Install for freeHow to Order on AliExpress in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Buyers
Ordering on AliExpress is easy once you understand the logic: choose the product, check the seller, check the final price, choose shipping, pay and track the parcel.
The mistake many beginners make is treating AliExpress like one big store. It is actually a marketplace where the same item can be sold by many different sellers. That is why the product page, seller rating, reviews, shipping method and final checkout price all matter.
In this guide, I’ll show how to place an order on AliExpress step by step: how to register, find products, choose a reliable seller, place the order, track the parcel and check the item before confirming receipt.
Might be of interest: How to find a store by name on AliExpress.
Registering and Logging In to AliExpress
Before you buy, the first thing you need to do is register on the AliExpress website. The registration process consists of a few simple steps and will not take long for you to order.
1. Go to the main page of the AliExpress website;
2. Click on the “Sign in / Register” button in the top right corner;
3. Click “Register” in the window that appears;
4. Enter your phone number or email or continue by linking the account to your Google, Facebook, Twitter or Apple profile. If you choose to create an AliExpress account by phone number or email, you will need to enter the last 6 digits of the incoming number in the next window that appears or the code from the email, respectively.
AliExpress Account
The personal account on AliExpress is the control center for your purchases and settings. Here you can track your orders, manage your personal data, and get support. Let’s take a closer look at the main sections of the account.
Overview
This is the section that summarizes your account information. This is where all your coupons and promo codes are stored, which you can use to get discounts before you place an order on AliExpress. Also in this section is the Favorites section, which stores things you’ve marked as interesting by clicking on the heart in the product card. This is handy for monitoring prices and quickly accessing your desired purchases. You can go back and order them whenever you want. You can also view the items you’ve viewed, etc.
Orders
In this section you can view information about all your AliExpress purchases, track the status of current orders, view the history of past purchases and disputes.
Might be interesting: How to track AliExpress orders.
Payment
Your bank card information is securely stored here for quick and easy payment of your orders. This ensures a fast and hassle-free checkout process when placing new orders on AliExpress.
To receive free goods, install the free AliHelper browser extension and collect DOGI coins on AliExpress, which can be used to pay for purchases.
Refund and return
This section stores all information about refunds to your AliExpress account. Details: How to get money back from AliExpress.
Feedback
In the feedback section on AliExpress users can leave their comments and evaluations on purchased items and view the ones already left. This helps form an objective opinion about the quality of the items and the reliability of the stores. When leaving feedback on an order, you can highlight the pros and cons, and upload photos or videos to demonstrate the product you received.
Your feedback is valuable for other buyers considering placing a similar order. Additionally, sellers can respond to feedback, helping resolve issues related to your order or improve their service.
Setting
Manage your personal information on AliExpress such as name, contact information, phone number, email, password, etc.
Shipping address
Manage the addresses where you want your orders to be delivered. You can add, delete, or modify shipping addresses to make sure your orders arrive at the correct location.
Message center
The chat section on AliExpress provides an opportunity for direct communication between buyers and sellers. It is a tool that allows you to discuss details of trade offers, ask for discounts, clarify delivery terms, payment methods and other important aspects before making a purchase. Chats can also be used to quickly resolve questions or issues that arise after an order has been placed. Having the ability to correspond directly with store representatives makes the shopping process more transparent and secure, building trust between the parties to the transaction.
Invite friends
A link to a referral program where you can receive AliExpress coupons for inviting friends.
Help center
The help center provides AliExpress support for any questions about your orders, account management, or other platform-related issues. If you have problems with an order, this is the place to seek assistance.
Report Center
Here you will be able to submit complaints about products and sellers, as well as monitor the progress of already submitted complaints.
Suggestion
This section is designed for submitting suggestions to improve the AliExpress platform and the order experience for all users.
DS Center
A program for those who want to engage in dropshipping, i.e. selling AliExpress products. You can manage and fulfill orders directly through this program.
Find the product you need
There are two main ways to find products on AliExpress:
- search bar — when you know what you need;
- categories — when you are browsing or comparing ideas.
If you know the product name, type it into the search bar. For example: “Realme 12 Pro Plus case” or “cotton baby romper 90 cm”.
If you are not sure what to buy, open categories and browse by topic.
My tip: use specific search queries. “Phone case” will give you chaos. “MagSafe case iPhone 15 Pro transparent” gives AliExpress fewer chances to show you everything except what you need.
Might be interesting: What to buy on AliExpress.
Use the search bar when you already know what product you need. And the AliExpress catalog exists for those who are just looking around and do not have a clear goal. Let’s look at them separately.
In the top line you enter the name of the necessary item, and then opens a window with the goods in the name of which there is this combination of words. Let’s look, for example, Realme 12 pro plus phone. In the search bar we write “realme 12 pro plus” and get to the output page.
Now let’s return to the AliExpress catalog. To get to it, you need to click on the “All Categories” button or the icon with three lines near the search bar.
If you hover over any item with your mouse, smaller sections will appear on the right side. And if you click on one of them, a page will open showing all relevant products.
