The Complete Guide to WeChat Mini Program Development
WeChat Mini Programs are lightweight applications that can run within WeChat’s ecosystem, offering in-app experiences without requiring separate downloads. Officially launched in 2017, WeChat Mini Programs have amassed a total of 949 million users as of 2024. Increasingly more companies are choosing to develop Mini Programs to extend their reach. This guide will explain what options are available when it comes to developing a WeChat Mini Program, how to start developing and how to keep your WeChat Mini Program in compliance with Chinese law.
What Options Do I Have for WeChat Mini Program Development?
When developing your WeChat Mini Program, you have two options: develop the Mini Program yourself or work with third-party providers. This choice impacts your timeline, costs, technical requirements, and regulatory compliance obligations.
WeChat outlines these two options in their official WeChat Mini Program development page.
How Can I Develop My Own WeChat Mini Program?
If you choose to develop your own WeChat Mini Program, you’ll need to handle all aspects of the process yourself, from account registration to ongoing compliance. Here’s what you need to know:
Step 1: Create Your WeChat Official Account (公众号)
WeChat Mini Program development typically begins by establishing a WeChat Official Account, which will serve as your business identity within the WeChat ecosystem. While you can develop and publish a Mini Program without it being linked to an Official Account, it is typically preferred due to the extra functionalities of Official Accounts.
Under an Official Service Account (服务号), the only account available for overseas entities, you will be able to post 32 articles a month. In these articles, you can post content related to your brand or business while including QR Codes and links to your WeChat Mini Program.
Step 2: Register Your Mini Program Account
Account Registration Process:
- Access the Registration Page: Visit the official WeChat Mini Program registration portal
- Select Account Type: Choose “Mini Programs” (小程序) as your registration type
- Complete Basic Information: Enter the basic information of you Mini Program, including the name you intend to choose, a Mini Program icon, introduction and service scope.
- Submit Documentation: Submit your company documentation, including your company license. Once all documents have been submitted you will need to wait for 1 to 3 days to get approval for your developer account.
Required Information for Registration:
- Company business license and registration documents
- Administrator identity verification (must be a Chinese ID)
- Contact information and business address (Must be a Chinese phone number)
- Service category and subcategory selection (e.g., “Game” and “Casual Game”)
- Detailed description of Mini Program functionality
It is important to note that registration requires a Chinese ID number (身份证号) and a Chinese phone number. This means foreign entities cannot register a WeChat Mini Program account independently and must work through with a Chinese partner such as AppInChina or an authorized service provider.
After submitting the registration information, WeChat will complete an initial review within one to two working days and notify the applicant of the result. WeChat notes that applicants should keep their phone lines open in case the platform needs to contact them to verify the registration.
Step 3: Complete the Mini Program Filing
Before the development stage, Mini Program’s must first obtain a Mini Program Filing (小程序备案). This is a legal requirement under Article 23 of the Anti-Telecom and Online Fraud Law of the People’s Republic of China (中华人民共和国反电信网络诈骗法). WeChat Mini Programs cannot function without this filing.
- Process Duration: 3-4 weeks for standard applications, longer for regulated industries
- Documentation Required: Business licenses, identity verification, and industry-specific approvals
- Pre-Approvals: Programs involving healthcare, education, finance, publishing, or news require additional regulatory approvals before filing
- SMS Verification: Critical 24-hour window to complete MIIT verification or application is rejected
For detailed step-by-step filing procedures, required documentation, and industry-specific requirements, read our official guide.
Step 4: Set Up Your Development Environment
To begin development, you’ll need to install the official WeChat Developer Tools and configure your local environment.
1. Download the WeChat Developer Tools
Download the appropriate version for your operating system and follow the installation instructions.
2. Log in with Your WeChat Account
Once installed, launch the Developer Tools and log in by scanning the QR code with the WeChat account that has been assigned admin or developer permissions for your Mini Program. This step is required to bind your local project to the Mini Program you registered earlier.
3. Create a New Project
After logging in:
- Click “+” to create a new project.
- Enter your official AppID (provided during Mini Program registration). If your AppID is still under review or you want to start development early, you can use a temporary test AppID. However, many platform features will be unavailable in test mode.
- Select a local folder for your project and assign it a name. These settings are local and do not affect your published Mini Program.
The Developer Tools will generate a basic project structure, including files such as app.js, app.json, app.wxss, and a /pages directory where your Mini Program content will reside.
4. Configure Server Domains (if applicable)
If your Mini Program needs to communicate with a backend API or external service, you must register the relevant domains in advance:
- Log into mp.weixin.qq.com
- Navigate to Development > Development Settings > Server Domains
- Add your HTTPS domains under the appropriate categories (request, upload, download, socket)
It is important to note the following:
- All domains must use HTTPS
- Domains must be registered before your Mini Program can be submitted for review or used in production
- During development, the DevTools allows temporary overrides for testing purposes, but these will not work on real devices once the Mini Program is live
- The built-in simulator provides a convenient way to test layout and basic interactions, but it does not fully replicate the behavior of real devices. Features such as WeChat login, media uploads, or camera access should always be tested on an actual device.
