China is obviously a vast market with 1.4 billion people. That means even capturing a small niche or focusing on one region or even city can result in big revenues.
In order to create a strong business in China, brands must create strategies for localized branding, communication, e-commerce and traditional distribution. These will require a deep understanding of consumption habits and profiling and local market. And also knowledge of local marketing and operation tools.
How to enter Chinese market? Here are the 5 steps Deep Digital China recommends you to start with. These steps are essential when our strategists build China entry strategies for our clients.
1. How to Enter Chinese market-Conduct Quality Market Research
When entering a different business environment, it is important to research your competitor’s actions. What are they doing effectively ? In what areas do they lack? It also helps with finding your own positioning. You can make comparisons with other international competition, local firms and success stories. Conducting a market survey is a great way to understand your marketplace and how you can more effectively advertise your proposition.
2. Localize Your Brand
It is important for brands to develop a reputation in order to enter the Chinese market. Many variables go into the making and localizing of a brand name. Therefore, it is vital to come up with a name that associates the message that your company wishes to convey. It is also important for companies to be aware of how the name translates into other languages.
3. Localize Your Unique Selling Proposition
Bands should keep in mind that those products and services taking Instagram (or other foreign media channels) by storm, might not actually be very popular in China. The Chinese market is essential for most luxury brands, as well as digital product brands such as Apple, on-the-go brands such as Starbucks, lifestyle brands such as Ikea, and many more. However, it should also be noted that all of these brand successes came with experience and understanding of the different needs of foreign markets.
4. Develop Digital Marketing Strategy
With over 800 million Internet users and a vibrant social media scene, well-thought digital marketing in China’s strategy can do miracles. If you want to learn details about the Chinese digital marketing channels, can visit DDC for further info.
5. Be ready to react and adjust quickly
You should have a flexible mindset when enter the Chinese market. A unique feature of the Chinese digital market is its fast-paced development. For example, something that was mainstream yesterday might be not an option tomorrow. However, a lot of foreign brands do not adapt to these changes, which leads to weaker product visibility and decreasing brand loyalty.
Today, in order to get a space on the Tmall platform, foreign brands must go through a detailed assessment by Alibaba’s representatives, in order to find out whether they’ll have a ‘fighting chance’ on this platform. This includes an analysis of the brand’s mindset. Only flexible and adaptable brands’ are able to receive a green light and join the platform.
If you are interested in China market or looking for ways of how to enter it, just don’t hesitate to contact Deep Digital China for further info.