(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction
Forget trying to be everywhere. In China’s 2025 digital ecosystem, 90 % of results come from mastering just five platforms — and doing it the Chinese way. Here’s the exact hierarchy and strategy overseas brands need today.
1. WeChat – Your Digital Headquarters
1.1 Must-Have Assets
- Verified Official Account + Mini-Program + Enterprise WeChat + Video Accounts. 1.2 Private Domain Is Retention, Not Acquisition
- Average lifetime value of a WeChat member is 8–12× higher than open-market traffic.
2. Douyin – Your Growth Engine
2.1 Paid + Organic Hybrid Is Mandatory
- Top brands spend 40–60 % of budget on Douyin ads while building organic reach. 2.2 Live & Short Video Still Deliver 5–15× ROAS in 2025
3. Xiaohongshu – Your Trust & Premium Channel
3.1 Content-Led Strategy Only
- 1,000+ high-quality notes per quarter beats any paid campaign. 3.2 Highest Conversion for Beauty, Health, and Luxury Lifestyle
4. Tmall / JD – Your Official Flagship & Credibility Anchor
4.1 Still Needed for Brand Legitimacy and Search Ranking
- Consumers check Tmall/JD reviews before buying anywhere else.
4.2 Cross-Store Data Sync With Mini-Programs Is Now Standard
5. Meituan / Dianping – Your Local & Tourism Gateway
5.1 Essential for F&B, Hotels, and Experience Brands
- 80 %+ of domestic travel bookings start here.
Case Study: Spanish Olive Oil Brand
A family-owned Spanish extra-virgin olive oil producer worked with PLTFRM from 2023. We built a five-platform matrix with heavy focus on Xiaohongshu lifestyle content + WeChat private domain. In 2025 they achieved 520 % YoY growth and became the #1 imported olive oil brand on Tmall Global.
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!
