Taobao English: Step-by-Step Guide to Global Shopping & Selling (With Screenshots!)

Thanks to skyrocketing tariffs and rising living costs, more and more people in the U.S. are searching for cheaper shopping alternatives. With TikTok under regulatory pressure and RedNote gaining popularity as a substitute, yet another Chinese platform is now making waves globally—Taobao.

In fact, it's not just Americans jumping on the Taobao train. As of April 16, Taobao had topped app store download charts in 16 countries including France, Canada, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Russia, and ranked in the top 10 in 123 countries. Between April 12 and 15 alone, iOS downloads in North America surged by 483%, and Europe saw a 439% jump. So what's the buzz all about?

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about shopping on Taobao in English—from navigating its biggest sales events like Double 11 and 618, to cashing in on the platform's global boom as a buyer or seller. Whether you're hunting for deals outside China or launching an e-commerce side hustle—equipped with tools like AdsPower to scale your operations—Taobao's international expansion.

Is Taobao Available in English?

While the main Taobao website (Taobao.com) is primarily in Chinese, you can access the English interface by updating the Taobao app to its latest version and setting your preferred language to English. The English interface offers features like English product descriptions and simplified navigation.

What Are the Biggest Sales Events on Taobao?

One of the biggest reasons for Taobao's popularity is its insane discount events. Three of the biggest ones are:

Date	Discounts	Example Savings	Example Savings
11.11 (Double 11)	Nov 11	¥50 off ¥300 ¥20 off ¥200	Pay ¥250 instead of ¥300
618 (Mid-Year Sale)	June 18
12.12 (Year-End Sale)	Dec 12

💡 How to Maximize Savings:

• Stack coupons (store + platform discounts).
• Shop during "Pre-Sale" periods (lower prices + extra gifts).

How to Change Taobao Language Settings to English?

While Taobao doesn't offer a fully dedicated Taobao English site, there is a way to change the language settings within the mobile app to make your shopping experience easier.

Language settings can only be adjusted on the mobile app. If you ask Taobao customer service on desktop something like "Where is the language switch setting?", they might send you a link—but clicking it will still direct you to make changes on your phone.

Here's how to switch Taobao to English on mobile. Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the Taobao app on your phone.
2. Tap the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings.
3. Select "Country & Region" (国家与地区) and choose your current country, then tap Confirm (确认).

4. Refresh the app or go back to the main settings menu.
5. Once the page reloads, go to Settings again—you'll now see a new menu called "Country/Region, Language & Currency (国家与地区/语言/货币)."
6. Tap this new menu, then select "Language (语言)."
7. Choose English, tap Confirm, and you're done!

After this, interface elements and shopping categories will appear in English, making it much easier for international users to browse and place orders.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Shop on Taobao in English

Even if you don't speak Chinese, shopping on Taobao is doable with the right guidance. Here's a quick step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Open Taobao

On Desktop

Go to www.taobao.com using Google Chrome. Chrome will usually detect that the website is in Chinese and prompt you to translate it. Just click "English" when the pop-up appears. If it doesn't, right-click anywhere on the page and choose "Translate to English."

On Mobile

Head to your phone's app store (App Store or Google Play), search for "Taobao," and download the official app.

Step 2: Sign Up for a Free Taobao Account

On Desktop

Click "Sign in now" at the top right corner of the homepage.

On the next page, find and click "Sign Up for Free." Enter your phone number, request a verification code, and then click "Agree and register." Once you've completed this step, your Taobao account is ready to go.

On Mobile

After installing and opening the Taobao app (which will likely be in Chinese at first), tap "我的淘宝" (My Taobao) in the bottom right corner. On the next screen, tap "立即注册" (Register Now) and enter your mobile number (most international numbers are supported).

Once registration is complete, follow the steps in the "How to Change Taobao Language Settings to English?" section to switch the app interface to English.

Step 3: Search for Products

Once you've created your account, you can start shopping.

There are three easy ways to search:

• Use English keywords (e.g., "backpack" or "phone case") in the search bar.
• Use Chinese terms translated from Google Translate for better results.
• Upload a photo of what you're looking for by clicking the camera icon in the search bar.

Just browsing? You can also explore categories listed on the left-hand side of the homepage.

Step 4: Check Product Details and Seller Ratings

Click on a product to open its detail page. Check the pictures, read the product description, confirm the price, and review the shipping information. Scroll down to see buyer reviews, customer photos, and seller ratings—these will help you avoid low-quality products.

Step 5: Message the Seller if Needed

If you're buying a customizable item or unsure about the sizing, color, or shipping, click on the "Chat" icon to message the seller directly.

Step 6: Place Your Order and Make Payment

Once you're ready, add the item to your cart (or click "Buy Now" to purchase immediately). Go to your cart page, confirm the items and quantities, and fill in your shipping address. Then click "Checkout," and finally hit "Pay Now" to complete the purchase.

Step 7: Pay Securely

Choose your payment method. Most international users prefer using credit or debit cards.

Step 8: Track Your Order

Once you've paid, go to "My orders" your profile to check your order status. You'll see updates as your package moves from the seller to the warehouse and finally to your door.

How to Make Money from Taobao's Global Boom?

As Taobao's international popularity skyrockets, there's a growing opportunity to turn shopping into profit. Whether you prefer the hands-on approach of reselling or the convenience of dropshipping, Taobao's low-cost products give you a strong edge.

1. Resell Taobao Products Locally

Buy trendy or niche items from Taobao and resell them on platforms like eBay, Shopify, Etsy, or Facebook Marketplace. This model lets you inspect product quality yourself and add a personal touch to packaging or branding.

To scale your business, use AdsPower to create and manage multiple store accounts on platforms like eBay, Shopify, and Etsy. You can also create multiple ad profiles on Facebook to run campaigns without restrictions, ensuring smooth operations and steady revenue growth.

Not sure which product is the best deal? AdsPower can help! You can log into several Taobao accounts at the same time and use its tools to automatically collect info like price, sales, and reviews. This makes it super easy to compare products—whether you're checking different sellers on Taobao or seeing how prices stack up on other platforms. It's a huge time-saver for anyone doing bulk sourcing, and it helps you find the most cost-effective options fast.

And here's a bonus: using multiple Taobao accounts also increases your chances of snagging limited-time coupons or discounts, helping you buy at the lowest price possible.

Finally, when promoting your products on social platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Facebook, AdsPower's free RPA feature can simulate real user engagement—liking, commenting, or following—to boost visibility and drive more traffic your way.

2. Start a Dropshipping Business

Don't want to handle inventory? Use Taobao as your sourcing hub and partner with third-party fulfillment centers in China. They'll handle packaging and shipping directly to your customers. If you're already a B2B seller, sourcing from Taobao can significantly reduce costs and boost profit margins.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're curious about how to see AL QC of items on Taobao, looking for Taobao clothes, or figuring out how to navigate the Taobao English site, now's the perfect time to hop on the trend. Taobao isn't just for Chinese shoppers anymore—Taobao USA and other international markets are opening the floodgates for global users to explore.

With the right tools, like AdsPower and Chrome translation, and a basic understanding of how Taobao login and checkout work, anyone can start saving big—or even building a business.

Ready to dive into the world of Taobao? Now's the best time! And if you need it, don't forget to give AdsPower a try for free—no time limits!