How to Register a WeChat Business Account

Are you eager to get your brand recognized on WeChat? Here, you will have a chance to learn how to set up your account. We assume that you are more than ready to kickstart your business on WeChat. So, let’s go!

Please select your account type: Before we proceed with the registration. There are a few things to note about choosing your account and how you will set it up. There are four account types in total. The description of each type is written in the picture.

Options to create WeChat Official Account:

Option 1: use of a Foreign Business License.
Option 2: use the third-party Chinese business license who has control over your followers.
Option 3: Set up a company in China and apply for a Chinese Business License.

Subscription Account

You cannot open a Subscription Account outside China. (Else, find a trustworthy agent who can create an account on your behalf)
A Subscription Account limits your account to post once a day to prevent ceaseless posting and maintain the ranking in search engines.
A Subscription Account is suitable for a content-based brand or media publication.
Post from the Subscription Account will be shown on a ‘Subscription’ folder.
A Subscription Account does not have push notifications to prevent accounts from spamming users.

Service Account

As its name implies, this account focuses more on services than content.
A Service Account offers many features not available by Subscription Account. For example, API Menu, QR code generation, follower data segmentation, voice recognition, etc. Therefore, it suits businesses with large customer bases.
A Service Account is an official account that limits to 4 posts per month.
A Service Account has a push notification.
A Service Account allows you to register for WeChat Pay and WeChat store once your account is verified, the Subscription Account does not.
However, it should be noted that overseas accounts (those not registered with Chinese Business License) cannot use some features in the Service Account, including WeChat Pay, Cards & Offers, and WeChat store.

Mini Programs

A mini-app provides new dimensions of user experience.
More information about the Mini programs can be read here.

WeChat Work

A WeChat Work is used by the company internally for better communication within an organization.
WeChat Work is not used for marketing.

Register Now

You may first open the WeChat Official Account Platform.
Click the Register now in the red rectangular box and select your desired account type.

Email Verification

Provide an email that will be used to login to WeChat Account. You will be asked to enter a verification code sent to your email.
Set up and confirm your password.

Provide your company’s identification information

Information needed:

Company Name
Registration number
For local businesses: Chinese Business license certificate（企业执照） issued by the local government
For international businesses: Registered with a Foreign Business License.
Admin’s Name
Mobile Phone Number
Verification Code: Sent to your phone number
Passport ID Number

Create an account profile

Account name: Chinese or English character.
Description: Introduction of your company with 4-120 characters.

Verify your account

An unverified account will be canceled after 30 days.

Input additional information: Company registration number, office address and office phone number, scope of business, bank account number, name of company’s legal representatives, and information about the person-in-charge (PIC).

Upload supporting documents

Documents are available to download and should be filled, signed, stamped, and scanned in color before uploading.

Business license
Official Application Letter: Filled, signed, and stamped
Mobile Phone Operator Statement: Name of the phone user, number, phone payment records in the past three months
ID/Passport/Driving License copies

Choose an account display name

Trademark name: Tick this if your brand is trademarked; Provide relevant documents.
Media name: For news agencies; It needs you to upload a license.
Optional vocabulary: No documents needed to upload; Supplementary material is required if your account has a geographic name.

Pay verification fee

For local businesses: A verification fee of 300 RMB/year.
For international businesses: A verification fee of 99 USD/ year.
Make sure you input a correct bank account.

E-invoice will be sent out within ten working days after passing the verification process.

Pay either using “WeChat Pay” (If you have a WeChat Pay account) or “Credit Card Payment.”
The verification procedure takes less than two weeks for local Chinese accounts and 2-3 months for overseas accounts. There will be a third-party agency contacting you via email or calls to confirm information, ask for more documents, or make some necessary changes.
You will have three chances to get your account verified. After that, you won’t be able to refund the verification fee.

(Optional) Transferring followers from another Official Account

You must receive an agreement from the owner of the original Official Account.
The transfer must be done as soon as possible before your new account reaches 1,000 followers.

If you are new to WeChat, our blog will help you to get a better picture of WeChat. Visit our homepage here!

Author’s Bio

Katie is a Thai Bachelor’s graduate who used to live in China for 4 years before she began her college life at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Recently, she came back to China to start a new chapter of her life. As China leaps forward in innovation, she is intrigued by the technological advancement the country has to offer. Thus, she becomes motivated to share some knowledge about Chinese marketing!

3 Interesting facts about Katie: