Localized Chinese Websites: How to Build One

For any local or international business looking to penetrate the Chinese market, a conspicuous online presence is an absolute necessity. Another important aspect of going global is the need to localize your e-commerce site.

With the Chinese market providing a lucrative business opportunity to international players, it is estimated that the Chinese e-commerce market is expected to reach a value of US $1.1 trillion by the year 2020.

It should not come as a surprise, that the number one e-commerce site dominating the landscape is China, followed by the U.S. and U.K.

The Need for Localized Websites

Having a website that is localized as per consumer tastes, preferences and trends is pivotal to a business’s success.

The layout of the website should be such that it should appeal to the Chinese customer. Only then will a foreign business be able to tap into this pool of resources.  

A major reason is the preference of online buyers wanting to browse websites in their own language.

This facilitates a better understanding and ease of use. According to Gallup, 9 out of 10 web users voted for websites in their own local language when given with a choice.

Devising a strategy to establish a localized Chinese website can do wonders for your market penetration plans.

Heavily Text-Based and Fewer Images

Since our target market is Chinese, certain customizations need to be brought in to cater to popular trends in the Chinese market.

Western websites are characterized by simplistic web designs, use of interactive graphics, and the concept of minimalism; the Chinese websites are just the opposite. Their websites are dense in terms of content packed with innumerable links. Images are few and only where needed.

The Chinese Firewall

Since we are all aware of the internet censorships exercised by the government; Chinese websites specifically incorporate elements that facilitate user-experience.

This is characterized by backlinks dispersed all over the web page, re-directing the visitor to different pages. This keeps the user engaged while they wait for their concerned page to load.

Chinese SEO and Appropriate content

Google’s alternative in China is Baidu. Just like search engine results are optimized in the western part of the world, China has its own version of Search Engine Marketing.

Chinese SEO Services make sure that they help websites comply with the mechanisms of Baidu and other Chinese search engines so that maximum productivity can be reaped out of it.

This follows that content is localized in accordance with Chinese culture, norms and values. The content that is to be published on China-specific websites should be free from any culturally or socially inappropriate content.

Also, the Chinese population should be able to relate to the content on a more personal level. Cross-cultural adaptability ensures the success of the international company as a personal brand and identity

If you intend to build a localized Chinese website from grass-root level, you can get in touch with SEO experts and an entire team of web designers at LIMPID. Your digital marketing efforts need not rest when you have a reliable partner to help you step up your digital game.

Thinking to Expand Your Business to International Markets? Read This!

Reaching out to global markets and exploring unchartered territory might mean stepping out of your comfort zone. However, if carried out correctly, the rewards of expanding your business in the international arena can be plentiful.

With careful planning and immaculate execution, you can not only introduce your business to the global shores, but can also achieve tremendous success. Here are some tips to help businesses make their international ventures more successful:

Have Thorough Understanding of Your Company and the Industry

The first step towards international expansion would be to ‘know thyself’. Before you even begin to think about stepping into another country, you should have a crystal clear idea about where your company stands and where your industry is headed. For instance, you should carefully analyze the technology that is being used and whether it would render your product or service outdated or irrelevant in 10 to 15 years’ time.     

Consider How Your Business Model Fits In

Depending on your business model, you can enter an international market in a variety of ways. Some of them include exporting, joint ventures, and off-shore production. Make sure you carefully examine alternative options and choose the most practical one.

Make Effective Plans to Deal with Language and Cultural Barriers

Selling to people who do not speak your language and have different cultural traditions and value systems can prove to be quite challenging. Make sure you customize your product or service according to the needs of local people. You might have to hire native staff and create a company environment that is in line with the country.   

Thoroughly Research Your Target Market

It is always a good idea to research about the people you are going to target. From the religion they follow to the products they use, you must have a complete understanding of how life is lived in the particular area you are going to target. Also, the market niche that you are entering must be having a high demand for your product or service.  

Adapt Your Marketing Strategies

Although the overall branding of your product must remain consistent, you should adapt your marketing approach depending on the country you are expanding into. From making local advertisements in the native language to developing a social media campaign targeting the youngsters of the country, you might have to tweak your marketing campaigns quite a bit.

If you are looking to expand in China, you might require online marketing services in Chinese. With a team of marketing gurus, SEO experts, web masters, and exceptional Chinese translators, LIMPID can prove to be a good solution. Take a look at their services.

Mind Your Language: Why You Should Look Beyond Google for Your Translation Needs

Trying to impress your Chinese clients, but having a hard time figuring out if they’re sealing the deal or just saying “you’ve got Chow-Fun on your chin”? If you think that’s bad, maybe you should try thinking about a Bruce Lee-inspired film with a Mandarin voice over that translates “samurai” into “Sam, your eye”!

