Frequently Asked Questions – China SEO

China-Specific SEO Questions

Do we need a “.CN” domain or URL? Will it help to improve my rankings?

According to Chinese law, only organizations with registered offices in China can apply for a .CN domain. However, this has minimal impact on your search rankings.

Once your domain and account are properly registered with Chinese search engines and your content is indexed, you’ll receive the same search ranking value as local domains. Chinese users are accustomed to international URL formats, and addresses like “yourbrand.com/cn” or “yourbrand.co.uk/cn” actually help users identify your official Chinese pages.

Does Google Translate work well in Chinese?

Absolutely not. Chinese users immediately recognize machine-translated content and typically abandon such pages after the first line. Using translation software not only muddles your message but can significantly damage your brand’s reputation.

Quality Chinese content demonstrates that your brand values both Chinese culture and business opportunities. To support our international clients, we provide professional translation services that preserve your brand voice while ensuring cultural relevance.

Does Baidu operate in English or other languages?

No. Baidu operates exclusively in Chinese. However, ChinaSEO provides weekly or monthly translated metrics, data reports, and analysis in English to ensure our international clients fully understand their performance.

We already have Google and Yahoo SEO and accounts, does that help in China?

While Google SEO provides some value in China, its impact is limited compared to Baidu, which currently handles approximately 70% of daily search queries in China. It’s worth noting that Google.com is completely blocked in mainland China.

Your optimal SEO strategy depends on your target audience. For businesses serious about the Chinese market, we strongly recommend establishing a Baidu account regardless of your existing search engine presence.

What is an “SEO Cost Per View Curve” or CPV Curve

SEO is a long-term investment that becomes increasingly cost-effective over time. The CPV Curve illustrates the relationship between traffic/new views and your PPC expenditure.

As your brand gains traction in China, you’ll notice a steady increase in viewers while your PPC costs remain relatively stable. This improving ratio dramatically enhances your ROI—the ultimate goal of effective SEO strategy.

What can we do if the core keywords are banned in PPC in China?

This situation occurs occasionally, particularly with keywords related to gambling or adult content. Our approach involves:

• Conducting comprehensive keyword analysis to identify relevant alternative keywords
• Analyzing potential customer behavior patterns to determine indirect targeting opportunities
• Developing content strategies that address user intent without triggering restrictions

This indirect targeting methodology can be highly effective even in challenging regulatory environments.

What’s the right time for me to start a search engine marketing campaign in China?

There’s no better time than now! With nearly 300 million internet users in China—more than 200 million actively using major search engines—the potential audience is enormous. Securing higher rankings in Chinese search engines is one of the most powerful marketing strategies available.

Our campaigns typically follow a 12-month framework, with the first three months dedicated to intensive education, research, analysis, technical programming, and testing. The sooner you begin, the faster you’ll establish your digital footprint in this critical market.

What are the costs to expect?

Investment levels depend on two key factors: the importance of online traffic to your business model and your competitors’ activity levels.

For context:

• Niche luxury brands or specialized OEM producers typically invest $12,000-16,000 annually on SEO
• Large hotel chains or high-visibility brands may allocate $20,000-30,000 monthly

If your competitors are actively investing in SEO and your business relies on online visibility, their spending effectively sets the benchmark for maintaining competitiveness.

General SEO Questions

What is Search Engine Optimization or SEO?

SEO is the strategic process of enhancing a website’s visibility and traffic quality through “natural” or “organic” search results. Unlike paid advertising, SEO focuses on improving your site’s relevance and authority within search engine algorithms.

How can search engine optimization impact my business?

Effective SEO isn’t merely about increasing traffic—it’s about connecting with qualified potential customers. With China’s internet user base approaching 300 million—200 million of whom regularly use search engines—the potential audience is vast. A strategic, sustainable approach to capturing this market can transform your business growth trajectory.

Why do I need SEO?

