FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about platform positioning, cross-border procurement, supplier verification, certification standards, and credit ratings. Whether you're a buyer searching for reliable suppliers or a brand seeking greater exposure, you'll find answers here.

Platform FAQ

What is Compare2Best?
Compare2Best is a global multi-category product comparison platform. We help buyers make smarter procurement decisions by comparing product parameters side-by-side across brands, and help suppliers get discovered through AI search traffic. Unlike traditional marketplaces, we do not participate in transactions, charge zero commission, and never intercept customer data — supplier-client relationships are 100% owned by the supplier. Stop paying and you don't lose your existing clients.
How is Compare2Best different from Alibaba or Global Sources?
The core difference is the business model. Alibaba and Global Sources are transaction marketplaces — they charge commissions and control customer data. Compare2Best is a product comparison engine: zero transaction commissions, zero data interception. Supplier inquiries and customer relationships are 100% owned by the supplier. Our revenue comes from optional value-added services, not transaction fees. Think of them as shopping malls that charge rent — we're the comparison guide that drives traffic to each brand's independent storefront.
What categories does Compare2Best support?
Currently covering lighting & lamps and gift packaging. Furniture, electronics, home appliances, and home & kitchen are coming soon. Each category supports multi-brand, multi-product side-by-side parameter comparison across technical specs, certifications, and price ranges. Browse all categories →
What's the relationship between Compare2Best and TopAIGEO?
Compare2Best is a sub-brand under the TopAIGEO ecosystem. TopAIGEO is the parent technology company providing AI algorithms, infrastructure, and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) capabilities. Compare2Best operates as the independent front-end platform focused on product comparison and B2B procurement services.
What procurement scenarios is Compare2Best best for?
The platform is ideal for B2B procurement decisions that require comparing technical parameters across multiple suppliers: cross-border buyers in the sourcing phase, engineering contractors selecting materials, brands seeking OEM/ODM partners, and QC teams verifying supplier credentials. If you already have one confirmed supplier and just need to place an order, go directly to them. If you're deciding between 2-5 suppliers, Compare2Best is your tool.
Are you a marketplace? Can I place orders on Compare2Best?
No. Compare2Best does not facilitate transactions. We don't offer shopping carts, payment processing, or logistics tracking. Our role is information comparison and decision support — helping you find the best-matching supplier and product, then you communicate and transact directly with the supplier via their website, email, or WhatsApp. This means we charge no transaction commissions and never stand between you and your supplier relationships.

Procurement FAQ

How do I compare products on Compare2Best?
Three steps: ① Go to the Compare page and select a category (e.g., Lighting); ② Select 2-4 products from the brand list; ③ The system generates a side-by-side parameter comparison table automatically. Superior values are marked with green (↑), inferior values with red (↓). You can also browse by room type (living room, bedroom, office, etc.) or filter by specific parameters (CCT, CRI, IP rating, etc.).
What are the most important parameters for LED lighting procurement?
The top 5: Luminous flux (lumens/lm) for brightness, Color temperature (CCT, in K) for light warmth, Color rendering index (CRI/Ra) for color accuracy, Ingress protection (IP Rating) for water/dust resistance, and Wattage (W) for energy consumption. For professional procurement, also consider beam angle, LM-80 lifetime reports, and dimming compatibility (DALI/0-10V/Triac). View full glossary →
How do I negotiate when MOQ is too high?
Four strategies: ① Request a sample order first to test quality and market demand — most suppliers have lower MOQs for samples; ② Ask about mixed orders — combining multiple SKUs to reach the total volume; ③ Understand why the MOQ is high — raw material minimum purchase vs. production line changeover cost — and negotiate accordingly; ④ Compare multiple suppliers — the platform makes this easy, and alternatives strengthen your negotiating position.
Which certifications matter most for export?
It depends on your target market:
EU: CE (safety) + RoHS (hazardous substances) + ERP (energy efficiency) + ENEC (voluntary premium)
North America: UL/ETL (safety) + FCC (EMC) + DLC/Energy Star (energy rebates)
Middle East: SASO (Saudi) + ESMA (UAE)
Australia: SAA + RCM
Product cards and comparison pages on the platform display each product's certifications — filter by certification in the product library.
What's the difference between IP65 and IP67? Which should I choose?
The first digit is dust protection (6 = fully dust-tight). The second is water protection: IP65 = protected against low-pressure jets (suitable for outdoor walls, under eaves); IP67 = protected against temporary immersion (suitable for in-ground lights, underwater lights). For general outdoor fixtures, IP65 is sufficient. For areas with direct rain exposure or standing water, go IP66+. For water features, IP67 or IP68 is mandatory. Don't over-spec — higher IP ratings typically mean higher cost and compromised heat dissipation.
How do I contact a supplier after comparing?
Every product card links to the brand's Profile page, which shows the brand website, contact details, full product list, credit score, and user reviews. You can visit the brand's official website directly or use the platform's RFQ system to send an inquiry — the platform does not intercept any inquiry content or contact information.
How do I submit an RFQ?
Two ways: ① Click 'Send Inquiry' on any supplier profile page; ② Visit the RFQ section to publish procurement requirements. Enter product specifications, target quantity, delivery timeline, and target market — relevant suppliers receive the inquiry directly. RFQ functionality is free for all buyers.

