Wechat Marketing – Marketing China https://marketingtochina.com Smart Tips for Smart Business in China Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:12:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://marketingtochina.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-favicon-gma-rounded-32x32.png Wechat Marketing – Marketing China https://marketingtochina.com 32 32 Wechat Mini-programs in 2024: Guide for Business https://marketingtochina.com/how-to-launch-a-wechat-mini-program/ https://marketingtochina.com/how-to-launch-a-wechat-mini-program/#comments Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:12:39 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=52495 In just a couple of years, WeChat has become the most popular social media platform in China. International brands are now looking for optimizing their WeChat official accounts and marketing strategy so they can reach out to their audience through the app better.

Until recently, brands on WeChat had a limited marketing toolset through official accounts, but the introduction of a mini-program has changed the game! In this post, we are taking a look at:

  1. WeChat Mini Programs definition and highlights.
  2. What are the steps to develop one?
  3. How to use it and promote it with efficiency?
  4. Mini Programs in use: a brands case study

If you are looking for tips to develop or promote your Mini Program, this article is for you. Similarly, if you are looking for an agency in China, don’t be shy and contact us!

Quick Summary

  • Definition and Utility of WeChat Mini Programs: Mini programs are lightweight, mobile-native apps within WeChat for various services like ordering food, booking taxis, or making payments, accessible without needing a separate app download.
  • Features and Capabilities: They offer integration with WeChat services, support for WeChat Pay, e-commerce functionalities, livestreaming capabilities, localization strategies, and JS SDK integration for custom features.
  • Advantages Over Web and Native Apps: Mini programs enhance user engagement by functioning within WeChat, eliminating the need for separate app downloads and offering a unified experience across iOS and Android without separate testing.
  • Development Steps: The process includes registering for a WeChat Mini Program account, completing verification, setting up an Official Account, designing and developing the mini program, submitting it for certification, and awaiting approval.
  • Development Cost: Costs range from $3,000 for template-based mini programs to $20,000 for highly customized solutions, with templates recommended for most businesses.
  • Design and Development Best Practices: Suggestions include keeping the design simple, using high-quality visuals, balancing text and graphics, adhering to WeChat’s user experience guidelines, and optimizing for speed.
  • Promotion Strategies: Effective promotion involves linking the mini program to an official WeChat account, leveraging social media marketing, using WeChat groups, running targeted ads, enhancing user engagement, and collaborating with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs).
  • Case Studies: Examples include Longchamp, which used mini programs for product customization and location-based services, and Dior, which offered limited items and gift-sharing options through its mini programs.
  • Comparison with WeChat Official Accounts: While official accounts serve as entry points for customer engagement, mini programs go deeper with more comprehensive features for a seamless user experience within the WeChat ecosystem.

What are WeChat Mini Programs?

Mini programs are small, lightweight mobile native apps that you can use to do things like order food, book a taxi, or pay bills. They’re built on the WeChat platform and can be accessed through WeChat’s “Mini Programs” directory.

Unlike regular apps, mini-programs don’t require installation. You can just open them up and use them right away for your e-commerce needs. And since they’re just small programs that run inside of WeChat, they’re fast and efficient with very few storage requirements.

Users simply scan a QR code with their device or open a link in the WeChat app that links to the program – no operating system complexities are required.

WeChat mini program example

Features and capabilities

WeChat Mini Programs offer a wide range of features and capabilities designed to enhance user experience and provide businesses with valuable tools to reach their target audience. Some notable features include:

  1. Sub-applications: Mini Programs function as independent sub-applications within the WeChat ecosystem, providing advanced features without requiring users to download separate apps.
  2. Integration: Seamless integration with WeChat services such as messaging, groups, and friends’ recommendations allows businesses to leverage the platform’s vast user base for increased visibility.
  3. WeChat Pay: With integrated support for WeChat Pay, e-commerce mini programs enable frictionless transactions for ecommerce, in-app purchases, or booking services.
  4. eCommerce Features: Brands can create online stores within their Mini Programs using pre-built templates and JS SDK integration, offering streamlined shopping experiences to users.
  5. Livestreaming Capabilities: Businesses can host live events, promotions, or product launches through their Mini Programs, attracting viewership from within the WeChat community.
  6. Localization Strategies: Providing language localization options and culturally appropriate content helps foreign businesses appeal to the diverse audience on WeChat while complying with Chinese regulatory requirements.
  7. JS SDK Integration: The JavaScript Software Development Kit (SDK) allows developers to create custom features tailored to specific business needs while maintaining compatibility with WeChat’s core functionality.

Understanding these key features and capabilities is crucial for marketing managers accessing WeChat Mini Programs as part of their overall strategy for reaching Chinese customers effectively.

 WeChat Mini program: Popularity by Categories

Advantages over web apps and native apps

WeChat Mini Programs have several advantages over traditional web apps and native apps. First of all, they are small applications that function within WeChat, eliminating the need to download another app or leave the platform altogether. This improves user engagement and retention since users can seamlessly switch between their conversations and mini-programs without interruption.

Additionally, developing a mini program does not require testing for iOS and Android versions separately like in native apps, which saves time and resources for developers.

Another advantage is that WeChat Mini Programs have lower costs of acquisition compared to building an e-commerce app from scratch. Businesses can leverage this feature to reduce their development and marketing costs while still offering essential business solutions such as digital marketing campaigns, customer service chatbots, and payment integration.

WeChat mini program users

Moreover, WeChat mini-games provide easy access to a large active user base within the WeChat ecosystem – this offers foreign businesses a unique opportunity to localize strategies that meet the needs of Chinese consumers by understanding how they normally interact with one another on social media platforms.

What are the steps to develop a WeChat Mini Program?

WeChat mini program registration process

When it comes to creating a WeChat Mini Program, the registration, and certification process are pretty straightforward. Here are the key steps to keep in mind:

  1. Register for a WeChat Mini Program account through the official WeChat platform.
  2. Complete the verification process, which requires providing personal information and documentation.
  3. Set up an Official Account if you don’t already have one, as this is required to launch a Mini Program.
  4. Design and develop your Mini Program according to WeChat’s guidelines and best practices.
  5. Submit your Mini Program for certification, which involves testing for functionality, security, and compliance with relevant regulations.
  6. Wait for approval from WeChat before launching your Mini Program.

It’s important to note that each step of the registration and certification process is critical in ensuring the success of your WeChat Mini Program. By following these steps carefully, you can create a high-quality Mini Program that engages users and drives business results.

WeChat mini program example - yoga studio

How much does a Wechat Mini-program cost to develop?

The cost of developing a mini-program depends greatly on what you are looking for and how you proceed. Generally speaking the cost of developing a mini-program on WeChat range from $3K (think template) to $20k (highly customized).

Templates are the route we would advise you to go unless you are a company with a lot of resources, already known in China, and you have a very specific project in mind.

How to use WeChat Mini-Program as a key success factor in your brand development?

Developing a WeChat Mini Program requires careful consideration of design and development best practices to ensure a smooth user experience. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  1. Keep it simple: Use a clean, uncluttered layout that is easy to navigate.
  2. High-quality visuals: Use high-quality images and graphics that are optimized for mobile devices.
  3. Balance text and graphics: A good balance between text and graphics will make the Mini Program more visually appealing.
  4. User experience guidelines: Follow WeChat’s user experience guidelines when designing your Mini Program for optimal performance.
  5. Information architecture: Organize your content in a hierarchy that makes sense to users and helps them find what they’re looking for quickly.
  6. Test, test, test: Test your Mini Program thoroughly before launching to ensure it functions correctly across different devices.
  7. Optimize for speed: Minimize load times by optimizing images and reducing unnecessary features or functionality.
  8. Utilize app analytics: Use app analytics tools to monitor usage patterns and identify areas for improvement.
  9. Cross-platform compatibility: Ensure your Mini Program is compatible with multiple platforms like iOS and Android for maximum reach.
  10. Brand recognition: Stay true to your brand’s identity by using consistent visual elements such as colors, fonts, logos, etc.
  11. Digital marketing strategies: Leverage digital marketing techniques such as search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing (SMM) to promote your Mini Program effectively.
  12. Responsive design: Make sure your Mini Program is designed responsively so it can adapt seamlessly across different screen sizes.
  13. Online presence strategy: Focus on developing an online presence strategy that incorporates both the native app and the WeChat Mini Program together for maximum impact
  14. Legal considerations: Adhere to legal requirements surrounding data privacy, security measures, terms of service, etc., when designing and developing a WeChat Mini-program
  15. Keep updating your Mini Program: Regularly update your Mini Program with new features and improvements to keep users engaged and satisfied.
WeChat mini program example - Starbucks

How to promote your WeChat Mini-Program

Promotion and optimization are essential for the success of WeChat Mini Programs. Below are some effective strategies to promote and optimize your Mini Program:

Link your WeChat Program to your official WeChat account

Then, it will be easy for your community to access your mini-programs and will allow you to interact with them and integrate them with efficiency.

Use WeChat groups

As you should already be a member of WeChat, you may know about groups. If not, consider that groups are a good way for companies to share information, discounts, coupons, and more generally interact with people. You can make your own groups or join other’s groups.

Leverage social media marketing

Use popular social media platforms like Weibo and Douyin to promote your Mini Program. Create engaging content that includes QR codes, screenshots, and videos.

WeChat mini program example - Haagen Dazs

Use ads

Run targeted ads on WeChat Moments and Official Accounts to attract more users to your Mini Program. Use SEO techniques to improve visibility in search results.

Enhance user engagement

Encourage users to share their experiences with your Mini Program on social media platforms, use push notifications and in-app messaging to keep them engaged, and provide excellent customer service.

The power of KOLs

You can use Key Opinion Leaders or micro-influencers to spread the news about your brand/product/app, among their own community. Chinese people act like sheep… If an influencer tells them “this product/app is awesome, I use it every day…”, they’ll use it. End of the story.

GMA case study - Infat Pro

Wechat mini-program in use: Brands case studies

Let’s take a look at two successful case studies of brands that have used WeChat mini-programs to drive significant results. Hopefully, these examples will give you some ideas on how your business could use WeChat mini-programs to reach more customers and achieve your goals.

Wechat Mini-Program Case Study: Longchamp

The Luxury French Brand uses two Wechat mini-programs:

  1. An online boutique/store: focusing on product customization, they allowed users to customize their unique Longchamp bag, with options such as 2 colors, 3 badges, and an imprint.
  2. Location-based photo-sharing platform: it allowed users to search for the nearest store while using a digital map to find their way there. Following what, users can share pictures of their Longchamp bags with the brand’s community.
longchamp wechat mini program - wechat shop custom bag

Expert advice:

Basic and minimal. The custom function is awesome but could be a bit more developed. However, it provides data and insights that can be very useful to the brand to, later on, provide a better personalization service.

The location app, helps people to reach easily their favorite store, but also builds a community and encourages fans to share pictures. They built there a new ecosystem integrating users’ habits on WeChat.

The Dior mini program

Dior is a serial mini-program user:

  1. Online boutique: they offer limited items ranging from 300 to 600 yuan while offering product introductions and campaign videos matching these ones.
  2. Gift Sharing app: matching with the Chinese Valentine’s Day, they allowed people to offer a gift card with a love message on the cover. Plus, they enable their clients to choose a gift option to be purchased: lipstick or perfume.
  3. Once the client decided what to buy, the lovely card will be sent directly on WeChat and the gift can be picked up from the nearest Dior retail store.
WeChat mini program example - Dior

Expert advice:

Dior is a well-known luxury brand but they offer pretty cheap items to be purchased, meaning an easier buying decision for the customers. And which lady won’t be happy to get Dior branded gift?… an excellent move to expand its customer base.

The virtual gift card is also very interesting. Basically, something working in China, but as a luxury brand, it could lead to a positioning issue… it looks cheap. In that case, people prefer a real luxury wrapped gift.

WeChat mini-programs vs. WeChat official accounts

WeChat mini-programs and WeChat official accounts are two of the most popular tools for communication and mini-program development in China. While WeChat official accounts are mainly used as entrance points for customer engagement on the WeChat platform, mini-programs offer more comprehensive features than native web apps such as contactless e-commerce.

Mini-programs allow users to access functions from within the WeChat ecosystem, including items like mini-games, audio/video streaming services and even mini-programs that integrate with other wechat groups. With mini programs, developers can create user experiences designed for their specific needs and can also optimize them for their target audience.

GMA case study. -evoleum

From a customer experience perspective, mini-programs offer customers an easier way to find what they’re looking for without having to download an app or visit a website.

All in all, these two tools offer unique features that improve the customer journey while providing powerful communication solutions.

We are your WeChat marketing agency in China!

WeChat Mini Programs offer an exciting new way for businesses to connect with consumers in China. With their advanced features and capabilities, these sub-applications provide a unique opportunity to engage users and increase conversion rates without the need for expensive native or web apps.

We are a China-based marketing agency specializing in WeChat and e-commerce solutions. During 10 years of work and development, we got the experience, and know-how needed to succeed in the Chinese market.

Our mission:

  • We help BtB companies to develop themselves in China.
  • We are specialized in lead generation strategy
  • We are result-oriented
  • Pragmatic approach
  • We know your target and the different problems that may face a foreign company in China.

Some of our WeChat services include:

Don’t hesitate to leave us a comment or contact us. We offer a free consultation with one of our experts that will learn about your brand and present you with the best cost-effective solutions for your Wechat marketing strategy. Let’s keep in touch!

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Wechat E-Commerce in 2024: How to open a Wechat Shop? https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-e-commerce-guide/ https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-e-commerce-guide/#comments Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:09:13 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=34658 WeChat, a messaging app that started in 2011, has grown into one of the most powerful e-commerce platforms in China. Its ability to seamlessly combine social networking and shopping make it an ideal tool for businesses looking to expand their reach in the Chinese market.

With over 95% of brands present on WeChat mini-programs, WeChat E-Commerce is rapidly gaining popularity among both domestic and foreign brands. In this blog post, we’ll explore why WeChat is good for business and how you can leverage its features and capabilities to enhance your brand’s online presence and drive sales.

So let’s dive into the world of WeChat eCommerce!

Quick Summary

  • WeChat’s Evolution into a Powerful E-commerce Platform: Initially launched in 2011 as a messaging app, WeChat has transformed into one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms, integrating social networking and shopping to cater to the Chinese market effectively.
  • High Brand Adoption Rate: Over 95% of brands are present on WeChat through mini-programs, indicating the platform’s critical role in both domestic and international brands’ marketing strategies in China.
  • Multifaceted Platform for Businesses: WeChat serves not just as a messaging app but as a comprehensive ecosystem offering payment systems, e-commerce integration, and various services for businesses and consumers.
  • Broad User Base and Versatility: With its vast user base, WeChat provides businesses access to a large audience, combining messaging, social media, e-commerce, and mobile payments into a single platform.
  • Integrated Payment System: WeChat Pay facilitates seamless transactions, enhancing consumer purchase experiences and potentially increasing sales conversions.
  • Official Accounts and Mini Programs: These features allow businesses to build brand presence, engage with users, and offer advanced e-commerce functionalities within the WeChat ecosystem.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Direct interaction with customers through WeChat enables personalized marketing and improved customer service.
  • Location-Based Services and Data Analytics: These tools help businesses target promotions more effectively and gain valuable consumer insights for data-driven decisions.
  • Significant Role in Social Commerce: WeChat dominates over 90% of the total market share for social commerce in China, underlining its importance in the e-commerce landscape.
  • Benefits for Brands: WeChat e-commerce offers brands powerful digital marketing tools, customer engagement strategies, and opportunities for cross-border e-commerce without requiring a physical presence or Chinese business license.

Introduction To WeChat

WeChat is not just a messaging app, it’s a multifaceted platform that businesses can leverage to drive sales and engagement. From WeChat Official Accounts to Mini Programs and advertising, the possibilities are endless for brands looking to tap into this growing eCommerce market in China.

WeChat statistics

What truly sets WeChat apart from other social media applications is its vast range of features and capabilities that have evolved since its inception. Serving not only as a messaging app but also incorporating payment systemseCommerce integration through Mini Programs (sub-applications within the WeChat ecosystem), and several other services tailored for both businesses and consumers alike.

Why Is WeChat Good For Business?

