Reaching your target audience in mainland China with a fast website is challenging for companies that do not already have a mainland China business entity. Using a Content Distribution Network, such as ChinaCache RIM CDN, or Amazon, Google, and Azure servers near-shore in Hong Kong is often considered an option. Unfortunately, many have found that the performance is suboptimal and unreliable due to the Great Firewall, and capacity restrictions for bandwidth peering with mainland China. The service has to be deployed inside mainland China to reach the audience reliably.
Deploying a server or obtaining CDN service inside of mainland China requires an ICP license which requires a mainland China business entity. While it is possible for a foreign company to set up a business entity in China, the process requires a physical presence, obtaining bank accounts, many months and extensive capital in China. If you are not familiar with the process for obtaining an ICP License, Aliyun Cloud has an excellent guide that onlines the basic nine required steps. As their guide explains, if your company is not registered in mainland China with a business entity, you are not eligible to file an ICP application.
Elabify has set up a new path for clients by filing a Commercial ICP using our existing China business entity, and rent the acquired license as part of a managed service: Managed ICP. The managed service provides continual monitoring on the registered website and mainland China servers in accordance with the People’s Republic of China and provincial regulations. Elabify has provided companies from around the world an ability to start a website in mainland China in as little as three weeks on a month to month basis.
There are considerations for using this managed service, and we have outlined some below:
| Advantage | Challenge |
| Fast launch of a website in China | Elabify must have administrator server access to operate this managed service |
| No China business entity, bank account, or physical presence required | Elabify may suspend your service at any time if found not in compliance. |
| Can support many websites of general business nature | Certain content and capabilities are not allowed: Blogs, news, controversial content, and other restrictions do apply |
| No need to know Chinese or handling of local and national regulations regarding website | Elabify Managed ICP requires ongoing monthly service fee |
| Elabify handles domain and server deployment | Requires a new domain name such as “yourcompany.cn” and cannot be used with third party servers or outside of mainland China |
| Cancel at any time and the domain is provided back to client | Elabify cannot transfer the ICP filing to another operator. A new license would need to be obtained. |
Operating in a managed service requires the client to be aware of roles and responsibilities. Elabify’s role is to ensure the filing and ongoing review of the website is performed. The client is consulted and informed during this process, and is expected to maintain their website along with ongoing patching.
| Activity | Responsible | Accountable | Consulted | Informed |
| China Company | Elabify | Elabify | – | – |
| Domain Name | Elabify | Elabify | Client | Client |
| ICP Filing and PSB Registration | Elabify | Elabify | Client | Client |
| Network/Firewall | Elabify | Elabify | Client | Client |
| Server | Elabify | Elabify | Client | Client |
| Installation | Elabify | Elabify | Client | Client |
| Operating System | Client | Elabify | Client | Elabify |
| Application | Client | Elabify | Elabify | Elabify |
| Patching | Client | Elabify | Client | Elabify |
| Changes | Client | Client | Elabify | Elabify |
| Data | Client | Elabify | Client | Client |
Elabify remains a trusted partner in this relationship while the client remains in control of changes to the application. Elabify performs extensive compliance monitoring but the day to day website operations and changes remain the responsibility of the client. Many clients find this an excellent way of expanding into mainland China without the need to invest considerable time and capital in forming a full mainland China operation.
Elabify is excited to help under your business and technical needs and provide a flexible solution. Please contact us to set up a free consultation, or we are happy to start a Managed ICP onboarding by signing up online with a money-back guarantee. If we cannot fulfill a Managed ICP, we will return your money – no questions asked.