AliExpress multi-vendor marketplace case study and how to start your own

AliExpress is a popular online marketplace where people around the world can buy all sorts of stuff from Chinese sellers. If you’d like to start a similarly successful marketplace business, Vendo makes it super easy to start selling products from dozens of amazing brands. 

Get your marketplace up and running in just a few days. With Vendo, you don't have to worry about the complicated stuff like keeping track of inventory or dealing with shipping, so starting and running your marketplace is smoother and easier.

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Vendo is also a one-stop-shop for all your marketplace needs, providing you with a marketplace platform automating day-to-day operation, a catalog of brands to pick from or an ability to invite your own brands, merchandising and promotional tools, ability to sell through multiple channels (your existing website, emails & SMS, mobile app, social media), and ongoing daily support scaling your marketplace business.   

AliExpress Multi-Vendor Marketplace and Affiliate Program Success Story

1. The Beginning and Rapid Growth

AliExpress kicked off in 2010 as part of Alibaba Group, founded by Jack Ma. It was like a big online garage sale, but for brand new stuff, mostly made in China. The idea was to connect Chinese manufacturers directly with international buyers. This direct connection cut out the middleman, making products cheaper. It grew super fast, and by 2016, AliExpress had users from over 220 countries and regions.

2. Huge Range of Products and User Base

One reason AliExpress became so popular is its massive range of products. From gadgets to clothes, you can find almost anything. As of 2020, AliExpress offered over 100 million products! This huge variety, combined with low prices, attracted a gigantic user base. By 2017, they had about 60 million active buyers, and the numbers just kept growing.

3. Innovations and Mobile Shopping

AliExpress was quick to jump on the mobile shopping trend. They launched their mobile app, which was a hit because it made shopping easy and accessible from anywhere. In 2019, a whopping 60% of their orders came from mobile devices. This showed how they adapted to changing consumer habits.

4. Global Reach and Local Adaptation

Apart from just selling stuff, AliExpress also smartly adapted to different markets. They offered local payment options, language support, and even special deals for big shopping days in various countries. This local touch helped them stand out in the global market.

5. Strong Logistics and Partnerships

Finally, their success is also due to strong logistics. AliExpress developed a global delivery system that made shipping to other countries more efficient. They partnered with local delivery services to speed up shipping and reduce costs.

AliExpress Affiliate Program

The AliExpress affiliate program lets bloggers, influencers, and website owners earn money by referring people to buy products on AliExpress. You share a product link, and when someone buys through your link, you get a commission. It's a cool way to make some extra cash if you have a lot of followers or visitors to your site.

How to Replicate AliExpress' Success

1. Focus on a Unique Selling Point

AliExpress stood out by offering a wide range of cheap products. If you're starting a new marketplace, find your unique angle. Maybe you specialize in handmade goods, eco-friendly products, or something that nobody else is doing.

2. Use Technology Smartly

Like AliExpress did with its mobile app, use technology to make shopping easy and fun. Maybe you could have cool features in your app or website that make you stand out.

3. Adapt to Your Customers

Understand what your customers in different areas need and adapt to them. This could be about offering local payment options, customer support in their language, or deals that are relevant to them.

4. Build a Strong Supply Chain

Make sure you have a good system for getting products to customers efficiently and cheaply. Partner with reliable couriers and maybe even have warehouses in key locations.

5. Create an Affiliate Program

An affiliate program can help you get the word out about your marketplace. It's like having a bunch of people advertising for you, and you only pay them when they actually bring in sales.

In summary, think unique, use tech well, understand your customers, get your logistics sorted, and consider an affiliate program to spread the word. That's a simplified blueprint of what AliExpress did, and it could work for you too!

Get started with a marketplace like AliExpress on Vendo!

START YOUR OWN MULTI-BRAND MARKETPLACE ON VENDO

• Book a demo call: We’ll set up your demo marketplace and populate it with products
• Customize your Storefront: We’ll help you craft a storefront that aligns with your brand identity, ensuring a cohesive and on-brand shopping experience for your customers.
• Onboard Brands: Invite your favorite brands or choose brands from the Vendo brand catalog. We can also start reaching out to brands you’d like to sell on your behalf.
• Select Products: Curate product collections manually or automate the process to efficiently manage your catalog and meet customer demand.
• Embed products: Make your editorial content shoppable with products embedded right where your customers expect them to find. Simplify and streamline product discovery.
• Start Selling Programmatically: Push products through multiple touch points: on your website, share it on social media, and include products in your newsletters.
• Get Paid: Get paid as soon as products are shipped by the brands. No need to wait 30-60 days or worry about orders not attributable to your affiliate links.
• Get Repeat Sales: Since you’re not linking out, your customers will keep coming back. We’ll help them with abandoned cart emails and promotional email blasts.

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