WeChat, often referred to as China’s “app for everything,” provides numerous advantages for businesses, particularly given its large user base and extensive range of functionalities. Here’s why WeChat is good for business:

  • Broad User Base: As one of the most popular social media platforms in China, WeChat gives businesses access to a vast audience.
  • Versatility: WeChat isn’t just a social media app; it’s a multi-purpose platform that combines messaging, social media, e-commerce, mobile payment, and more. This means businesses can use it for a wide range of operations, from promotion and marketing to sales and customer service.
  • WeChat Pay: WeChat’s integrated mobile payment system, WeChat Pay, enables seamless transactions for businesses. This secure and widely-used payment system makes it easier for consumers to make purchases, which can increase sales conversions.
  • WeChat Official Accounts: These allow businesses to build brand presence, share content, interact with users, and even sell products or services directly to followers.
  • Mini Programs: WeChat’s Mini Programs are ‘sub-applications’ within the WeChat ecosystem. They allow businesses to provide advanced features like e-commerce, task management, and coupons without requiring users to leave the app.
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): WeChat allows businesses to interact directly with customers through messages, which can be automated for frequently asked questions. This opens up opportunities for personalized marketing and improves customer service.
  • Location-Based Services: Businesses can use these to send targeted promotions to users in a specific geographical area, improving the relevance of their marketing efforts.
  • Data Analytics: WeChat provides businesses with valuable consumer insights, which can help in understanding customer behavior, tracking marketing campaign performance, and making data-driven decisions.

Remember, however, that while WeChat offers vast opportunities, succeeding on the platform requires a well-thought-out strategy that understands the unique characteristics of Chinese digital culture and consumer behavior.

WeChat is Becoming One of The Most Important E-Commerce Platforms

The growth and influence of WeChat in the eCommerce landscape have been nothing short of phenomenal, thanks to its seamless fusion of social media, mobile commerce, messaging apps, and online transactions.

One cannot ignore how group-buying initiatives and WeChat-based social commerce have come to dominate over 90% of the total market share for social commerce. Furthermore, as the largest social network in China with growing global popularity, WeChat continually adapts to user needs through innovative product strategies.

For instance, consider their role in facilitating nearly $250 billion in eCommerce transactions or how they’ve emerged as “the king of apps” within China’s digital ecosystem.

Benefits Of WeChat ECommerce For Brands

You’ll be happy to know that WeChat eCommerce offers many benefits for brands. Not only does it allow for social and mobile commerce, but it also provides powerful digital marketing tools like customer relationship management and targeted advertising options. There is also an option for cross-border e-commerce for all the brands without the psychical presence and Chinese business license.

WeChat Mini Programs are particularly beneficial for brand engagement as they offer a streamlined shopping experience that is highly convenient for WeChat users.

With features such as WeChat Pay, purchasing products has never been easier. There are also opportunities to use influencers in the form of Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) who can help promote your brand on the platform.

Best WeChat Features and Tools for eCommerce

WeChat eCommerce offers a range of features and capabilities, including WeChat Official Accounts for branding and engagement, Mini Programs for seamless shopping experiences, Channels for short-video engagement, secure transactions with WeChat Pay, targeted advertising through WeChat Ads, and influencer marketing through KOLs.

WeChat Official Accounts For Brand Presence And Engagement

WeChat Official Accounts can elevate your brand presence and drive customer engagement. There are two types of accounts to choose from: subscription accounts and service accounts.

Wechat official account

Subscription accounts are ideal for delivering daily or weekly content updates, whereas service accounts are better suited for brands seeking more advanced functionality such as API integrations, e-commerce capabilities, and customer relationship management (CRM).

By creating a business WeChat account and optimizing its features for your target audience’s preferences, you can establish a strong brand identity on the platform and foster meaningful relationships with potential customers.

Additionally, WeChat offers extensive analytics tools so that you can track WeChat followers engagement levels and refine your strategy accordingly.

WeChat Mini Programs For Seamless Shopping Experiences

WeChat Mini Programs offer advanced features for e-commerce and seamless shopping experiences. With over 1 million mini-programs across more than 200 industries, including e-commerce, these programs are gaining popularity among users.

WeChat Mini-Programs can be categorized into six distinct groups, with e-commerce being the largest at 18%. These programs aim to make WeChat even more practical for its hundreds of millions of users.

Its convenient purchasing options such as in-app purchases provide an excellent user experience while ensuring secure transactions using WeChat Pay.

The most beneficial WeChat mini-programs are WeChat Stores and WeChat H5 Brochures. A WeChat shop enables brands to sell products directly to consumers, without the need of investing in big e-commerce platforms in China. On the other hand, WeChat Brochure is an interactive presentation of your brand and products, that can be easily shared between WeChat friends or in WeChat groups.

Starbucks WeChat H5 Brochure

WeChat Channels For Short-Video Engagement

WeChat Channels is an exciting feature that allows brands to engage their audience using short-form videos. You can leverage this feature as part of your content marketing and social media marketing strategy.

With WeChat Channels, you can attract users through engaging video content that tells the story of your brand in a simplified way. The platform grants access to individuals and companies to start a WeChat video channel and shop directly from an advert.

This feature positions Tencent for further growth.

International brands stand to gain significantly by tapping into the capabilities of WeChat channels, which is quite similar to Facebook’s timeline. In July 2022, WeChat started adding video ads on Channels that users can share with friends on WeChat, thus improving user engagement with short-video advertising strategies.

La Perla Wechat Channels

WeChat Pay For Secure And Convenient Transactions

WeChat Pay is an in-app payment feature that allows users to pay for transactions quickly on their mobile phones.

It offers secure and convenient transactions through its payment gateway and has a similar transaction fee structure to AliPay. WeChat Pay also allows users to link their bank accounts or credit cards, making it easy for them to make payments online.

Best of all, WeChat’s eCommerce platform accepts payments made through WeChat Pay, allowing businesses to offer seamless shopping experiences for customers.

WeChat Advertising For Targeted Advertising

WeChat advertising is a powerful tool for brands looking to reach their target audience on the platform. With options such as displaying targeted ads in users’ timelines, mini-programs, and official accounts, WeChat allows businesses to showcase their products or services to potential customers.

These ads feature the brand’s logo and account name and appear at the bottom of messages created by official accounts. Marketers can also define their target audience based on age and other factors, thanks to high-quality user data obtained from WeChat Moment ads or WeChat article ads.

wechat advertising - different types of ads on wechat

WeChat KOLs And Influencer Marketing For Brand Promotion

WeChat KOLs are influential individuals or groups with large followings who can promote brands and products through sponsored articles and product reviews.

They have considerable sway in informing their followers about a brand’s campaigns and products, which can influence consumer behavior toward purchasing decisions.

WeChat influencer marketing is highly advisable for brands looking to reach their target audience in the Chinese market. WeChat offers KOL advertising, which enables brands to place banner advertisements within the content of KOL’s posts for maximum exposure.

Leveraging WeChat ECommerce For Business Success

Learn how to create a WeChat Official Account, open a WeChat store, optimize your WeChat H5 Brochure for enhanced user experience, and start leveraging the power of WeChat eCommerce to take your business to new heights.

How To Create A WeChat Official Account?

Creating a WeChat Official Account for business is a crucial step in enhancing brand visibility and engagement within the platform’s ecosystem. To get started, one needs to determine which type of account best aligns with their goals (subscription or service account).

The subscription account is ideal for sharing bespoke content and building a loyal following, while the service account provides more extensive functionalities like customer service, eCommerce solutions, and CRM integration.

WeChat official account example

After selecting the account type, and going through the registration process, creating captivating content should be prioritized to attract and engage followers effectively. The key elements include an appealing profile picture, a concise bio that captures your brand identity, relevant keywords for search purposes, and consistent posting schedules optimized to target peak hours when users are most active on the platform.

How To Open A WeChat Store?

Firstly, it requires creating an optimized WeChat Mini Program that enhances user experience and offers a seamless shopping experience. To create a mini-program, you can either use a third-party provider or hire an agency to do the job for you.

This means choosing the right name and description for your program, providing compelling images and videos, product descriptions with pricing information clearly indicated, integrating convenient payment options like WeChat Pay or Alipay, and ensuring speedy page loading times.

For example, Nike’s successful launch of their Tmall global flagship store in China resulted in an increase in sales thanks to its intuitive design that provided social sharing buttons throughout the platform for easy sharing on various social media sites.

chinese social media - wechat miniprograms

How To Create A Good WeChat H5 Brochure?

WeChat H5 brochures serve as a narrative of your brand and are a great representation of your services and products. Creating a brochure works the same as creating a store, as they are both done in mini-programs.

To grab the viewer’s attention, you need to create engaging content that showcases your brand in an interactive way. Keep in mind that H5 pages rely heavily on user input, which WeChat is great at collecting.

To create an effective WeChat H5 brochure, start by telling a story through visual elements such as images and videos. Use short sentences and bullet points to highlight key features or benefits of your products or services.

Emphasize customer satisfaction by using testimonials or success stories from previous clients.

One example of an effective H5 page is Airbnb China’s promotion of Lijiang Old Town in Yunnan Province. Their page combines stunning imagery with the ability for users to book unique accommodations directly from within the WeChat app.

GMA Case Study: Pit Caribou WeChat H5 Brochure

Case Studies And Success Stories

As WeChat continues to gain massive popularity in China, more international brands are taking notice of its potential for business growth. Many foreign companies have already started leveraging the platform to expand their brand and products to China through WeChat marketing.

For instance, luxury retail giant Burberry has created a mini-program on WeChat that allows Chinese customers to shop online and view collections directly from their smartphones.

Another example is BMW, which partnered with WeChat’s parent company Tencent to launch a voice-enabled digital assistant for car owners in China via the app.

Another example is that of L’Oreal Paris who collaborated with top beauty influencers on the platform through Keypersona marketing campaigns, which helped them reach out to millions of users in China.

Ultimately, these case studies demonstrate how WeChat enables businesses to be creative, authentic, and engaging while gaining new customers or increasing sales revenue in the Chinese market at large.

We are a China-based WeChat Marketing Agency

WeChat eCommerce is a powerful platform that offers businesses a plethora of opportunities to connect with consumers in China and beyond. With features like Official Accounts, Mini Programs, Channels, Pay, advertising, and KOLs/influencer marketing at its fingertips; WeChat can be leveraged by businesses to achieve success in Chinese eCommerce.

One of the biggest advantages of selling on WeChat is gaining access to China’s massive consumer market. Selling through this platform can help businesses overcome common barriers like language and cultural differences.

Additionally, WeChat’s tightly integrated services with simple and unified design make it a popular choice among users, offering both confidence and social benefits. Moreover, by leveraging influencers and KOLs on the platform for targeted social media marketing campaigns, businesses can enhance customer engagement while driving sales growth.

gma

We are a China-based marketing agency specializing in digital marketing and e-commerce solutions. We offer cost-effective solutions to Western brands and WeChat is our core specialty. Here are some of our services on the platform:

Don’t hesitate to leave us a message or contact us to discuss your options. We offer a free consultation with one of our experts, that will learn about your brand and show you the best possibilities for you on WeChat.

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Wechat Marketing Strategy: Best Practices for Business 2024 https://marketingtochina.com/best-practices-for-wechat-marketing/ https://marketingtochina.com/best-practices-for-wechat-marketing/#comments Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:37:54 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=45948 If you want to do business in China, you simply can’t do it without at least a bit of Wechat Marketing.

With 1,26 billion monthly active users as of 2023, Wechat is China’s most important app. More than just an instant messaging app, Wechat is a super app and Wechat marketing is a must in any serious brands’ strategy in China.

In this article, we will walk you through the best WeChat marketing practices, and teach you how to advertise through your WeChat Official Account, so that you can bring your brands to the next level and increase awareness in China.

Quick Summary

  • WeChat’s Dominance: With 1.26 billion monthly active users as of 2023, WeChat is China’s most important app, functioning as a super app beyond just messaging.
  • WeChat Official Account Registration: Essential for WeChat marketing, offering benefits like attracting potential customers, increasing brand awareness, and building customer loyalty.
  • Types of WeChat Official Accounts: Two main types are Service Accounts (greater visibility, limited to four posts per month) and Subscription Accounts (allows more than one push notification per day).
  • Content Strategy: High-quality, creative content is crucial. The content should be engaging, visually appealing, and use storytelling. Video posts are particularly effective.
  • Membership & VIP Coupons: Effective tools for creating engagement and converting followers into members, allowing for more personalized marketing content.
  • WeChat H5 Brochure: A cost-efficient solution for content distribution, offering benefits like easy sharing, interactivity, and cost efficiency.
  • WeChat Mini-programs: Essential for brands, allowing the creation of mini websites within WeChat for a complete brand experience.
  • WeChat Channels: A feature for creating and posting short-video content, helping brands and influencers reach a wider audience.
  • Paid Advertising: Includes WeChat Banner Advertisements, WeChat Moments Advertisements, and Key Opinion Leader (KOL) Promotion, each offering unique ways to increase brand awareness and engagement.
  • WeChat CRM & Menu for Official Account: Tools for effective communication with followers/customers, replacing traditional email marketing in China.
  • Innovative Campaign Examples: The article highlights successful campaigns like Perfect Diary’s group management and Pandora’s innovative WeChat mini-program campaign.

WeChat Marketing Step 1: Registering a WeChat Official Account

There is no WeChat marketing without a business account, so the first step you need to take is to register a public account on the app. We strongly suggest you use a Wechat Official account. Why?

  • Attract potential customers;
  • Increase brand awareness;
  • Send push notifications to contacts following the page;
  • Build customer loyalty;
  • Redirect the user to the website/e-commerce page of the company.

Better visibility means better credibility. High-quality creative content is the key to attracting an audience. Through an official account, you not only have greater contact with customers but it is also possible to create real advertising campaigns. Therefore, there are many foreign brands that use Wechat as the main portal for their advertising.

WeChat Marketing: statistics of the app

2 Types of WeChat Official Accounts for Wechat Marketing

There are 2 types of accounts on WeChat that are suitable for brands: WeChat service accounts and WeChat subscription accounts.

Service accounts appear in the “chat” section like any contact. As a result, they offer greater visibility than subscription accounts, however, only four posts per month can be published. They are the best option for most brands and the only available account type for foreign companies.

The subscription accounts are grouped in a sort of folder called, precisely, “subscription” visible in the “chat” section of WeChat. Through this type of account, you can send your followers more than one push notification per day.

WeChat official account: service vs subscription

If you’re interested in starting a WeChat account (whether it’s a WeChat service account or a WeChat subscription account), contact us so that we can assist you through the whole process, as it might be a bit tricky, especially for people that don’t speak Chinese.

What is the best content for WeChat Official Account?

WeChat Official Account works as a website or newsletter, where brands publish content regularly, informing their followers about new products, events, special discounts, or publishing interesting content within their point of interest.

You have to carefully choose what content are you going to use but also calculate what is the optimal time of the day to reach your audience without being disruptive. Consider three elements:

  • The tone of voice: how the message is communicated, respecting the characteristics of the brand, and considering the target of users to which it refers (colloquial, smart, formal, …)
  • Layout: Chinese users usually don’t like posts that are too rich with text; they prefer articles with many images and videos. Now there are a lot of third-party tools that help you create engaging interactive layouts for your posts on the Wechat platform.
  • Graphics: Chinese users like curated and engaging content.
WeChat Official Account - GMA case study Gisada
GMA Case Study: Gisada WeChat Official Account

Your content should be useful and consistently good. It appears that video posts are the last trend. They are visual and entertaining. Industry such as fashion and beauty should especially go for it.

In order to optimize your WeChat marketing results, your post should include one of the following “activities”: Delivering e-coupons, issuing a virtual VIP card, sending promotional offer notifications, and using the membership function.

Story-telling on WeChat with the official account publications

Communicating through WeChat requires some tricks so that you attract the right social media users. Posts are compared to what we are used to and appear as a newsletter as if the brands tell their story to the user.

WeChat Official Account - GMA case study Lyfen
Promotions on the WeChat official account of Lyfen

These may contain images, GIFs, or videos and can be “open” or not. “Open” content can be viewed by anyone who wants to see it. Otherwise, the post is “private” and visible only to those who follow the brand on WeChat.

WeChat allows for “one-to-one” communication which makes it a great CRM tool, it would be foolish not to make the best out of it. It’s the best way to increase customer loyalty and relationship management.

Membership & VIP coupons are effective Wechat marketing tools to create engagement

Using WeChat membership functions can help you convert your followers into members. Keep your members interested in loyalty programs. This also allows you to get valuable information. A member can use the geo-localization function to pair up with users by their Wechat ID or phone number.

This is perfect to create more custom marketing content that will reach your audience more efficiently.
There are three typical ways to integrate WeChat into your marketing activities:

  • Issuing a virtual VIP card
  • Sending promotional offer notifications
  • Delivering e-coupons

WeChat Official Account for brand communication purposes

It seems obvious but offering an enjoyable experience to the customer is one of the key elements of your success in China.

With WeChat and its one-to-one communication, you can provide the customer the feeling to be the sole focus, to be important – meaning you care about them.

WeChat Official Account - example

Make sure to send a greeting message to the new joiner and be proactive. Now, you are not going to answer your followers one by one because Wechat gives you the possibility to set pre-written answers. You can define responses that co-relate to various keywords and there are no limits to the number of keywords. You also have the possibility to use visual and audio content.  If you have a website, let your customer know about it.

WeChat official account Qr codes to promote your brand offline and online

QR codes are an important part of daily life in China and they are an excellent way to get new followers.
Companies that want to increase their number of followers on WeChat associate a QR Code with their existing accounts or sites. This also applies to points of sale or any sales support material used offline. As soon as someone scans the QR Code they become a member of the community and receive all the content shared by the brand.

