The complete guide to using WeChat: Everything you need to know about how to create a WeChat account, use WeChat wallet, and open an online store on WeChat.
Contents:
1.WeChat Introduction
2. Features
- WeChat pay
- WeChat Moments
- Group
- QR code
- WeChat mini program
- Video call WeChat
- WeChat official accounts
- WeChat time capsule
3.FAQ
- How does WeChat work?
- How to sign up in WeChat?
- How to change WeChat id?
- How to set up WeChat payment?
- WeChat how to scan QR code?
- How to do WeChat password reset?
- What to do if blocked on WeChat?
- How to open an online store?
- How to delete a WeChat account?
- How to delete WeChat contact?
- How to contact WeChat customer service?
4. Selling on WeChat
- WeChat store
- WeChat advertisement
5.Conclusion
1.WeChat Introduction
WeChat is called weixin (pinyin)in China, also known as Tencent WeChat. It means the “micro-message”. The active WeChat user reached 1.1 billion at the Q4,2019.
Most Chinese people spend more than 90 minutes per day using theis app. This is no surprise since, in China, WeChat is much more than a messaging and video-call app. Users can buy a ticket, pay the bills, order meals, transfer money, share documents, etc.
- What is WeChat?
WeChat is one of the largest social media in China, WeChat free app is similar as Facebook. WeChat social media is the popular platform for marketing for business.
- Who owns WeChat?
WeChat was developed by Tencent in 2011. The CEO is Ma Huateng.
- Who owns Tencent?
Tencent was established in 1998 in Shenzhen, China. The CEO is Ma Huateng who was the WeChat owner.
- Is WeChat safe?
WeChat is safe as other social media around the world.
- What version does WeChat offer?
It offers WeChat for pc, WeChat for mac, WeChat for web and WeChat for Windows. You may get WeChat download on any devices. And you would use it worldwide.
- How to download the WeChat?
You can directly access to WeChat website(www.wechat.com) to choose the device you have, and install WeChat app (WeChat pc, WeChat APK, WeChat for Android). Or you may use the WeChat web login.
- How many languages does WeChat have?
WeChat app has 20 languages, such as English, Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian etc. You can set your primary language on the setting section.
2. WeChat features
As the leading social media platform in China, WeChat provides a lot of advanced: features to users.
- WeChat Pay
WeChat pay is the payment solution integrated inside WeChat app. Users can use it for quick pay, QR code pay, web-based payment. It becomes must-have payment for Chinese.
It allows foreigners to use WeChat pay for goods and service in 2019. Foreigners can be linked their cards of Visa, MasterCard, JCB, American Express etc.
As a user, you don’t need to pay extra service fee. But you will need to pay the transfer service when you withdraw money from WeChat wallet.
- Moments
WeChat Moments is the feature that users can share their videos, pictures, text etc. You can share images up to 9 images.
For the video, if you record a video via WeChat moments, you may only share a video within 15 second. If you want to share long videos, you may record from other apps or use WeChat note to shares.
Go to the “Me” menu, choose “Favorites”, tap the “Notes”. Then choose to share your video to your moments or your friends.
- WeChat time capsule
This was a new WeChat feature which launched in January, 2019. Much like Instagram stories. It allows users to share content or short videos which will show only 24 hours.
If you want to post time capsule, go to your moments, click on the “time capsule” button beside the moments.
- Group
WeChat group allows people communicate in groups via messaging, videos or audio call.
- QR code
QR code is similar as barcode, each personal account, WeChat public account can get WeChat QR codes. You can customize the QR code WeChat with your logo, design.
The QR code can be used for adding friends, subscribe WeChat official accounts, add to a group, payment etc. It’s widely used in China.
- WeChat mini program
WeChat miniprogram is light weighted app that users don’t need to download it, and it’s run inside WeChat. It would be an online store, game or messaging app.
WeChat users can search it on the search bar, or find it on the “Discover’ menu of WeChat.
- Video call WeChat
WeChat video calling is a feature that user can make WeChat video call with friends or groups free of charge.
- WeChat official accounts
It’s also known as WeChat public account. Individual can apply for subscription account, while business may register for WeChat official account.
The official account can be used for content posting, branding and WeChat marketing.
Check here to read more options for WeChat official account setup.
- WeChat emojis
There are a lot of free WeChat stickers on the store, tap the “smile emoji icon”, choose the emojis or WeChat GIF you like, then download.
- WeChat translate
When you chat with someone who speak different languages, you just use the WeChat translate those messages. Just long press the message, it will show it to the primary you set for WeChat app.
3.FAQ
- How does WeChat work?
People in China are using WeChat in Chinese, they use WeChat not only for communication, but also for ordering, taxi, payment, etc.
There are many third-party services integrated with WeChat, such as Train ticket, Air ticket, Movie ticket, Taxi, Insurance, Hotels, Charity etc. People can order or use their service inside WeChat within download the apps.
- How to sign up in WeChat?
If you want to signup WeChat, you need download the app first. Go to Apple store, or Google store search the WeChat. Then download WeChat app.
