Search an Item On Taobao

To search for a product on Taobao, you can simply use English.  About 90% of the time, a Taobao search with an English word will hit the mark.  Many products on Taobao are labeled with both English and Chinese names.  Also a growing number are labeled with English names alone.

Alternatively, a much better way to search for an item is to make a search in Chinese characters only.  If you search for products in English, it could result in a limited number of items and probably at a higher price.

It is better to use the English Name to find the Chinese Name via the Tools to Translate Taobao into English.  As an example, you want to buy a watch.  If you searched in English the word watch, it will generate 20816 results.  If watch was translated into Chinese 手表, it will generate 2110696 results.

Searched Items Page

There are many filter tools built into Taobao which can be useful in finding the perfect item.

In the main tabs, you can view “All Items”, “Popular Items”, products in the “Shopping Mall” as well as “Second Hand” goods.

Lower in the mini search box you can see the keyword you have just searched.  Just under it is the Filter Parameters where you can filter the item specifics suited to you.  To confirm your choice, click the Filter button which is on the right of the     Click on the picture to enlarge                             tool box.  The Display Option allows you to view all items either as a list or a                                                                           thumbnail with a large picture.

Next to the display options, the Sort by Parameters allows you to display items by price (lowest first) or by reputation (highest first).  It is a good idea to view items either by Sellers or Feedback.

The first rows usually display products from the shopping mall; you can see the         Click on the picture to enlarge                             frame and small label ‘Mall’ in right bottom corner.  Afterwards, they are all                                                                            from different retailers.

Once you found a desired item, click on the picture or the link behind to get to the product page.

Quick Reference to Common Symbols

Further Information on Taobao Mall
Shops at Taobao Mall must be registered businesses which enables them to be Fully Certified and Buyer-Protected.

Taobao Mall products all have the automatic 7-day unconditional return policy, the real-product guarantee and Taobao’s other major certifications.
                                

These protections are not unique to the Mall, regular Taobao shops can also opt in to have them but Mall shops will automatically have them.