April 28, 2023

Private Traffic in China: The Development of Private Traffic for China Marketing in Beauty and Personal Care Brands

Private traffic has become a buzzword in the retail industry, particularly in the beauty sector, as brands have embraced it since the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Analysys, a market research firm, has examined the private traffic business development environment and the strategies employed by the beauty and personal care brands in China, exploring the future direction of private traffic service providers. In this article, we delve into the rise of private traffic in the beauty industry, the role of service providers, and the potential applications of AI, such as ChatGPT, in private traffic management.

What is private traffic management in China?

Private traffic management in China refers to a marketing strategy where brands create and maintain direct communication channels with their customers, fostering loyalty and engagement through personalized content and offers. This approach is particularly popular in the Chinese market due to the dominance of platforms like WeChat, which enables brands to establish their own private traffic channels through mini-programs, WeChat groups, and official accounts.

In private traffic management, brands focus on building long-term relationships with customers, offering exclusive content, promotions, and tailored experiences. It’s seen as an alternative to relying on traditional advertising and public traffic channels, where competition for user attention is fierce, and advertising costs are high.

Private traffic management helps brands to:

Gain better control over customer data and insights.
Strengthen customer relationships by providing personalized content and offers.
Increase customer lifetime value through targeted promotions and improved loyalty.
Reduce dependency on third-party platforms and their associated costs.

The growth of China’s economy and its consumers’ purchasing power has led to a rapid increase in the domestic cosmetics market, with local brands challenging the long-standing dominance of international brands. As online channels become the largest sales channel for beauty and personal care products, private traffic operations have become an essential component of brands’ multi-channel integration strategies.

Private Traffic Development of China Beauty and Personal Care Brands

New domestic beauty brands were the first to adopt private traffic, followed closely by international brands. Both groups have contributed to the rapid penetration of private traffic operations in the beauty industry. Early-stage private traffic operations focused on promotion and conversion, while more mature private traffic operations emphasized long-term brand development and customer loyalty.

Insights on the Development of China Beauty Private Traffic Service Providers

As the demand for private traffic management services grows, various types of providers have emerged, offering solutions such as channel site building, private traffic tool development, data analysis, and community operations. International brands tend to prioritize creativity and integrated marketing, while domestic brands have a stronger focus on tool development and advanced methodologies.

Three Mainstream Models of Private Traffic Service Providers

Solution Output Type: Brands outsource private traffic operations to authorized teams, who handle everything from planning to implementation.
Consulting: Third-party companies provide customized consulting services based on the brand’s industry and characteristics, helping them build teams, formulate strategies, and train staff when necessary.
Consulting + Accompanying Type: Combining the previous two models, third-party companies provide both customized consulting services and on-site support when needed.

Future Direction of Beauty Private Traffic Service Providers

As private traffic operations continue to evolve, service providers are expected to diversify their product offerings and integrate their services into a larger ecosystem. Providers will need to develop multi-channel, multi-solution platforms that are highly compatible with various internet platforms to achieve more efficient win-win situations.

The Role of AI in Private Traffic Management

The popularity of AI-powered tools, like ChatGPT, has led to increased interest in their potential applications in private traffic management. ChatGPT could be used to generate content and ideas, provide AI-powered customer service, and enable personalized marketing strategies. However, there are challenges to overcome, such as model training costs, credibility concerns, and understanding the specific nature of a business.

The beauty industry’s adoption of private traffic has led to the emergence of new service providers and potential applications for AI technologies, such as ChatGPT. As the private traffic landscape continues to evolve, beauty brands need to stay ahead of the curve, leveraging strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technology to remain competitive and achieve long-term success. Contact us to find out more!