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What’s interesting about WeChat stores is that they are not actually hosted on WeChat, but independent websites – accessed through WeChat’s built in internet browser.
This gives everyone, domestic and cross border sellers alike, a lot of interesting options to consider before opening a ‘WeChat store’.
It may also be a cheaper and easier option to test new products in Mainland China, compared to Tmall Global – which can be quite complicated to get into.
WeChat store options
1. Weidian
Until recently I, like many others, believed that Weidian was a Tencent operated platform within WeChat itself. It’s not.
Weidian is essentially a third party CMS, that works really well with the built in WeChat browser. Think of it like Shopify with a WeChat them and UX.
From a user experience, the transition from WeChat to a Weidian store is almost seamless. This is probably why so many believe that it’s part of the same platform.
Weidian is often used by individuals or small businesses, selling everything from imported cosmetics to handicrafts. It’s also free to start using, which is part of the reason why Weidian is almost synonymous with the idea of a WeChat store.
However, Weidian is as of today not available to foreign companies, including those in Hong Kong. You need a Mainland China business license and bank account to setup a Weidian. Continue reading Selling on WeChat For Foreign Companies: A Complete Guide