WeChat Official Account - GMA example

Brands often invite users to scan QR Codes through promotions, discounts, sweepstakes, souvenirs, or WiFi passes, or they show the QR Code on other social media accounts. If you do the delivery, add your QR code to your packaging.

WeChat automatically creates a QR code for each official account, along with an inbuilt QR code scanner so no worries about it. You can also customize and personalize the QR codes that match your branding perfectly.

Promote your official account with WeChat group marketing

WeChat groups are the fastest and easiest way to distribute content to WeChat users interested in your type of product or service. Then, if your brand is recommended by one of the users, people will have more faith in the brand and will arouse the interest of other users. Therefore, Wechat groups can reach a larger community and have better visibility.

Businesses should consider Wechat groups as a forum where to provide useful information and develop a relationship with their audience. Businesses should then post regularly at peak times.

Wechat group marketing

WeChat H5 Brochure: cost-efficient solution for content distribution

WeChat H5 Brochures are interactive brochures built-in WeChat mini-programs, that serve the purpose of PDFs introducing the brand and its products. They are interactive and highly shareable, making the a perfect marketing tool, especially if you want to work with distributors in China.

WeChat Brochure is good for online and offline because it is easy to send and distribute. It is great for product listing and for company introduction.

WeChat marketing: H5 brochures
Wechat H5 Brochure by GMA for French Wine Retailer Scapa

The benefits of the WeChat H5 Brochure are:

  • Easy to share and lightweight⁠
  • Interactive & nice to look at⁠
  • Bring your QR code to every salon instead of printing a flyer⁠
  • Cost-efficient⁠
  • Alternative to your unsuccessful mass mailing with heavy PDF⁠
  • Show potential business partners in China that you understand the market⁠

WeChat CRM & Menu for Official Account

Set up and use the in-app Wechat CRM. It is a great tool to communicate with your followers/customers and can be used as a replacement for a newsletter. Remember, email marketing does not work in China, people don’t read emails. With a well-set Wechat CRM, answers automatically any questions your followers may have, welcome new ones, offer special discounts, etc. You don’t spend time doing it, and it increases your trust level with followers.

WeChat official account and menu Set by GMA
WeChat official account and menu Set by GMA. Design to ease communication and increase engagement with Cardo’s followers.

WeChat Mini-programs

In 2017 Tencent has released “mini-programs”.  A WeChat mini-program is an internal “mini-app” to the WeChat ecosystem. These applications do not need to be downloaded on your smartphone. Nowadays more than 95% of brands use WeChat mini-programs, mainly for a flagship WeChat store or a Wechat H5 brochure mentioned earlier.

It basically enables brands to set up a full mini website to complete their brand experience. Each day about 20 000 mini-programs are uploaded and compete for the attention of more than one billion daily active users on the WeChat app. The interest in mini-programs never ceases to grow.

WeChat Official Account - GMA case study Evoleum

Here are some tips for your mini-program:

  • Aesthetic needs to be top-notch because that is the first thing your potential customer will see and this is how they will decide to click or to leave.
  • Think multi-channel. Do you have a physical store? Display your location and draw your online customer directly to you.
  • Use the mini-programs as a CRM, and remember that the customer is always first.
  • Be social, which is the core of WeChat. Let your customers interact with their friends via your mini-program.
  • Entertain your customer, and be smart.  For example, Louis Vuitton launched a mini-game called “Trunk in the Sand” which makes the exhibition at the Shanghai Exhibition Center, which traced the history of the Brand since its foundation, a unique experience.
exemple of wechat store

WeChat Channels

This is a new feature within the WeChat ecosystem that allows users, influencers, and brands to create and post short-video content and distribute them through a media feed. WeChat Channels are an answer to the growing popularity of short-video platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou.

WeChat users can scroll through the feed infinitely to discover what their friends and their favorite brands have posted as well as content from other users, influencers, and public accounts.

From Channels, WeChat users are able to explore content and follow users that are not in their contact and WeChat Official Accounts that they are not following.

WeChat Channels - GMA Case Study La Perla
La Perla on WeChat Channels

Paid advertising on WeChat

Ads campaigns can be great to increase your brand awareness. Get creative to get your target’s attention. For instance invite people to vote, games, and do quizzes. It should be attractive, entertaining, and rewarding. Remember, creative campaigns can always attract followers to your accounts.

There are 3 types of Wechat advertising:

  1. WeChat Banner Advertisements
  2. WeChat Moments Advertisements
  3. Key Opinion Leader(KOL) Promotion

WeChat Campaigns

Banner ads on WeChat are placed in official account articles and are rather classic and comparable to other website ads. The good things are that it has performance-based pricing and it makes it easier for users to enter your website.

WeChat Moments ads allow advertisers to advertise within the Moments section, which is comparable to Facebook’s Newsfeed. It is worth noticing that Wechat Moments advertisement offers an easier and more affordable way to advertise on the app:

  • Graphic part: up to 6 images or videos of max 15 seconds;
  • Textual part: text to be customized;
  • By clicking on photos, videos, or text the user can be redirected to the WeChat mini-program or to the WeChat newsletter;
  • Engagement with comments and likes
WeChat advertising - moment ads

WeChat KOL promotions

In China, influencers (known as KOL, Key Opinion Leaders) are even more important than in the West. Their relationship with the fans is intimate and direct and the influence they exert on purchasing decisions can be enormous.

For this reason, when you start marketing with WeChat you cannot ignore the collaborations with KOL. Naturally, both the influencers and the content they will convey will be chosen according to the brand identity and the reference community.

Since August 2020 companies that have an official account and a mini-program can use the live streaming function on the platform. Consumers can interact with the host and can receive instant answers and info. Kols and live streaming are a perfect match.

Brands can search KOLs on Wechat or through marketing agencies.

There are two types of campaigns:

  • Product Placement: They are the most common way to promote WeChat KOLs. Your product will be featured in an article written by the influencer you are in partnership with.
  • Product Reviews: This practice is great for your e-reputation. As many WeChat Kols are experts, they will provide many informative comments to potential customers helping them to make the final decision. These campaigns are often associated with a giveaway to increase engagement and shares.
KOL advertising campaigns on WeChat

Examples of great Wechat marketing campaigns

Perfect Diary group management

Perfect Diary on WeChat

The “flirting with Xiaowanzi” function developed by the Perfect Diary allows you to add Xiaowanzi as a friend on WeChat. Xiaowanzi is the username of the girl in charge of running Perfect Diary’s official account, as well as the chat group.

Xiaowanzi consists of three Chinese characters: 小 (xiao), 完 (wan), 子 (zi). The middle one “完 (wan)” is the same as the first Chinese character of Perfect Diary’s Chinese name “完美日记”. Therefore, Xiaowanzi is a name that both associates its user to the brand and also appeals to Perfect Diary’s target customers, which are mainly female millennials.

A couple of times a day, Xiaowanzi posts a mini-program link or announces a promotion in the group, and those who are interested can tap the Mini Program to go directly to the item they want to buy (with a discount of course).

The pop-up WeChat group is another one of Perfect Diary’s powerful strategies, which operates like a surprising event.

The pop-up group promotion and live stream take place at night, after the dinner hour, and before bedtime, so the entire time before customers go to sleep can be spent in the happy-shopping-Perfect-Diary Hour. The pop-up group aims to grab only an hour of the customers’ attention on WeChat, increasing the likelihood of a sale.

Pandora: innovative WeChat mini-program campaign

Pandora on WeChat

Compared with other companies, Pandora carefully considered the Chinese market, looking in particular at occasions when young Chinese consumers express their love. On the 20th of August 2020 (Qixi festival day), the brand launched a mini-program, E Jian Lian Ai, which allows consumers to send gifts to their WeChat friends. This is the strongest attempt any brand has made at incorporating social aspects into its operations.

From a technical level, it directly engages the Qixi market with new retail ideas. Each year, on the seventh day of the seventh month on the Chinese calendar, the Qixi Festival, or the Double Seventh Festival is celebrated. A holiday almost equivalent to Western Valentine’s Day has been celebrated in China since the time of the Han Dynasty.

Do you need help with your Wechat marketing strategy in China?

Wechat is an app in continuous and rapid evolution. Some of the latest innovations include the addition of a delivery service to the mini-programs, the creation of a score and reward system for customers, and the launch of the so-called WeChat Mini shop. Features that will be implemented in brand strategies in the months and years to come.

It cannot be otherwise in the Chinese market, where everything moves very fast and every day there is amazing news. It is, therefore, necessary to monitor all the new features of the App proposed by Tencent. Only in this way, it can be adequately used for one’s digital strategy in China.

Gentlemen Marketing Agency - contact us

GMA is a marketing agency that helps foreign companies grow their business in China. Get in touch with our Wechat experts to get some insights on your project and learn more about our Wechat Services here.

Our Wechat services include:

Gentlemen Marketing agency - WeChat services

We can help you with your whole WeChat marketing strategy, from setting up a WeChat official account to influencer marketing and opening a WeChat Pay account for your store in the app. Don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can learn of your needs and goals in China.

Gentlemen Marketing agency - case studies
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https://marketingtochina.com/best-practices-for-wechat-marketing/feed/ 14 What is WeChat, and how can I leverage this App for my brand? by Olivier VEROT nonadult
Wechat Advertising in 2024: Ad Types, Cost & Strategies https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-advertising/ Wed, 07 Feb 2024 09:02:19 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?page_id=40209 Wechat is a social media app that’s similar to Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat all rolled into one. The app has over 1.2 billion active monthly users with about 700 million daily active users. Because of its success with Chinese netizens and a wide range of communication tools, Wechat is a great place to promote your business.

In this blog post, we are talking about how our Wechat Agency drives big results with WeChat Advertising: how it works, and why you should be using it now more than ever before!

Quick Summary

  • WeChat’s Massive User Base: The platform boasts over 1.2 billion monthly active users, making it a prime advertising space in China.
  • Variety of Ad Types: WeChat offers banner ads, Moments ads, mini-program ads, and KOLs advertising, catering to diverse marketing strategies.
  • Banner Advertising: Effective for growing WeChat followers, with costs ranging from 8 to 20 RMB per follower and a minimum entry price of 50,000 RMB.
  • Moments Advertising: High exposure but restricted to established brands or foreign companies operating in China, with a minimum budget of 50,000 RMB.
  • Mini-Program Ads: Launched in 2017, these ads offer additional reach within WeChat’s ecosystem, with entry prices starting at 50,000 RMB.
  • KOL Collaborations: Engaging Key Opinion Leaders can significantly extend brand reach and impact, with payment models including flat fees or commission-based.
  • Targeting Limitations: While WeChat offers targeting options, its capabilities are not as advanced as other platforms like Douyin or Weibo.
  • High Cost: WeChat advertising is generally more expensive, making it suitable for well-established brands with larger budgets.
  • WeChat Pay Integration: This feature enhances e-commerce capabilities within the platform, facilitating flash sales and impulsive purchases.
  • Content Importance: Success in WeChat advertising heavily relies on the quality and engagement of the content shared.

What is WeChat Advertising?

WeChat advertising offers a variety of innovative ways for brands to engage their customers and expand their reach within the highly popular Chinese platform. Through targeted ads, companies can display meaningful messages on users’ timelines, in mini-programs, or in WeChat Official Account articles. Tencent advertising program for WeChat is a great tool for brands that want to enhance and maximize the number of WeChat business account followers.

What are the different types of WeChat Ads?

In general, there are three types of WeChat advertising;

  • WeChat banner advertising (often called WeChat official accounts advertising)
  • WeChat moments advertising (video ads/ picture ads/ interactive ads..)
  • WeChat mini-program advertising
  • Wechat KOLs advertising through WeChat articles with ad banners and products reviews

KOLs advertising, although not listed as one of the main three types, has become very popular in recent years, so it’s definitely worth mentioning, as it might be the best solution for many companies.

wechat advertising - different types of ads on wechat

WeChat banner advertising

One of the most effective ways to advertise on WeChat is by using banners. These are like ad banners you would see on a website, but they can be very different from what people expect when messaging with friends and family. In these cases, banner ads appear at the bottom of posts published by a Wechat Official Account, redirecting traffic to another account.

business wechat
example of a WeChat banner ad sending users to a landing page on JD

WeChat banner ads cost

WeChat banner advertising is a great way to grow your Wechat followers with a steady ROI. With this in mind, it’s important to test campaigns and calculate the CPA by adjusting different content. A WeChat follower costs between 8 RMB – 20 RMB depending on targeting and campaign optimization skills.

The minimum entry price for both Chinese and foreign companies is 50,000RMB.

City sizeCPM1CPC2
Core city25Bidding system
Large city20
Others15Starts at 0.5 RMB / click

CPM (cost per 1,000 impression).                Core citiesBeijing, Shanghai

Large cities: Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Suzhou, Chongqing, Nanjing, Tianjin, Xi’an, Guiyang, Changsha, Qingdao, Ningbo, Zhengzhou, Dalian, Xiamen, Jinan, Harbin, Fuzhou

All these price bases for advertisement targeting depend on granular targeting, and your activation link.

There are three components of Wechat banner ads

  • WeChat article: WeChat banner ads are usually displayed at the bottom of WeChat posts, redirecting traffic to another WeChat business account
  • Ad banner: the banner is made of a logo, account name, and headline. When clicked, it takes the users to a page containing additional information about the brand/product.
  • Call to action: this redirects users to another landing page.
WeChat official account ads

WeChat banner ads targeting

If you are wondering why Wechat banner campaigns are popular with advertisers, one of the reasons is that they target relevant users who already have an interest in what you’re selling, as well as being cheaper than Wechat moments advertising for instance.

Footer & exchange ads can be placed at the bottom of targeted articles about that specific topic, thus you know there is already a degree of active engagement with relevant topics.

WeChat is often referred to as the ‘WeChat Times’ because users surf for information through it. With WeChat articles being such relevant content in users’ daily life, banner ads placement inside those posts have also grown in importance for brands and publishers.

WeChat banner ads can drive traffic to:

  • WeChat Official Accounts
  • WeChat Stores
  • Store page
  • External Links (opened within the WeChat browser)

Developed WeChat banner ads with a greater range of options

  • Footer ads (底部广告) – a banner placed below a WeChat article with a call-to-action button
  • Pre-scrolling video ads (视频贴片广告) – Pre-roll ads in a video
  • Exchange ads (互选广告) – Exchange ads are similar to footer ads. The major difference is that exchange ads may be presented in a larger card format with a call-to-action button.

WeChat Moment advertising

Probably the king of Wechat Advertising, WeChat Moments ads are a great tool considering users will typically check their WeChat moments when opening the app. Moments ads are placed in-feed for users, this is typically a higher-budget approach in terms of minimum ad spend but offers the highest exposure levels.

WeChat moment ads were launched in 2015 when 25 brands including Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz took part in the first testing campaign. Moments ads tend to be best for brands that already have a certain level of engagement in China.

Who can advertise on WeChat Moments?

WeChat Moments is restricted to only certain types of advertisers. Companies must either be established brands that are already known in China or foreign companies that are registered and operate in the country.

Restricted categories such as alcohol, tobacco, and certain events are not allowed on WeChat Moments or just with few restrictions. Foreign companies also need to obtain a series of certifications in order to be able to advertise their products on the platform.

WeChat Moments ads Include:

  • Brand’s name and profile picture
  • Up to 40 characters and description
  • Link to an HTML5 webpage hosted on Tencent’s server
  • Up to 6 pictures or 6-15 seconds of short videos
  • Picture or videos ads format that can be interacted with
  • You can target users according to their location, interest, age, gender, device, and phone network.

WeChat Moments ads can drive traffic to

  • WeChat Official Accounts
  • WeChat Stores
  • Store page
  • External Links (opened within the WeChat browser)

Pricing & Costs of WeChat Moment Ads

Moments ads adopt the CPM (Cost per 1,000 impressions) pricing model. There are also two purchasing schemes: scheduling and auction.

  • For the scheduling scheme (排期购买), advertisers can schedule a fixed advertising time between 2 to 28 days. The price also depends on where the ad will be displayed. The minimum budget is 50,000 RMB for one WeChat advertising campaign.
  • The auction scheme (竞价购买), it’s more suitable for advertisers who need flexible advertising times and constant optimization of the ad. It’s based on real-time bidding and the minimum budget is 1,000 RMB for one day.

Wechat mini-program ads

With the launch of WeChat mini-programs in 2017, it became an instant success among China’s brands and digital marketers. To further extend its reach into social e-commerce, Tencent unveiled a brand new advertising platform within the popular messaging app – allowing businesses to access its users through widely used mini-programs, as an addition to Moments and banner ads.

