SEO marketing plays a pivotal role in Japan’s digital landscape. In the modern era, optimizing websites, content, and online presence is essential to enhance search engine rankings. Employing effective SEO strategies enables businesses to expand their reach, increase brand visibility, and attract relevant organic traffic.
For European companies aiming to penetrate the Japanese market, a well-optimized website with localized keyword targeting is key. Learn more about other European companies in Japan that could help you orient yourself to selling products in Japan. This approach improves search engine rankings, enabling businesses to connect with Japanese consumers actively seeking their products or services. By embracing the nuances of SEO marketing in Japan, companies can effectively engage their target audience, amplify online visibility, and propel business growth.
To get you started, why not listen to our podcast on SEO Marketing with Jeff Crawford? Through this podcast, you will gain an understanding of the fundamentals of SEO and the wonders it can do for your business!
Social media Channels in Japan
In the digital space, social media channels are also important to invest in. Data Reportal gets an in-depth look at the stats that each media site has. It’s important to understand the reach that each platform allows you to have when selling products in Japan:
- Line: 89 million users (2022 data)
- Facebook: 15.5 million users (2022 data)
- YouTube: 110 million users (2022 data)
- Twitter: 58.95 million users (2022 data)
- Instagram: 46.10 million users (2022 data)
- Tiktok: 15.19 million users (2022 data)
- Facebook Messenger: 5.85 million users (2022 data)
- Snapchat: 825 thousand users (2022 data)
In our podcast, Social Media in Japan with Dustin Ikeda, we explore social media platforms that are popular in both the West and Japan, highlighting many unique platforms in Japan. You will also be able to learn about the pros and cons of agencies versus freelancers, along with common marketing mistakes.
Relevance of influencer marketing in Japan
Influencer marketing has experienced significant growth in Japan, particularly among millennials and Generation Z, due to several key factors. Firstly, young Japanese consumers highly value authenticity and personal connections, making influencers, known as tarento or “talents,” influential figures whose opinions and recommendations are trusted by their followers. Secondly, Japan boasts a vibrant social media culture, with platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok enjoying immense popularity.
This provides influencers with fertile ground to engage their audience and authentically showcase products for selling products in Japan. Lastly, the Japanese market’s niche interests and subcultures allow businesses to partner with influencers who specialize in specific areas and have a dedicated and loyal young fan base. By collaborating with these influential figures, brands can leverage their established credibility, expand their reach, and foster genuine connections with Japanese consumers, leading to increased brand awareness, engagement, and ultimately, sales.
Word-of-mouth in Japan
In Japan, traditional marketing methods such as word-of-mouth and billboards continue to hold significance. For sellers entering the market, word-of-mouth can be a more accessible approach. Building brand awareness and trust through word-of-mouth relies on cultivating an authentic brand image and being a genuine person. Customers evaluate trustworthiness based on the brand image and then rely on the product itself to assess credibility. Delivering exceptional quality is crucial, considering the availability of substitutes in the market. Continuously evaluating and improving credibility is essential until a network of advocates who spread the word about the products is established.
To gain further insights, listening to episodes on growing your business through word-of-mouth and seeking guidance from marketing experts like Scaling Your Company for entering the Japanese market are recommended. Additionally, creating physical hype, such as long queues outside a restaurant or shop, serves as marketing in itself, capturing attention and generating buzz.
Online and Offline logistics in Japan
When selling products in Japan, understanding belarus phone number library how to reach your customers is crucial. This involves considering the concept of product fit, which requires evaluating the venues that your target customers frequent. In a podcast episode featuring Vincent Nicol discussing distribution in Japan, venue evaluation based on product fit is highlighted. It’s important to align the selling venue with the nature of your product. For instance, health drinks wouldn’t be suitable for sale at a nightclub. By creating a map of selling venues based on your criteria, you can generate a shortlist of channels. Categorize them based on your business model, such as B2B and B2C.
Additionally, compile a list of intermediaries, like distributors, who can help bring your products to the forefront. While having multiple distributors may not foster as close of a relationship as sole distribution, it offers better diversity and wider market coverage.
Selling products in Japan through e-commerce sites is highly appealing to sellers due to its stability during times of disaster like the COVID-19 pandemic and frequent typhoons. The versatility of e-commerce in reaching various customer segments is also crucial. Hence, creating a dedicated website outside of online retail stores can be beneficial.
However, it’s important to note that website design in Japan differs from Western countries. Japanese consumers often prefer content-rich websites with a maximalist approach and multiple call-to-action buttons. Prioritizing convenience and utilizing transportation services until establishing partnerships with distributors are key strategies for success.
4 Types of Distributors to Boost Your Sales in Japan?
When selling products in Japan, it’s important to partner yourself with the right hands to push your products. We’ve compiled a list that provides some of the best and most easily accessible distributors in the country:
- Trading houses, such as Mitsubishi, Itochu, and Mitsui, play a pivotal role as a robust route to market in Japan. They have strong partnerships with major wholesalers and even own many of the prominent wholesalers and retailers themselves. When engaging with trading houses, it’s important to note that they prioritize price competitiveness. Their focus is on scalability and the potential for high sales volumes. As a result, their interest in innovative products that are new to Japan may be limited. However, established brands with proven success in other markets selling products in Japan, like Alpro’s Oat Milk, can be an exception to this trend.
- Large importers, such as Kataoka, 6 customer engagement tactics to boost profits Tominaga, and Lead Off Japan, have a significant presence across various F&B categories in Japan. They establish partnerships with major wholesalers and food service channels, offering a wide distribution network. Due to the multitude of options available to them, these importers are selective in choosing whom to work with. They receive numerous inquiries from potential clients and actively participate in trade fairs.
- Specialized importers, like Alishan Organics, Allied Corporation, and Monte Bussan, focus on niche markets within the import industry. For instance, Allied Corporation specializes in importing products from Thailand. These specialized importers can be highly valuable for small businesses as they are more open to innovative products. One notable characteristic of specialized importers is their passion and genuine interest in the products they import. However, it is important to recognize that specialized importers may have a more limited distribution reach than larger importers and trading houses.
- Wholesalers, such as Mitsubishi Foods, Kato Sangyo, and Nippon Access, play a significant role in Japan’s market by operating their own direct imports. Collaborating directly with wholesalers can provide valuable access to numerous retail channels. However, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the distribution network of the wholesalers you choose to work with.
If you want to learn more about distributors for selling products in Japan, read more from Gourmet Pro.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, selling products in Japan offers europe email immense opportunities for businesses looking to tap into a well-established consumer and e-commerce market. The commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and the value placed on superior craftsmanship make Japan a unique and rewarding market. Building relationships and earning customer loyalty is paramount, while convenience in product packaging is highly appreciated by Japanese consumers. The supportive infrastructure, including efficient transportation networks and reliable payment systems, further enhances the selling experience.