What Is WeChat?
You may have heard of WeChat being mentioned on the news however do not know much about it. WeChat is a Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by Tencent. WeChat was released in 2011 and became the world’s largest standalone mobile app in 2018. The app hosts over 1 billion monthly active users and in China the app is described as ‘app for everything’ and ‘super app’ due to its wide range of functions.
What can WeChat do?
Social Networking
WeChat allows you to send text messages, emojis, pictures to contacts as well as audio and video calls. Users can form a WeChat group with as many as 500 people and hold group WeChat calls with as many as nine people. The app also allows you to talk to random strangers by tapping ‘People Nearby’ or shake your phone to add new friends and meet new people.
Social Media
You can share photos or 15-second videos, music or web links for your chosen WeChat contact similar to Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. Users tend to do this when sharing a major announcement and showcase their daily life. Their contacts can like or comment on their moment.
Official Accounts
Government organisations, companies, or groups can register a WeChat Official Account to send articles and message their followers. This is similar to Facebook or Instagram business accounts.
Ordering In A Restaurant
In China, WeChat is integrated into everyday life that you can use the app to pay for your food and drink. This is done by using the WeChat app and scanning the QR code on the table. WeChat isn’t just used to pay for restaurant foods and it’s used a lot for daily payments such as bus fares, cinemas, gyms, taxis, and many more.
Shopping
Users on the WeChat platform can also shop for goods via pages on WeChat or via links shared by organisations and friends without having to leave the app.
Payments
WeChat also allows you to transfer money to your contacts directly without the need to use a banking app.
Paying Bills
Users in China use WeChat to pay for utility bills such as electricity and water.
Mini Programs
In 2017 WeChat launched mini-programs which enables developers/businesses to develop mini-apps inside WeChat such as book a doctor’s appointment without having to download a whole bunch of apps. This helps users to have the one app that does everything they need.
WeChat Privacy
Users’ activity on WeChat is analysed, tracked, and shared with Chinese authorities upon request as part of China’s surveillance network. Politically sensitive topics in China are censored. Data transmitted by accounts registered outside of China are monitored, analysed, and used to build up its censorship algorithms.
Summary
WeChat is the number one app in China that is integrated into Chinese society that allows users to communicate, pay bills, and shop within one app boasting 1 billion active users. If your business wants to succeed in the Chinese market then WeChat is a great start. Although before you start building your business presence on WeChat, do your research as the WeChat app sends data to the Chinese government when needed. The data privacy issue may not sit well with your country’s data privacy laws.