Creating a Zalo Mini App is not procedurally difficult, but there are several mandatory requirements that many people only discover after they have already started. This article walks through the entire process, from preparing your accounts to putting the Mini App in customers' hands, and covers three implementation options so you can choose the one that best fits your resources.
What do you need to prepare before creating a Zalo Mini App?
- A verified Zalo Official Account (OA). A business's Mini App is published in association with an OA. Verification requires the legal documents requested by Zalo, so start early because the approval process takes time.
- A clear objective. Building a Mini App for sales, appointment booking, or loyalty programs? A Mini App that does one thing well is more effective than one that tries to do everything.
- Content and data. Product or service catalog, prices, images, and policies. If you already have a website or sales software, the data can be synced instead of entered again.
Not sure how OA, Mini Apps, and ZNS messages are related? Read this article first Zalo Mini App là gì.
Three ways to create a Zalo Mini App
| Approach | Suitable when | Key considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Build it yourself | You have your own web development team | You have complete control, but it takes time to learn Zalo's toolkit and handle the review and maintenance yourself. |
| Custom-built for your project | Requires specialized features and a large budget | The most flexible option, with the highest cost and longest timeline |
| Use an off-the-shelf platform | Stores and small and medium-sized businesses that need to launch quickly | Fast and affordable, with customization within the platform's limits |
Steps to create a Zalo Mini App
Step 1: Register and verify a Zalo OA
Create a business-type OA and submit the verification documents. This is required to launch a Mini App and send messages to customers.
Step 2: Create a Mini App on Zalo's developer portal
Log in with your Zalo account, create a new app, enter its name, icon, description, and link it to your OA.
Step 3: Design the interface
Zalo has its own design guidelines for Mini Apps. Following these guidelines makes the experience feel familiar to customers and reduces the risk of rejection during review.
Step 4: Development and integration
Mini Apps are built using web technologies and the toolkit provided by Zalo. At this stage, you can connect payment services, ZNS messages, and data from your website, POS system, or sales software.
Step 5: Testing
Run the test version on real phones, both iOS and Android. Test all the main flows: browsing products, placing orders, making payments, and receiving messages.
Step 6: Submit to Zalo for review
A Mini App must be approved by Zalo before it can be widely launched. Common reasons for rejection include mismatched business information, missing policies, or content related to restricted industries.
Step 7: Launch and get it into customers' hands
A Mini App does not automatically attract users. Print the QR code at the counter, on receipts, and on packaging; add it to your OA menu; and send the link in customer service messages. This step determines whether the Mini App will actually be used.
How long does it take to create a Zalo Mini App?
If you use an off-the-shelf platform, building the Mini App takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the number of screens. For example, at Minihub CDP, the Basic package is delivered within 7 to 10 days, while the Professional package takes 3 to 4 weeks. OA verification and the time needed for Zalo's review must be added to this timeline.
Common mistakes beginners make
- You start building the Mini App before the OA is verified, only to get stuck when it's time to publish it.
- Cramming too many features into the first version.
- Launching without a plan to get the QR code in front of customers.
- Ask for the customer's phone number on the very first screen, before they have seen any benefits.
Want someone to handle everything for you?
If you don't want to handle every step yourself, see dịch vụ thiết kế Zalo Mini App by Minihub CDP: design, development, submission for review, and operational guidance.