There are different types of WeChat advertising using mini-programs, which include:

  • Pop-up ads – just like in the West, there is a possibility to use pop-up ads, which are banner ads that will appear every time a user opens the mini-program, switches tabs, etc.
  • Banner ads – those ads are the same as the banner ads in WeChat articles, and they will appear in different places of mini-programs
  • WeChat mini-games advertisement – those ads appear in a form of short videos redirecting to another landing page. Those ads are incorporated into the game plot and tie to incentives provided within the game, which makes it more fun than normal advertisements.

How much do WeChat mini-program ads cost?

The minimum entry price for both Chinese and foreign companies is 50,000RMB.

City sizeCPM1CPC2
Core city25 (70)Bidding system
Large city20 (65)
Others15 (60)Starts at 0.1 RMB / click

The prices in brackets are for mini-game ads.

Key Opinion Leader advertising collaborations

To further your brand promotion on WeChat, engaging Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) is a great way to make an impact. Working with these KOLs can be done through exchanging their promotional posts for products from your company or via payment of flat fees and commission-based payments – usually, 20%-40% based on the sale results.

With 500,000+ followers each, KOLs are able to provide extensive reach and potentially deliver large numbers of sales just by posting relevant product information.

WeChat Advertising Platform: Yay or Nay?

WeChat, although the biggest social media in China in terms of users, may not be the best ad space for many of you and there are reasons for that. 

Cons of Wechat Advertising

  • For one, Wechat has historically been hesitant to monetize its app with advertising as it wants to keep users’ moments  “personal” and avoid the spam feeling that some apps have. Typically, users will only see one WeChat moment every 24h.
  • The second point is, that WeChat advertising targeting is not all that great, especially when compared to Douyin or Weibo.
  • Last but not least, WeChat advertisement is costly.

The Bright Side of Wechat Advertising 

  • Wechat moment ad offers brands an enormous reach, and good ROI for well-known companies
  • Advertising on WeChat comes in many forms. Ad formats are varied: video ads, pictures, banner ad
  • You can now link to the landing page of your choice

In short, choosing to integrate WeChat advertising into your China marketing strategy really depends on your budget and the status of your brand in China. Wechat Moments advertising is absolutely great if you are well-established in the country and have the budget. If you are on a tighter budget, maybe postpone advertising on Wechat moments in favor of banner advertising. 

WeChat Advertising: How to be Successful at It?

When you enter the world of WeChat ads, be prepared to get your hands dirty. You will have to become familiar with its characteristics so that you may successfully manage a campaign.

Growing your follower base on WeChat is key

The key to success on WeChat is growing your official account follower base. It’s essential for any newcomer, especially those without a following already established in China. The main way users can see content from accounts they are not currently following is through posts shared on group chat or a connection moment.

The more you’ll satisfy your Wechat followers base, the more chances you’ll have to reach their friends as they will probably talk about your brand, or post content mentioning your brand. WeChat is a key portal not only as a way to share information but also to engage with users in Q&A, sending newsletters & ultimately providing incentives for followers to engage with your account. The most powerful way to create interaction is by providing quality content. 

Tips to Grow Your Wechat Official Account Followers Base

  • Stay focused on sharing content about your activity with “Wechat articles
  • Establish yourself as a native expert in your area to increase user engagement
  • Provide unique insights/offers that are only available from your account
  • Create and use HTML5 content to advertise and engage consumers
  • Use WeChat as a way to interact with your followers. Be responsive and bring them into the conversation. You can also reward them for doing so.
  • It’s a well-known fact that the more people you can reach, the better chance your content has of going viral. However, one of the best ways to do this is via peer-to-peer sharing – which means getting followers to share your content with their own contacts on their Moments feeds! One of the strategies for getting your content shared is to provide entertaining, original, and qualitative content.

Useful Tips to Advertise on WeChat

If you want to take advantage of WeChat and advertise your business, you will need to clearly understand WeChat’s ecosystem, as well as to plan carefully your advertising strategy beforehand.

Understanding the purpose of WeChat

Firstly, it is important to understand the vision & scope of this platform as an advertiser. In fact, WeChat’s ultimate goal is to be the definitive ‘one-stop shop’ for Chinese consumers. It is a platform that caters to users’ daily needs in a unique way.

WeChat has become the bedrock of social communication and is also one of the most integrated service providers in the world. If you want to advertise on WeChat, you have to understand that you’ll have to be creative and responsive in order to stand out amongst your potential competitors.

WeChat Pay: The Most Popular Digital Wallet Service in the World

WeChat Pay’s Website

When it comes to advertising products and services on WeChat, understanding the e-wallet system is vital. As a digital payment service linked directly with your bank account, you can pay instantly through this platform.

For example, if you are advertising a product on WeChat, WeChat Pay will be a powerful tool for ‘Flash Sales’ or ‘Impulsive Purchase’. Flash sales promotions have been used by several international fashion brands in China, within a limited period of time of 24 hours. This functionality is especially used by luxury brands, such as Dior, Burberry, Chanel, Lancôme, etc.

Burberry’s 24-hours Flash Sales on WeChat (© Jing Daily)

One of the most successful flash sales on WeChat was organized by Burberry in 2017, with more than half of the items sold before the end of the event. Following this commercial and advertising success, many brands did the same in recent years.

Clinique – Wechat Store – CNY 2021

The power of WeChat Pay is that it combines e-commerce and social media. WeChat-hosted stores can be used to drive traffic and generate sales without even leaving the platform. You have to consider it as an in-system way to drive traffic to your store. This also means that you must optimize content at every stage of the advertising process (HMTL5 brochure for WeChat for example).

Re-posting & sharing on Wechat

Content such as WeChat articles (weekly or daily) can be posted in groups and then animated through conversation + relevant topic discussion. Spam groups are avoided and will not drive traffic to articles or posts whilst quality groups will. Similarly, WeChat official account articles of quality will be shared on WeChat moments, whereas low-effort one won’t.

Regular discussions led by multiple members are the key (rather than one domineering one). P2P sharing on WeChat is an important element for growth. P2P can be artificially stimulated with multiple covert accounts but needs to result in organic sharing, again why will the content be shared? It comes back time and time again to content.

WeChat’s H5 Brochures

Wechat H5 brochures come in a variety of styles, some with video animations or triggering events like shaking your phone for the animation to move on its own. Wechat H5 is versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to promote your brand.

One way is by using them as event flyers or ads for products. They’re great because they give you the opportunity to engage with customers on multiple levels through interactive content like quizzes that work well alongside visual graphics and other multimedia features!

Scapa Wechat e-brochure
Scapa’s H5 Brochure by GMA

WeChat’s Mini-Programs

Another useful functionality available on WeChat is its mini-programs. The platform’s Mini Programs are third-party “apps” that are running on WeChat without requiring users to download them.

WeChat Mini-programs have skyrocketed to over one million in 2018, used by brands such as Burberry, H&M, and Dior. Furthermore, SMEs are increasingly connected with users via WeChat Pay – the annual transaction volume from mini-programs has more than doubled in 2020!

Pandora’s mini-program on WeChat

Contact us and Start Advertising on WeChat

The key take-home is that both organic & paid WeChat ads options provide a certain and particular comprehensive infrastructure to advertise and market effectively your brand and your products to WeChat users.

With growing informational asymmetry in relation to WeChat, it’s more important than ever to talk about your projects with experts on the Chinese market who will review your strategy, give you tips and advice, and help you get the best of the Chinese market through WeChat advertising and more.

We can help you with your Wechat advertising strategy. GMA is one of the largest & most reputable digital marketing agencies in Mainland China. We focus on Chinese digital strategy & implementation.

WeChat is a core aspect of GMA’s Business, and we work intensively on:

  • WeChat Mini Program & Store Development
  • WeChat Advertising Management
  • WeChat Content Creation & Formatting
  • HTML5 Content & Account Development
  • Wechat Official Account developpement
  • WeChat Official account Advertising
  • Wechat Influencer Marketing

On top Of Wechat marketing, GMA also offers a comprehensive Chinese marketing service:

  • Baidu advertising and search engine optimization
  • Development of Chinese advertising channels
  • Chinese social media
  • Key opinion leader advertising
  • Chinese Ecommerce
  • And so on

Why should you choose GMA for WeChat Development?

  • We are Tencent’s Official Partner
  • More than 10 years of experience on WeChat with a WeChat marketing and WeChat advertising team 
  • WeChat content & formating specialists
  • Specialist in user engagement
  • In-depth reporting & analytics
  • An international team with experts specialized in various fields (Luxury, Fashion, F&B, Alcohol, Cosmetics, Tourism, Education, Entertainment, Real Estate, etc.)
  • We manage all projects according to your needs, expectations, and budget. Our strategy is tailored for your business in particular, and we’ll plan everything with you.

If you have any questions or inquiries about WeChat or if you have a serious project in mind, don’t hesitate to contact us directly and we will contact you within 24 hours.

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Wechat Official Account in 2024: Type of Accounts & Registration https://marketingtochina.com/how-to-register-an-official-account-on-wechat/ https://marketingtochina.com/how-to-register-an-official-account-on-wechat/#comments Wed, 07 Feb 2024 08:50:28 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=35907 The first thing our Wechat Agency helps you with is opening your own WeChat Official Account.

Introduced in July 2012, these public accounts stand as a WeChat channel for entrepreneurs, famous people, media, government, etc.

And they are a great opportunity to increase your visibility in China.

However, there are several options for businesses planning their WeChat Official Accounts registration.

WeChat business accounts can be either international or Chinese, WeChat subscription accounts or WeChat service accounts verified or unverified.

There are 20+ million WeChat Official accounts registered. Let’s get started on yours.

Definition: What are Wechat Official Accounts?

WeChat official accounts are public accounts on the Chinese social media platform WeChat. They are business accounts that allow companies to publish content, gather followers, and promote their products or services. There are two main types of WeChat official accounts: Subscription accounts and Service accounts.

WeChat Hit 1.2 Billion Monthly Active Users

WeChat recently hit a record level of 1.26 billion monthly active users on the platform. The barriers to entry into WeChat are actually an advantage for savvy businesses that seize the chance to market themselves on China’s largest and most active social network. On average, 60% of WeChat users open the app more than 10 times per day. WeChat’s penetration of Chinese Netizens reaches 93% in China’s Top Tier cities.

WeChat Official Account: statistics

WeChat Official Accounts Explained

Mastering WeChat is an absolute must for businesses looking to tap into China’s thriving market. With a staggering 80% of the population relying on this platform for communication and organization, email simply doesn’t cut it. WeChat’s user numbers have soared to unprecedented levels, making it the largest and most active social network platform available.

It presents an unmissable opportunity for companies looking to connect with potential Chinese customers directly and navigate local markets with great success.

WeChat Official Account: what are business account on Wechat?

Benefits of Using WeChat Official Account for Foreign Brands

A WeChat business account offers many features that are very beneficial for brands present in the Chinese market. Let’s take a look at some of the key advantages of creating a WeChat public account for your company in China:

Brand Exposure

WeChat official accounts provide a platform for foreign brands to increase their visibility and exposure in the Chinese market. By creating and maintaining an official account, companies can share content, promote products or services, and reach a large audience of potential customers.

Direct Communication

WeChat enables direct communication between brands and consumers through features like text messaging, voice messaging, and video calls. This allows foreign brands to engage with Chinese consumers, provide customer support, and build relationships.

Content Marketing

WeChat official accounts support various types of content, including articles, videos, images, and audio. This allows foreign brands to create and distribute engaging and informative content to their target audience. By providing valuable content, brands can establish themselves as industry experts and build credibility.

WeChat Official Account: Gucci on WeChat

E-commerce Integration

WeChat official accounts offer e-commerce capabilities, allowing foreign brands to sell products directly within the platform. Brands can set up online stores, accept payments, and leverage WeChat’s built-in features like social sharing and peer recommendations to drive sales.

CRM and Data Analytics

There are available tools for customer relationship management (CRM) and data analytics. Brands can use these features to gain insights into their audience, track user behavior, and tailor marketing strategies accordingly. This data-driven approach can help foreign brands optimize their campaigns and improve customer engagement.

WeChat Pay

WeChat is integrated with WeChat Pay, a popular mobile payment method in China. By leveraging WeChat Pay, foreign brands can facilitate seamless and convenient transactions, making it easier for Chinese consumers to make purchases.

Official Verification

WeChat offers an official account verification process, which adds a level of credibility and trust to foreign brands. A verified official account has access to additional features and benefits, such as advanced customization options, user data, and the ability to run advertising campaigns.

WeChat Official Account: Shanghai National Museum WeChat Official Account

What Are The Different Types of WeChat Official Accounts

While registering, you will have to pick a type of WeChat Official account. There are 2 types of WeChat public accounts most suitable for brands: WeChat service account, WeChat subscription. Typically, a WeChat Service Account is best for most businesses.

WeChat Official Account: Types of Wechat Business Accounts

WeChat Service Account (Recommended)

It allows 4 posts per month, but you get a prominent position amongst other WeChat service accounts. During followers’ ongoing conversations with friends, they will receive a push notification upon when you publish your weekly post. A push notification is a simple notification indicating to users they have received a text message on the app.

Further to this, many of WeChat’s unique features such as CRM, custom menus, and We-Websites aka Mini-programs are only available to WeChat service accounts. A brand can also leverage one-to-one communication as an extension of its CRM program. For example, Louis Vuitton integrates its Services Account with a live WeChat customer service assistant to answer customers’ queries.

For a luxury brand or a financial institution such as China Merchant Bank, the service account is ideal. Other brands like Southern China Airlines even use it to integrate their membership card, check-in services, ticket booking, and other services into their WeChat Official Accounts.

WeChat Official Account: WeChat service account

WeChat Subscription Account (For Companies Focused on Content)

This type of account allows you to push frequent content to your followers. However, your profile sits in the WeChat subscription accounts subfolder, and your followers are not sent push notifications upon receiving a post from your account and will be received in a special subscription folder.

In a word, you will have fewer impressions and reach. For your brand, it will become extremely challenging not only for the open rate of your daily quality content but also to maintain a regular conversation with your followers.

Having said that, consumer brands such as McDonald’s Hong Kong or Uniqlo China, which consistently provide special offers to customers will find that the new changes still work pretty well because consumers have already been trained to find out the latest offers or product information.

WeChat Official Account: WeChat subscription account

It is vital to mention whether you wish to have access to WeChat’s advanced features and developer tools. If it is not in your proposal, it will more than likely be left out.

For a brand or publisher such as a magazine that provides quality content to attract subscribers, a subscription account is great. You can open the account on a regular basis and think about opt-in email.

 More WeChat Public Account Types

WeChat Official Account: other types of wechat accounts
  • WeChat Work previously known as enterprise accounts: These are more often than not corporate accounts. They are meant for company internal communication. They require both the account and the follower to approve each other in order to communicate and exchange content.
  • WeChat mini-programs: Mini Programs are not specifically Wechat official accounts per se but can be used as “such”. Launched in January 2017 by Tencent, they are mostly used for offline applications when the user is only meant to use the app once.

Which Type Of WeChat Official Account Should You Pick?

The key differences between the WeChat service account and the WeChat subscription account lie in the available tools and the frequency of “blog” posting. While WeChat subscription accounts give you access to basic functions such as blog posting, WeChat Service accounts offer you an array of tools that will come in handy to strengthen your marketing funnel and reach out to your target audience more efficiently.

If you are an international brand willing to enter China, want to run e-commerce campaigns register mini-programs… then the most recommended choice is definitely to open a WeChat Service Account.

WeChat Official Account: service vs subscription account

In the West, companies post content hoping to reach as many followers and views as possible. WeChat is totally different. Your service and customer experience are enhanced but the ecosystem work in a close looped. Contrary to Facebook or Weibo for instance, only your WeChat fans will access your content directly.

If a person has chosen to follow your brand, WeChat has no right to filter the communication between you and the user: there is no algorithm. Every time WeChat Official accounts send a broadcast message, your followers will receive a push notification. It is exactly like receiving a message from a friend or family. Why? Because, in the WeChat mentality, the brand is a friend of the user, who has specially chosen to follow.

WeChat Official Account: GMA case study

How to Create a WeChat Official Account for Your Brand

Before we show you how to create a WeChat Official Account for your brand, let us explain you something: there are differences between overseas and mainland public accounts and they have different options and requirements.

WeChat Official Account: example

WeChat Official Account Overseas or Chinese WeChat Official Accounts

There is a clear division between how Chinese and non-Chinese operations are dealt with and this impacts the creation of a WeChat official account overseas. For instance, if you have a CBL (Local Chinese business license) you can simply apply under your business name with a Chinese representative. On the other hand, if you are not a registered business in China there are a series of options that can be taken depending on budget, time frame, and business concept.

What is the difference then? To put it simply, the international WeChat Official accounts log into an English language platform. Whereas Chinese Business WeChat accounts use a Chinese language platform.

Most importantly, Chinese WeChat users do not have access to WeChat official accounts overseas. If you want to reach a Chinese audience, you will need a Chinese account. On the other hand, International WeChat users have access to both Chinese and International Wechat Official accounts.

