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.