Mini Programs Boom: Apps within 'Super Apps' bring offline services online

World
Europe

02:42

The number of WeChat mini programs stood at 2.3 million in 2018, more than the total in the Apple Store. From zero to 600 million users, this has only taken two years. CGTN's Sun Tianyuan reports.

The number of WeChat mini programs grew 300 percent over 2018. As a by-product of one of the world's most widely used mobile chatting tools, the boom has been a matter of course. Experts call this a "Super Application" effect.

HE WENQIAN, ANALYST BEIJING ANALYSYS NETWORK TECHNOLOGY "WeChat has an enormous user base of around 1 billion. It's carried over its good user experience to its mini programs. They have a low barrier for users in third or fourth tier cities, especially the elderly. That's why WeChat mini programs have been able to have such high levels of growth within a short period."

Tech companies and developers saw the opportunity during the beta test for mini-programs in 2016. Wang Feng is one of the first who dived in head first. Over the past few years, Wang's company has made 1,500 programs for more than 600 clients.

WANG FENG, GENERAL MANAGER BEIJING HONGRUI MINI PROGRAM "Many companies come to us to make a mini program for e-commerce, which is the most popular kind at this moment. Take Pin Duo Duo, for instance, it's attracted 200 million additional users since launching its own mini program. So this is an opportunity we don't want to miss."

SUN TIANYUAN BEIJING "From little games like this to shopping and dining, mini programs are everywhere in our daily lives. And in the future, you may expect more services from offline to online."

Consumer buying power has awakened in smaller cities and rural areas. Yet there are other needs to be met. Experts believe that mini programs with public service functions might be the next big hit.

HE WENQIAN, ANALYST BEIJING ANALYSYS NETWORK TECHNOLOGY "Third and fourth-tier cities may need more online services to raise government work efficiency. These kinds of mini programs can be frequently applied in different situations. But there aren't many developers in the sector at this moment. So, I'm optimistic about its development this year."

There are about 10,000 public service mini programs so far. Experts say the potential remains great. And, if offline-online integration actually takes off, people may save time and money by submitting their applications via mini programs. Sun Tianyuan, CGTN, Beijing.