Most vendors at the Yiwu-based China Commodities City - the "world's largest small-commodity wholesale market" - spent half of their lives doing business in a brickandmortar market.

Commodities City actively taps e-commerce, and for most vendors establishing a successful online business is a headache. A professional photographer is essential to make products look good; an able Web designer vital to build a nice online store; tech people and marketing talent are indispensible to draw customers after any online store is launched.

Help may be at hand as increased demand leads to a rise in new companies geared to aiding others in setting up an online presence. Huang Chunxiao, founder of Yiwu Yidao eCommerce Co Ltd, is one such operator in Commodities City.