What Makes a Website Effective in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is a unique market where a mix of local culture and international influence shapes user behaviour online. 

You have a majority of Cantonese speakers who read Traditional Chinese, but you can't neglect the expat community and the English language. Meanwhile, Simplified Chinese has been gaining traction over the past few years with an influx of people coming from the Mainland through new visa incentives like the Talent Scheme.

Creating an effective website here (E-commerce or not) requires more than just great visuals—it’s about meeting the expectations and habits of these different audiences who have one thing in common: They hate loosing time online.

From bilingual content to seamless payment options, here’s what truly matters here to maximise your bounce rate:

What Do Hong Kong Users Prioritise?

• Bilingual Content (English + Traditional Chinese)

Hong Kong is a global city with a unique blend of local Cantonese-speaking residents and an international expat community.

To succeed in this market, a website must cater to both audiences by offering content in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and English. (The efficiency of each will depend on your industry and target audience.)

Why it matters:

Bilingual content ensures accessibility, inclusivity, and a broader market reach.

Most platforms like Wix or WordPress offer plugins for translations (e.g., WPML for WordPress).

However, it’s crucial to have translations reviewed for accuracy. Tools like DeepSeek or GPT-based solutions can help if you don’t have access to native speakers.

Additionally, check that the translation doesn’t alter the layout—longer sentences in Chinese, for instance, could disrupt the website’s design on mobile.

Mobile-First Design

With over 80% of Hong Kong users browsing the web on smartphones, a mobile-first design is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.

Websites should be responsive, with seamless navigation, touch-friendly buttons, and fast load times on mobile devices.

Pro Tip: 

Mobile optimisation is especially critical for F&B businesses. Many users make reservations or place orders directly from their phones without much deliberation. Best is to have a WhatsApp button ready on homepage. They also want to be sure your business is trustworthy and that there won’t be any unpleasant surprises after they place an order (for example, if they have specific allergies and are ordering food).

Fast Loading Speeds:

Hong Kong thrives on speed and efficiency, and websites need to keep up. Users won’t wait for a slow site to load.

To ensure fast load times (ideally under 3 seconds), focus on:

• Optimising images

• Reducing redirects

• Limiting plugins

You can check your website's performances on Google Lighthouse

Local Payment Integrations:

For e-commerce websites, local payment options are essential to meet the needs of Hong Kong’s tech-savvy population. The most popular methods include:

• Octopus (Really important)

• Faster Payment System (FPS) (This one as well)

• PayMe (An easier FPS)

• AlipayHK

• WeChat Pay

Integrating these options ensures a smooth checkout process.

Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Efficiency is key for Hong Kong users. CTAs like “Buy Now,” “Book a Table,” or “Sign Up” should be clear, easy to find, and lead users directly to their intended action.

One of the most effective CTAs in Hong Kong is a WhatsApp button on the homepage, allowing users to quickly contact you for clarifications or orders.

You can easily find a WhatsApp plugin, whether you're on Wordpress, Wix or Squarespace.

These are some helpful tips to boost your website. However, there’s no need to follow all of them—it really depends on your industry, where your customers are, and factors like website design and the customer funnel.

If you'd like a free website design, simply fill out the form below, and we’ll send you a design within 24 hours.