How to Open a Xiaohongshu Shop: A Complete Guide for Brand and Business (2024)
Are you a brand or business planning to enter the Chinese market through Xiaohongshu?
Or are you thinking about opening a Xiaohongshu shop but don’t know where to start?
Congrats!
In this post, I’ll walk you through the process of setting up a Xiaohongshu shop and also share practical tips for getting more exposure.
You’ll learn how to use carousels, videos, live streaming, and other Xiaohongshu business features to capture users’ attention and drive sales of your products.
Let’s go!
Why Should You Sell on Xiaohongshu?
As one of the most popular social media platforms in China, Xiaohongshu has become a pivotal space for brands to advertise and sell their products.
According to the latest data, there are over 140,000 brands actively engaging in branding on Xiaohongshu, which clearly reflects that the platform offers significant opportunities.
Moreover, Xiaohongshu boasts more than 300 million active users. Most of them are young people from developed areas with strong purchasing power. This demographic presents a large market that can generate revenue for businesses.
And the most important thing is that, Xiaohongshu simplifies the process for brands to enhance their visibility.
With Xiaohongshu, brands can showcase their products through various ways like carousels, videos, or live streaming. If users come across your content, they can directly click the product link below your post to purchase the product, streamlining the journey from marketing to sales in one convenient app.
Are you ready to launch your Xiaohongshu shop?
Next, I’ll guide you through a step-by-step process to get started. I’ve also included tips to help you effectively market and sell your products. Keep reading to learn more!
4 Steps for Setting Up Xiaohongshu Shop
Attention!
According to Xiaohongshu’s requirements, brands must set up their store using a PC. The mobile app does not support this function. So make sure you are using the right platform. Here I will show you how to do it step by step:
Step 1: Set Up a Business/Pro Account
To open a Xiaohongshu shop, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you are eligible.
According to Xiaohongshu’s requirement, only Business/Pro Account can open a store. Business/Pro Account is a specialized account tailored for businesses aiming to establish a strong presence on the platform. If you want to learn more about it, you can link to the post: How to Open a Xiaohongshu Business Account?
To open Business/Pro Account, you need to:
- Visit the website: Xiaohongshu
- Log in to your personal Xiaohongshu account
- Click “Business Cooperation” bottom on the top right corner
- Click “Pro Account”
Select the first option, “Opening a shop and selling product”, then the page will automatically direct to the Xiaohongshu e-commerce website. You will complete the remaining steps on this platform.
Step 2: Choose the Type of Entity
Log in to your account and then choose your type of entity.
There are 3 types of entity here, each eligible to open different types of Xiaohongshu shop.
If you want to set up a shop under your international company, you should select the third option: Enterprise/Company, because the others require a Chinese ID and Chinese business license.
To learn more about store types and the required entity , you can check the table below:
Step 3: Submit Required Materials
Now let’s move to the step of submitting required materials.
For oversea brand who wanna open a xiaohnogshu flagship store, the necessary documents include:
- Business License
- Business License for Domestic Entrusted Enterprises
- Authorization Letter
- Customs Declaration Registration Certificate (stamped with the official seal of the Customs ) / Customs import and export goods consignee and consignor record receipt (including a screenshot from the customs website)
- Photo of your passport
- Trademark Registration Certificate / Notice of Acceptance for Application for Trademark Registration/Trademark Document (Overseas)
Note that Xiaohongshu may update these requirements periodically.
So make sure to check the latest requirements on their website before applying: Xiaohongshu Merchant Materials and Cost
Step 4: Wait for Verification
After submitting all the required information, all you need to do is wait for the platform to verify your materials.
This process may take 7 business day or more. So be patient.
Once your application is approved, you can start uploading your product catalog and begin selling your products!
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to setting up your Xiaohongshu shop and tapping into a vast market of eager consumers!
Three Practical Ways for Marketing Your Xiaohongshu Shop
Now you’ve set up your Xiaohongshu shop, but is only half the work.
