Foreign trade e-commerce operations: the importance of English and essential vocabulary
With the vigorous development of the e-commerce industry, more and more friends are beginning to get involved in foreign trade e-commerce. However, since foreign trade e-commerce involves cross-border transactions, English has become an inevitable topic. This article aims to explore the role of English in foreign trade e-commerce and list some English vocabulary that needs to be mastered in cross-border e-commerce operations.
For those merchants or job seekers who want to enter the field of foreign trade e-commerce, English proficiency is not an absolute requirement. In actual operation, merchants can solve customer problems through emails and messages. These problems are usually relatively simple and can even be completed with the help of translation software. Some e-commerce platforms also provide Chinese interfaces, further reducing language barriers. However, in order to better obtain product information and conduct market research, it is still beneficial to have certain English reading skills.
However, in the job search process, especially when applying for certain specific positions (such as receptionist), good English communication skills are particularly important. In addition, in daily work, frequent use of translation tools may reduce work efficiency and is not conducive to cultivating sensitivity to products, thus affecting keyword selection, product description, etc.
From a broader perspective, cross-border e-commerce operations cover many fields such as international trade, international logistics, and marketing. In this global context, mastering relevant English terminology can help you connect with overseas suppliers, develop marketing strategies, and provide quality customer service. The following are some common English expressions used in cross-border e-commerce operations:
- Procurement
- Negotiation
- Supplier
- Logistics
- Shipping
- Lead time
- Pricing strategy
- Target audience
- Advertising copy
- Customer inquiry
- Complaint handling
- Return and refund
- Business etiquette
- Cultural sensitivity
- Order fulfillment
- Product listings
- Product descriptions
- Payment processing
- Customer retention
- Market research
- Competitive analysis
- Sales performance
- Conversion rate
- Content localization
- Website localization
- A/B testing
- User experience
- Data analytics
- Value-added tax (VAT)
- Free on Board (FOB)
- Dropshipping
- Affiliate marketing
- Market segmentation
- Brand positioning
To sum up, although English is not the only condition for engaging in foreign trade e-commerce, it can indeed bring many conveniences to practitioners. Therefore, it is recommended that all those interested in pursuing a career in this field learn at least basic English and work their way up to higher levels. After mastering the above vocabulary, I believe you will be more comfortable in cross-border e-commerce operations.