What are the differences between building a foreign trade independent website and a Chinese website, and what aspects need attention?

As you can see, Naibabiji shares knowledge for foreign trade professionalson building their own websites, while also answering many questions from netizens. In the process, some issues that foreign trade professionals haven't fully grasped have been identified. Therefore, this article shares the differences between building a foreign trade independent website and a Chinese website, along with points that require attention.

Differences between building a foreign trade independent website and a Chinese website

Most directly, for foreign trade website building and Chinese website building, theirprimary difference is the language used. Foreign trade websites are generally in English or other foreign languages, while Chinese websites primarily feature Chinese content. Simultaneously, because the languages differ, the target audience of the websites also differs. Foreign trade websites mainly target overseas users, whereas Chinese websites target domestic users.A secondary difference is the targeted search engines. For SEO promotion of foreign trade websites, the focus is typically onGoogle SEOWhile Chinese websites focus on Baidu SEO, the optimization techniques for Baidu and Google differ. Similarly, for paid promotions, the advertising platforms also vary. Foreign trade websites typically advertise on platforms like Google AdWords and Facebook, whereas in China, it's Baidu and Toutiao.

So, what should be noted when building a foreign trade website?

Note 1: Website Building Program

Many Chinese websites use site-building programs developed by web design companies, which are relatively simple but not necessarily suitable for Google SEO or the foreign internet ecosystem. WordPress is the preferred CMS system for the majority of foreign trade websites, though it's not absolute; the most suitable site-building program should be chosen based on actual circumstances.

Note 2: Server Location

Naiba really can't understand why some business owners think that having a web design company translate a Chinese site into English on a domestic server turns it into a foreign trade official website. Just as we experience slow speeds when opening foreign websites, foreign users will also find your site on a domestic server very slow or even inaccessible. More reliable web design companies might suggest a Hong Kong server because it doesn't require ICP filing, offers fast domestic speeds, and conveniently hosts both your Chinese and English sites. While foreign trade sites on Hong Kong servers are faster for international access compared to domestic servers, many Hong Kong servers limit bandwidth, causing lag during high traffic. Therefore, it's recommended to choose a server provider located in your main customer region for foreign trade websites. Here's a recommendation:SiteGround。

Note 3: Multilingual Website

There are multiple ways to implement a multilingual website. The simplest is to install a translation plugin that automatically translates into other languages with a click, but accuracy is certainly low. A slightly better option is to install a professional translation plugin that allows both automatic and manual translation. Naiba believes the most suitable method for multilingual implementation is to build a separate website for each language. Although it may seem more complex, this approach offers greater advantages in the long run. For details, refer to the previous analysis article:Scientific Methods for Building a Multilingual WordPress Website_Plugins Are Not the Best Choice

Note 4: Saving on Theme Costs

Having contacted manybuild my own websiteforeign trade users, they are reluctant to spend money on a higher-end paid theme or feel that paid themes are unattractive and don't match their aesthetic. First, for beginners, using a free theme makes it nearly impossible to implement necessary content and layout adjustments. Second, premium themes are meticulously designed by excellent foreign designers; professionals' aesthetics are more aligned with practical needs than most non-expert business owners'. If you've seen enough, you can roughly distinguish between Chinese foreign trade websites and genuine foreign ones just by their interface. When in Rome, do as the Romans do—don't expect users to align with your perspective. That's all for the differences between foreign trade and Chinese website building; many other details are only noticed during actual website operation. Being stuck at home for over a month due to the pandemic has slowed my thinking. In summary, whether you plan to rely on advertising or SEO, try to use WordPress. Don't approach foreign trade websites with the mindset of investing neither effort nor money yet expecting revenue—such sites will eventually be outcompeted.