Your WeChat registration for an International or a Chinese account will depend on your objectives in China. Who do you want to target? What type of content will you share? For this first step, answering all these questions will help you make a decision.

WeChat Official Account: Gisada WeChat Official Account

Minimum Requirements for WeChat Official Accounts

For most companies in China, these documents are required to create a WeChat account:

  • A Chinese business license – Obtained from a local company or WFOE
  • Chinese Bank account – Provide bank account information and bank name – The verification fee has to be paid by the company, or a small amount is sent to the company as a “verification code”
  • Original and scanned copy of A Chinese ID with a WeChat payment account

If you do not have a Chinese business license, the following alternatives exist:

Registering a company in China

Probably the step you don’t want to take but should as it would not only make it a lot easier to create a WeChat official account but also an official account on other platforms in China. A foreigner can register a company (WFOE – Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise) in China.

This is not the recommended approach as it is an expensive and lengthy process, at least 6 months. After setting up the company, you will have a business license to create an account. But it is a big investment, and it is really worth it if you plan to hire people in China.

Opening a Wechat Official Account with the help of a third-party business

With a third-party business license, you can “borrow” a business license from another Chinese entity. With each, you can register 5 WeChat accounts. You will create an account for a management fee of approximately $500 a year. However, the account will remain linked to the Chinese legal entity: you can choose the name, logo, and description of your account, but the company’s legal name will still appear.

The plus is it is the most convenient and fastest way to set up your WeChat official account. You do not spend too much energy on paperwork and get started quickly. However, you do not own really the account, it is owned by the party that set it up.

WeChat Official Account: registration options

Going through a Tencent process

Go through a special Tencent process that allows you to create a WeChat ID visible from China. Tencent charges a verification fee of $99 USD, but it is a procedure that depends on case-by-case and is not overused. However, it has the great advantage of enabling you to create an account entirely controlled by your overseas structure.

This process removes the risk of temporarily relying on a third-party structure that has control over your followers. Not that there is no registration fee but a yearly recurring fee to keep the account open.

Registering for a WeChat Official Account as a Chinese Organization

In order to register an official account through WeChat’s self-service platform, you will need the following:

  • A Chinese ID (身份证 or shēnfèn zhèng)
  • A Chinese Mobile phone number
  • A Chinese business license if you have one (营业执照 or yíngyè zhízhào)
  • Chinese organization code (组织机构代码证 or zǔzhī jīgòu dàimǎzhèng)
  • Contact details

The registration process is entirely in Chinese. Head to the WeChat public platform website for a step-by-step application. If you are not familiar with the process, you should request help from a local agency.

From here the procedure is simple for Chinese registered businesses. Ensure you have a Chinese representative to manage the setup as their id photo and number are required.

You will then have to wait for verification and select whether you want to open a service or subscription account. Typically, opening a service account is the preferable option for most businesses.

Can Hong Kong Company Register a WeChat Official Account?

Hong Kong companies can apply for official WeChat accounts at present (although like with anything in China there is a possibility this might change). In short, if an entity can be registered in HK it can be a lot easier to apply for WeChat official account registration through a mainland representative.

As with many processes, the barriers to entry have thus far restricted many international brands from entering the Chinese market.

Registering an Official WeChat Account as an Overseas Company

  • Creation depending on the country, brand awareness, and industry
  • Registration between 1-2 months
  • Provide a list of documents
  • Have a business license
  • Have certificates
  • Pay the account, pricing starts at $500
  • Creation of a menu
WeChat Official Account: registration process

In order to register a WeChat official account without a Chinese business license, you have to;

  1. Go to the registration website
  2. Start the registration by selecting the service account option
  3. Put in your email and verify it
  4. Fill in the business details, and the person designated to this account
  5. Create a WeChat official account profile, by choosing the name, etc.
  6. Verify the account (there is a verification fee of 99$ per year)

Limits for Entity Without a Business License

If your company won’t apply for a Chinese business license 营业执照, you can create an International account visible from Mainland China. You can use the option listed before with some limitations.

Indeed, only certain countries or regions outside Mainland China can apply for them such as Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.

WeChat Official Account: Chinese business license example
An example of a Chinese business license

Another limit you will face is that you can only create a subscription account and not a service account. This means some of the advanced API functions of these accounts are not enabled. In particular, all the CRM/content API endpoints are disabled.

Why Do You Need a WeChat Verified Account as a Brand?

WeChat verification intends to guarantee the truth and security of official account information on the Wechat platform. Other than getting advanced APIs, verified WeChat Official accounts are prerequisite if you want to have access to core features such as the app advertising tools, E-commerce store, geo-data access (user location), and many additional features. All these features will help you nurture your target audience and build a loyal customer base as well as drive your sales.

WeChat Official Account: why it's important to verify your account?

The WeChat team has very strict rules regulating businesses to pass through the verification process. Also, the verification process is not so easy procedure. In regards to the verification checklist, different conditions are required in different regions, Even different account types or industries will have different requirements.

Furthermore, unverified accounts do not enjoy the same reputation bonus as verified ones which is a direct handicap on Chinese social media apps and with your Chinese customer base.

Here are some of the main benefits of having a verified official account on WeChat:

WeChat Official Account: benefits of having a verified wechat official account

How Do WeChat Users Find And Follow Official Accounts?

There are several ways WeChat users can find and follow WeChat Official accounts:

WeChat Official Account: How followers can find your account?

Online Channels

Redirect your target audience to your WeChat public account through your other online channel: Chinese social media, website, public relations, Baidu pages etc.

WeChat Moments

Keep in mind that Wechat is a closed platform and the most common way of acquiring new followers on WeChat is through WeChat Moments, the WeChat equivalent of Instagram stories. Upon clicking on your article, Chinese users can access your account page by clicking the name of your account at the top of the article.

Scanning a QR code

Use offline marketing to grow your WeChat following. Unlike in Western countries, QR codes are a very popular way to access content. WeChat users can scan the QR code that is included in web pages or articles within WeChat (by long-pressing the QR code) or offline by using WeChat’s embedded QR code scanner.

QR is perfect for any offline use: they can be added inside your stores, on product packaging, and during your events. Not only you’ll get more WeChat fans but it will increase customer engagement with your company.

wechat login using scan qr code
QR codes linking to President’s Weibo and WeChat Official Account

Advertising

WeChat ads include a feature enabling to have a “One-click follow” button enabling users to follow a WeChat Official Account. This is a powerful way to get initial traction through Cost Per Click advertising.

wechat moment ads

WeChat Groups

Join, create, and admin Wechat groups where you’ll be able to build a community and grow your WeChat official account followers base.

wechat create account

Need a WeChat Agency to Create your WeChat Official Account and Get Started in China?

We can help you with WeChat official account registration and creation but also with WeChat official account management and a broader marketing strategy to enter the Chinese market successfully.

gma

You need to partner with a local agency that understands the frustrations and difficulties of doing business in this vastly different marketplace. We are an international team of 70+ based in Shanghai who look forward to hearing more about your project.

Contact us now to ask more about WeChat official accounts and also ask about any other information you may need.

WeChat Official Account: our WeChat services
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China Email Marketing, How Does it Work? https://marketingtochina.com/emailing-marketing-in-china-how-it-really-works/ https://marketingtochina.com/emailing-marketing-in-china-how-it-really-works/#comments Wed, 29 Nov 2023 11:20:52 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=53468 Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your customers and keep them up-to-date on your latest products or services through marketing messages. It’s also a great way to increase sales and boost customer engagement. 

Email marketing is usually one of the first things every company does to reach their potential customers, whether it’s some special offer, a new product launch, a new website, and so on. But is email marketing an effective tool in China? And how to do a successful China email marketing campaign? Keep reading to understand how China email marketing works and how to prepare a well-done email campaign for your brand. We will present you with the best practices and tips for China email marketing performance suitable for your brand. 

Email Landscape in China

The Chinese email market is completely different from what we know in the West. In the West, email is a preferred form of communication both professional, but also in personal matters. According to statistics, checking email is what 58% of adults do first thing in the morning, and more than 90% do it throughout the day. E-commerce is also dominated by emails and whenever we buy something online, we get an email confirmation and other important information there. 

While almost everyone in the Western world has and uses email on a daily basis, it’s not the rule for Chinese internet users. Statistics reveal that nowadays roughly 5% of Chinese people open their emails. And they most probably do that for a particular purpose – not to see if you have emailed them too or not. So whatever email subject or email design you will offer them, the chances that they will even click to open the message are very low. 

Chinese people don’t use email for professional matters, as they use WeChat for that. They also don’t leave their email addresses to register on various platforms or services because they have their mobile phone numbers and WeChat IDs tightly linked to their identity. An equivalent of marketing emails is also embedded in Wechat. 

So what to do when you want to get through to the Chinese market? How to communicate with your potential customers if not through email marketing? 

For most Chinese Netizens, going on with no email address is totally possible

QQ – the closest equivalent of traditional emails

If you ever ask a Chinese person for their email address, what you will most likely get in return will be a bunch of numbers with the @qq.com domain at the end. QQ can be seen as some kind of the equivalent of Western email service providers in the Chinese email market. And if you’ll send an email to a Chinese person, if they ever open it, they will do so in QQ, as this is the closest to what we can personal emails. 

QQ is an online messaging and social media platform that allows users to connect with others. It’s one of the most popular platforms in China, with over 800 million monthly active users. QQ offers a variety of features including instant messaging, group chat, voice and video calls, stamp collections, games, and more. You can also use QQ to connect with people from all over the world.

QQ-Social-Media-China

So as you can see, it’s one of the super-apps in China, with far more functions than simple emails. But, if you’re looking for a place to send a promotional email or carry an effective email marketing campaign, there are better platforms to do it. 

How does China make up for email marketing?

A life without WeChat in China is inconceivable. WeChat is the super-app to go to in China and there is also room for email marketing there. 

WeChat marketing is analogous in its function to send promotional emails. While no one opens emails, there are 1.26 billion active monthly users on WeChat which sum up your potential Chinese customers. 61% of WeChat users open it at least 10 times per day. So this is the right tool to target the Chinese market with promotional content. 

WeChat Statistics 2023

WeChat Official Account is the Chinese email marketing tool

To be able to send messages to your audience (as you won’t have a list of email addresses to contact as you do in the West), first, you need to have a WeChat Official Account for your brand to publish original content there.  

The WeChat Official Account is the Chinese equivalent of a brand’s Facebook page or website. It provides businesses with an opportunity for direct communication and content sharing to reach their customer base. It’s a powerful tool for businesses because it allows you to publish shareable content to your followers.

Types of WeChat Official Accounts

There are two types of WeChat Official Accounts that brands can use to communicate with their audience: Service Accounts and Subscription Accounts, both great for revenue-generating emails. 

A subscription account allows sending one push message to your audience per day and up to eight articles per month. But the downside of this account is that it doesn’t allow push notifications and all the messages will show in a special subscription folder in WeChat. And what is important to mention, it’s not one of the options for companies overseas, as it doesn’t support foreign business entities. 

If you’re a foreign company wanting to start a WeChat Official Account, the best option for you is the Service Account. It allows four pushes per month and up to 8 articles for each push. This account provides a function similar to what we know as newsletters, as it enables sending push notifications, so they come to WeChat users as normal messages. They also get a predominant place in the chat feed. 

type of wechat official account

Remember to verify your account

Although many companies have their official accounts on WeChat, a lot of those accounts are not verified. A verified account is an account that is recognized as the official account of a company. Verification helps Chinese users trust the account and the content that is shared there and therefore, they are more likely to read, share, and engage with the content you publish

How to make use of WeChat Official Accounts for marketing?

As we mentioned above, WeChat Official Accounts allow for push notifications, that are sent directly to the followers base in the form of notifications. This function is very similar to sending promotional emails or newsletters to a list of email addresses, which is offered by the majority of email services in the West. 

Data shows, that 8 out of 10 WeChat users check the app to read newsletters of their favorite brands and accounts. Chinese people enjoy looking for information on their own, but they also like it a lot when the right content reaches them on WeChat. In their opinion, only a respected and secure business can use WeChat to reach out to the crowds with a product. So they give due consideration to the information that arrives at them through WeChat.

Focus points for sending newsletters on WeChat:

  • Regular posts (try to have a fixed date and time for sending newsletters);
  • Up-to-date information;
  • High-quality content;
  • Diversity;
  • Bringing value to the reader.

WeChat allows for special designs of newsletters and there are a lot of functions to choose from in order to make your messages interesting and engaging. Those interactive newsletters now are very popular among Chinese users, so it’s a great chance for foreign companies to reach the Chinese audience within one app.

What is particularly good is that your WeChat account can be linked to your website or WeChat brochure in a mini-program. It also offers a lot of options for customization and has features like auto-reply and WeChat Store. Users can get newsletters from you and check all the information about you there in your account, contact you directly for support or even orders. 

What else can be used instead of email marketing?

To sum up, WeChat gives a lot of opportunities for successful promotions due to the following factors:

  • Widest audience accessible;
  • Precise targeting;
  • Regular promotions;
  • Easy to convert the readers into clients.

However, it is always a smart move to combine a few media of reaching out to the consumers. Apart from WeChat, it is highly recommended to use the following social media platforms as well:

Chinese Social Media you can use to communicate with your customers’ database

Weibo

Weibo used to be the most popular platform before WeChat took all the laurels. It still has more than 580 million regular users and still plays a significant role in affecting consumer choices. Weibo is also a good platform to cooperate with Chinese influencers, or KOL (key opinion leaders), for more effective promotions.

Douyin

Douyin, or TikTok, is a short video platform that has conquered an audience of around 750 million users over the past two years. It is used daily and serves as an entertaining content provider. With their hectic lives, Chinese people barely have any time to get away from it all. What they can do is browse Douyin with its versatile videos of a maximum of 50 seconds while they have a few spare minutes to relax a bit.

It is a great idea to make your product pop up in the hands of some popular influencers in their videos once in a while. Influencers are good for promoting a product, while Douyin is good for offering links to your e-stores or making people buy directly from it now, even.

Little Red Book

Little Red Book is another rising power in the world of promotions in the Chinese market. Being more reminiscent of well-known Instagram, it is suitable for promoting female-focused stuff mostly. This social media platform is also efficient when used in cooperation with a KOL who might help you to get maximum leverage from your promotions.

All in all, it is important to remember that it makes no sense to use emails when you approach Chinese. With that being said, when in Rome do as Romans do, or as the Chinese say RùXiāng SuíSú ( 入乡随俗 ). There are many opportunities for foreign companies to do a successful email marketing campaign in China.

Leverage China Email Marketing to Attract Your Potential Customers in the Chinese Market

If you want to reach out to Chinese consumers, learning how China email marketing works on WeChat is the way to go. WeChat newsletters are very popular and they offer a lot of potential for your business. However, it’s important to keep in mind the cultural differences when crafting your content. With careful planning and localization, you can create successful campaigns that resonate with Chinese audiences.

If you’re interested in marketing your products or services and would like to learn more about practices for email marketing in China, contact us to schedule a meeting with our professionals. 

We are China digital marketing agency with more than 70 professionals in marketing on the Chinese market and native copywriters for email marketing actions. We can help you setting WeChat Official Account and verify your business entity there. We can show you how newsletters work on WeChat and show a lot of email template examples that you can use for sending successful emails on WeChat. 

Wechat GMA services

If you need a well-tailored marketing strategy for your brand, don’t hesitate to contact us!

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Can WeChat Channel Compete with Douyin? https://marketingtochina.com/can-wechat-channel-compete-with-douyin/ https://marketingtochina.com/can-wechat-channel-compete-with-douyin/#comments Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:48:26 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=55316 If you’re familiar with the social media scene in China, you’ve probably heard of WeChat and Douyin. Both platforms are hugely popular in China, taking first and second place. WeChat is a messaging app that also offers a variety of features, while Douyin is a short video-sharing platform. There’s no doubt that both platforms are incredibly popular. The question we ask in this post, is can WeChat Channels really compete with Douyin? Let’s take a look.

WeChat Overview: The Most Popular Super-App in China

WeChat (chin. 微 信 Weixin) is a social media app that was created in China in 2011. It is a blend of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Users can chat with friends, share photos and videos, and follow celebrities and brands. WeChat has over one billion active users, making it the most popular social media app in the world. It is available in eight different languages. Brands are increasingly using the WeChat ecosystem to reach consumers in China and around the world.

WeChat Statistics 2023

WeChat is the best example of a Chinese phenomenon of super-apps which are mobile applications that are small ecosystems themselves. Those are apps that are so broad in functions and features, that they offer users the opportunity to do everything they need to do on their mobile phones without leaving the app.

WeChat has many features, including; text and voice messages, video calls, video creation tools, WeChat Moments (something similar to Facebook pages), WeChat Payment method, WeChat mini-programs with Wechat Store function, WeChat Wallet with many functions inside, like ordering food, taxis, buying tickets for events and so on.

