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Digital Marketing Agency - Silver Mouse

10 things you should know before starting your eCommerce venture in Southeast Asia

Wei-Ming Hu is the co-founder of Sesura.com, a Taiwanese who has been operating online shopping site in Southeast Asia for about 2-3 years now.

Wei-Ming Hu is the co-founder of Sesura.com, a Taiwanese who has been operating online shopping site in Southeast Asia for about 2-3 years now.

He has shared his opinions and insights via TESA, on 10 things you should know on e-commerce in Southeast Asia. Some of his analysis are spot on hence we thought it's worth translating the piece to English here.

Update: We have discussed this topic on air via BFM, feel free to listen to podcast here (part 1, part 2).


#1. Southeast Asia has young online populations

Online populations in Southeast Asia

In average, 60% of online populations in Southeast Asia are 34 years old or younger. Except for Singapore at 51%, all the rest of "Big 6" Southeast Asia countries have more than 60% within this age group (<35 years old).


#2. Male buy 3C, female buy fashion online


Besides Singapore, male mainly buys 3C (Computer, Communication, Consumer Electronic) products online while female prefers fashion, health & beauty, and kitchenware.

Read also: 20 facts you need to know about e-commerce in Southeast Asia


#3. Consumers prefer to shop via desktop instead of mobile


Internet, mobile penetration in Southeast Asia

Mobile (phone) penetration in Southeast Asia is high, but mobile Internet penetration is lower in relative. People who are connected to Internet via mobile in general has higher spending power. In any case, online consumers here still prefer to shop, order and pay online via desktop versus mobile.


#4. Users active on social media, but low conversion rate


Social media base in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is passionate about social media, and active on Facebook, Instagram etc. For e-commerce, reach via social media can be high, but conversion rates can be very low (0.008%).


#5. Singapore & Malaysia consumers market more matured


Singapore and Malaysia can be considered as developed, with similar consumer environment with Taiwan. For the rest, e-commerce business often face the same challenge with consumers do not know how to buy online. Hence, business owners are recommended to provide very clear online shopping guide and procedures.

Read also: Which countries have high e-commerce fraud rates?


#6. Low trust factors hence COD is preferred


Preferred payment methods in Southeast Asia

Low trust towards online transactions has made Cash on Delivery (COD) King in Southeast Asia (67%), followed by credit card (21%). Unusual habits like borrowing credit card from friend to pay online, manual payments with text message are norms in Southeast Asia. People here frequent shopping malls, and as many as 60% are using prepaid plans (telco).


#7. e-Marketplace is the mainstream in Southeast Asia


Top e-commerce sites in Southeast Asia

e-Marketplace is the mainstream here, which is also a "battleground" for global and local e-commerce companies. There are basically three major forces in Southeast Asia: Lazada + Zalora, Amazon + eBay, and Tabao + Alibaba.


#8. Logistic is challenging in Southeast Asia


Again, Southeast Asia is not just one unified market, where as there are differences in terms of culture and religion. More importantly, Southeast Asia is segmented by seas and mountains therefore cost of delivery is relatively higher. Free shipping anyone?

Read also: eCommerce potential in Southeast Asia, through the eyes of Taiwanese


#9. Show me the discount when checking out shopping cart


Promotion preference of Southeast Asia

Consumers here are educated in a way that price slashed in the promotions is nothing new, which is the marketing gimmick everyone expected. It will be more attractive if you offer discount while checking out the shopping cart.


#10. Southeast Asia lacks of talent pool


E-Commerce talent shortage in Southeast Asia

If you are looking to recruit talents like engineers, designers, marketers in Southeast Asia, this could be yet your biggest challenge. It is even tougher now with Southeast Asia becoming the hotspot for many e-commerce ventures coming from all over the world.

It is strongly recommended to work with professional and trustworthy local partners if you are to venture into Southeast Asia.

Credit: Images in this article are extracted from this deck by TESA

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ecInsider: 10 things you should know before starting your eCommerce venture in Southeast Asia
10 things you should know before starting your eCommerce venture in Southeast Asia
Wei-Ming Hu is the co-founder of Sesura.com, a Taiwanese who has been operating online shopping site in Southeast Asia for about 2-3 years now.
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