo
Your business’s unique identifier is the logo you will be putting on the product or its packaging and it is important that you give specific and detailed instructions to the manufacturer to avoid errors. When it comes to your logo design, you should take note of the following:
- Color
- Placement
- Dimensions
- Type of printing (embossed, engraved, embroidered, etc.)
- Font and font size
Most manufacturers and suppliers offer logo printing when producing goods. Prices may vary depending on the size and customization but you shouldn’t disregard this service since a logo gives your business its uniqueness.
Tips when branding your products in China
Whether you are selling OEM or ODM products, there are some things you need to remember when sourcing your products in China:
- Ask for a product sample. While ODM products are usually made in accordance with pre-existing standards that other sellers trust, it’s also a great practice to ask for a product sample before moving on with production. If you are selling OEM products, the more you need to ask for a product sample from the manufacturer. This is to ensure that the manufacturer has followed all your requirements. If you can’t inspect the product on your own, your sourcing agent or a third-party inspection agency should take the responsibility for quality control.
It is important to see whether your products are of great quality so they should be examined carefully before proceeding with the manufacturing. This is to fix the issues early and avoid incurring more costs in the future.
- Establish and clarify your specifications. It’s been mentioned several times that you need to be clear on your specifications for the labeling design and there are good reasons why you should be. If you give vague or inadequate information, Chinese manufacturers would just follow that and not ask for additional details. So if you are not clear on your specifications, they would just decide on their own and you’ll just be surprised to see the end result.
From the start, you should already be clear with the details to avoid labeling or packaging errors.
Make Your Business A Great Brand
Business owners know that an impressionable brand will succeed in so many ways. If you have great ideas, Lansil Global can help you with that.
To build your brand, you start with the products you sell. Pre-made or original? Our team can help you find the right manufacturer that can deliver great products no matter what kind. We will connect you to the supplier that suits your ideas the most and that also includes your logo printing and packaging ideas. Lansil Global offers the whole package for businesses. Tell us what you want and we make sure that you get what you want. We guarantee that your brand will stand out among others.
What are you waiting for? Email us at support@lansilglobal.com or leave us a message by filling out this form today.
