I’ve been doing some research on Chinese Internet usage and even Chinese SEO. At Docstoc we offer content in a variety of languages (some 50+). As you can probably imagine, our English content makes up the bulk of our traffic today. However I think now is the time for content sites to focus on their foreign language content as well.
Starting with China, let’s take a quick look at some of the challenges and trends developing over there.
A Billion Bikes on The Highway
Source: China Internet Network Information Center
It’s not surprising that China recently surpassed the United States in terms of Internet Users. Given their huge population and shifting classes, more and more residents are coming online. Imagine how high this will be in 5 years.
Google Is Not Your Master There
Search Engines are the main traffic driver for any good content site. So it’s interesting to learn that Google does not dominate the search market in China. Instead its Baidu, a Google like experience that has been tailored for the region. For me this raises all types of questions, some about basic SEO tactics and of course the censorship issue.
Attack of the Clones
Sure they have Web 2.0 in China, hell they already cloned many of your favorite sites. Every great idea Silicon Valley creates gets reborn here with a Chinese twist. For example, their LinkedIn is less about six figure blue shirts and more about networking through events and online photos. Having a good (and appropriate) presence on these sites is going to be important.
If anyone has any experiance with China online I’d like to hear about it in the comments or my mailbox.
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Sean Percival is an internet entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, California.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
China is an amazing place from a technical standpoint. In the telecom industry, many companies have to create specific, tailored products and solutions just for China, it’s amazing. But it’s such a large market, it’s worth it.
A lot of companies will need to expand their advertising thoughts as they go into global markets. Global brands are going to be key for that.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for stopping by Patricia, I am so tired of hearing “international visitors dont monetize well”.
I think you are right, they should be saying “we don’t know how to properly monetize international viewers”
August 4th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for linking to China Web 2.0 Review, hope our article can give you some helps.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:04 am
I’m glad China is starting to loosen some of their restrictions on the internet. Now more websites are accessible.