While there is a lot that is cool about e-commerce, there are a few disadvantages as well. Having a standard set of rules and practices in place is what makes it possible to do business with people thousands of miles away; but at the same time, it somehow makes it all a little less personal. And in the end, business is about more than systems and prices: business is about people, and about relationships.

So when a couple of our sellers mentioned to us a few months back that they wanted to be able to offer their higher-volume customers business terms that matched the quality of their relationship, we started thinking. And what we came up with was FactoryZone.

As an entrepreneur, I like to keep my ears open, and I’m always keen to give new ideas a chance. FactoryZone is a good example of a time when I have done just that – and so far, so good.

FactoryZone is a part of our site where buyers can come to find the best possible prices from a group of our best small- and medium-sized manufacturers. Unlike most other items in our marketplace, all items in the FactoryZone are verified by DHgate’s own professional merchandise team before they are listed. In the Zone (located at the top right of our homepage), buyers will find a wide range of quality, original products at the best prices available.

But after listening to our customers, I realized that competitive prices are just one of the considerations for an international trade.

FactoryZone sellers are our most reliable, dependable producers, and most of them offer warranties on the products they are selling. Live, personalized, online help is available 24 hours a day, letting customers conduct business with these factories when it is convenient to them.

Finally, when a customer becomes a regular buyer from FactoryZone sellers, they have an opportunity to start offering pricing, terms, and even products that are available to that customer only, based on the buying relationship.

In short, FactoryZone is another way for me to deliver on my promise to provide small businesses with the kind of competitive advantage that comes from developing a closer relationship with your suppliers. Usually, that’s something that is only possible if you spend a lot of time in China working with your factories.

And being able to deliver what you say you can deliver is the most efficient way to small business growth.