When creating a Japanese e-commerce website using Shopify for the Japan market, there are several crucial points to keep in mind. Simply translating your content is not enough to make the website optimal for Japanese users. In this article, we will explain the 6 key factors you should consider in advance.

6 Keys for Building a Japanese E-Commerce WebSite for the Japan Market in Shopify

1. Selecting the Target Market for Your Website in addition to Japan

Clearly defining the countries and regions you want to target is essential for success.
Shopify requires market and language settings, so the first step is to determine which countries or regions you want to target—whether it's the U.S., Europe, or various Asian countries, in addition to Japan.

2. Translation for Japanese

Shopify provides numerous apps for language settings, and machine translation is also available.
However, machine translations often fail to convey the intended meaning, nuances, or business tone accurately. Therefore, localization—using expressions that match the target audience and business context—is necessary. Manual translation is ideal.


3. Design and User Experience

Adopting a design and user experience (UX) that suits your target market is crucial.
Japanese Web design favors information-rich layouts, while Some countries prefer simple designs.
Additionally, language differences may require design adjustments. For instance, English, German, and French text tends to be longer than Japanese text, which affects the layout width.
To ensure readability, it is important to consider appropriate font sizes and line spacing.

4. Search Engine Optimization in Japanese

SEO strategies in Japanese will be needed when aiming to increase search traffic from international markets.

• Optimizing for local keywords: Select keywords that align with search habits in the Japan market.

5. Payment and Logistics Considerations

Payment and shipping are critical aspects of cross-border e-commerce.

• Diversifying payment methods: Support options like credit cards, PayPal, and other electronic payment services.
• Clarifying shipping and return policies: Establish clear rules considering international shipping costs and delivery times.

6. Technical Preparations by Developers

Technical settings and testing during development should also be planned in advance.

• Conducting payment tests: Ensure that there are no issues in the live environment.
• Checking design in different languages: Since text length varies across languages, it’s necessary to verify that the layout remains intact during development.

Conclusion

Creating  a JapaneseE-Commerce Website for Japan Market in Shopify requires expertise in design, SEO, and localization. If you build your Website with the same approach as a normal English website, you may end up with a Website that does not resonate with Japanese users. Goat WebCreation offer comprehensive support for planning, designing, translating, and operating multilingual Shopify e-commerce Website for the Japan market.

Even if you’re unsure where to start with your Website, we’re here to help. Feel free to contact us and share your vision with us.