In this age of e-commerce, AliExpress stands out as one of the leading online retail platforms, offering a vast array of products at competitive prices. For shoppers in Nigeria, AliExpress provides access to goods that might be otherwise unavailable or more expensive locally. 

Several Nigerians use the platform for all sorts of shopping needs, utilising its ability to bring in rare goods at all times.

In this comprehensive guide, we are going to walk Nigerian shoppers through the entire process of shopping on AliExpress, from setting up an account to handling disputes, ensuring a seamless shopping experience.

Creating an AliExpress Account

The very first step to shopping on AliExpress is creating an account with them. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Visit the AliExpress Website or Download the App

Visit AliExpress on your web browser or download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

2. Click on the ‘Sign Up’ Button

On the website, you’ll find the ‘Sign Up’ button at the top right corner. On the app, it’s usually at the bottom of the screen. Due to regular updates in the interface, the location of the ‘Sign Up’ button may have changed. 

3. Enter Your Email Address and Create a Password

Fill in your correct email address and choose a strong password. Make sure your password includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters for security.

4. Verify Your Email Address

AliExpress will send a verification email to your provided email address. Click the verification link in the email to activate your account. 

Once you are able to follow these steps, you should now have an active AliExpress account, ready for shopping.

Navigating the AliExpress Website/App

As soon as you've created your account, the next step is to familiarise yourself with the AliExpress interface. Here’s a quick guide to the main sections involved:

1. Search Bar

Usually located at the top of the page, the search bar is your primary tool for finding products. You can type in specific keywords or product names. Whatever you wish to search for, just use this bar.

2. Categories

The categories menu allows you to browse products by type, such as electronics, fashion, home goods, and more. This is particularly useful if you’re looking for specific kinds of items but are open to exploring different brands and options.

3. Deals

AliExpress frequently offers flash deals and discounts. The deals section highlights ongoing promotions, which can be a great way to save money. 

4. Account Settings

Under the ‘My Account’ section, you can view your orders, manage your address book, and adjust your account settings as you like. Feel free to personalise anything you want here.

5. Using the Search Function

To find specific products, the search function is invaluable. After entering a search term, use the filters to narrow down results based on price range, shipping options, seller ratings, and more.

You can also sort the results by relevance, price, or customer ratings.

6. Browsing Categories

If you’re not sure exactly what you want, browsing categories can help:

Popular categories include electronics (phones, accessories), fashion (clothing, shoes), beauty and health, and home improvement items.

Each category is subdivided into more specific sections to help you find exactly what you need. You are sure to find what you want going through specific categories.

Finding Reliable Sellers

Shopping on a vast platform like AliExpress means encountering a mix of reputable and less reliable sellers. So here are some tips on how to identify trustworthy sellers all the time.

1. Reading Reviews and Ratings

Customer Reviews

Look for products with a high number of positive reviews. Detailed reviews can give you insights into the product’s quality, performance, and any potential issues. It will also give you insight into how other customers feel about the seller.

Seller Ratings

AliExpress assigns ratings to sellers based on their performance. Always ensure to look for sellers with high ratings (95% and above) and a substantial number of completed transactions.

2. Checking Seller Details

Seller History

Check the seller’s history to see how long they’ve been on AliExpress and their overall sales volume. Sellers with a long track record are generally more reliable.

Response Rate

A high response rate indicates that the seller is responsive to customer inquiries, which is crucial for addressing any issues that might arise.

Pay close attention to reviews, ratings and all forms of details around the seller to help minimise the risk of meeting untrustworthy sellers.

Placing an Order

Once you’ve found a product and a reliable seller, the next step is placing an order. Let's take a look at how you can do it:

Product Variations

Many products come with variations such as size, colour, or model. Be sure you select the correct options before adding the item to your cart.

Adding to Cart

Click the ‘Add to Cart’ button on the product page. You can continue shopping and add more items to your cart or proceed to checkout.

Proceeding to Checkout

Before you complete your purchase, it's important to review the items in your cart. Don't make assumptions, make sure everything is as it should be.

