The real reason for starting to use taobao systematically was not a whim, but rather the repeated need to purchase domestic goods, services, and resources, which revealed that almost all paths ultimately lead to this platform. Whether it’s physical products, digital services, or content that can only be purchased through domestic channels, taobao serves as an unavoidable core entry point.
1. Why taobao is still the preferred platform#
The first time I seriously used taobao, my initial impression was that the amount of information was overwhelming. The page was complex, the variety of products was vast, and the price differences were significant, making it unfriendly for newcomers. However, once familiarized, one realizes that its advantages stem from this very "complexity."
I usually access taobao official website directly through the browser, as the computer version is more suitable for slowly reviewing details, comparing parameters, and analyzing evaluations compared to the mobile version.
From a user experience perspective, taobao resembles a large online marketplace:
- A vast number of merchants
- A wide range of products
- A multitude of choices for similar products
As long as you understand its rules, taobao is actually very efficient.
2. Account registration and initial preparation#
Before shopping on taobao, some basic settings must be completed. These steps may seem simple but directly affect whether payment can be successfully made later.
1. Register an account#
The general process includes:
- Registering a taobao account
- Linking an Alipay account
- Filling in shipping address information
Most people can complete this part smoothly, but the real challenges often arise later.
2. The importance of payment and card linking#
Payments for taobao orders ultimately redirect to Alipay, and Alipay must first complete card linking to function properly. If this step is not adequately prepared, it can easily lead to a blockage at the end, preventing the purchase from being completed.
3. Detailed explanation of the purchasing process on taobao#
Shopping on taobao is essentially a continuous process of filtering and judgment.
1. Search for products#
I usually use relatively precise keywords for searching, and then filter through:
- Sales volume
- Number of reviews
- Product descriptions
for the first round of screening.
2. Check reviews#
Rather than just looking at positive reviews, I pay more attention to neutral and follow-up reviews, as these often reflect a more authentic experience.
3. Consult merchants#
The chat function on taobao is very mature, and communicating directly with merchants can resolve many unclear issues.
4. The real bottleneck: the payment stage#
When I placed my first order on taobao, it wasn't that I didn't know how to buy products, but rather that I encountered issues during the final payment stage.
Alipay prompted that a usable card needed to be linked, and at that time, I did not intend to use a traditional bank card and did not want to go through a complicated real-name process, which led me to seek more flexible payment options.
5. Practical experience with virtual credit card solutions#
After several attempts, I chose to use the virtual credit card provided by EasyPay to complete the payment on taobao. This is not a simple recommendation but a summary based on actual use.
The reasons for choosing it are straightforward:
- 3U card opening fee
- No monthly fee, no burden for long-term use
- No real-name KYC required
- Supports USDT (TRC20) deposits
- Can register using email or TG account
I registered directly through EasyPay's official page and completed the card opening process. During the process, I had questions and consulted through their provided Telegram customer service channel, and the overall response speed was acceptable.
More importantly, this virtual card passed the card linking stage in Alipay on the first attempt without repeated verification.
6. Complete process from recharge to payment#
To clarify the entire logic, I will briefly recap the actual operational steps at that time.
1️⃣ Recharge#
First, recharge the virtual card using USDT (TRC20), and once the on-chain confirmation is complete, the balance can be used.
2️⃣ Card linking#
In Alipay, select to add a bank card, fill in the virtual card information, and the entire process is very similar to that of a regular credit card.
3️⃣ Complete payment#
Return to the taobao order page, select Alipay as the payment method, and then choose the linked virtual card to complete the payment.
This order was ultimately successfully paid.
7. How to shop more securely on taobao#
After multiple uses of taobao, I have summarized some practical experiences:
- Do not blindly choose the lowest price
- Prioritize products with follow-up reviews
- Ask merchants about vague descriptions in a timely manner
- Test with small orders before large ones
As long as these principles are followed, the overall shopping experience on taobao is relatively stable.
8. Real feelings about shopping on domestic platforms#
Many people may wonder why we still need to use domestic platforms for shopping. For me, the reasons are very practical:
- Some products and services are only circulated on domestic platforms
- The range of choices on taobao is very broad
- After resolving payment issues, overall efficiency is very high
Once the processes of virtual card, card linking, recharging, and payment are all completed, the threshold for using taobao will significantly decrease.
9. Some personal understandings of virtual cards#
From the entire process, virtual credit cards are not meant to take shortcuts but to solve actual payment problems. They provide a more flexible option when traditional bank cards are inconvenient to use.
10. Conclusion summary#
From initial unfamiliarity to now being able to quickly complete purchases and payments, my view of taobao has become very clear:
It may not be the simplest platform, but it is definitely one of the most comprehensive platforms.
As long as you understand the rules and prepare suitable payment methods, taobao will become a very stable and long-term usable domestic shopping channel.
Other related articles: