If your business is exploring the possibility of expanding into China, the one platform you should be focusing on is WeChat. According to WeChat’s Data report, the app had 768 million Daily Logged-In Users as of Sept 2016, and other sources have shared that about 500 million of these active users are based in China.

Beyond the massive user base, WeChat is also an integral part of the Chinese way of living. Before we look at how businesses can tap into the platform, let’s explore just how important it is in China.

Integrated form of Communication

In Singapore, we communicate via a host of platforms and applications. We use Facebook/Instagram to share and receive updates, WhatsApp/Facebook Messenger for chatting. On top of that, we also use emails for formal communication.

In China, people communicate primarily with WeChat. They share and receive updates, communicate formally and casually, all through the same app.

Default Payment Method

In most parts of the world, Cash and Credit/Bank Cards are the usual methods of payment, but in China, WeChat Pay is the most common form of payment used by almost everybody, accepted by restaurants, convenient stores, taxi drivers to roadside stores.

Swiss Army Knife “Super-App” for everything else

WeChat was also dubbed by New York Times as a Swiss Army Knife “Super-App” as you can do just about anything from hailing a cab, paying bills, booking a restaurant, finding a date and much more!

In the literal sense, taking away WeChat is as good as taking away their lives because besides taking away their ability to communicate, you are also taking way their ability to buy, pay and do stuff; that’s how important it is for China. Stay tuned to our next article as we explore how businesses can tap into WeChat.