In a market as digitalized as China, QR codes play an important part in strengthening the connection between brands and their target audiences. Out of all the local social media apps, the WeChat QR code scanner is the most widely used by Chinese consumers.
With 95.7% of Chinese mobile payment users utilizing this technology in everyday transactions, foreign marketers can take this chance to streamline the consumer purchasing cycle.
In this post, we’ll discuss if having a dynamic QR code is essential to boost your WeChat marketing strategy and how it can help you manage your business better within the Chinese market.
What is the WeChat QR Code Used For?
At first, people used to scan QR code images to add or connect with friends within the WeChat app. Every personal profile has the ability to generate its own QR code to help other users find them more easily.
Today, businesses and marketers consider the WeChat QR code generator an important part of formulating the perfect marketing strategy. These codes are often displayed in stores, products, or advertisements, directing potential audiences to official accounts, promotional campaigns, or e-commerce platforms.
Source: WeChat QR Code Payment Homepage
WeChat Pay, a payment feature within the WeChat app, heavily relies on these QR codes. When your customer makes a purchase on your virtual or physical storefront, all they have to do is tap/scan the code, and the charge will connect to their e-wallet balance.
Unlike WhatsApp, the WeChat application has a complete ecosystem. So, the QR codes generated in the app serve as excellent tools for sharing information about the brand. You can set it to lead users to specific product details, educational content, or multimedia resources that’ll paint your offerings in a positive light.
For events, WeChat QR codes facilitate easy check-in, registration, or access to event-specific content. If you remember, these technologies are also used in public places for health checks and tracking, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to Use WeChat QR Codes For Your Business?
1. Generate a Group QR Code For Your WeChat Followers
Around 60% of WeChat’s massive 1.3 billion user base are active accounts using the app more than ten times daily. With an engagement rate as high as this, it’s not a surprise that most brands within the platform thrive in building dedicated online communities.
By generating a group QR code, you can easily invite potential customers or partners to join WeChat groups related to your business niche. Believe it or not, having an exclusive WeChat group facilitates direct engagement with a targeted audience and opens doors for real-time interactions and feedback.
On top of generating the code directly for your target market, you can join WeChat groups related to your niche and enhance your brand recognition through this strategy.
Here’s a simplified guide to joining a WeChat Group instantly by scanning QR codes:
- Step 1: Open WeChat Group feature
- Step 2: Tap on the three(3) dots in the upper right corner of the app’s screen
- Step 3: Choose “Group QR Code” and then select the “Scan QR Code” option
- Step 4: Aim your Android or iOS device at the QR Code. It could be on another phone or an image shared with you
- Step 5: After your scanning device scans the QR code, you can hit “Add” to connect with the group chat members.
To share your group’s QR code on WeChat, simply open the group chat and tap on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen. From there, choose the “Save image” option to store the QR code on your device. This saved image can then be shared with anyone you want to invite to your group, along with a compelling message.
On the other hand, if you’re on the receiving end of a QR code image, joining a group is not as complex as you think. You just need to press and hold the received QR code image until a menu appears, and then select the “Scan QR Code in image” option. This action will immediately add you to the group linked to that QR code.
2. Make a Custom QR Code
You may think it’s just a simple QR code, but it’s a tool that should reflect your brand’s visual identity and enhance its recognition. We suggest trying to find a QR code generator tool that allows basic customizations so that you can easily incorporate your brand’s logo, colors, and design elements into it.
A customized QR code is easier to use across different digital and print marketing materials because it wouldn’t clash with your existing brand and design elements. It also makes your brand more memorable and easier to distinguish among competitors. As a result, it can help your official account gain followers quickly.
If you’re using a personal account, you can customize QR code images on the WeChat web app through these steps:
- Go to the WeChat home screen and click the bottom menu for “Me”
- From there, click on your WeChat ID and select “My QR code”
- Wait until your personal WeChat QR code appears before clicking the three dots on the upper-right corner of the screen
- Select the option “Change Style” as many times as you want until you find a design that you want for your WeChat QR code.
Keep in mind that this option does not include adding a personal icon or logo. For official accounts, you’ll need a separate QR code generator for that process or hire a professional service provider to customize a design for your brand.
3. Integrate the QR Code on WeChat for Your Mini Programs
Among many social media apps in China, WeChat is the first platform to come up with the concept of mini-programs. These are lightweight apps within the platform that marketers can use to offer value to their customers, like loyalty programs, customer service, or a virtual storefront.
A QR code increases the accessibility of these programs for your target audience. Whether it’s for shopping, booking services, or accessing information, QR codes can effectively drive traffic to your Mini Programs, enhancing user engagement and improving the customer experience.
4. Link QR Code Image to Special Promotions & O2O Events
By linking QR codes to special promotions or O2O events, businesses can drive online audiences to physical locations or vice versa. This technique is especially effective in the Chinese market, where QR code usage is highly prevalent and integrated into daily activities.