It’s exciting to learn a new language, and yes – your attempts to communicate with your Chinese client and to create a samurai film really only reiterate your passion for China. But if you don’t have the time to learn over 3,000 characters by heart and articulating them with impeccable coherency, you should really consider an alternative that doesn’t make you sound culturally insensitive.

Of course, you might think Google Translate is an effective tool for your quick English-to-Chinese translation needs. After all, it’s not like you’re moving to China to communicate with the locals – so, why bother?

The truth is, you don’t have to go the extra mile. But you do need to consider the horrendous pitfalls of resorting to a language tool that not only defies the purpose of translation, but also perpetuates cultural barriers by inhibiting communication. Don’t let a computerized dictionary put words in your mouth – say what you really mean to say!

She Said What?

While it may be seemingly innocent and forgivable to make spelling or grammatical errors working on a Chinese-to-English translation, you should bear this in mind: all it takes to separate the word “tasty” from “nasty” is the letter “n”.

With technological innovation allowing us to connect with people across the globe, it’s easy to take for granted the human element that permeates our routine interactions. This is why it’s important to consider an alternative to emotionless technology like Google Translate to express your personal thoughts, feelings and opinions – be they educational, social, professional or intimate.

What’s the Alternative? 

One of the main reasons people choose to use Google Translate (and concurrently butcher some of the most beautiful languages in the world), is its accessibility through a computer or Smartphone with nothing more than a Wi-Fi connection.  

At first glance, this may seem worth a try, but as you now know, the results could be potentially disastrous. Why risk embarrassment in front of a valuable Chinese client or esteemed figure when you could ensure clear and thorough communication with a professional Chinese language translator?

LIMPID Language and Internet Services in China has been delivering high-quality language content for international companies across the world. Check out their impressive list of satisfied clients and contact them today for any and all queries related to a reliable translation service offered by authentic Chinese professionals.

Importance of Verbal Identity in the Chinese Market

From the past decade, roughly during the period 2005-2015, China has gone through a turbulent ride of swift developments. In the world of marketing and brand positioning, the fascinating thing about giving the brand a name is that it is mostly done at the start of the brand’s life.

This alternately indicates that if a brand has been planned, the brand’s individuality and value proposition hasn’t been paved in its entirety. In fact, prior to a full launch of a product, the interaction with stakeholders has been explicit, and the project has been developed and fully-grown, a brand name is determined.

During the process deciding on a brand name, the brand consultancies get a chance to interact with the brands in their formative years, before brand personality is set in stone. The power of the brand name allows the brand team to view their brand through a totally new and different outlook. All in all, naming persuades the brand positioning by authorizing it at an infancy stage through its development.

While this is true in almost every country, it is specifically correct in China, where this holds true too even the alphabetic names and for the Chinese names of western brands.

Brand Name Localization

The novelty for Western brands is that they possibly will come with a portfolio of brands that are still not launched in China. Instantly giving them their own space, but as a specifically foreign brand, this space is unfamiliar and mysterious for Chinese customers, intrinsically vague and open-ended.

In a country like China, where there is an idiosyncratic culture and an immensely competitive environment, the need for brand localization is very high; Chinese brand naming being the center of this localization. In other words, it is a new beginning for the brand.

6 Laws of Chinese Brand Naming

Chinese names have become a necessity for international brands aiming to make a mark in China. Even the most historical and classic brands (i.e. Louis Vuitton, now 路易威登) have implemented localized arrangement and there are 6 grounds for this need:

1. Chinese consumers are exceedingly using Chinese brand names when trying to collect brand information.
2. If you, a foreign brand company, fail to give your brand a Chinese name, someone else certainly will (such as customers, competitors, distributors, and counterfeiters).
3. A Chinese name enhances a brand’s equity and allows it to grow over the course of time.
4. A well-defined Chinese brand name can make the brand’s verbal distinctiveness linguistically engaging and persuasive to the target market.
5. The Chinese brand name is the local personification of the brand’s customs, principles, individuality, and vision. This way of localization helps the brand achieve a lot more in its lifetime.
6. Finally, the interesting aspect of foreign names that used to attract Chinese consumers is evenhanded by the danger of being professed as a massive international brand that is far-flung from the Chinese consumer.

Looking for an online English to Chinese translation service to help your business make a successful launch in the Chinese market?

Limpid Translations is a reliable translation services provider you can count on. In addition to offering English to Chinese translation services, they provide you with a marketing strategy to conquer the Chinese market.

Visit http://limpid-translations.com/ for more information.

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