Choosing an item on AliExpress is a key step in the shopping process, given the huge variety of offers on the platform. In order to order consciously and successfully, it is important to use several proven methods:
- Read the reviews of other buyers. They can tell you a lot about the quality and real correspondence of the product to the description. Pay attention to negative reviews, they can reveal potential problems with the order or the seller;
- Evaluate the overall rating of the item. Goods with high ratings are more likely to have been tested over time and by a large number of buyers. A high rating is an indicator of overall customer satisfaction with the product;
- Read the product description carefully. AliExpress sellers usually provide product descriptions with size, material, functions and other details. Make sure that the product meets your expectations and requirements;
- Examine the photos and videos in the product card on AliExpress. Good sellers provide quality photos and videos that allow you to examine the product from all angles. This will help you better understand how the product looks in reality and avoid disappointment when you receive it;
- Compare products from different stores. Sometimes the same or very similar product may be offered by different sellers at different prices. Compare offers, paying attention to the cost and delivery terms;
- Pay attention to certificates and guarantees. Some products on AliExpress come with quality certificates or offer a manufacturer’s warranty. This can add confidence to your purchase, especially when it comes to technically complex or expensive items.
These checks help you choose a better product and avoid obvious mistakes before ordering.
Might be of interest: How to order clothes on AliExpress.
How to choose a reliable seller to order from
Studying reviews
Feedback from buyers is a source of information not only about the product, but also about the store itself. There you can find out how quickly the parcel will be sent, how well it will be packed, how the store representative will behave in case of a conflict situation, and so on. Reviews can be found in the product card, under the “Related items” block.
Seller Rating
You can find the seller rating on the store page. However, it is presented in an abbreviated version and may be inflated.
To find out an objective and detailed rating of a store on AliExpress, you can install a free browser extension AliHelper. It will show information about the seller according to five criteria: the conformity of goods to the description, the speed of feedback from representatives of the store and the dispatch of the order, the period of stay on the site and the percentage of dissatisfied buyers. Here, for example, is how things really are with Mr.23 Store from the previous screenshot.
Checkout on AliExpress
Once you’ve chosen a product and made sure the seller is reliable, it’s time to move on to the purchase:
1. Add the item to your cart by clicking the button of the same name if you’re going to continue shopping, or click “Buy now” to go straight to the checkout page;
2. If you are buying through the shopping cart, check the desired items with a check mark and click “Checkout” to order;
3. On the checkout page, enter or select a shipping address, determine the shipping method. Note the estimated time and cost before ordering on AliExpress. Select a payment method, enter a promo code if necessary and finalize your purchase by clicking “Place order”.
How to Place an Order in the AliExpress Mobile App
Ordering goods in the AliExpress mobile app is similar to the ordering process on the website.
Order tracking
Once you have placed an order on AliExpress, you will be able to track its status directly through your personal account on the platform. The process of shipping items usually begins within a few days of making a purchase. Sellers update information about the status of the order, from preparation for shipment to the moment the goods are handed over to the delivery service. You will be able to see all the key stages of your order, including estimated delivery times, allowing you to plan your time and expectations regarding the receipt of your purchase.
Receive and check the order
Once the goods have been delivered, it’s important to carefully inspect them to ensure they match the description on the AlExpress website and are free from defects. Inspect the packaging for damage and make sure the contents are exactly as ordered. If any discrepancies or damage is found, or if the product does not meet the stated specifications, you have the right to open a dispute through the AliExpress platform. As part of this dispute, you can provide photos or other evidence that will confirm problems with the product and request a refund or replacement product. This process is governed by AliExpress rules, which are designed to protect the rights of buyers by ensuring that disputes are resolved fairly.
30-second check before ordering
Before clicking “Buy Now” or “Place Order”, check:
- correct product model;
- correct color, size or version;
- real buyer photos;
- recent negative reviews;
- seller rating;
- shipping cost;
- estimated delivery time;
- return/refund conditions;
- final checkout price;
- whether coupon or promo code actually applied.
If something feels strange before payment, it usually becomes more annoying after payment.
“Buy Now” or “Add to Cart”: what should you choose?
Use “Buy Now” if you want to purchase one item immediately.
Use “Add to Cart” if you want to:
- compare several products;
- combine items from one seller;
- apply coupons;
- check shipping for several items;
- wait for a sale;
- avoid impulse buying.
For beginners, I prefer “Add to Cart”. It gives you a pause before payment, and AliExpress is a place where pauses save money.
Tips for safe shopping on AliExpress
- Use a payment method you can track easily.
- Check the product description before ordering.
- Do not trust the title alone.
- Choose sellers with strong recent reviews.
- Study buyer photos and negative reviews.
- Compare the same product from several sellers.
- Check shipping cost before paying.
- Do not confirm receipt before checking the item.
- Keep seller messages inside AliExpress.
- Save screenshots for expensive orders.
AliExpress is cheaper when you check before paying. It becomes more expensive when you start checking only after the parcel disappoints you.
Conclusion
Ordering on AliExpress is simple: find the product, check the seller, choose the right options, confirm address and shipping, apply discounts, pay and track the parcel. The real skill is not clicking “Place Order”. The real skill is checking the details before you pay: product options, reviews, seller rating, shipping cost, coupons and final checkout price. Do that, and AliExpress becomes much less random — and much more useful.
Create or log in to your AliExpress account, find the product, choose the correct options, check reviews and seller rating, add the item to cart or click “Buy Now”, enter shipping address, choose delivery and payment method, then click “Place Order”.
Yes. You need an account to place orders, track parcels, contact sellers, manage refunds, open disputes and view order history.
Use “Buy Now” for one immediate purchase. Use “Add to Cart” if you want to compare products, apply coupons, buy several items or check the final price more calmly.
Yes. Open the app, find the product, choose options, add it to cart or tap “Buy Now”, check address, shipping, coupons, payment method and final price, then place the order.
Confirm receipt only after you receive and check the item. Do not confirm receipt if the parcel has not arrived or the product has a serious problem.
