Technology and pandemic don’t always mix in one sentence, but as they say, tough times always call for fast, innovative solutions–exactly what the Chinese Canton Fair is all about this season.

While the cure for Covid-19 is still nowhere near the horizon, there are always avenues where we can find a sense of comfort and togetherness even in the midst of a lockdown.

Sparking creativity with the hopes of bringing people together is the 127th Canton Fair, which is one of the biggest and most celebrated trade fairs in the world. An initiative that started back in 1957, the event is now changing the trading landscape by adapting to new market demands and going digital.

Ⅰ.Why Attend the Online Canton Fair 2020?

Rolling comfort, convenience, and diversity in one platform, the Online Canton Fair 2020 gives us all the reason to get excited. As old shopping and business traditions are being shifted to more reachable platforms, this trading event stands by its commitment to provide quality goods in a brand new spectacle.

The question is, how? Spearheading technicalities for the aforementioned affair is the Chinese giant, Tencent, which will offer both a solid platform and a range of cloud services that will facilitate seamless transactions between buyers and exhibitors. Aside from the Cloud, Tencent is also using other innovative apps that already have a huge fan base, such as WeChat and Tencent Meeting.

Considering that the trade is now making use of the Tencent platform, you–along with thousands of shoppers and businesses–can conveniently compare products and participate into an online community where you can find a diverse range of suppliers that market different kinds of products that you can potentially turn into a new business. All this, right at the comforts of your home.

While an online export and import fair is no substitute to the experience of going to an actual fair and smelling products and hearing fresh ideas first hand, there is something about going virtual that makes this experience more authentic and reachable. Thanks to the Online Canton Fair 2020, you can get in touch with more people, learn new business ideas, and make negotiations when possible.

And oh, have you ever tried shopping for one specific product only to find out that there are better models out there? The Canton Fair features new product lines that can widen your options and help you find products–or better yet, ideas–that are tailored to your specific needs.

Most importantly, this online trading fair deeply encourages rising entrepreneurs from provinces and far-flung regions to dive into the export economy.

Whether you’re a supplier, a shopper, or somewhere in between, the Online Canton Fair offers you virtually limitless opportunities to explore.

Ⅱ.Online Canton Fair: Merging Access and Diversity

Leaving enough room for big and small enterprises, the 2020 Online Canton Fair is a great opportunity to reach a wide array of markets.

The fair is basically one big umbrella that covers almost all your needs as a buyer, and the event does so by using a systematic and intelligent approach.

Thanks to Tencent’s timely and user-centered strategies, searching for products is not just easy, but interactive. Its intelligent search engines offer related product searches, along with smart translation that facilitate smooth navigation.

The platform covers 17 export categories, which include the following:

Ⅲ.When Will the Online Canton Fair be Held?

Set to launch on June 15 to June 24, 2020, the 10-day affair (Beijing time) , which includes thousands of top-tier exhibitors and talents, is no different from the traditional Canton Fair, except that it’s online.

Based on the government’s announcement, the platform will be providing a live streaming link for every attendee, making real-time connections and negotiations possible anytime, anywhere. And by ‘anytime,’ the government definitely means it. How does a 10-day, 24/7 live streaming fair sound to you? Because as a participant, you can enjoy unlimited streaming events for the whole duration of the event.

Ⅳ.How to Participate in the 2020 Online Canton Fair?

The 2020 Online Canton Fair is a huge live streaming event with a large number of participants–400 import and 25,000 export exhibition enterprises, to be precise–that can easily access the fair’s platform by simply logging in.

Step 1: Registration

If you’re a buyer, the registration process is quite easy: just visit Canton Fair’s official website, register your account details, look for suppliers, and check their profile, which displays their product lines. If you already have a supplier in mind, simply type in the supplier’s name on the search box and browse their respective page.

More good news: you can also invite your friends to participate in this online fair via a ‘Buyer e-Service Tool,’ which can be accessed on the official site. The icing on the cake: your friends can do so, too! As the good old adage goes, ‘the more, the merrier’ not just when socializing, but on exploring online communities.

Step 2: Check the Product and Contact the Supplier

Once you already found your vetted supplier or enterprise, just click on the products you want to check out and ask the supplier for a live studio virtual trip–access to this can be restricted, so you might need to apply or request for access from the supplier. Once approved, you’d be given an invitation code, which you can use to access panoramic showrooms and other online viewing platforms.

Aside from 3D pictures and videos, the Tencent Cloud also allows suppliers and buyers to immerse into a more engaging shopping experience via live marketing streams. By watching 24/7 live streams, you can make buying decisions, minus the stress and pressure.

