China Digital Marketing Trends (2022)

When it comes to digital marketing, China is always one of the most exciting and lucrative markets to explore. With a population of over 1.4 billion and strong economic growth, businesses of all sizes have plenty of opportunities to succeed in the digital landscape.

This article will look at some of the most important digital marketing trends to keep an eye on this year and over the next few years. These trends impact your marketing strategy, from mobile behavior to social media platforms. Let’s begin, shall we?

Table of Contents

1. Livestreaming and Live Selling
2. Social Ecommerce
3. Group-Buying
4. Private Traffic
5. Artificial Intelligence
6. Target Low-Tier Cities
7. Customized Marketing Strategy
8. KOL Marketing

1. Livestreaming and Live Selling

In China, live streaming has become one of the most popular trends in recent years, and this popularity is only set to grow in the coming years. There are many reasons for this trend.

For one, live streaming provides a unique and personal way for brands to connect with their customers. It also allows brands to show their products in real-time and answer any questions that viewers may have.

Additionally, live streaming is a highly cost-effective way to reach a large audience. And with platforms like Taobao, Kuaishou, Pinduoduo, and Douyin (TikTok) becoming increasingly popular in China, it’s no wonder that more and more businesses are turning to live streaming as a way to reach their target market.

It’s estimated that by 2025, the market for live streaming in China will be worth $76.42 billion. So if you’re looking to tap into the Chinese market, livestreaming is a trend you should keep an eye on.

2. Social E-commerce

13% of online sales account for social e-commerce sales in China. There are several reasons for this rapid growth. First, Chinese consumers increasingly turn to social media platforms like WeChat, Douyin, and Kuaishou for product discovery and recommendations.

Second, Chinese brands are investing heavily in social commerce, with many launching their own direct-to-consumer social commerce platforms.

Finally, Chinese consumers are becoming more comfortable with online purchases, thanks to improved delivery infrastructure and payment options.

Social ecommerce presents a massive opportunity for brands looking to reach Chinese consumers. By understanding the trends driving social e-commerce in China, brands can tap into this rapidly growing market.

3. Group Buying

Group buying is one of the most popular digital marketing trends in China. The Shanghai lockdown early this year has driven growth to this way of buying. There are several reasons for this popularity.

First, group buying allows businesses to reach a larger number of potential customers at a lower cost than traditional marketing methods.

Second, it is easy to track and measure the results of group-buying campaigns, which helps businesses to optimize their strategies and allocate resources more effectively.

Finally, group buying creates a sense of social pressure that encourages customers to make purchases they might not otherwise make.

This social pressure is amplified by the fact that most group-buying deals are only available for a limited time, which creates a sense of urgency. As a result, businesses that utilize group buying can generate significant sales in a short period of time.

4. Private Traffic

If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve in digital marketing in China, private traffic is a trend you need to be aware of. Private traffic refers to traffic from private channels, such as WeChat.

WeChat is one of China’s most popular messaging apps, with over 1.2 billion monthly active users. That’s a huge potential audience for businesses and brands looking to reach Chinese consumers. Moreover, private traffic is often more high-quality than public traffic since users are already engaged with the private channel they’re coming from. Brands can directly engage with users and also apply personalized marketing.

For example, someone who sees your brand on WeChat is likely to be more interested in what you have to offer than someone who catches your brand on a public website or social media platform. So if you’re looking to run an excellent private traffic marketing campaign in China, WeChat is a great place to start.

5. Artificial Intelligence

China is one of the most populous countries in the world, and it is also home to a rapidly growing economy. As a result, businesses of all types are eager to tap into the Chinese market. However, success in China requires an understanding of the unique cultural and economic landscape. One of China’s most important digital marketing trends is artificial intelligence (AI).

AI technology can be used in various ways to improve marketing campaigns. For example, AI can target ads more effectively, personalize content for individual users, and track user behavior to understand customer needs better. In addition, AI can help businesses automate many marketing tasks, freeing up time and resources devoted to other aspects of their operations.

Given the large and growing AI-powered digital marketing solutions market, it is no surprise that many businesses are eager to capitalize on this trend. However, success in China’s online marketplace will require more than just using AI; companies will also need to deeply understand the country’s culture and consumers. Those who can accomplish this will be well positioned to succeed in China’s burgeoning digital economy.

6. Target Low-Tier Cities

There are a few reasons why targeting low-tiered cities is a digital marketing trend in China this 2022. First, there is a growing middle class in these cities. As people’s incomes rise, they are increasingly looking for ways to improve their quality of life. This includes seeking out new and innovative products and services to make their lives easier and more enjoyable. As a result, companies that tap into this growing market can reap significant rewards.

Second, many low-tiered cities are located in areas with high levels of internet penetration. This means that more people in these cities have access to the internet and are using it daily. As a result, they are more likely to see online advertisements and be receptive to marketing messages.

Finally, many low-tiered cities are experiencing population growth. This is due to a combination of factors, including an influx of migrants from rural areas and improved economic conditions. This population growth provides a potential customer base that companies can target with their marketing campaigns.

7. Customized Marketing Strategy

As the world’s largest market, China presents a unique challenge for marketers. Not only are there more than 1.4 billion potential customers, but they also have a wide range of needs and preferences.

This makes it difficult to create a one-size-fits-all marketing strategy that will appeal to everyone. However, one digital marketing trend is particularly well suited to the Chinese market: customized marketing.

With personalized marketing, businesses can tailor their marketing messages to meet the specific needs of their target audience. Customers are more likely to see relevant ads, leading to higher conversion rates. In addition, personalized marketing can help businesses to build better relationships with their customers by showing that they understand their needs and preferences.

8. KOL Marketing

KOL marketing, also known as key opinion leader marketing, is a digital marketing trend in China that is growing in popularity. KOLs are influential people with a large social media following and are respected by their peers. Businesses partnering with a KOL can tap into their influence and reach a larger audience.

KOL marketing can be an effective way to promote a product or service, as well as to build brand awareness. In China, KOLs are often used alongside live streaming, another popular digital marketing trend. Businesses can use KOLs to live stream product demonstrations or show behind-the-scenes footage of their operations.

This type of content is often more engaging and authentic than traditional advertising, and it can help businesses to build trust with their audience. As KOL marketing continues to grow in popularity, we will likely see more companies using this approach to reach consumers in China.