A new report, B2B Online Media Report, finds that the English-language website alibaba.com which specialises in business between international buyers trying to contact Chinese sellers retained its top spot in the top 30 Asian online B2B companies.

The study found that the top 10 positions mostly held onto their turf and were largely stable, with websites moving only one or two positions. It points out also that there are two new entrants to the coveted top 10 list, Indiamart and Trade India.

Trendwise, the 30 B2B media companies remain dominated by 19 consumer merchandise sourcing websites, mostly finished goods sourcing websites or online trade directories. The other 11 making up 30 include five vertical industry websites and 6 trade titles that are mostly technology focussed. In fact, Itmedia.co.jp and Chinabyte.com, both technology-focused trade titles are the only two non-sourcing sites.

The lower half of the top 30 list was more variable with six websites moving up or down nine places or more. Three new entrants made it to the list, Toocle.com, Chinavasion.com and Asiannet.com The former claimed the highest debut position – number 14 on the list.

Authors of the report highlight that the vertical industry site segment is worth keeping a close eye on. Interestingly, Hangzhou-based Netsun now controls all five of the top 30 vertical industry websites. They are Toocle.com, Efu.com.cn, Netsun.com, Pharmnet.com.cn and Chemnet.com.cn

The study finds that there are six trends still shaping the industry. They are:
• Increasingly sophisticated online content and services
• Continuing importance of search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Building offline awareness
• Establishing a presence in China’s online domestic sourcing market
• Emphasis on deeper supplier data and verification services
• Clear emergence of vertical sourcing websites.