Step 3: Negotiate

So you checked on the product and you’re completely sold. What’s next? Well, this is the part where your negotiation skills come handy. Before buying a product, ask for arrangements and double check on factors that affect quality like materials and build. Also, does the product come with a warranty or guarantee? By taking a proactive approach in buying online products, you can set clear expectations and avoid disappointments along the way.

The Tencent Cloud doesn’t stop at simple messaging features as it allows you to have real-time, face-to-face negotiations via undisrupted video conferences.

Step 4: Arrange a Delivery Mode

Ask suppliers for available modes of delivery, and choose one based on what’s most convenient for you as a shopper.

Ⅴ.What’s New in the Online Canton Fair?

More than its play on visuals, the Online Canton Fair focuses on providing multifunctional features that lay a solid groundwork in establishing user engagement and convenience. To keep you guided, below is a brief guide on the three things you can expect from the exhibit:

Display Docking Platform

Tencent has created a unique docking platform where exhibitors can create a display that intensifies their unique voice and brand. From pictures and videos to clear product guides, suppliers can use different marketing strategies to their advantage.

The main highlight: a 3D booth that gives you a panoramic view of products from different brands. Not to mention, the intelligent search box of Tencent even allows you to narrow your search by grouping exhibits into categories. This, along with keyword specific and booth number searches, can keep you guided as you immerse yourself into a virtual tour.

Live Marketing

Real, authentic, and experiential, the Canton Fair is a gift that just keeps on giving. Aside from watching live webcasts, you also have the option to set face-to-face negotiations with suppliers so you can build rapport regardless of time and distance.

The fun doesn’t stop there as the platform is also equipped with other interactive features that suppliers can use on their end. Tencent promotes sharing, uploading, and backviewing, so both parties get a part of the fun and action.

Feed Docking

Transparency is a major player in any business, and the Online Canton Fair is no exemption. As an initiative to build trust among you–the buyer–and your chosen supplier, the platform has devised a systematic approach that boosts transparency in all online transactions. Tencent does so by:

Ⅵ.Tips on Making Great Trades During the Online Canton Fair

The Canton Fair is a festive occasion that thrives on engaging and collaborative experiences. But as a buyer, how do you actually get the most out of your trade, especially now that we are diving into digital shores?

It’s not easy to practice self-control and to move away from great deals, but saying ‘yes’ to every product presented as bargains is a financial mistake that you should avoid. To keep you on the right track, below are some of the best practices in attending the 2020 Canton Fair:

1.Create a Buying Strategy

Buyer, retailer, or both, there’s definitely a reason why you went out of your way and registered for the Canton Fair. But before tuning in to any live stream, create a buying strategy, which includes your budget and your buying necessities. Why did you attend the fair in the first place? Are you looking for personal products or do you want to find fresh ideas that can help you build new earning opportunities?

Set your priorities straight, stick to your budget, and don’t let yourself be misdirected by bargains. In reality, ‘sale’ items don’t really save you money. If anything, these promos are only expenditures in disguise as they lure you into buying something you don’t really want and need.

2.Find Reputable Suppliers

Online shopping is a risky business, and it would only get riskier if you don’t do your part as a consumer. More than just focusing on the quality of the product, do your homework by performing a background check on suppliers.

Do they have a decent company profile? Do their factories produce products that are at par with the level of quality you expect? What does the ‘supplier details’ section say about these enterprises?

There’s no way of telling if a product is substandard or not since all negotiations are done online, but you already have one very important cue at your disposal: your supplier’s profile. Are you betting on the right person? You only need to dig deeper to make wise decisions, especially if you are buying in bulks.

3.Check the Quality of Products

The Online Canton Fair promotes a great shopping experience by giving you access to a quality inspection video, which helps you see the product 360 degrees. Through this video, along with other related resources posted by suppliers, you can make clear comparisons and make decisions based on valuable and results-driven content. Take advantage of this feature so you won’t waste money in the long run.

4.Remove Language Barriers

It can be intimidating to engage in a community where everyone speaks the same language, like in the Online Canton Fair. But you actually got it all wrong. Since the fair is expanding its reach by tapping international markets, there’s no such thing as a universal language here anymore.

Good thing Tencent has already provided an innovative solution: its multilingual translation support. Through this feature, you can deliver a clear message and break communication barriers regardless of the language you speak.

5.Find Secure Payment Channels

Let’s face it: buying online is a risky business because you’re basically negotiating with a complete stranger. While a background check lessens your risk of bumping into online scammers, it’s never wise to assume that your money is in good hands and that your products would be shipped in no time.

As a general rule, avoid wiring money straight from your personal bank account, and look for secure payment channels. It’s also best to look for suppliers who offer a ‘cash-on-delivery’ option.

Wrapping Up