Just like any other e-commerce store, you still need to promote it.
The difference is, you don’t need to drive traffic to other platforms, which can lead to customer dropout. Once you have a Xiaohongshu shop, users can purchase with one click, increasing conversion rates.
Here I’d like to introduce you three common ways to attract your target audience. Keep reading to find out more!
1. Carousel
As the most common type of post on Xiaohongshu, carousels are incredibly effective for getting your shop exposed to a larger audience.
Xiaohongshu carousels allow you to share up to 18 pictures in a single post, making them a great way to showcase different angles, features, or variations of your product.
Meanwhile, customers can also see the users’ review in the comments section below. This comprehensive view helps potential customers to make informed purchasing decisions.
More importantly, customers can easily link to the product by clicking the product button on the lower left corner, and then complete their purchase on the platform quickly and effortlessly.
To make your carousel more attractive, remember that:
- A visually appealing cover and an engaging title matter a lot, because they determine whether your target audience will click on your carousel to learn more about your product.
- However, this is just the beginning. High-quality content is essential for converting viewers into buyers. So use clear, concise captions to convey your message effectively. This will help ensure that your audience understands the value of your product and is more likely to make a purchase.
Carousel Example
2. Video
Unlike Instagram reels, which limit users to 120-second videos, Xiaohongshu videos have no time limit.
This allows brands to create detailed videos that provide a more detailed product showcase.
Videos can show the appearance, function and use of product in action, which make them more persuasive than static images.
Additionally, you improve your videos with music, special effects, editing, and other creative techniques to produce more engaging content.
To make a good video, keep in mind that:
- The first few seconds of your video are crucial — they decide if people keep watching. Start by introducing your topic and explaining why it matters right away.
- Good storytelling keeps viewers engaged throughout your video, stirring emotions and forming a strong bond with your audience. This makes your content more impactful and boosts product sales.
Video Example
3. Live Stream
In recent years, live streaming gets more and more popularity in Chinese social media platforms.
Live streams allow real-time interaction with your audience. This direct engagement builds a sense of community and trust, and it can make viewers more likely to purchase products.
Unlike carousel and videos that can be edited, live streaming is unedited and unscripted, which also adds a layer of authenticity.
Here are some tips to attract more potential audience to your live stream on Xiaohongshu:
- Before going live, you can post preview notes to encourage potential viewers to reserve a spot for your live stream.
- Since your live stream will appear on the explore page alongside carousels and videos, having an eye-catching cover and engaging title is also crucial to attract more viewers.
- During the live stream, setting up interactive segments is essential. For instance, Q&A sessions with prizes, giveaways, and other incentives can encourages viewers to participate in the live chat and boost their engagement.
- Meanwhile, offering special discounts on products during the live stream or providing exclusive live stream coupons can give users pricing advantages. Promotions such as tiered discounts or buy-one-get-one offers can also boost purchase.
These strategies can help maximize engagement and attract a larger audience to your Xiaohongshu live streams.
But remember, taking action is key to achieving success!
Conclusion
Opening a Xiaohongshu shop isn’t overly challenging, but it does require dedication.
If you wanna save time and only focus on your core business and procduct, leave the xiaohongshu marketing to me and be hassel free.
I can help you from setting up a shop, listing product to marketing on xiaohongshu. Let’s work together to grow your business!
If you found value in this post, there are more ways I can help you!
- Follow me on Instagram @chinamarketingzl for behind-the-scenes insights into my business and Xiaohongshu tips.
- Check out my YouTube channel HERE for more free educational content.
- Visit my website at www.chinamarketingzl.com to see how we can work together.
- Email me directly for help at zoe@chinamarketingzl.com.
Meet Sofia Chen, the storyteller and designer behind today’s post. ✨
With a passion for words and design, Sofia brings stories to life through both text and visuals. 📚
Her creative flair enriches my team, and I’m grateful for her contributions to crafting compelling content.
Thank you, Sofia!