Douyin: The King of Short Videos in China

Douyin (chin. 抖音) is a Chinese social media platform for short video content. It was first released in September 2016 and now has over 750 million active users. The app is owned by ByteDance, which also owns the popular Chinese news aggregator Toutiao.

Douyin lets users create and share short video high-quality content with filters, music, and animated text. Users can also follow other users or other accounts and see their videos in a dedicated feed. Douyin is known for its user-generated content. Videos on the app are usually shot vertically with quick editing and filters for added effects. Most videos are comedic or lighthearted in nature, and many create content focused on everyday life and trends in China.

Douyin: Douyin statistics and key info

Douyin is the most popular short video platform in the world, with 750 million monthly active users. What is important is that this is the platform where you can target young generations, as half of the Douyin population is under 30 years old. The platform’s audience comes from rich 1st and 2nd tier cities in China, which makes it a great e-commerce platform for luxury goods. Its direct competitor is Kuaishou, a very similar brand targeting audiences in smaller cities in China.

Let’s take a look at the WeChat Channels function and examine if it’s a tool that can overtake the most popular short video platform in China.

WeChat Channels: WeChat’s Way to Have a Say in Short Videos Industry

China’s most used messaging app WeChat, managed by Tencent Holdings Ltd., released its newest feature called “WeChat Channels” in early 2020. We are talking about the nightmare of short video apps such as Douyin (Chinese TIKTOK) and Kuaishou. WeChat launched the Channels feature to compete in the short video-sharing market.

Chinese short-video platforms: WeChat Channels

WeChat can be used for everything from messaging to booking meals and movie tickets. Adding the WeChat Channels feature threatens the leading position of Byte Dance Inc. (Douyin) which serves 750 million daily active users in China, as well as the Kuaishou video app with 300 million daily users.

How does the WeChat Channel work

The WeChat Channels account allows content creators to share short video content for up to 60 seconds or share up to 9 images (with character limitations) on their WeChat video channel (so-called WeChat Channel). The videos include a description that can include articles from the WeChat Official Account and can give you an easier interaction with WeChat users by being able to insert comments on and like videos, as well as like someone else’s comments on your WeChat account.

The WeChat Channels function also shows you how many of your WeChat friends and WeChat Channel users have liked it.

Allen Zhang (Zhang Xiaolong, Senior Executive Vice President and President of Weixin Group) argues that WeChat Channels, in combination with several other function, would help WeChat to maintain its dominance in the Chinese market and would help to increase the use of the app and attract users.

“La Perla” WeChat Channels feed

The WeChat Channels section looks very similar to the one in Douyin; you can discover content posted in the form of horizontal videos with some background music from friends (which is the default tab). In the main menu of the WeChat Channels feed, there are also two other options to select from; the “Following” search function, which displays high-quality content from WeChat Official Accounts you follow, and “Hot” showing WeChat video feed with the most trending video content at the moment.

WeChat users can also search for content under location or hashtag specific content that they want to view. Therefore, they have a possibility to discover other public accounts apart from those they already follow.

WeChat Video Platforms’ integration with other WeChat functions

WeChat Channels is a great marketing tool for both personal account and WeChat official account holders, as it is another feature that can help you increase traffic on the entire WeChat ecosystem. Because it’s within the WeChat app, it’s integrated with all the other functions that you’re either already using or should start using to boost your brand’s awareness. Let’s take a look at some of them;

WeChat Channels can help you reach new customers

Brand’s Official WeChat Channel, if done correctly, can help you reach new followers and then redirect them to your Official WeChat Account, WeChat mini shop, or other Web platform. WeChat is considered a bit closed app in comparison to Weibo or RED, where you can reach your follower base and build trust and brand awareness rather than reach a new audience. But WeChat Channels are an exception because they can help you get new followers, who will find you while scrolling through “Hot” tab on their WeChat Channels dashboard.

Redirecting traffic to your Official WeChat Account

If you go through the corporate verification process and have a verified WeChat Channel account, you will be able to link it with the Brand’s Official Account. With a verified account, you can add any article link or QR code to your WeChat Official Account, inviting WeChat video viewers to follow your Brand’s Official Account. Furthermore, you can post content in WeChat Channels and embed it in WeChat public account articles.

Increasing sales through video feed

WeChat Channels is great for increasing conversion, as people can see your products through videos, which can better present the items than just single photos. You can also work with KOLs and KOCs, which are Chinese influencers, to show your products and introduce your brand to followers of their personal account’s WeChat Channel pages through live broadcast promotion or live streaming (there is a live streaming function built in WeChat Channel panel). They can later redirect traffic to your WeChat Channels accounts or WeChat Official Account.

WeChat Channels work as a bridge to your WeChat Store

As you can put links to articles on your official account, you can do the same when it comes to WeChat Stores in the mini-programs section of WeChat. This function is useful especially when it comes to live streaming, as you can put direct links to the product pages of items you’re broadcasting, which can help in generating direct sales within the platform.

Sharing content in chats

Apart from all the functions mentioned above, WeChat users can also share content with their WeChat friends on WeChat personal account Moments, on their own WeChat Channel, and send it to their friends through individual messages or in group chats. So as you can see, WeChat Channels are an opportunity for brands to get a wider reach of their posts.

Will WeChat Channel Succeed in The Short Video-Sharing Market?

As Tencent realized they were losing ground to Douyin and Kuaishou, they started making it easy to upload and edit content on WeChat Channels, making it more convenient and user-friendly.

“While Tencent’s strategy to retain users and WeChat Channel content makes sense, the company needs to tread carefully, because unrestricted short-video publishing may lead to content that is trashy and low-brow, and often also repetitive and non-differentiated”, said a Bloomberg Analyst.

wechat-chanel-cake

WeChat Channels feature will try to win back younger users addicted to Douyin and Kuaishou, while also seeking to unlock new ways for clients to place ads and monetize their traffic. WeChat’s social ad business is expected to grow 30% this year, citing diverse offerings for the WeChat instant messaging App.

We must remember how in 2018 WeChat introduced a Snapchat-like video feature to its semi-public moment’s feed, which barely gained traction.

How to Use WeChat Channels Account for Your Company’s Benefit?

WeChat is an incredible place for you to share interesting content about your brand and your products. Use WeChat Channels new feature to boost your brands’ awareness in the Chinese market. Having a WeChat Official Account and uploading short videos or images can give you great awareness using the effort that WeChat is using to boost this new Feature.

With WeChat Channel posts, you can continue to grow your customer loyalty or bring traffic to your customer service by doing short videos of your service or provided products.

Our Agency specializes in the promotion of the WeChat Channel on Social media, Forums, WeChat Groups, or among users. We also communicate with other WeChat Channels to help your WeChat Channels feed to get exposure.

Wechat GMA services

How can I sell my products on WeChat?

As we mentioned before, you can integrate your WeChat Video Channel with WeChat Stores in mini-programs. This feature can be described as a kind of “sub-application”. An app inside another (in this case, WeChat). Mini-programs can, therefore, be compared to “mini-apps” built into WeChat itself. As a result, users will no longer have to use or download new apps because they may already be in WeChat!

The mini-programs concern all types of services: sales, e-commerce, and government services.

Contact Us to Get Started on WeChat

In todays’ China it’s impossible to build brand awareness and trust without having a WeChat account of your brand. It’s the go-to app for 1.26 billion Chinese Internet users, which is basically the whole Internet population of China. Therefore, it’s important to prepare a well-tailored marketing strategy for this platform.

But as you might already understand, WeChat, being a super-app, can be tricky and complicated for someone without experience in the field. Therefore, we offer you a group of experienced specialists with Chinese and Western points of view on the work. Over the years we worked with many companies, helping them with marketing strategies on the Chinese market.

We can help you through corporate verification and setting up an Official Account, and guide you through all WeChat functions, including WeChat Channels and best practices to win the audience there. You can count on us regarding your WeChat mini-store, WeChat Payment system, and so on. We can help you set up and use the in-app Wechat CRM.

It is a great tool to communicate with your followers/customers and can be used as a replacement for a newsletter. Remember, email marketing does not work in China, people don’t read emails.

If you have any questions regarding your own WeChat Channel profile or would like to contact us with any other China-related issue, do not hesitate to leave us a message! We respond within 24 hours.

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How To Use WeChat Stickers For Brand Promotion? https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-stickers-brand-promotion/ https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-stickers-brand-promotion/#respond Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:05:36 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=79704 Promoting your brand on WeChat can be a challenging task, especially when trying to stand out among millions of active users. Did you know that using animated stickers is a proven strategy to increase brand awareness and engagement on this popular platform? This blog post will guide you through the process of creating and utilizing unique WeChat stickers specifically designed for effective brand promotion.

Let’s dive in and get your brand noticed!

Key Takeaways

  • WeChat stickers are a proven strategy to increase brand awareness and engagement on the platform.
  • Brands can tap into the popularity of WeChat stickers by creating clever stickers that carry their message or logo.
  • The design process for creating stickers involves steps like creating a character, brainstorming key messages, and drawing the character set.
  • To upload stickers to the WeChat Creators Market, you need to sign up for an account, set up a profile, and upload your stickers for review and approval.
WeChat Statistics 2023

What Are WeChat Stickers and Why Use Them for Brand Promotion?

WeChat stickers are a popular form of expression among users of the messaging app, and brands can utilize them as a creative way to promote themselves and engage with Chinese consumers.

A popular form of expression among WeChat users

WeChat users love stickers. These fun images add life to chats. They use them to share feelings, crack jokes, and wish each other well on holidays. It’s a fresh way for Gen Z in China to talk online.

Brands can tap into this craze. With clever stickers that carry their message or logo, they can join the chat and get noticed. In the video below, you can see how the sticker feature works on WeChat:

A creative way for brands to promote themselves

WeChat stickers help brands reach out to Chinese customers. They are fun and get people’s attention fast. Brands can make their own stickers that show what they sell. For example, a shoe company could make a sticker pack for a cool sneaker.

Users share these in chats which makes the brand famous without even trying hard. To do this right, it should not be too clear that you want to sell something with your sticker. Tourists love WeChat stickers too! You can use them to tell people about travel spots or deals on trips.

For more success, brands have another tip: pair up with social media stars! These influencers can talk about your brand’s stickers and gain even more fans for you.

Let’s not forget about ads on WeChat as well. Brands find them very helpful by displaying the WeChat Stickers between messages or posts.

But using WeChat is not just about making sales – it helps keep customers happy too! Use location services along with the stickers for surprise offers like discounts for local stores only found when opening chat windows – a smart way to sprout loyalty programs among users that no one else does.

Design Process for Creating Stickers

The design process for creating stickers involves steps such as creating the character, brainstorming key messages, and drawing the character set.

Creating the character

Start by sketching a character for the sticker. Make it fun and easy to love. It should reflect your brand’s style and message. Once you have a draft, refine it until you’re happy with the result.

The character is more than just a drawing; it will be a symbol of your brand on WeChat.

Brainstorming key messages

When creating WeChat stickers for brand promotionbrainstorming key messages is an essential step. This involves thinking about the main ideas or themes you want to convey through your stickers set.

Consider what messages will resonate with your target audience and align with your brand’s values and goals. You can draw inspiration from popular phrases or slogans associated with your brand, as well as any ongoing marketing campaigns.

By brainstorming key messages, you can ensure that your WeChat stickers effectively communicate your brand’s identity and engage Chinese consumers in a meaningful way.

Below you can see an example of stickers prepared by the US Embassy:

Drawing the character set

To create stickers for brand promotion on WeChat, the first step is to draw a character set. This involves creating and coloring a unique cute character that represents your brand. You can use digital drawing tools like Hulasha Sketch Drawing & Coloring to bring your character to life.

The character set includes different poses and expressions, which make the stickers more interesting and engaging for users. These stickers are lightweight PNG or GIF files that can be shared directly from the keyboard within the WeChat message window.

By designing an appealing and relatable character set, you can capture the attention of Chinese consumers and effectively promote your brand on WeChat.

Application Process for Uploading Stickers to WeChat Creators Market

To upload stickers to the WeChat Creators Market, you will need to sign up for an account, set up a profile, and then upload your stickers for review and approval.

Sign up for an account

To start using WeChat Stickers for brand promotion, you first need to sign up for an account. Whether you’re an individual or a company, you can register for either a personal or a corporate account.

This registration process allows you to access the WeChat Creators Market, where you can upload your stickers and make them available to millions of WeChat users. By signing up, you open the door to great opportunities for promoting your brand and engaging with Chinese consumers on this popular messaging platform.

You can learn more about starting a WeChat Official Account here.

Wechat official account

Set up a profile

To upload your stickers to WeChat Creators Market, you’ll need to create a profile. This involves uploading a profile photo and a banner, as well as providing a short description of yourself.

Your profile is an important way for users to learn more about you and your brand, so make sure to choose a clear and professional photo that represents your identity. The banner should be eye-catching and reflect the style or theme of your stickers.

In the short description, you can highlight key information about your brand or explain what makes your stickers unique. Once you have set up your profile, you will be ready to start uploading and promoting your stickers on WeChat!

Upload stickers

To upload stickers to the WeChat Creators Market, you need to follow a straightforward application process. First, sign up for an account on the platform. Then, set up your profile by providing the necessary information about yourself or your brand.

After that, you can upload your sticker designs and submit them for review and approval. It’s important to note that it may take some time before you receive a response about whether your stickers have been accepted or rejected.

By going through this process, you can showcase your brand and engage with Chinese consumers through creative and expressive WeChat stickers.

Apart from WeChat, there are also other social media that use stickers, and they all work in the same way. Here is an example of Pizza Hut stickers on Douyin:

Get approval or rejection

Once you have designed your stickers, the next step is to upload them to the WeChat Creators Market for approval. It’s important to note that not all sticker submissions are approved, so it’s normal if you face rejection.

The application process involves a review of your stickers to ensure that they meet the content restrictions and promotion guidelines set by WeChat. Stickers with clear promotional or advertising content may be rejected.

To navigate this process successfully, refer to the App Store Review Guidelines provided by WeChat for assistance. Remember, even if your stickers don’t directly display logos or brand information on the Sticker Gallery, you can still launch branded stickers on WeChat.

Tips for Successful Brand Promotion with WeChat Stickers

Incorporate branding and key messages in your stickers to effectively promote your brand on WeChat. Collaborate with influencers (KOLs) to expand the reach of your stickers. Utilize WeChat’s advertising options to increase visibility and engagement.

Use stickers as part of a larger marketing strategy for maximum impact.

Incorporate branding and key messages in stickers

To successfully promote your brand using WeChat stickers, it’s important to incorporate your branding and key messages in the stickers themselves. This means that when designing the stickers, you should ensure that they visually represent your brand and its values.

Additionally, make sure that your key messages are conveyed clearly through the content of the stickers. By doing this, you can effectively communicate with Chinese consumers and reinforce your brand identity.

Remember to strike a balance between promoting your products or services and creating engaging content that users will enjoy.

Here is an example of WeChat stickers and gifs created by Louis Vuitton:

Collaborate with influencers (KOLs) to promote stickers

Collaborating with influencers or Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) on WeChat is a great way to promote stickers and increase brand visibility. These influencers already have a large following, so by partnering with them, you can reach their audience without having to build your own.

Influencers can endorse your product or service through giveaways, product reviews, and other promotions, which can greatly influence their followers’ purchasing decisions. It’s important to choose influencers who align with your brand values and resonate with your target audience to ensure maximum impact.

By leveraging the power of influencer marketing on WeChat, you can effectively promote your stickers and engage with Chinese consumers in a meaningful way.

Utilize WeChat’s advertising options

WeChat offers various advertising options that can be utilized to effectively promote your brand. With WeChat’s large user base, you have the opportunity to reach a wide audience and increase brand awareness.

You can choose from different strategies based on your budget and objectives in the Chinese market. Whether it’s placing ads in Moments, using targeted banner ads, or running keyword-based search ads, WeChat provides flexible options to suit your needs.

By utilizing WeChat’s advertising options, you can maximize your brand promotion efforts and connect with potential customers on this popular social platform.

Use stickers as part of a larger marketing strategy

To effectively promote your brand on WeChat, it’s important to use stickers as part of a larger marketing strategy. Stickers can be a creative and engaging way to connect with Chinese consumers and spread brand awareness.

However, it’s crucial to find the right balance between branding and promotional content in your stickers. Incorporate key messages that reflect your brand values and personality, while still providing intriguing and entertaining content for users.

Unlock the Power of WeChat Stickers with Gentlemen Marketing Agency

Are you ready to elevate your brand’s presence on China’s largest social platform? Gentlemen Marketing Agency is your expert guide to harnessing the unique power of WeChat stickers for brand promotion.

Why Choose Gentlemen Marketing Agency?

Our deep dive into the WeChat ecosystem sets us apart:

  • Cultural Savvy: We design stickers that resonate with your audience, rooted in cultural insights that captivate and engage.
  • Creative Excellence: Our creative team crafts visually stunning sticker packs that embody your brand’s identity and message.
  • Strategic Distribution: We don’t just create; we strategize the distribution of your stickers to maximize visibility and sharing among WeChat’s billion users.

