(i) Is there a function of sending inquiries in bulk?
On cross-border e-commerce B2B platforms, buyers can search for keywords of products of interest and find product information posted by many sellers, and then initiate inquiries on the information interface. Some platforms support sending an inquiry in bulk to multiple sellers, such as Alibaba International Station, where one inquiry can be sent to 20 sellers at the same time. This model is beneficial to buyers, but leads to fierce competition for sellers. Some platforms provide a one-to-one inquiry sending model, such as Made-in-China.com. In this way, for sellers, the quality of buyers is relatively high and it is easy to close orders. However, since the global market has changed from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market, sending inquiries in bulk is the trend of platform development.
(ii) Is there an instant messaging tool?
Instant messaging tools are conducive to efficient and fast communication between buyers and sellers on cross-border e-commerce B2B platforms. Some platforms have their own instant messaging tools, such as TradeManager of Alibaba International Station. Some platforms do not have instant messaging tools, and inquiries are mainly communicated by email, but buyers and sellers can communicate through messaging tools such as WhatsApp or Skype.
(III) Are there additional functions such as real-time marketing and visitor details?
In addition to the functions mentioned above, some platforms also have some special additional functions such as real-time marketing, visitor details, business cards, etc., to give sellers more opportunities to understand buyers. This is an innovation in the function of cross-border e-commerce B2B inquiry system. Alibaba International Station has a strong innovation ability and more additional functions, and other platforms are also carrying out their own different forms of innovation to enhance the attractiveness of the platform.