As TikTok faces regulatory challenges in some global markets, more brands and sellers are shifting to Xiaohongshu (RED). But do you really understand the operating costs of running an e-commerce business on this platform? π€

π 1οΈβ£ Account Setup Costs
β Business verification: 600-2,000 RMB (varies by region and method)
β KOL/KOC marketing: 1,000-50,000 RMB+ (depending on influencer size & engagement rate)
β Content creation: 500-5,000 RMB per post (professional photography + copywriting)
π 2οΈβ£ Platform Commissions & Transaction Fees
β Xiaohongshu commission: Typically 5%-10%, depending on product category
β Payment gateway fees: 0.6%-2%
β Returns & customer service costs: Often overlooked, with some categories having 20%+ return rates
π 3οΈβ£ Traffic Acquisition Costs
β In-feed ads: 0.3-1 RMB per impression, higher for competitive industries
β Search keyword bidding: CPC model, with popular keywords costing 5-20 RMB per click
β Influencer collaborations:
- KOCs (micro-influencers): 500-5,000 RMB per campaign
- KOLs (top influencers): 50,000 RMB+ per campaign
π 4οΈβ£ Warehousing & Logistics
β Domestic warehousing & fulfillment: 3,000-20,000 RMB/month, depending on inventory volume & location
β Cross-border logistics: Varies based on shipping destination, customs duties, and freight costs
π Is Xiaohongshu Worth It Compared to TikTok Shop?
β
Strong “recommendation” culture, ideal for premium & lifestyle brands
β
Dual traffic from social engagement & search, helping build long-term customer assets
β Difficult to gain traction initially, requiring consistent investment in content & marketing
To succeed on Xiaohongshu, a refined strategy is crucialβsimply copying TikTokβs approach wonβt work! π‘
π© Want to learn more? Letβs connect!
π§ contact@wantunmedia.com
π www.wantunmedia.com
