Anybody have experience starting online businesses geared towards a chinese audience? I am starting up an online business (that will later transition to something less virutal) with some partners. The catch is that while the business is targeted towards Chinese consumers, the business itself is entirely American. We don't have any interest, at least not now, of opening it up in China. I'm hoping people with experience in this sort of stuff can offer some tips on any legal procedures they had to follow, both American and Chinese.
China online company legal shit
I've thought about it, but there's one issue. You'll need to depend on Chinese people to translate and promote the site on Chinese search engines and media.
I don't think I would trust the Chinese enough to depend on them so completely. I think that collusion to run you out of business would be a high probability. Also, what could you offer that wouldn't be copied and sold more efficiently by Chinese natives?
I don't think I would trust the Chinese enough to depend on them so completely. I think that collusion to run you out of business would be a high probability. Also, what could you offer that wouldn't be copied and sold more efficiently by Chinese natives?
I have a large network of foreign exchange student buddies. If we're just talking online marketing, it's quite easy - renren, Chinese twitter, baidu, etc. The service I am offering is some kind of consulting that only Americans with a certain expertise can provide, so no worries there...
If that's the case (a service that only you can offer), then your a lot more protected and it sounds like it would be worth a shot.
I still would worry about angles that your 'partners' could use to screw you, but as long as you cant be replaced then their options will be limited. Just don't underestimate their ability and will to do so.
It'll probably help if you at least learn how to count in Mandarin so that you can make sure all of the pricing is on the up and up. It would be easy for someone promoting your business to overcharge and insert themselves as a middle man, otherwise.
It sounds good, though.
I still would worry about angles that your 'partners' could use to screw you, but as long as you cant be replaced then their options will be limited. Just don't underestimate their ability and will to do so.
It'll probably help if you at least learn how to count in Mandarin so that you can make sure all of the pricing is on the up and up. It would be easy for someone promoting your business to overcharge and insert themselves as a middle man, otherwise.
It sounds good, though.
Hydro is right, local partners that you can trust and IP theft are two of your biggest issues. I would also think about whether the company is politically sensitive in any way. Look at Facebook, Youtube, Twitter....all got screwed in China because some bureaucrat decided that it didn't "promote social harmony."
http://www.chinalawblog.com That site will have many of the answers you may be looking for.
I have been thinking about how I can diversify my earnings in terms of revenue streams. If my first e-business, which is a membership site business model, takes off, I will be earning mostly in dollars.
It would be beneficial to be able to create e-businesses that are started and based in countries with currencies that will do well in the future. I'm not really big on currencies but I know the outlook for the US dollar can only be bad. I'm thinking of e-businesses in countries like China and Brazil, as the RMB and Reais will only get better with economic growth and the middle class starts to get more connected online. Orkut already dominates Brazil.
Alternatively, low maintenance import/export businesses with China and/or Brazil as a consumer market destination I'd imagine would be solid. Both China and Brazil have nightmarish and byzantine tax laws and red tape that make entrepreneurship difficult at best. On top of all of that, there's the fact that I will be taxed as an American abroad, getting double fucked on my profits.
Still, better to be earning in a currency like RMB and Reais. Anybody have any insight or opinions to share on this?
http://www.chinalawblog.com That site will have many of the answers you may be looking for.
I have been thinking about how I can diversify my earnings in terms of revenue streams. If my first e-business, which is a membership site business model, takes off, I will be earning mostly in dollars.
It would be beneficial to be able to create e-businesses that are started and based in countries with currencies that will do well in the future. I'm not really big on currencies but I know the outlook for the US dollar can only be bad. I'm thinking of e-businesses in countries like China and Brazil, as the RMB and Reais will only get better with economic growth and the middle class starts to get more connected online. Orkut already dominates Brazil.
Alternatively, low maintenance import/export businesses with China and/or Brazil as a consumer market destination I'd imagine would be solid. Both China and Brazil have nightmarish and byzantine tax laws and red tape that make entrepreneurship difficult at best. On top of all of that, there's the fact that I will be taxed as an American abroad, getting double fucked on my profits.
Still, better to be earning in a currency like RMB and Reais. Anybody have any insight or opinions to share on this?
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