Since Taobao primarily targets the Mandarin-speaking market in mainland China, shopping on Taobao and communicating with sellers can be particularly challenging for non-native Chinese speakers from overseas. The Taobao APP does offer a feature for chatting with sellers, but sometimes we need to rely on translation software for instant Chinese translation, preferably one that can be operated on a PC.
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So, today let’s discuss what methods are available for communicating with sellers on Taobao?
What is AliWangWang? Main Functions of AliWangWang
AliWangWang is an instant messaging tool primarily used on the Chinese e-commerce platforms Taobao and Tmall, both owned by Alibaba Group.
WangWang is a powerful chat tool with the following features:
- Real-Time Chat: Buyers and sellers can send text messages in real-time on Taobao, making communication convenient and efficient.
- Emoticon Support: WangWang includes a rich selection of emoticons, allowing users to express emotions more effectively.
- Image Transfer: Buyers and sellers can transfer images through WangWang, facilitating the display of product details.
- Voice Chat: WangWang also supports voice chat, enabling buyers and sellers to communicate more conveniently through audio.
- Group Chat: WangWang allows the creation of group chats for buyers and sellers, enabling conversations with multiple people simultaneously.
In addition to these features, WangWang offers other practical functions such as order inquiry, product consultation, and after-sales service. Buyers and sellers can engage in comprehensive communication through WangWang, enhancing the shopping experience.
How to Chat with Sellers on Taobao?
To chat with a Taobao seller, you can download the chat tool called AliWangWang, which is specifically for Taobao. However, downloading AliWangWang is not mandatory; you can still communicate with the seller without it.
Download the AliWangWang app to chat with the Taobao seller
Here’s how to download and use the AliWangWang chat tool:
Select the option on the left, “我是买家 (I am a buyer)”. On the right side, there’s the “我是卖家 (I am a seller)” option, which I will mention later in the article. Please continue reading for more details.
Click on “下载最新版本 (Download the latest version)” in the top right corner. There are versions available for both Windows and macOS.
After downloading and installing, you need to log in with your Taobao account.
Of course, AliWangWang also has a mobile version, but it has been renamed to 千牛 (QianNiu), mainly targeting Taobao sellers. However, as a buyer, you can also use QianNiu to chat and communicate with the seller.
How to Chat with Taobao Sellers Without the Chat App?
In fact, since Taobao renamed AliWangWang to QianNiu, an application geared towards sellers, the functionality for buyers to chat has been integrated into the Taobao app. When using the Taobao web platform or the app version, you can directly communicate with the seller within Taobao, eliminating the need for an additional app download. Let’s demonstrate this next.
Chatting with Sellers on Taobao via the Web
When you are logged in and browsing Taobao via a web page, upon opening a product page, both Tmall and Taobao stores have two places where you can contact the seller. Once you click on these, a chat window with the seller will open.
Contacting the Seller in a Taobao Store
Contacting the Seller in a Tmall
Chatting with Sellers on Taobao via the App
When browsing Taobao using the Taobao APP, whether on iPhone or Android, the chat button is located at the bottom of the product page.
Conclusion
As a Taobao buyer, if you are proficient in Chinese, we recommend that you don’t need to download AliWangWang or QianNiu. However, if you are opening a store on Taobao and need to handle a large volume of buyer inquiries, these applications become more necessary. For buyers, using the Taobao APP is sufficient for communicating with sellers and handling logistics or courier matters. Of course, this assumes that your Chinese is good enough to effectively communicate with sellers using the Taobao APP.