Applying Coupons and Discounts

AliExpress often offers coupons and discounts. It's not relative to region or country. Be sure to look for available coupons on the product pages or during checkout so as to save money.

Making Payments

Making payments on AliExpress Nigeria can be straightforward, with multiple checkout methods typically available for shoppers.

Unfortunately, most of the card options are not easily available to Nigerians Since local bank debits/credit cards don't work for international platforms.

However, virtual dollar cards from providers such as Super, can often be a great solution to this problem.

To start making payments on AliExpress Nigeria, all you have to do is visit Super and sign up for an account.

Once registered, you can complete the verification process which takes a few minutes. As soon as you're done with that, you will be given access to your dashboard where you can create your virtual USD card.

Once done, you’ll then want to enter the payment details into the checkout screen, like below and complete the payment.

For tips to ensure that your payments are always secure:

• Always check for a secure connection by looking for  “HTTPS” in the URL

• Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks

• Double-check the total amount before confirming your payment.

Shipping and Delivery

If you want to enjoy your full shopping experience on AliExpress Nigeria, understanding shipping and delivery options available to you is critical. Here’s what you need to know:

Shipping Options

AliExpress offers several shipping methods, each with different costs and delivery times. Common options include Standard Shipping, ePacket, and DHL Express.

Estimated Delivery Times and Costs

Delivery times for the products you ordered can range from a few weeks to a couple of months. It usually depends on the shipping method and your location. Costs also vary, so choose the option that best balances speed and affordability.

Tracking Your Order

Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive a tracking number. Feel free to enter this number on the AliExpress website or app in order to track your package’s progress.

Customs and Import Duties

Be aware that your package may be subject to customs duties and taxes upon arrival in Nigeria. These charges usually depend on the value and type of goods.

Handling Customs

If your package incurs customs fees, you’ll be notified by the Nigerian Customs Service. Do well to follow their instructions to pay any fees and collect your package as soon as possible.

It's always advisable to do everything possible to make sure your shipping and clearing is smooth and straight forward. You don't want anything that could cause delays to your delivery.

Handling Issues and Disputes

Despite best efforts to avoid them, it is possible for a dispute to occasionally arise. Here’s how to handle some of the common ones.

Delayed Shipping

If your package is delayed, check the tracking information and contact the seller for updates. Sometimes delays occur due to customs or shipping provider issues.

Incorrect Items or Damaged Goods

If you receive the wrong item or a damaged product, take photos as evidence and contact the seller to request a resolution. You don't have to make a fuss about it. These things happen. Just follow the instructions on how to file a dispute below.

Filing a Dispute

Step-by-Step Guide

Go to your orders page on AliExpress and select the order in question. Click on ‘Open Dispute’ and fill out the necessary details, including attaching any relevant photos or screenshots.

Resolution Process

AliExpress will review the dispute and may ask you for some additional information. They will typically offer a resolution within a few weeks, which might include a refund or a replacement.

Customer Support

If you need further assistance, AliExpress customer support can be contacted through their help centre. They offer live chat and email support to address more complex issues.

All you have to do is select which one works for you.

Tips for a Smooth Shopping Experience

For Nigerians shopping on AliExpress, take a look at some of the best tips that can help enhance your shopping experience.

Deals and Discounts

AliExpress Nigeria frequently offers deals and discounts, so be sure to keep an eye out for them so you can benefit from the savings.

Wishlist and Follow Sellers

On AliExpress, you can easily add items to your wishlist in a bid to keep track of them. This is always useful if you're not ready to order immediately.

You can also follow sellers to get recent updates on their new products and promotions. This can be particularly useful if you want to stay informed about sales on items you frequently buy.

Buyer Protection

AliExpress offers buyer protection, ensuring that you receive your order as described or you get your money back. 

Conclusion

Shopping on AliExpress from Nigeria offers numerous benefits, from access to a wide variety of products to competitive pricing.

We've been able to go in depth in this guide, showing you step-by-step exactly how it's done, from:  account creation, finding a trusted seller, placing order, making easy payments with Supershelp and receiving your order. 

Remember to take advantage of deals and buyer protection policies to enhance your shopping experience.