(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction
China’s fast-evolving consumer market demands more than intuition; it requires rigorous, insight-led product development. Overseas brands that leverage local research, behavioral data, and cultural signals achieve faster, more relevant product innovation. Here’s how to build insight-driven products that win in China.
1. Building Consumer-Centric Research Programs
1.1 Early-Stage Focus Groups
- Approach: Conduct qualitative interviews with target consumers at the ideation stage.
- Impact: Surfaces unmet needs before product development even begins.
1.2 Digital Ethnography
- Method: Analyze consumer behaviors across platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and WeChat for trend discovery.
- Benefit: Captures emerging preferences organically.
2. Applying Behavioral Analytics
2.1 Purchase Journey Mapping
- Tactic: Map how consumers discover, evaluate, and purchase products within China’s online ecosystems.
- Result: Informs product feature prioritization and pricing models.
2.2 In-App User Behavior Studies
- Plan: Track behaviors within Tmall or JD stores to understand browsing-to-purchase funnels.
- Impact: Refines UX/UI decisions for new product launches.
3. Integrating Social Listening Insights
3.1 Platform Sentiment Analysis
- Strategy: Monitor Xiaohongshu discussions and Douyin comment threads around your product category.
- Benefit: Identifies both product desires and pain points.
3.2 Trend-Driven Product Adjustments
- Approach: Adjust features or positioning based on real-time social sentiment.
- Impact: Speeds up time-to-market relevance.
4. Co-Creation with Local Communities
4.1 Beta Testing with Key Segments
- Tactic: Involve superusers and micro-influencers in early product testing cycles.
- Benefit: Builds emotional investment and rapid feedback loops.
4.2 Community-Driven Product Tweaks
- Plan: Adapt final products based on open feedback from loyal customer communities.
- Impact: Enhances authenticity and acceptance.
Case Study: A South Korean Skincare Brand’s Research-Driven Success
Before launching in China, a South Korean skincare brand used Douyin trend analysis and focus groups in first-tier and lower-tier cities. They discovered Chinese consumers valued “cooling” skincare textures far more than expected. After reformulating one hero product and repositioning it as a summer must-have, they achieved a 5X higher sales volume during the first 618 shopping festival.
PLTFRM is an international brand consulting agency that works with companies such as Red, TikTok, Tmall, Baidu, and other well-known Chinese internet e-commerce platforms. We have been working with Chile Cherries for many years, reaching Chinese consumers in depth through different platforms and realizing that Chile Cherries’ exports in China account for 97% of the total exports in Asia. Contact us, and we will help you find the best China e-commerce platform for you. Search PLTFRM for a free consultation!
