To start your WeChat marketing in China, an account is needed.
But there are multiple types of accounts to choose from.
WeChat Official Accounts
“Official Accounts” are used to publish long-form articles, which may include text, images, and videos. These can be viewed by your followers and non-followers on WeChat.
An Official Account allows you to
- provide customer support in WeChat, and
- create a menu of links to WeChat articles or webpages.
They demonstrate to your customers in China that you are serious about the Chinese market and are who you say you are.
If you are only setting up a WeChat account, we recommend trying to do it for free first (here’s the guide).
If you are setting up accounts for multiple digital platforms in China, you might find it more convenient to use our account setup service.
WeChat Channels (video accounts)
Channels is WeChat’s short-video area, and it functions much like Douyin and TikTok.
If you plan to publish short/vertical video content in China, you’ll probably want a Channels account.
WeChat advertising accounts
If you want to advertise, you will need to apply separately.
This should usually be done after the Official Account application.
For most foreign businesses, this type of account can only be opened by an agency such as Nanjing Marketing Group.
WeChat personal accounts
If you communicate with anybody in China, you’ll need a personal WeChat account.
Plus, at least one personal account will be required for the administration of an Official Account.
You can set this one up on your own, but it will require a friend on WeChat to scan a QR code for you.
Chinese Marketing Account Setup FAQ
There are risks:
- Your account administrator is responsible for the content posted. Posting illegal content could result in their personal WeChat account being blocked.
- WeChat and the Chinese government have access to your WeChat data, including content you publish, customer support conversations, and analytics data.
- You might publish something that makes your customers angry.
- Ultimately, WeChat has the right to take down your account. We advise using more than one platform for marketing and creating a Chinese website.
If you can do it on your own, it’s free. However, you will need to spend some time filling out forms.
Our services generally cost 300–500 USD for the first account created (WeChat or other), but less for each subsequent account created.
It takes 7–28 work days, depending on your situation. If all the required documents are provided, the process can typically be completed within seven days. However, if the documents do not meet the requirements or if the applicant misses the auditor’s call, the entire review process may be extended.
An Official Account is not required to create a Channels account. However, if you have both, you can link them together, which can help users discover more of your content and follow you wherever they choose to.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
We’ll identify the potential obstacles hindering your expansion in China, and we’ll recommend the best course of action based on your individual needs.
If you think we’re a good fit, you’ll receive a proposal within a week.