- If you are working with a backend development team, it’s important to align early on expected request and response formats. WeChat enforces strict domain validation and has specific expectations for headers and content types that may differ from standard mobile app practices.
It is important to note that an ICP Filing (ICP备案) is also required for all WeChat Mini Programs. This means all domains used by your Mini Program must have valid ICP Filing numbers. WeChat Mini Programs cannot function without this filing. The ICP Filing is separate from and in addition to the Mini Program Filing (小程序备案). Both filings are legally required for all Mini Programs operating in China, regardless of whether they are developed by domestic or international companies.
The ICP Filing can only be obtained by Chinese entities, therefore if your Mini Program backend is overseas, you will need to work with a Chinese partner such as AppInChina to host your Mini Program.
Step 5: Submit for Review
Once you have completed development of your WeChat Mini Program, you will be able to submit it to WeChat for review. After passing review, your WeChat Mini Program will be published and publically available.
How Can I Use Third-Party Providers to Develop My WeChat Mini Program?
Third-party providers like Weimob (微盟), Youzan (有赞), and Weidian (微店) handle the technical development aspects of the Mini Program creation process. It is important to note that third-party providers will not assist with account setup and Mini Program filing, this has to be done prior to employing their services. Third-party providers offer three main service tiers designed to meet different business requirements and investment levels.
Basic SaaS Service
This offering is the fastest, most affordable entry point with pre-built templates and standard functionality packages. While you’re limited to the provider’s existing features, this tier includes UI customization options and additional marketing functions like KOL integration, making it suitable for simple e-commerce or service booking programs that don’t require unique functionality. This service typically costs around CNY 7,000 per year.
Basic Customized Development
This tier provides 60 man-days of custom development work at daily rates of CNY 1,500 to 2,000, with alternative flat-fee packages around CNY 50,000. This tier includes source code ownership and ongoing support at approximately 15% of project cost, making it suitable for businesses requiring specific functionality beyond standard templates. Prices for this tier ranges from CNY 90,000 to 120,000.
Advanced Customized Development
This tier handles complex, highly specialized requirements with variable man-days based on complexity. This enterprise-level tier includes custom backend integrations and proprietary feature development, suitable for large-scale operations with unique requirements that demand fully customized solutions. Pricing for this tier depends greatly on the complexity of the Mini Program.
What are the Benefits and Challenges of Working with Third-Party Providers?
Working with third-party providers can speed-up the entire development and deployment process, but there are certain challenges too.
| Benefits | Challenges |
| Faster deployment (2 to 8 weeks vs 3 to 6 months for self-development) | Language barriers with limited English support. |
| Pre-built functionality and templates. | Backend integration latency issues with solutions hosted outside of China. |
| Established WeChat ecosystem integration. | Ongoing dependency on provider for updates or changes made to the Mini Program. This may incur extra costs. |
| Ongoing maintenance and support included. | Less control over proprietary features unless you pay for customised development. |
Weimob, Youzan and Weidian are the big three when it comes to WeChat Mini Program development in China. Their prices are also amongst the most expensive. Wechat has an official list of recommended providers, that are typically cheaper, such as Fanke.
It is important to note, when working with a third-party provider, you must still set up your WeChat Developer account, provide business documentation, obtain the Mini Program Filing and define functionalities for your Mini Program. You remain legally responsible for compliance.
What Compliance Challenges Do International Businesses Face?
Apart from the challenge of obtaining the ICP Filing, international businesses encounter specific regulatory, technical, and operational challenges when developing WeChat Mini Programs, particularly when their programs include functionality that triggers additional licensing requirements.
Various Mini Program functionalities can trigger specific licensing requirements, including:
- Commercial purchases and e-commerce
- Financial services and payment processing
- Healthcare consultations and medical services
- Educational content and online learning
- Media distribution and content publishing
- Data processing and user information services
Tencent only enforces a few industry specific licenses. Therefore, while Tencent doesn’t officially enforce all of these licenses, you can publish a WeChat Mini Program without possessing the appropriate licenses, though it is against Chinese law to do so. It is therefore recommended that companies do obtain these licenses in order to stay fully compliant with local laws and regulations.
Most licenses can only be obtained by Chinese business entities. In order to overcome this challenge you can:
- Establish a partnership with a local partner such as AppInChina.
- Establish a Chinese subsidiary in order to apply for these licenses yourself.
How Can AppInChina Help?
At AppinChina, we can help international companies by:
- Liaising with third-party providers to ensure that there are no communication challenges.
- Ensuring your presence in China is fully compliant by providing a compliance assessment for their WeChat Mini Program.
- Hosting your Mini Program’s backend in China to meet the ICP Filing requirements and to ensure that there are no latency issues, improving overall user experience.
- Publishing the WeChat Mini Program under our Chinese entity with the required licenses to ensure that you are fully compliant with Chinese laws and regulations.
- Providing physical product e-commerce and customer support.
- Localising your existing brand image for the Chinese market, this includes protecting your brand with China-valid trademarking.
Contact us today to get started with your China market-entry through the WeChat ecosystem.