WeChat in China is one of the most popular messaging applications and you can find people from all age groups there. It is estimated that there are over 800 million active users on WeChat. It is not just used for connecting with people and being in touch, it is also used for making transactions such as booking cabs, buying coffee, and as wallet for making payments.
WeChat ecommerce is a mobile-optimized virtual store which has been developed for the WeChat using mini apps, third-party interfaces, and integration with current mobile commerce functionality. Considering the wide user base on WeChat, it is imperative for the retailers to open a WeChat shop.
How to sell via WeChat?
There are two major ways that are used for selling in WeChat. The first way is to use off-the-shelf WeChat store which are template stores that you can plug in and you are good to go. Another is the integration of WeChat functionality in the existing mobile commerce functionality. For most of the fashion and luxury brand, the second option is the better one but the former is relatively easy and quick.
How WeChat helps international brands?
Tencent, which is the Chinese technology behind WeChat, has simplified it for the international brand to enter the Chinese market via WeChat by bypassing the license needs if the brands carry out business only on the WeChat ecommerce platform. WeChat is also trying to offer ease of buying from the brand stores when abroad via WeChat platform. It has become a medium for international brands to capture the Chinese market which would have been difficult earlier.
Closed Ecosystem
Several brands claim how happy they are to be having and using the WeChat account for selling their luxury goods. Blogging has been cited as one of the effective ways of driving traffic towards your store. When you blog and offer authentic and informative content, people start following you which later transforms them into your potential buyers. Earlier, it was too much hassle to buy from ecommerce portals, but WeChat ecommerce has simplified it where a user can shop with just one click without even leaving WeChat.
How can brands benefit from WeChat?
As mentioned above, there are 800 to 900 million people on WeChat which means every brand can find their target audience. It is one of the best platforms for luxury sales. WeChat also has better tech support.
China is a market with high growth potential for most of the brands and it makes sense they try to make the most of the opportunity that WeChat is offering them.
Explore the web for more information and suggestions on why retailers should think about promoting their brand and selling on WeChat ecommerce platform.