Our Services

Dive into our tailored services that promise to make your brand stick in the minds of consumers:

  • Custom Sticker Creation: Collaborate with us to create custom stickers that tell your brand’s story in a way that’s both fun and memorable.
  • Marketing Integration: We seamlessly integrate stickers into your wider marketing strategy to amplify your campaign’s reach and effectiveness.
  • Engagement Boosting: Our stickers are designed to encourage user interaction, driving engagement and building a community around your brand.
  • Performance Tracking: With our analytics tools, you’ll see just how your stickers are performing and the buzz they’re generating.
Wechat GMA services

When you choose Gentlemen Marketing Agency, you’re tapping into the full potential of WeChat stickers to make a lasting impression. Let’s make your brand go viral in the world of WeChat. Contact us now to start sticking out from the competition!

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WeChat Web: How to Start Using WeChat on Your Computer? https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-web/ https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-web/#respond Thu, 07 Sep 2023 10:30:00 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=71056 Available for all users on, Android, İOS, and Windows, China’s all-in super app offers its users the handy desktop version: WeChat web.

If you aren’t particularly close to China, you may think WeChat is just another messaging app that can be replaced with another. But in reality, in the last 10 years, Tencent’s main social platform has become an everything-app for any individual, local or foreign within the country. Let’s dive into today’s topic!

Short Introduction to WeChat

WeChat is a social and business powerhouse that has only continued to grow since its inception. The app boasts 1.3 billion monthly active users in 2023, despite some resistance to its use in certain countries.

WeChat Statistics 2023

Why You Should Use WeChat Web

Although WeChat offers great apps for both iOS and Android smartphones, there are still times when you need to access WeChat on your computer. For registered users, scanning the code via the mobile phone connects to the WeChat web in an instant.

WeChat Web is very helpful at work, especially if you need to constantly send files. Big files can be difficult to send and receive. For example, imagine that you need to transfer big files through WeChat on iOS, first of all, you have to save them in the cloud. Viewing pdf or other files sent on WeChat mobile can be torture to your eyes. Through the WeChat web, you can view any shared file in full size on your computer.

Wechat web saves you from the hassle of sending files from your mobile phone to your computer. When you log in to your WeChat web, all the files sent to your mobile WeChat account can be viewed or saved right on your computer simply by opening them.

Imagine you are at work and you have to switch from mobile phone to computer every five minutes. It is very not practical. While you are on the WeChat web, you get a little pop-up when you receive a message or a file. So you don’t have to use your mobile at all. Multitasking on the same device makes you work more efficiently and saves you time whether you’re in the office or at home.

WeChat web also helps you save mobile data. Let’s say you are having a long video call, you may run out of data and get disconnected during an important meeting. And it is not just that. Not only does WeChat web save your mobile data, but it also makes video calls more convenient with much better video call meeting options.

WeChat Web: 6 Reasons Why You Should Use It

How to set up WeChat Desktop Apps for Windows and Mac

Almost all foreign accounts are blocked for WeChat’s web access. It is critical to download and install the desktop app. It is a relatively easy process and the outcome is worth the few minutes of hassle.

To get WeChat on your desktop computer, go to the official website and click on either the Windows or macOS icon. Once clicked, follow the application directions from there.

WeChat Web: 6 Reasons Why You Should Use It

On the following screen, you can either download the app directly from this website or find it on the Mac App Store or Microsoft Windows Store. After you download the app, install it and then open it.

It will show a QR code for scanning with your mobile phone.

Get the WeChat app on your mobile phone and continue scanning the QR code from your computer.

WeChat Web: 6 Reasons Why You Should Use It

There will be a profile photo of your WeChat account on the desktop.

Your mobile WeChat gives you permission for desktop login. Finally, you can log in to the desktop app and begin using it in an instant.

WeChat Web: 6 Reasons Why You Should Use It

Voila, you are all set up and ready to use your WeChat web!

If you want to learn more about how to use WeChat in your marketing strategy, we are here to asist you.

Are You Planning to Create a WeChat Marketing Campaign?

We can help you!

At GMA, we provide marketing agency services that extend to WeChat and beyond. By sharing content about your company and its products on this easily accessible platform, you are more likely to engage potential customers.

Additionally, we help manage and define your strategic online presence through active reputation maintenance across platforms like forums, comments sections, and question-and-answer sites.

At our agency, we focus on promoting your brand in areas where potential customers are located. By utilizing a combination of SEO and Ads strategies, we drive qualified traffic to your WeChat store. One example of how we do this is by helping you integrate with WeChat groups. These have much larger communities than other platforms, meaning that the information relayed within these groups is trusted more by consumers.

Wechat GMA services

Additionally, Chinese consumers are sensitive to promotional offers–with a good campaign, your sales can increase significantly. Our agency specializes in creating these types of high-performing campaigns for our clients.

When done correctly, WeChat marketing can be a powerful tool to increase brand awareness and sales in China. Our team of experienced professionals can help you create and execute a successful marketing strategy on WeChat.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you grow your business in China.

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Essentials of Tencent Advertising in China https://marketingtochina.com/tencent-advertising-in-china/ https://marketingtochina.com/tencent-advertising-in-china/#respond Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:58:28 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=70982 Are you searching for ways to use Tencent advertising in China for your marketing campaign? In this article, we will guide you through the details of Tencent Advertising in China.

Providing internet services in China, Tencent has become one of the leading companies globally. Ranking as the top internet company in Asia and second worldwide, Tencent boasts over 900M active audiences. Tencent Holdings is mostly known as the owner of WeChat, but there are far more apps and advertising options there. Let’s explore some of them!

Tencent: The Creator of Glorious WeChat

WeChat, the insanely popular social media platform that all brands are competing to conquer, is indeed owned by Tencent. With more than 1.6 billion users as of 2023, WeChat is the most popular social media platform in China and it is this app that made Tencent popular and put it in the group of the biggest tech companies in the world. It’s also where most of Tencent’s revenue comes from.

WeChat Statistics 2023

However, WeChat is not the only star in Tencent’s sky. In 2020, a quarter of Chinese businesses’ online advertising allocation was spent on WeChat- but that’s just the beginning. By advertising with Tencent, your ads will be over hundreds of thousands of applications and millions of users will be under your radar. That’s how big the company is, not to mention that Tencent continues to expand.

Advertising on Tencent is one of the most popular ways to reach potential Chinese customers. Advertising on Tencent products gives companies the chance to reach Chinese consumers who spend the majority of their time online – 55% of mobile internet usage.

Tencent advertising in China

Advertising Options on Tencent

Tencent offers a variety of ad types, including banner ads, video ads, and native ads. The most common ones are:

Banner ads 

Banner ads are static or animated images that are displayed on a web page or app. In terms of cost, they are more budget-friendly. They may be cheaper options but they still work pretty well and produce good results. Tencent also utilizes a location feature for banner ads, making them tailored for each user.

Video Ads

Unlike other types of ads, incentive video advertising is more immersive and can be placed in a variety of positions to make it more noticeable.

Native ads 

Native ads are the type of ads that are used with the surrounding content and are integrated into the content of a web page or app. Highly effective, native ads make up most of the brands’ views on Tencent.

Alternative Tencent Platforms for Advertising Apart from WeChat

While WeChat advertising is most brands’ top priority, there are many available platform options to advertise and reach out to a wide range of audiences.

Advertising on WeChat

WeChat advertising allows brands to show ads on users’ timelines and WeChat Official Account articles, which is fantastic for expanding official account followers as well as steering internet traffic.

wechat advertising - different types of ads on wechat

WeChat Moments Advertising

This type of advertising is a Facebook-style ad that appears on users’ timelines. Users and ads are selected as a match according to factors like age, location and many other aspects.

WeChat Official Account Advertising (Banner Ads)

Official account ads are usually preferred by established and well-known brands. Official accounts are usually followed by millions of users if you can create and develop effective marketing strategies.

The various types of WeChat official account ads are article banners, text-type banners, influencer banners, and video-type banners. Banner ads are image-based and can be up to 8MB in size. The banner ad is placed at the top of an official account article.

WeChat Mini-Program Advertising

This type of ad can be a big priority for your brand to reach users in China, as WeChat mini-programs have become extremely popular. These ads come in the form of gaming ads, banner ads, or pop-ups.

perfum brand promotion in china by gma

Advertising on QQ

QQ is another social media platform that is owned by Tencent. Similar to WeChat, almost all Chinese people living on the mainland have an account there. It is the most popular text exchange app and instead of emailing Chinese people use this app to communicate with each other.

This platform is especially popular among the young generation and brands who target popular items make use of this platform effectively to reach their target customers.

QQ’s algorithm lets businesses fine-tune their campaigns by optimizing for screens, apps, pop-ups, and banners. QQ also helps brands meet diverse targets like e-commerce expenses or product/brand promotion.

QQ: Tencent advertising

Advertising on Tencent Music Platforms

Tencent also controls some of China’s most popular music apps, so-called ‘Spotify’ such as QQ Music. By utilizing tailored Tencent music ads, brands can reach out to bigger groups of people who love listening to music.

Advertising on Tencent News Platform

China’s one popular mobile news app Tencent News is the perfect website for global advertisers who want to target Chinese users. The ads can be based on user browsing data and choices, which enables brands to reach out to the target audience.

Tencent news about fancycellar

Tips for Successful Tencent Ads

Here are a few basic strategies to help you run a successful Tencent ads campaign:

Study your target customers, and define your audience and objectives

Before starting any type of marketing campaign, you need to study your target customers. This is even more important when advertising on Tencent. You need to understand who your target audience is, what their needs and desires are, and what type of content they are most likely to engage with.

You can target your ads on Tencent by age, gender, interests, and even location. This allows you to create very specific campaigns that are tailored to your target audience.

Set a budget, bid strategically, and choose your ad type wisely

Tencent offers a variety of ad types to choose from, each with its strengths and weaknesses. You need to understand the differences between each type of ad to choose the right one for your campaign.

Mobile is the future, invest in the mobile version

The mobile version of Tencent’s apps is growing rapidly, with more and more users accessing the internet through their smartphones. This trend is only going to continue, so it’s important to invest in creating a strong mobile presence for your business.

Invest in multiple Tencent platforms

While WeChat is the most popular Tencent app, there are many others that you can use to reach your target audience. By investing in multiple platforms, you’ll be able to reach more people and create a stronger presence on Tencent.

Monitor your results and adjust accordingly

As with any advertising campaign, you will need to monitor your results and make adjustments as needed. This includes testing different ad formats and targeting options to find what works best for your business.

Gentlemen Marketing Agency: Your Agent Based In China

Tired of the drawn-out process that comes with getting your WeChat account verified? 

GMA can help get it done quickly and easily.

GMA offers a wide range of WeChat marketing solutions to help businesses reach their target audience on the world’s largest social media platform. From WeChat account verification to content creation and distribution, our team of experienced professionals can help you every step of the way.

Contact us today!

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WeChat Statistics and Key Trends of 2023 in Focus https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-statistics/ https://marketingtochina.com/wechat-statistics/#comments Mon, 28 Aug 2023 09:42:22 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=78764 Not merely a messaging app, WeChat has evolved into an all-encompassing ecosystem where users can chat, shop, pay bills, and even book flights. As we move further into 2023, understanding the dynamics of this ‘super app‘ becomes not just a point of interest, but a necessity for marketers, businesses, and tech enthusiasts alike.

This article aims to shine a light on the most crucial WeChat statistics of 2023, offering readers a comprehensive look into the platform’s current standing, growth patterns, and potential future trajectories.

Overview of the WeChat Social Media Platform

As of 2023, WeChat has over 1.3 billion monthly active users and it’s forecasted that WeChat users will exceed 1.67 billion by the end of this year. Of course, the numbers stating the number of WeChat users worldwide, place the app in the fifth rank of the most popular apps in the world (right after Facebook – 2.9 billion, Youtube – 2.5 billion, Whatsapp – 2 billion, and Instagram – 1.4 billion).

WeChat Statistics 2023

There are 45 billion messages exchanged daily, which is no surprise, as WeChat ranks as the most popular mobile social media platform in China. 73.7% of internet users access the app frequently.

Chinese people spend over 30% of their time online on WeChat, indicating its ever-increasing popularity. The app is responsible for 34% of the total data traffic in China.

User Base and Demographics

WeChat will exceed 1.67 users globally by the end of 2023

As we stated earlier, WeChat has further solidified its stance as one of the most dominant social media platforms globally, boasting a staggering 1.3 billion monthly active users, forecasted to reach 1.67 billion by the end of the year. WeChat usage stats not only showcase the app’s immense popularity but also underscore its ubiquity in the daily lives of its users.

Wechat users belong to all age groups and locations

Diving deeper into the demographics:

Age Distribution

WeChat remains predominantly popular among the younger demographic. Around 22.3% of WeChat users fall within the age group under 24 years. People between 25-30 years old are the smallest group, accounting for 13.7% of WeChat users. Then, there are 22% of people aged 31-40, and 19.2% of people aged 41-50. WeChat also boosts an older audience, with people over 51 years old accounting for 22.7% of total users.

Gender Distribution

The gender split is relatively even on WeChat. In 2023, males account for approximately 52.9% of the user base, while females represent 47.1%. This slight skew towards male users has been consistent over the past few years and reflects the inequity in gender distribution in China.

Wechat Statistics: user data

Geographical Distribution

Unsurprisingly, China remains the powerhouse, with over 2/3 of WeChat’s users residing there. However, there’s been a noticeable expansion in international markets. Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe together now account for around 20% of users, indicating WeChat’s increasing global footprint and its efforts to penetrate non-Chinese markets. WeChat has approximately 19 million daily active users in the US.

Starbucks on WeChat
Starbucks on WeChat

WeChat Features Usage

From its origins as a simple messaging app, WeChat has expanded into a vast ecosystem with myriad functionalities. More than 60% of WeChat active users open the app every day, while 83% rely on the app for work purposes.

Most Popular Features Among WeChat Users

  • WeChat Moments: Holding its position at the top, WeChat Moments – the social media feed where users can share photos, videos, and updates – continues to be the most frequented feature. An estimated 85% of users actively engage with Moments daily.
  • WeChat Pay: With the increasing global adoption of cashless payments, WeChat Pay remains a preferred choice for both online and offline transactions. There are 1.1 billion users making online payments with the use of WeChat Pay.
  • Mini-Programs: These sub-applications within WeChat, ranging from e-commerce platforms to games, have experienced a surge in popularity. Roughly 614 million WeChat users enter the WeChat mini-programs sub-platform at least once a day.
  • Video Calls & Conferencing: The demand for digital communication tools shows no sign of waning. WeChat’s video communication features are now utilized daily and there are 205 million video messages sent every day.
  • Official Accounts: These are platforms for influencers, businesses, and organizations to share content. As of 2023, there are more than 20 million WeChat Official Accounts.
WeChat Statistics: feature usage

New Features Introduced in 2023

  • WeChat Discover: Launched in early 2023, this feature is designed to help users find and connect with local businesses and services based on their preferences and locations.
  • Virtual Reality (VR) Chat Rooms: Embracing the VR trend, WeChat introduced immersive chat rooms where users can interact in a 3D virtual space. It’s still in its nascent stages with an adoption rate of 15%, but the buzz around it suggests a promising future.
  • Personalized AI News Feed: Powered by advanced machine learning algorithms, this feature curates news and articles tailored to individual users’ preferences.
  • WeChat Learn: Targeting the e-learning boom, this feature offers users a platform to access online courses and tutorials.

In a nutshell, 2023 has been a year of both reinforcement and innovation for WeChat. While its core features remain steadfast in their popularity, the app’s forays into newer, tech-forward functionalities indicate its commitment to staying ahead of the curve and catering to its ever-diverse user base.

La Perla on WeChat
La Perla WeChat Official Account Newsletter

WeChat is Valued at 50.2 Billion Dollars as of 2023

In March 2023, WeChat reported a robust revenue of $50.2 billion, and it’s expected to reach $62 billion by the end of the year. This continuous uptick, despite a maturing core market, underscores WeChat’s ability to effectively monetize its vast array of features and maintain a high level of user engagement.

Major sources of revenue

  • Advertising: Remains a dominant source.
  • WeChat Pay: Integral to daily transactions, WeChat charges 0.01% fee for every transaction exceeding 100 yuan.
  • Mini-Programs: Serving various user needs, and many things can be purchased through them.
  • WeChat Moments: Users can purchase stickers for an average price of $0.99 for a set.
  • Official Accounts and Subscriptions: Leveraged by brands and influencers, those accounts need to be verified, which costs approximately $45 per account.
  • Others (Games, Stickers, Premium Features)
Estee Lauder on WeChat

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) is $7!

