In just a few short years, China will soar to the position of world’s largest online market. Most businesses, of course, are flocking to this realm of opportunity. Incredibly, however, many will reach the gates with an online store incompatible with local marketplace demands. Even more challenging, China’s online market is developing with lightning speed. Keeping pace means gearing up for today and tomorrow. Magento solution partner SILK Software ensures your e-commerce site satisfies this requirement … and then some.
Drawing on its formidable Magento expertise, SILK addresses the following key considerations when developing an e-commerce site for the Chinese market.
Matching the Marketplace. Website text and product information, as well as brand image, must be precisely translated to communicate the right message. Moreover, because of cultural differences, certain consumer expectations will diverge from those of the West. SILK has the expertise and experience to ensure an air-tight marketplace matchup between merchant and consumer.
Site Design. An e-commerce site intended for the Chinese market requires specialized design considerations. For instance, online stores ideally are information-dense, offering abundant text and images. Product pages often are rich with data, whether directly relevant or not, with merchandise images displayed from every conceivable angle. This info-abundance helps build trust in a brand. It also help to justify higher retail prices. As these consumers see it, the more trustworthy the brand, the greater its worth.
Social Adaptation – Many popular Western social networks and multimedia sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube are not accessible in China. However, that nation offers equivalents such as Tuduo and Youku. Before entering China with an e-commerce site, all code corresponding to Western networks must be removed and replaced with correct coding. Failing to do so may keep your site from opening.
Checkout Structure. China has its own input fields that distinguish it from those in the West. For instance, One Name (instead of two); Address Information that includes provinces and city districts; Legal Invoices.
These differences are significant. However, they’re only some of the considerations SILK takes into account when developing an e-commerce site for China’s market. Part 2 of this series will reveal others such as Delivery Options and Payment Methods. Coming soon.