SEO is particularly critical for competitive online sectors including e-commerce, tourism, education, FMCG brands, tech companies, and financial services. Your specific needs depend on several factors:

• The centrality of web traffic to your business model
• Competitor activity levels and keyword competitiveness
• Seasonal fluctuations in bid prices for key terms
• Your website’s technical optimization and user experience
• Your PPC strategy and campaign calendar
• Your current brand awareness level in China (on a scale of 1-10)

Businesses with established brand recognition can focus PPC on seasonal campaigns, while those with lower awareness require consistent investment to build and maintain market share.

How does SEO compare to my other marketing investments?

The marketing landscape has transformed dramatically with the rise of the internet. While SEO has only been strategically incorporated by large companies over the past five years, it has rapidly become an essential component of any serious online business strategy.

The unparalleled reach of the internet—allowing instant connection with potential customers worldwide, at any time—has propelled search engine optimization to the forefront of digital marketing. Companies that recognize its strategic value and implement it effectively gain a significant competitive advantage.

How Do You Choose the Best Keywords?

Our SEO campaigns begin with comprehensive Keyword Profile development through detailed analysis. Based on your initial input, we leverage our expertise and proprietary techniques to generate a list of high-performing, frequently-searched terms relevant to your industry.

We then collaborate closely with you to refine this list, combining your industry knowledge with our search expertise to create a keyword profile optimized for your specific products or services. This partnership approach ensures we target the most effective terms possible.

Will You Need to Access Our Web Server?

Yes, server access is necessary to upload and update optimized pages. We maintain clear communication regarding all changes and implementations. If other team members modify your site, coordination is essential to preserve optimization efforts.

Do You Have to Make Changes to Our Site?

While many optimizations occur behind the scenes in your source code, minor modifications to copy or layout may be necessary. These changes are typically minimal and always presented on our test server for your approval before implementation.

Can I see how my competitors are ranking for my targeted keywords?

Absolutely. Our Site Competing Analysis, Keyword Analysis, and Monthly Ranking Reports provide comparative data on several competitor sites, including those ranking 1st, 5th, 10th, 20th, etc. This allows you to benchmark your performance against direct competitors across identical search terms.

Can you guarantee a number 1 position in the search engines?

No reputable SEO company can guarantee specific rankings. Too many factors lie beyond control—search engines constantly evolve their algorithms, competitors adjust their strategies, and new sites enter the market daily. What we do promise is strategic implementation of proven optimization techniques and transparent reporting on results.

How often do you resubmit my site to search engines?

For properly optimized sites, regular resubmission is generally unnecessary, though we find monthly submissions to certain engines helps maintain rankings. Our comprehensive ranking reports and maintenance checks monitor your site every four weeks.

If your site maintains strong rankings, resubmission is unnecessary. However, if we detect ranking drops, we immediately diagnose the issue and implement appropriate adjustments. This proactive monitoring is included in your Monthly Site Ranking Management Service.

How often will I receive search engine ranking reports?

We provide detailed ranking reports to all clients on a monthly basis, ensuring you always have current performance data.

How will I know if my business increases as a result of top rankings?

Our sophisticated monthly tracking reports monitor campaign effectiveness throughout your engagement. At the twelve-month mark, we provide comprehensive comparative analysis measuring current performance against your baseline metrics from campaign initiation.

What’s the best SEO tool?

Modern SEO tools address three core areas: keyword selection, on-page optimization, and link building. Additional tools focus on analytics and performance measurement.

However, it’s important to recognize that SEO itself is merely a tool supporting broader marketing strategies and business objectives. The best tools are those that align with your specific goals and integrate seamlessly with your overall digital strategy.

How long does the SEO work take?

Effective SEO follows a predictable timeline:

• 3 months: Initial trackable, reliable traffic improvements
• 6 months: Solid momentum and “brand traction” establishment
• 12 months: Sustained brand awareness and consistent “search market share”

I’m still confused and have more questions about your services.

We welcome your questions before, during, and after campaign implementation. Client communication is our priority—we’re committed to helping you achieve better rankings and fully understand our methodologies. Contact us anytime for personalized assistance with your specific concerns.