Given WeChat’s broad range of monetization avenues, it’s unsurprising that the platform boasts a healthy ARPU. In 2023, WeChat’s ARPU stood at $7, which is 7x higher than the ARPU of WhatsApp. This metric reaffirms WeChat’s prowess in maximizing value from its vast user base, not just through user growth but also through increased spending and activity per user.

There are Over 20 Million WeChat Official Accounts!

WeChat’s Official Accounts, a bridge connecting organizations, influencers, and brands to their audience, have evolved into powerful communication tools. By offering a platform for regular content publication, similar to a “news feed,” these accounts have allowed brands to directly engage with followers in dynamic ways.

Wechat official account

By the end of 2023, WeChat boasted a total of 20 million Official Accounts and around 72% of WeChat users follow WeChat’s official account for news purposes. Another 41% of WeChat Official account users follow them for promotion.

What is interesting is the fact that 57.3 of WeChat users discover new accounts thanks to other Wechat official account owners, who recommend them on their page. It’s also not surprising, given the fact that more than half of the total users follow between 10 and 20 official accounts on this social media app.

News and promotions are two main reasons why people follow Wechat’s official accounts. According to WeChat statistics, 74.2% of users cited news as the primary reason they follow any Official Account, while 41.9% do so for promotions.

WeChat official account example

34% of WeChat official account owners interviewed admited, that the app helps them cut costs by about 30%. Businesses not only sell products and services through the app, but also purchase them from other companies.

WeChat Moments is The Most Popular Feature of The App

In 2023, WeChat Moments saw an average of 780 million daily active users and 120 million publish updates frequently. The persistent growth, even as the platform matures, showcases Moments’ enduring appeal in users’ daily routines. In fact, WeChat Moments is the most popular feature of this mobile messaging app, and many Chinese smartphone users launch it just to check WeChat Moments.

Types of Content Shared on Moments

  • Photos and Videos: Visual content remains king on Moments. Approximately 60% of all posts are either photos or videos, capturing moments from everyday life to grand celebrations.
  • Status Updates: Personal reflections, quotes, or simple text-based posts constitute around 25% of the content.
  • Shared Articles and Links: Whether it’s a thought-provoking article or an entertaining video, 10% of posts involve sharing external content.
  • Check-ins and Location Tags: Documenting visits to restaurants, tourist spots, or events, these make up about 5% of the posts.
chinese social media: favorite type of content consumed on wechat

More than 61% of WeChat users check Moments every time they open the app, and 76.4% of WeChat users use Moments to share experiences and catch up with their friends’ stories. This is also one of the reasons that advertising in Moments, in comparison to other places like WeChat mini-programs and official accounts is more effective.

WeChat Mini-Programs Statistics

The introduction of WeChat Mini-Programs was nothing short of revolutionary, presenting users with applications within an application. These lightweight, less than 10MB utilities have transformed the WeChat experience, morphing it from a mere messaging platform into an all-encompassing digital universe.

By the end of 2023, WeChat was home to over 4.3 million Mini-Programs, and it’s said that more than 95% of Chinese companies have their own mini-programs within the app.

There are 450 million daily active users and WeChat usage statistics suggest, that one person uses on average 9.8 mini-programs.

Yoga mini-program on WeChat

Popular Categories of Mini-Programs

  • E-commerce Platforms: Dominating the Mini-Program landscape. Users enjoy shopping within WeChat, given the integrated payment and social recommendation features.
  1. Local Services: Whether it’s food delivery, taxi booking, or salon reservations, local service utilities make up a big part of WeChat mini-programs. 47% of users find those apps and e-commerce ones more valuable than other apps.
  2. Games: WeChat games, known for their social and casual nature, attract male and female users.
  3. Utilities (Translation, Weather, Tools): Practical utilities that enhance the daily WeChat experience.
  4. Education and Learning: From language tutors to coding classes.
  5. Others (Health, Fitness, Travel, etc.): Diverse in nature, those programs are very specific, targetting different user groups.

Over 20% of users spend more than 1000 RMB per month

Chinese people, especially female consumers (accounting for 67% of mini-program users in China) use those mini-apps to purchase various products and services. 32.6% spend less than 200 RMB monthly, and 47.4% spend between 200 and 1000 RMB.

WeChat Pay Registered Over 900 Million Active Users

WeChat Pay is used by 93% of consumers engaging in offline purchases in tier 1 and 2 cities in China. WeChat Pay is China’s second most commonly used digital payment option, boasting 1.133 billion active users as of 2023.

WeChat Pay has a daily transaction volume of over 1 billion. There are more than 200 million Chinese bank cards linked to WeChat Pay.

Thanks to Chinese tourists, that are forcing other countries to adopt this payment method, now it’s available in 25 other countries and regions. More than 70% of mobile internet usage by Chinese tourists in Korea occurred through WeChat.

Data by country further indicates that in 2017, Chinese tourists in Japan used WeChat Pay for 20% of their transactions. 2019 witnessed a significant 76% YoY surge in WeChat’s daily cross-border payments.

Primarily targeting Chinese travelers abroad, WeChat Pay has consistently expanded its collaborations with international merchants. Moreover, since 2015, WeChat Pay has been steadily making inroads into European markets, aligning with the global shift towards cashless transactions.

WeChat pay

What The Future Holds For WeChat?

WeChat’s meteoric rise in the past decade, from a simple messaging app to an all-encompassing digital universe, has left many intrigued about its future trajectory. As we stand on the cusp of 2024, let’s delve into the trends shaping WeChat’s roadmap and the predictions for the year ahead.

What’s Next for WeChat Based on Current Trends?

  • Deepening Integration of AI and Machine Learning: Leveraging the power of AI, WeChat may further personalize the user experience. From chatbots in Official Accounts to advanced content recommendations in Moments, AI will play a pivotal role in streamlining user interactions.
  • Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR) Experiences: With the global interest in AR and VR, WeChat could integrate these technologies into its Mini-Programs or gaming interfaces, offering users immersive experiences, be it virtual shopping tours or interactive games.
  • Sustainable and Green Initiatives: In sync with global eco-consciousness trends, WeChat might introduce features that promote sustainability. This could range from eco-friendly product recommendations in e-commerce Mini-Programs to partnerships with environmental organizations on Official Accounts.
  • Health and Wellness Focus: The post-pandemic era has emphasized health and wellness. WeChat could further embed health trackers, telemedicine platforms, and mental well-being resources, capitalizing on this global paradigm shift.
Gucci metaverse store
Gucci metaverse store (something that could also be done in WeChat mini-program)

Predicted Growth Areas or Features for 2024

  • Expansion of WeChat Pay: With its existing popularity, WeChat Pay is poised for deeper global penetration. 2024 might witness a more robust presence in the European and American markets, giving traditional payment methods a run for their money.
  • Enhanced E-commerce Capabilities: Building upon its Mini-Program success, WeChat is likely to incorporate more advanced e-commerce features, possibly augmented shopping experiences or 3D product previews.
  • Official Accounts 2.0: The official accounts might undergo a revamp, offering brands more interactive and dynamic tools to engage with their audience, such as real-time polls, AR demos, or virtual try-ons.
  • WeChat University: Tapping into the e-learning surge, WeChat could introduce a dedicated platform or Mini-Program for courses, webinars, and workshops, collaborating with top global universities and institutions.

Unlock the Power of WeChat with Gentlemen Marketing Agency

In today’s digitally-driven marketplace, understanding and leveraging platforms like WeChat is crucial, especially for businesses keen on making an impact in the Chinese and broader Asian markets. But where do you start? Enter Gentlemen Marketing Agency, your trusted partner in navigating the intricate landscape of WeChat.

Why Choose Gentlemen Marketing Agency for Your WeChat Initiatives?

gma
  1. Deep WeChat Expertise: With more than 10 years of hands-on experience, our team has an intimate understanding of WeChat’s ever-evolving ecosystem. From Moments to Mini-Programs, we know what clicks with the audience.
  2. Tailored Marketing Strategies: We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Our approach is bespoke, meticulously crafted to resonate with your brand voice and objectives. Whether you’re a startup or a Fortune 500, we’ve got a strategy for you.
  3. Data-Driven Decisions: At Gentlemen Marketing Agency, we let data speak. Using advanced analytics, we fine-tune campaigns in real-time, ensuring maximum ROI for your WeChat marketing investments.
  4. Holistic Digital Solutions: Beyond WeChat, we offer an array of digital marketing services. Be it SEO, SEM, or influencer collaborations, our solutions are designed to provide you with a competitive edge.
  5. Trusted by Global Brands: Our portfolio boasts collaborations with renowned global brands, a testament to our reliability and results-driven approach.
Wechat GMA services

In the realm of WeChat, where opportunities are as vast as the challenges, having a seasoned ally like Gentlemen Marketing Agency can make all the difference. Together, let’s turn your WeChat aspirations into tangible successes. Don’t hesitate to leave us a comment or contact us!

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Which WeChat Official Account is Best Suited for Your Company? https://marketingtochina.com/which-wechat-account-is-best-suited-for-you/ https://marketingtochina.com/which-wechat-account-is-best-suited-for-you/#comments Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:14:32 +0000 https://marketingtochina.com/?p=14967 Boasting an impressive user base of 1.26 billion active monthly users, WeChat reigns supreme as China’s leading social media platform, making it an indispensable tool for any company seeking to engage Chinese consumers.

WeChat official accounts are a powerful marketing tool for companies looking to reach a Chinese audience. But with so many different types of accounts to choose from, which WeChat account is right for your business? Read on to find out more about the different types of WeChat official accounts and what they can offer your company.

WeChat Statistics 2023

What are WeChat Official Accounts?

WeChat Official Accounts, also known as WeChat Business Accounts or WeChat public accounts, function similarly to Facebook’s brand pages but are tailored specifically for the Chinese market. Just as you might use a Facebook page to connect with your Western audience, the WeChat Official Accounts platform allows individuals or organizations, including celebrities, influencers, businesses, government entities, and media outlets, to engage with the vast Chinese WeChat user base.

Having a WeChat Business Account serves as an excellent entry point for international brands looking to tap into the Chinese market. Chinese users prefer interacting with authentic accounts, making WeChat official accounts their go-to source for information and product purchases.

Wechat official account

With your own WeChat Official Account, you can amass followers, create targeted content, direct traffic to your eCommerce platform, and even send push notifications for your marketing campaigns. The platform offers various features to engage your audience effectively:

  1. Broadcast Messaging: Send group messages to your followers.
  2. Comment Management: Manage comments on your official account.
  3. Analytics: Gain insights into your account’s performance.
  4. Direct Messaging: Reach out to Chinese users individually using WeChat’s direct-messaging app.

It’s important to note that not all these features are available for every account type. Therefore, it’s essential to consider your business needs and available resources when selecting the appropriate account type for your brand. In the subsequent sections, we will explore the various account types and determine which one best suits your business requirements.

Why is it Important to Have a WeChat Official Account?

Having a WeChat Official Account is essential for the success of your brand in the market. You might wonder why you need an official account when a regular account seems sufficient. The answer lies in the plethora of marketing tools and the level of trust you can establish with your WeChat official account followers.

Furthermore, you’ll be competing with numerous brands in China that are already leveraging official accounts for their business. To avoid being at a disadvantage, creating a WeChat business account for your brand in China becomes crucial.

WeChat Official Account is an Indispensable Marketing Tool

Official accounts offer your brand an organic channel for growth, given that Chinese users do not have access to platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Through your official account, you can effectively reach your audience.

Bulk messaging is an excellent feature available exclusively to WeChat official accounts, enabling you to broadcast brand updates and engage with a broader audience more efficiently. This feature is particularly advantageous for eCommerce as it allows for a targeted approach to reaching your audience.

WeChat Ecommerce

Chinese Consumers Prefer Official Accounts for Brand Information

The check badge granted to all official accounts by WeChat reinforces their authenticity, making them the preferred choice for Chinese users seeking real and trustworthy accounts. Official accounts act as substitutes for websites, providing users with crucial information such as contact details, product offerings, brand values, and supporting content like articles, images, and videos.

While official accounts primarily interact with existing followers, they also play a role in attracting new followers and contributing to the overall success of your brand on WeChat. Once users subscribe to your WeChat business account, they will receive notifications for each brand promotion campaign you initiate, further enhancing their engagement with your brand.

WeChat official account example

Differences Between All the WeChat Accounts

When selecting a WeChat Official Account, various options cater to different organizational needs and availability. As a brand, you can choose from two main types of official accounts: service accounts and subscription accounts. The most suitable choice for your brand will be determined by your organization’s nature and the specific types of accounts available.

What is a Subscription Account on WeChat?

WeChat subscription accounts are ideal for brands that focus on content creation and effective brand communication. Media outlets and magazines, for example, utilize WeChat subscription accounts to keep their followers updated on their latest content. These accounts function as a daily source of content for users, akin to a newspaper or Facebook’s news feed feature.

WeChat subscription account

When users subscribe to your official account, they can find it under the WeChat subscription tab, where it is grouped with other subscription accounts. Unlike service accounts, subscription accounts do not send push notifications for new content postings. Instead, you can publish content once a day, with the option to post up to 6 articles in each publication. These updates will be sent to your followers’ subscription folder without triggering push notifications.

For content-centric brands or small businesses seeking to expand in China, WeChat subscription accounts present an excellent choice. Though they may not have as much visibility as service accounts, subscription accounts offer the advantage of publishing more content for your followers. It’s worth noting that subscription accounts are only available to brands with a Chinese business license.

Who Should You Choose a Wechat Service Account?

WeChat service accounts offer a robust set of features, making them an ideal choice for eCommerce businesses and service-oriented brands. With a service account, you can efficiently manage customer relationships, integrate WeChat APIs, and gather valuable data from your followers.

WeChat Service Account

Verified WeChat service accounts to gain access to advanced features such as WeChat Pay integration and the ability to set up a dedicated WeChat store. These enhancements elevate your WeChat business account’s appeal to customers, making shopping and payments more convenient for your followers.

Additionally, verified service accounts can leverage other advanced APIs like instant customer service, GPS, payments, multiple QR codes per accounts, and HTML pages.

Compared to subscription accounts, WeChat service accounts enjoy higher visibility due to their ability to send push notifications every time you publish content on your wall. They are prominently displayed on your followers’ dashboard, rather than being nestled in a separate folder, leading to more frequent interactions.

However, similar to subscription accounts, service accounts have limitations in their publication frequency. You can only publish four times a month, with six articles allowed in each publication, which is less than what subscription accounts offer.

Additional Types of WeChat Official Accounts

Beyond the well-known service and subscription accounts, which excel in promotion and brand awareness, there are two other notable types: Enterprise Accounts (WeChat Work) and WeChat mini-programs.

WeChat Work primarily serves as a communication tool designed for companies seeking efficient internal communication. As Chinese users were using WeChat for both business and personal purposes, WeChat introduced this distinct service tailored for business-oriented interactions.

On the other hand, WeChat mini-programs are more than just public accounts; they form an entire ecosystem of mini-apps within WeChat. Companies leverage these mini-programs to bolster their brand promotion, share updates, and facilitate sales through in-app stores with the WeChat payment option. For comprehensive insights into WeChat mini-programs, you can explore more detailed information on this topic.

swisse-butchery-wechat-shop-channel-mini-program-sell-imported-beef-china

Setting Up a WeChat Business Account: Requirements and Options

Creating a WeChat business account may seem straightforward, but international brands face specific challenges due to certain prerequisites. To register a WeChat official account, you’ll need the following documents:

  • Chinese business license
  • Chinese ID linked to a WeChat Payment Account

Brands with a Chinese legal entity have an advantage, as they can submit a scanned copy of their Chinese business license, pay a verification fee of RMB 300, and provide a Chinese ID with a WeChat payment account.

For international brands without these documents, there are two alternatives to complete their WeChat official account:

  1. Register a local Chinese business license: Some brands can create an overseas WeChat official account using a Chinese commercial license, such as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE). However, this method requires significant investment and time.
  2. Use a third-party business license: The most popular option for foreign brands is to use a third-party business license. Although affordable, it comes with limitations, as the account cannot be handled independently, and the third-party name will be associated with the official account.

Another approach is to use your own international business license, but approval is not guaranteed and can take up to 3 months, compared to a week with a Chinese business license. Additionally, the annual registration fee for an overseas WeChat official account is around USD 99, more expensive than the Chinese counterpart.

Considering these differences, it is advisable to find a Chinese business partner or register your business in China to open your WeChat official account. The steps for creating your Official account can be found here.

Engage a Professional Agency to Create Your Accounts and Thrive in China’s Business Landscape

At GMA, we offer comprehensive support for your WeChat journey. From registering and creating your WeChat official account to managing it and devising a successful marketing strategy for entering the Chinese market, we’ve got you covered.

Wechat GMA services

As an international team of 70+ professionals based in Shanghai, we understand the challenges and intricacies of doing business in this unique market. We are eager to learn more about your project and provide the expertise you need.

Get in touch with us now to inquire about WeChat official accounts or any other information you may require. Let’s make your China expansion a resounding success together!

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