The Great Firewall policy has made website localization a necessity for international brands aiming to enter Mainland China. Hosting your website locally is a key part of this process. Without it, websites hosted outside China face slow loading times and poor SEO performance on Chinese search engines.
Choosing the right hosting solution is critical. It directly impacts your website’s performance, especially for potential Chinese customers. From faster loading speeds to improved search engine visibility, hosting in China offers significant advantages. This guide walks you through every step, providing tips to navigate these challenges effectively.
Step 1: Choose a Local Domain Name Provider
The first step to hosting your website in China is to select a registered Chinese domain provider such as Alibaba Cloud, Baidu Cloud, Huawei Cloud, etc. This step is very important because it will simplify the ICP license application process, as these domain providers are legally registered with the Ministry in China. Before choosing a local domain name provider, you should keep these two things in mind: Firstly, Only Chinese citizens or enterprises can purchase Chinese domain names (.CN). If Foreign individuals and companies want to acquire one, a legal entity in China is needed. Secondly, to obtain a local domain name provider, some valid identification is required, so you need to provide one of these: a resident ID, a business license, temporary resident ID, or organization code certificate from China.
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Step 2 : Apply for the ICP License
The ICP license is mandatory for legally hosting a website in China. There are two types:
1. ICP Filing (营性ICP/ICP案): For non-commercial and informational websites with no sales purpose.
2. ICP Commercial License (经营性ICP): Required for e-commerce sites that include online payment functionalities.
What is an ICP license for? In a word, an ICP license ensures proper website functionality in China; without it, your website will face the possibility of being blocked and lower rankings, thus damaging your business growth. Websites that load perfectly in Europe or the other parts of the world cannot function well in China; for example, it needs longer loading time or it will violate the Chinese regulations since the website doesn’t have an ICP license.
Step 3: Consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
After legally establishing your website, you can consider using Content Delivery Network (CDN) within China to improve the loading speed and reliability of the website. Content Delivery Network (CDN) can help international brands operate websites both inside and outside Mainland China. It helps brands deliver content from the website to end-users in various geographic locations based on a network of servers, providing global users a seamless web experience.
Step 4: Adapt your website to the Chinese Digital Ecosystem
4.1 Make your website Mobile-Friendly
Approximately 75% of e-commerce sales in China are made via mobile. A mobile-optimized website boosts visibility and attracts more customers, resulting in a higher ranking in search engines. So after setting up your website, please make it adapt to the desktop and mobile phone users
4.2 Optimizing your website for Chinese Search Engines (SEO)
If you want to optimize your website, make sure it complies with the preferences of Baidu. SEO in China should focus on Baidu but not Google, as it is the leader of Chinese search engines, and the regulations on SEO will be totally different. To optimize your website for Baidu, you need to keep in mind these important factors:
● Baidu prefers localized websites, and websites that are hosted locally in China will have a higher search engine ranking than those that are hosted outside of China.
● A Chinese website with the domain “cn” has higher authority and credibility, so it has a bigger chance to obtain higher search rankings.
● Optimizing keywords for Baidu’s algorithm. It is crucial to understand the unique nuances of the Chinese language, including regional dialects and cultural context, as these can significantly influence search behavior.
4.3 Integrating Chinese social media with your website
With Facebook and Instagram banned in mainland China, WeChat has emerged as the preferred social platform among Chinese users. Apart from WeChat, QQ, Weibo, and Douyin are also good choices. Unlike western countries, Chinese are not getting used to emails; on the contrary, they strongly rely on WeChat and other social media platforms to sign up for websites and receive information. Consequently, it’s essential to link these social media platforms to your Chinese Website. Incorporating user registration and login options via these social media platforms will help you effectively engage your target audience.
4.4 Tailoring Website Design to Meet Chinese Consumer Preferences
China has a rich cultural heritage that influences consumer behavior, preferences, and aesthetics. Also, Chinese internet users have specific expectations regarding website functionality and layout. To effectively align your website design with local preferences, consider the following strategies:
● Consider navigation and layout preferences: Chinese websites typically utilize a horizontal layout, presenting content across the page instead of stacking it vertically. Although this design may result in a busier appearance, effectively utilizing the available space is crucial to meeting user expectations.
● Facilitate seamless navigation: Chinese websites commonly offer a variety of navigation options, including broad categories and shortcuts to frequently accessed topics. Links usually open in new windows or tabs, enabling users to quickly compare information. Designing for intuitive navigation is crucial, particularly for mobile users, as mobile browsing is the primary method of access for many in China.
● Integrate QR Codes: QR codes are commonly displayed on the homepages of Chinese websites. This integration enhances mobile user experiences, allowing users to effortlessly scan the codes for quick access to additional information about products, promotional offers, or benefits.
4.5 Secure and Speed Up Your Website
To enhance both the security and efficiency of your website, it is essential to incorporate popular payment options that are widely used in China.
Payment methods such as Alipay and WeChat Pay are integral to facilitating smooth transactions and boosting user trust.
5. Contact STAiiRS!
It can be a challenge to navigate the complexities of setting up and hosting a website in China. Contact us today to start your journey towards successful website hosting in China!
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