After you download WeChat, open it, then you will see an option “sign up”. You will need enter your mobile phone number, then enter the verification you received with that number and submit it. You will successfully register to WeChat in a few minutes.
- How to make video call WeChat or voice calling?
Tap the person you want to make video call with, tap the “+” on the right side corner. Then choose “video call’ or “voice call”.
- How to change WeChat id?
WeChat already disable users to change the WeChat ID for WeChat security reasons.
That is to say, after sign up for WeChat, you can’t change your WeChat ID.
- WeChat how to scan QR code?
WeChat QR code scan steps: login into WeChat, click on the “Discover”—“Scan”. Then you can scan the QR code you want.
- How to create a WeChat group and join a group?
Group WeChat is a community for a group of people. If you want to create a group, click the “+” on the upper side, then select the person on your contacts you want to add. You will need to add the person to your contact first.
If you want to join a group, you can ask the group member send you an invitation. Or share you a group QR code, you can join by scan the group QR code.
- How to set up WeChat payment?
Three simple steps you can setup WeChat pay, no matter you use WeChat pay in USA or any other countries.
First: Click on the menu “Me”—“WeChat Pay”—“Wallet”.
Second: Tap “Card”—“Add a Card”—Set your password for WeChat Payment—“Add your bank card number”. It would be a bank card in your own country.
Third: Fill in your information, including name, passport and mobile phone number. Then verify this number via confirmation code you received.
- How to do WeChat password reset?
Go to the “setting”—“Account Security”—“Password”.
If you want to get a new password and know your original password, just input the original password and new password, then confirm it and you will get your password reset.
If you When you can’t figure it your password, then choose “Forgot password”.
You will need to use SMS verification code to change the password. The SMS will be sent to the phone number which your account was linked.
- What to do if blocked on WeChat?
If your account is freeze on WeChat, in other words, you got your WeChat account blocked, you will need to ask your friends to help you unfreeze your account.
Login in your account, then choose “More options”—“security center”—“Unfreeze account”, do the guide shows there. Share the QR code or your ID to your friend. They can follow the instruction to help your process the unfreeze. It takes few minutes to do this.
Or you may ask your friend who added you on his/her contacts, go to the “security center’—“unfreeze friend’ account”. Then follow the instructions and fill in the info, such as your friend’s bank card number and ID card. It will help activate your account.
- How to open an online store?
Most business have open online stores on WeChat, there are 3 ways that you can setup your own store.
- Weidian
You may build up a store for free. It has the basic function. If you want to create a comprehensive store. You will need to buy some plugins.
- Youzan
It’s one of the popular platforms that offer eCommerce solutions for business. The pricing starts at RMB 6,800 per year.
- Weimob
It’s a similar as Youzan, it offers free trial. The package starts at RMB 9,800 per year.
- How to delete WeChat contact?
Tap on the person on your contacts, then click the kebabs. Then you can delete it from that page.
- How to delete a WeChat account?
Tap the “Me” icon—“setting”—“Account Security”—“WeChat Security Center—“Account Cancellation”. After doing this, you can delete your WeChat permanently.
- How to contact WeChat customer service?
If you want to get WeChat support, you may access to the WeChat helper center. Two steps to contact them. First, describe your questions. Second, leave your contact info, email or WeChat ID. Then wait for their reply from WeChat support.
4.Selling on WeChat
- WeChat store
As an individual, you may use your subscription account to sell your products or service. You can work remotely, just get a WeChat download for laptop. If you want to receive payment from your customers, you will need to setup your WeChat pay. Then you may share the QR code to your customers.
If you have a business entity, you may consider open a WeChat online store.
We just learnt the three ways to create a WeChat store, you can sell your digital products, services or other products on WeChat.
Want to get a book for WeChat Marketing, check it HERE.
- WeChat advertisement
WeChat advertising is the Tencent program that allows companies to display promotions ads on users’ moment and WeChat official accounts. It’s considered as the top advertising channels online. WeChat has got a steady increase in advertising revenue these years, and the advertising revenue reached 5.28 billion in 2019.
It supports the targeted audience in both Mainland China and WeChat users overseas.
The minimum advertising budget is US$8,500. It’s prepaid.
There are 3 types of advertising on WeChat:
- WeChat moment ads
- WeChat official account ads
- Mini-program ads
Here are 6 advertising tips that you can use to start and optimize your campaigns.
1) Know your audience
Get a clear idea about your target audience before launching an ad, including demography, interest, behavior, etc.
2）Master your WeChat remarketing
Retargeting to the users based on the actions they have taken on your business.
- Test different assets for the best result
Create A/B tester, check the data after you publish, and gather the information for getting a satisfying result.
- Use video that short, sweet, or inspirational.
- Establish a bid strategy and budget to reach your goal
It’s critical to set a bid strategy within your budget and maximum the result.
- Track and optimize ads performance
Monitor your ad performance on the WeChat account dashboard, or you may use the third-party tool to get the data.
Conclusion
We have learnt the whole process of using WeChat, from WeChat account sign up, WeChat QR code, groups and WeChat official account to selling on WeChat and WeChat advertisement.
Hope you will enjoy using the WeChat, either daily use or business.