Use compelling designs to get your target audience to scan WeChat QR code images, along with a clear call-to-action copy.
For instance, a promotional poster might encourage customers to scan the QR codes for WeChat exclusive discounts at your store. You can make them the key to unlocking a special customer experience or gift at the event.
You can also utilize WeChat QR codes as tickets or event entry passes or provide additional brand information. These campaigns can provide valuable insights into local consumer behavior and preferences, as you can track who scans the QR codes and how they interact with your content.
5. Allow Customers to Pay by Scanning QR Codes
Another reason why WeChat is considered one of China’s most powerful marketing tools is because its system allows users to process payments without leaving the app. Allowing a QR code payment system simplifies customer transactions, aligning with China’s mobile-first approach.
By allowing customers to scan QR codes, brands can not only receive money in real-time but also provide more accessible financial records for your company.
Source: WeChat QR Code Payment
The process is straightforward. An official account on WeChat can generate a QR Code that customers scan to receive product information and payment details.
After scanning QR codes, a WeChat user can now conveniently finalize their purchase, automatically transferring funds to the merchant. Enabling these procedures meets local expectations that lean heavily on convenience and mobile payments.
And since WeChat QR codes are a huge part of local market practices in China, it shows that your brand is willing to adapt to your new target market. This impression can build trust and acceptance among Chinese consumers.
Why is the WeChat QR Code Feature Popular in China?
1. China’s High Mobile Usage & WeChat’s Continued Popularity
More than 80% of online users in China are reported to have scanned at least one QR code in the past 12 months. It may seem like a shocking statistic detail, but the usage rate is no surprise, especially with 72% of the Chinese market using smartphones for their daily transactions.
WeChat stands on the same ground as smartphones in terms of popularity. This app is an integral part of daily life in China, functioning as a social network, payment platform, and more. This widespread usage means that most consumers are already familiar with and actively using QR codes within the app.
Chinese consumers are tech-savvy and accustomed to digital solutions in their daily lives. Brands that effectively utilize digital tools like WeChat QR codes are more likely to resonate with the local audience.
2. Convenience and Efficiency
WeChat QR codes simplify many processes – from adding contacts to making payments. Like it or not, this convenience is highly valued in the fast-paced local market in China.
This versatility means that they can be adapted to various business needs, whether it’s promoting a new product, sharing information, or facilitating purchases.
The integration of the WeChat QR code scanner on the app’s built-in payment system also adds to the convenience of the app, attracting more users to process their transactions within the platform.
3. Marketing and Promotion
If utilized correctly, WeChat QR codes can be a powerful digital marketing tool in China. Brands can link these codes to promotions, exclusive content, or digital experiences, enhancing user engagement. For new marketers, it’s an opportunity to capture the attention of potential customers in a different manner than their competitors.
Many marketers also realized that allowing users to scan a WeChat QR code for their campaigns grants them access to valuable data on customer behavior and preferences. With this data readily available, they can easily tailor digital marketing strategies according to the trends and needs of the local consumer market.
Quick Q&A
How to scan a QR Code on the WeChat app?
To scan a QR code on WeChat, you must tap on the “Discover” tab at the bottom of the home screen. From there, select “Scan” from the menu. Then, point your phone’s camera lens at the QR Code. After that, wait for the WeChat app to recognize the code and automatically execute the linked action.
Why do you need a QR code for WeChat?
QR codes on WeChat serve multiple purposes. They’re often used to add friends quickly, follow official accounts, access specific content or mini-programs, and make payments. This technology streamlines various interactions on the app, making it more efficient and user-friendly, especially in a market where digital convenience is highly valued.
How do I accept payment on WeChat?
Accepting payment on WeChat requires an official business account. Once you have that, you can activate the app’s built-in payment system and connect it to your e-commerce landing pages or generate a QR code for your business to receive money from online transactions.
Your customers can scan the WeChat QR code to pay directly from their e-wallet funds to your account. This system is integral to e-commerce and retail transactions in China, offering a seamless payment solution.
Your Trusted WeChat Marketing Partner in China!
As you venture into the Chinese business scene, remember that the adoption of technologies like QR codes is more than a strategic business decision. It’s a step towards aligning with the cultural and technological needs of local consumers.
Not everyone can understand the importance of WeChat QR code integration, but our team is familiar with the impact of these digital payment technologies on the Chinese consumer market. Whether it’s for networking, marketing, or payment facilitation, we offer you the avenue to unlock your brand’s potential and secure a formidable position as a leading entity in the industry.
We can help you utilize the power of modern digital marketing, from generating QR codes for WeChat to maximizing its features to attract new consumers. Contact us today, and let’s start working together!
References:
Everything You Can Do with WeChat QR Codes
WeChat QR Code: A Detailed Guide
The rising popularity of QR codes in China why you need them