6 Common Official Account Registration Mistakes
Despite what some might think, WeChat is still a major platform for reaching Chinese audiences. But registering your official account can be tricky, and one wrong move could cost you time, money, and credibility. Before diving in, check why WeChat is still vital for marketing.
Let’s uncover the top mistakes businesses make when setting up their WeChat Official Account and why fixing them now could save your strategy from disaster.
WeChat offers different types of official accounts – Service and Subscription. Not understanding the difference between these two can seriously limit your operations and make your goals impossible to achieve.
✅ Solution: Choose wisely, as you won’t be able to change that later.
Service Account → Best for businesses that need payments or mini-programs. These accounts come with more features, but also stricter requirements.
Subscription Account → Perfect for businesses that want to post content frequently. These accounts have fewer features but allow more regular communication with your audience.
Asking a Chinese friend to open a personal subscription account? This is a very common mistake! It seems like an easy shortcut, but it’s a big one for any business looking to grow.
Imagine growing a sizable audience only to discover that you won’t be able to monetize directly on this account. Furthermore, you’re not legally the owner of this account so...
✅ Solution: Set up an official account right from the start. This establishes your brand's legitimacy and unlocks all the business-specific tools WeChat offers.
And let friends be friends!
WeChat's verification process is notoriously strict. Common documentation mistakes include:
Submitting business licenses that don't match your account information
Missing the company chop (official seal) for Chinese entities
Providing invalid ID verification
These errors can result in rejection, forcing you to restart the entire registration process.
✅Solution: Prepare all documentation meticulously before beginning the application. Ensure business licenses, IDs, and other documents are current, legible, and properly authenticated if necessary.
You went through the effort of registering your own company in China. You are now a proud WOFE owner, and as you register your official WeChat account, you reach the page where you need to set up your account admin. But the system only accepts Chinese IDs… Guess who has done this one? 🙋🏻♀️
✅ Solution: If you decide to open an official account under your WOFE, you need to know who's going to be your account admin (Chinese citizen) in advance, otherwise you won’t be able to finalize the registration.
Many businesses mistakenly believe that WeChat official accounts are only available to Chinese citizens or companies. But the good news is that it's not always the case. While the process is more straightforward for Chinese entities, international businesses have options too:
Overseas businesses can register directly through WeChat's international registration process
Some account types and features are available without requiring a Chinese business license or having an admin with a Chinese ID
✅ Solution: Research the specific requirements for your business situation. Don't automatically assume you need a Chinese partner or representative. I’ll explain different options in the webinar on March 12. Read on for details.
You picked a catchy name that accidentally includes a restricted word or trademark. Unfortunately, WeChat imposes strict rules regarding account names:
Names cannot infringe on existing trademarks
Certain words and phrases are restricted, such as: China, WeChat, etc.
Names must not mislead users about your business's identity or affiliations
Violating these guidelines leads to immediate rejection, forcing you to begin again with a new name.
✅ Solution: Research naming conventions thoroughly and check if your desired name might conflict with existing accounts or regulations.
These mistakes are easy to make but even easier to avoid with the right guidance. Don't let them cost you valuable time and opportunities. Imagine launching your Official Account smoothly and finally connecting with your audience in the proper way!
