As an ecommerce store owner, you’re probably already aware of how valuable China is as a potential market for your business. With billions of consumers and plenty of disposable income, it’s no wonder that so many online sellers are eager to enter this market.
The competition for internationally pointed online stores is only going to grow in the near future. Setting up your ecommerce platform now to handle any intense competition is essential to expanding your potential sales in the Chinese market. Here are some fantastic tips to get you started.
Why is China so Valuable to Ecommerce Stores?
China is the world’s largest ecommerce market, and its ecommerce sector is growing at a rapid pace. The country has millions of internet users and a growing middle class that has high expectations for customer service. China also has many tech-savvy consumers who are comfortable with online shopping, which makes it the perfect place to sell your products or services.
Getting into this market is essential to your future survival, especially when the US marketplace can quickly get saturated in your niche. China’s market offers benefits like:
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- Access to mobile-ready shoppers familiar with modern technology.
- A market already used to shopping online for their daily goods.
- High demand for western-sourced products.
- Better potential sales, the more you can validate your brand.
- The ability to target rural areas due to exceptional infrastructure.
- And more!
The following tips should boost your capabilities to enter this marketplace and, eventually, improve your sales revenues.
Top Tips for the Chinese Market
1 – Know Your Chinese Customers
Knowing your audience is the key to success. You must know what they want, how they think, and where they hang out. That’s why it’s so crucial that you understand the Chinese customer.
You need to be able to communicate with them in their language and not just assume that because you speak English or another Western language, everyone will understand what you are saying or doing.
The Chinese market loves social media, celebrity endorsements, and an emphasis on quality and convenience. The more you can lean into these demands, the greater your potential sales.
2 – Verify Your Product Qualities
Verifying the quality of your product is an excellent way to boost your online sales in China. You should check if there are any problems with the products you sell, such as missing parts or damaged packaging. When you have verified this, you can then communicate with your suppliers and make changes so that they improve their service level for future orders.
There is a significant issue with counterfeiting in China, so being able to offer quality reassurance to your consumers is a great way to build your brand reputation.
3 – Get Local Hosting for a Sister Website
You can get a sister website in China by using a local hosting company. This is the most effective way to increase online sales, as it allows you to create an entirely new website that looks and feels like your original site, but with all its own content and products.
Chinese consumers do not rely solely on Google as we do in most English-speaking areas. They have many different search engines that place preferential treatment on Chinese-hosted websites.
4 – Use a Reputable Payment Processor
When you’re selling online in China, it’s important to use a reputable payment processor. There are many options out there, and you can choose one based on your needs and preferences. The Chinese market is not as open to Western payment processors as you may think. That is why we highly recommend our Alipay Cross-Border Payment Gateway Plugin for WooCommerce.
This allows you to tap into the 1.3-billion-person economy using traditional payment gateways through Alipay. You won’t need multiple steps as our plugin provides a smooth and simple-to-understand interface for integrating your website or online store.
5 – Always Focus on Customer Service
Your customers are the most essential part of your business, and customer service is crucial in China. If you want to succeed, you need to understand how important communication is for your customers, who may be from very different backgrounds from yours.
You also need to make sure that your employees understand it’s not enough just to have them speak English. They have to be able to communicate with customers in such a way that they feel understood and valued as individuals (as opposed to just another number).
The Chinese marketplace is built on the idea of respect and mutually beneficial relationships. Showing this deference in your customer service chats, emails, and phone calls goes a long way to improving your reputation.
6 – Pay Attention to Local Holidays & Festivals
Holiday and festival seasons are a great time to engage with your audience. It’s a time for people in China to gather together with their families, friends, and colleagues – a perfect opportunity for you to reach out and connect with them!
The Chinese are just as interested in holidays as we are. Things like the Chinese New Year, International Women’s Day (sometimes called Queen Festival), Love Day, Midyear Shopping Festival, and more are key to driving your sales.
7 – Don’t Forget Chinese Social Networks
In addition to being a great place for marketing your products, social media can also be a good source of new customers. China does not rely on the same social media platforms as we do in the West. You will have to adapt.
Social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo offer lots of opportunities for ecommerce stores. For example, you can run ads on these platforms and use them as a customer support channel where you can respond directly to questions from potential buyers. You may want to hire a Chinese (Mandarin) speaking assistant through Fiverr or Upwork to help you with this aspect if you do not know the language.
Get Started Now!
If you’re looking to boost your business in China, online sales can be an easy way to do it. However, there are some things you need to know about Chinese customers and the industry first. Take the time to research and understand this fantastic country’s culture and social environment, and you can succeed.
Best of all, Chinese customers buy foreign brands when local ones aren’t available. If your brand isn’t available locally, then this could be an opportunity for you! If you have a unique item that resembles Western culture while also providing a valuable benefit to your consumer, you could be an overnight success.
Pick Up Our Cross-Border WooCommerce Plugin
The Cross-Border WooCommerce plugin is a powerful tool that can help you boost your online sales in China. It’s easy to set up and use, compatible with WooCommerce, and allows you to quickly connect the payment system of your ecommerce store with a massive consumer opportunity.
We hope these tips have helped you to understand the Chinese market and improve your online sales in China. With a little bit of research, planning, and work, you can reach this lucrative market and make your business thrive!
Download Cross-Border WooCommerce plugin today
This Plugin allows you to quickly connect the payment system of your ecommerce store with a massive consumer opportunity.
