Key Technical Practices for Chinese-Language Websites

1. Mainland China: Simplified Chinese and the Great Firewall

Language: Simplified Chinese
Example: JD.com (www.jd.com)
Why It Matters: Mainland China, home to the world’s largest internet market, primarily uses Simplified Chinese. Developers targeting this market need to ensure compatibility with the Great Firewall of China and comply with local internet regulations, making it one of the most technically demanding markets in the world.

Technical Requirements:

ICP License: Websites hosted in China must obtain an ICP (Internet Content Provider) license from the Chinese government. This is mandatory for any commercial website.
Server Location: For optimal performance and to comply with regulations, websites should be hosted in China. Popular cloud services such as Alibaba Cloud and Tencent Cloud offer in-country server solutions.
Great Firewall Compliance: Websites must avoid restricted content and ensure that external resources (like Google Fonts or YouTube embeds) are blocked, as these services are not accessible in China.
SEO for Baidu: Google is not widely used in China; instead, Baidu is the dominant search engine. This requires different SEO tactics, such as prioritizing keywords in Simplified Chinese, meta tags, and backlinks to Chinese platforms.

User Experience Considerations:

Content Density: Chinese websites tend to favor information-dense layouts with multiple banners, carousels, and product listings. For example, JD.com uses scrolling banners and dense product categories right on the homepage to maximize information visibility.
WeChat Integration: Many websites use WeChat as a login method and social sharing platform. Integrating WeChat Pay or Alipay for e-commerce sites is essential for payment processing.

2. Taiwan: Traditional Chinese and a Clean UX

Language: Traditional Chinese
Example: PChome (www.pchome.com.tw)
Why It Matters: Taiwan uses Traditional Chinese, which is notably different from Simplified Chinese used in Mainland China. Websites in Taiwan tend to have more minimalist designs and are heavily optimized for mobile-first use, aligning with global web design trends.

Technical Requirements:

Traditional Chinese Fonts: Ensure the use of Traditional Chinese fonts that are clear and scalable across devices. Popular choices include DFKai-SB and PMingLiU.
Mobile-First Optimization: Taiwan has a high percentage of mobile users, making mobile optimization crucial. Ensure fast load times and smooth navigation, especially on e-commerce sites like PChome, where users expect quick access to product listings and checkout options.
Local Hosting: While international hosting providers like AWS can be used, many Taiwanese websites opt for Chunghwa Telecom or SeedNet for local hosting, improving speed and reliability for Taiwanese users.

User Experience Considerations:

Clean Layouts and Clear Navigation: Taiwanese websites often feature simpler, cleaner designs compared to their mainland counterparts. PChome, for instance, uses structured menus and fewer ads, focusing on usability and a smoother experience.
Trust Signals and Social Proof: As Taiwanese consumers value product reviews, websites should incorporate user-generated content, such as detailed reviews, star ratings, and even live product discussions.

3. Hong Kong: Bilingual Websites with Traditional Chinese

Language: Traditional Chinese (with some English)
Example: HKTVmall (www.hktvmall.com)
Why It Matters: Hong Kong is a bilingual region where both Traditional Chinese and English are used extensively. Websites targeting this market need to be fully bilingual, with easy toggle options between the two languages.

Technical Requirements:

Bilingual Support: Websites need robust language-switching features that allow users to seamlessly toggle between Traditional Chinese and English without disrupting the user experience. Both languages should be fully integrated into the UX, including metadata and alt tags for SEO purposes.
Content Delivery Network (CDN): Use a reliable CDN such as Cloudflare or Akamai to ensure fast load times, as Hong Kong’s proximity to Mainland China means sites must compete with high-latency mainland networks.
Payment Gateway Integration: Hong Kong users expect seamless integration with both Alipay and WeChat Pay, as well as global options like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.

User Experience Considerations:

Bilingual Navigation: Sites like HKTVmall use clear bilingual navigation and offer easy access to promotions, product reviews, and shopping carts in both languages.
Mobile Optimization: Hong Kong’s mobile internet penetration is among the highest globally. Mobile-first design, fast checkout processes, and integration with apps like LINE or WeChat are expected.

4. Macau: Traditional Chinese with Portuguese and English Influence

Language: Traditional Chinese (with some Portuguese and English)
Example: Sands Macao (www.sandsmacao.com)
Why It Matters: Like Hong Kong, Macau is bilingual, with Traditional Chinese being the dominant language, but Portuguese and English are also common due to its colonial past. Websites targeting Macau must consider multi-language support to cater to both local residents and tourists.

Technical Requirements:

Multilingual Support: Unlike in Mainland China, Macau’s websites often need to support three languages: Traditional Chinese, Portuguese, and English. Developers should ensure that localization is not just translation but also considers cultural differences in content presentation.
Responsive Design for Tourists: Many Macau-based websites, particularly in tourism and hospitality (like Sands Macao), cater to international users and must prioritize a responsive design that works across global browsers and devices.
Local and Global SEO: Optimizing content for both local search engines (Yahoo! Hong Kong) and global engines (Google) ensures that websites attract both local users and international tourists.

User Experience Considerations:

Tourist-Focused Content: Websites like Sands Macao provide a smooth and multi-lingual experience, offering seamless navigation between language options and focusing heavily on mobile optimization for tourists.
Integrated Booking Systems: Macau’s hospitality and entertainment industries often feature integrated booking systems that are optimized for both local and international payments, including UnionPay, Alipay, and major credit cards.

Why Understanding Chinese Website Preferences Is Crucial for Developers

Building websites for Chinese-speaking regions presents unique challenges in terms of language, design, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance. Each market—whether Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau—comes with its own set of technical requirements that developers must take into account. Key differences include:

Script Variations: Understanding when to use Simplified Chinese (Mainland China) vs. Traditional Chinese (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau) is critical.
Cultural Nuances: Websites must cater to local user behaviors, such as dense content layouts in China or minimalist designs in Taiwan.
Mobile-First Design: All of these regions have high mobile penetration, so developers need to prioritize fast-loading, responsive websites with seamless navigation for mobile users.

Best Practices for Developing Chinese Websites

To succeed in Chinese-speaking markets, follow these technical best practices:

Localization Beyond Translation:
- Use appropriate fonts for Simplified or Traditional Chinese, ensuring readability across devices. Avoid direct translation—consider cultural nuances in design and content.
Optimize for Local Search Engines:
- Baidu SEO for Mainland China, Yahoo! Hong Kong for Hong Kong, and Google for Taiwan and Macau. Each requires different SEO strategies.
Mobile-First and Fast Load Times:
- Prioritize responsive design and optimize images, scripts, and fonts to reduce load times, especially for mobile users in high-density regions.
Compliance with Local Regulations:
- For Mainland China, securing an ICP license, hosting in China, and ensuring compliance with the Great Firewall are non-negotiable.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Brez Studios

Expanding into new markets can be complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Brez Studios, we specialize in helping businesses overcome challenges and scale quickly in Asia. Our expert team is here to guide you through every step, from localization to customer support, ensuring your success in the region. Schedule a free consultation with us today and discover how we can help you unlock new opportunities and grow your business with confidence.