WC–Ni composite powders have been prepared by electroless plating with a simplified chemical method. The original WC powders, pretreated WC powders, WC–Ni powders and surface of WC–Ni composites, as well as their fracture cross-sections, were analyzed by FESEM. EDS and XRD were performed to identify the composition. Different contents of Ni doping WC composites were investigated. The relative density and properties of the WC–Ni composite were also discussed. Results show the WC powders were uniformly covered by Ni coatings. After powder metallurgy, the fabricated composites performed a well-dispersed surface morphology. And the increasing Ni content enhanced bending strength without reducing excessive hardness, which involved the uniformity of Ni phase in the crystal boundary of WC. Trans-granular fractures were observed on the surface of the WC–Ni composite because of the uniformity of binder phase (Ni).