Verification & Certification FAQ

How does Compare2Best verify supplier credentials?
Our verification covers five dimensions: ① Business license verification — cross-referenced with official registries; ② Brand registration/authorization review — ensuring brand ownership is genuine; ③ Product certification audit — document-level review of CE, UL, RoHS, etc.; ④ Factory cross-validation — verified through third-party data and public records; ⑤ Customer reviews & transaction history — real user feedback on the platform. Verification results are publicly displayed on supplier profile pages, including evidence sources and last update date.
How often is platform data updated?
Product data and certifications are maintained by suppliers, with quarterly updates recommended. Credit scores are recalculated daily automatically. Expiring certifications trigger proactive reminders — if a certification expires without renewal, the badge is automatically removed so buyers never see stale or expired credentials. The platform does not manually modify supplier information.
Can non-verified brands display products?
Currently, only verified brands can publicly display products. This is our core trust mechanism — we prioritize ensuring that buyers see verified, trustworthy data. Verification typically takes 1-3 business days. Unverified brands can prepare product data in the backend; once approved, products are automatically published.
What are the requirements for onboarding?
Three basic requirements: ① A legally registered business license or certificate of incorporation; ② Brand ownership or valid authorization letter; ③ Products that meet target market compliance and certification requirements. No fees are required. Apply to join →
What is the onboarding process?
Three steps: ① Click 'Apply for Verification' and submit core brand and product information → ② Platform reviews credentials and certification documents (1-3 business days) → ③ Once approved, products are automatically published. After onboarding, manage product information, update parameters, and add certifications through the admin dashboard.

Reviews & Credit FAQ

How does the brand tier rating work?
Brand tiers are automatically determined by credit score, with no manual intervention:
Certified: 70+ — brands that completed basic verification
Gold: 80+ — brands with high data completeness and positive reviews
Benchmark: 90+ — industry-leading top-tier brands
Credit scores are calculated from five weighted dimensions: data completeness (30%), user reviews (30%), transaction performance (20%), certification credentials (15%), and activity level (5%). All dimensions and weights are publicly disclosed and updated daily. Learn more about the credit system →
How do I review a supplier?
Submit a review from the supplier's Profile page or after completing a transaction. Review dimensions include: product quality, communication efficiency, on-time delivery, and service attitude. Reviews are auto-approved and displayed in real time. Both reviewer and reviewee credit scores update simultaneously. The platform supports two-way reviews — buyers review suppliers, and suppliers can review buyers too.
How can I improve my credit score?
Five practical ways: ① Complete product parameters — data completeness has the highest weight; ② Keep data current — stale information is flagged; ③ Earn positive buyer reviews — delivering quality products and service is fundamental; ④ Obtain compliance certifications — both quantity and quality of certifications count; ⑤ Respond quickly to inquiries — response speed affects your activity score. False information, complaints, and prolonged neglect will lower your score.
What if I receive a malicious review?
The platform has an appeal and escalation mechanism. If you believe a review is unfair or factually incorrect, file an appeal from the credit page. We activate a reverse burden-of-proof process — requiring the reviewer to substantiate their claims — with automated resolution within 72 hours. Confirmed malicious reviews are excluded from credit score calculations, and the reviewer's score is also impacted.
Why do ratings matter so much?
In B2B procurement, trust is the single largest transaction cost. Ratings let buyers assess supplier credibility in seconds, and help quality suppliers stand out from price-based competition. More importantly, structured rating data is the preferred information format for AI search engines (ChatGPT Search, Google AI Overviews, Perplexity) — highly-rated, well-certified brands get significantly more exposure in AI-generated procurement recommendations. That's why we publicly disclose all rating dimensions and weights.

Account & Security FAQ

How do I register and log in?
Click 'Register' in the navigation bar to create an account with your email. Choose an identity type: Buyer, Supplier, or Service Provider. After registering, access your Dashboard to manage your profile, saved products, reviews, and RFQs.
I forgot my password. What now?
Click 'Forgot Password' on the login page, enter your registered email, and the system will send a password reset link. If you don't receive it, check your spam folder or contact support@compare2best.com.
How does Compare2Best protect data security?
All data transmission uses SSL/TLS encryption, with sensitive information encrypted at rest on our servers. The platform operates under a published Privacy Policy, complies with GDPR and CCPA, and never sells your personal information to third parties. Passwords are stored using bcrypt one-way hashing — even platform staff cannot view them.
How do I delete my account?
Log in, go to Dashboard → Account Settings to request account deletion. For onboarded merchants, all product listings will be removed upon account deletion. Personal information will be deleted or anonymized within a reasonable timeframe.

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