If you have a product or service to sell, you need to start thinking about your TikTok ecommerce strategy. If you haven’t noticed by now, TikTok is no longer just a place to learn fashion dance or keep up with Gen Z. It’s also a place where millions of people discover products and end up spending some money.
In fact, the immersive video platform has carved out a whole new niche in the social selling market. As more and more users access the app with the intent to make a purchase, TikTok is leaning more and more on its position as a shopping hub. So much so that the brand is reportedly planning to build its own US fulfillment centers.
So the question is: is TikTok the new (social network) Amazon? It’s still too early to tell, but we know for sure that this is the place to go if you have something to sell.
What is TikTok e-commerce and why is it important?
TikTok e-commerce is the use of a popular video app to sell a product or service. There are several commercial TikTok seller tools that allow users to view and purchase products in seconds.
Depending on their location, some businesses and creators may be able to create their own TikTok storefronts that allow users to browse and buy directly from within the app. Easy integration with Shopify, Square, and other ecommerce platforms allows merchants to quickly create online stores.
Regardless of location, all sellers can—and should! – Place links to products directly in your videos and bios so that users can click and make a purchase in the application’s built-in browser. This means people can instantly buy things they just saw in their feed.
Source: Kaya
So why should you use TikTok for e-commerce? Well, first of all: TikTok is like a free storefront in a very busy mall. In fact, studies show that 35% of TikTok users have bought something on the platform, and 44% of users have learned about products through ads and content posted by brands.
When you consider that TikTok has over a billion monthly active users, you can see how much untapped sales potential exists on ForYouPage and beyond. In short, TikTok and online shopping are an alliance made in social commerce heaven.
3 reasons why your business should be on TikTok
Need more proof? Here are a few key reasons why you should put some time and effort into e-commerce on TikTok.
1. You will increase sales
If you are reading this, you are probably looking for new ways to increase your online sales. We know that TikTok is one of the first places users go to find out about new products and pull the trigger. And there is a reason for that.
Research shows that people consider TikTok to be “authentic, genuine, unfiltered and trend-setting.”This means there’s less of the perfect, overly filtered content that you’ll find when browsing ads on Facebook and Instagram.
Reality signals to users that they are not being sold what they do not need. This leads to more credibility in the message and ultimately more sales.
2. You will improve your SEO strategy
Earlier this year, Google Senior Vice President Prabhakar Raghavan said that 40% of young people turn to TikTok or Instagram to find a place to dine. As a result, the search engine has reportedly started showing TikTok videos in Google search results.
This means that if you properly optimize your organic videos and paid ads (more on that below), you stand a chance of showing up when people search for keywords and phrases about your product or brand.
3. You will reach a whole new audience
If you are looking for ways to market your product or service to a younger audience, selling on TikTok is not a suggestion, but a requirement. This is because 63% of Gen Zers use TikTok on a daily basis. In comparison, 57% use Instagram and 54% use Snapchat every day.
But that doesn’t mean Gen Z is the only group looking to make in-app purchases. Millennials and Gen Xers are increasingly spending time on the app, with over 30% of users falling within the 25-44 age range. Promoting products on TikTok helps you get your message across to younger audiences and reach users who may not be using your main platforms.
How to Boost TikTok Conversions for Your Business
A good e-commerce strategy on TikTok should focus on two things: increasing the views of your videos or ads, and then getting viewers to take action. Whether it’s clicking a link, following you on Instagram, or making a purchase, you need to focus on getting users to convert. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks!
Users find your store and products through video, so you need to start by making them attractive, engaging, and easy to find. However, once you’ve got their attention, you need to get them to click on your bio link and calls to action, visit your storefront, and make a purchase.
Boom: The conversion rate is off the charts!
Use hashtags and keywords
There’s a reason The New York Times called TikTok the “new search engine “for Generation Z. A huge chunk of young internet users skip the search engine altogether and start looking on TikTok or Instagram for things like books to read, the best places to go. to have lunch, and where to find cute dresses.
Hashtags and keywords tell the algorithm what your post is about and help users find it. They are especially important for helping people find your content, even if they don’t follow you. Keep a close eye on the most popular hashtags on TikTok and include them in your captions.
And don’t forget to add keywords to your video captions and text. To find out what people are searching for on TikTok, open the app and enter your primary search term in the search box. Before hitting search, take note of the suggested keywords in the drop-down list.
These are common terms that people search for on the app and can help you figure out which words to use in your videos.
Add a chatbot to your online store
If you are directing users to your website from the TikTok app, make sure someone is waiting on the other end to help close the sale. For example, implementing a Shopify chatbot can guide users through the buying process and provide them with unique, personalized recommendations.
Choose a chatbot that uses conversational AI, like Heyday, to increase sales after potential customers move from TikTok to your site. Heyday has its own Shopify app that makes it easy to integrate into your online store and can help you increase your sales.
Post TikTok ads (and target them to your user)
Here’s a crazy statistic: TikTok ads reach nearly 18% of all 18+ internet users. This is more than 884 million people. Naturally, not all of these people will be interested in your particular product or service. And that’s fine as long as you tailor your TikTok e-commerce ads to the users you probably will.
Here’s how to create a targeted TikTok ad campaign. When placing an ad, click Custom Audience. Here you can choose gender, age and interests. Select interests that match your product or service to help find the target user.
Satisfying your ideal user base will help increase your conversion rate.
Run an ad with a really good hook
The TikTok feed is designed for endless scrolling and is addictive. This means that if a video doesn’t grab users’ attention right away, they’re more likely to keep scrolling through it. Make sure the videos you choose for TikTok ads have a bright and enticing intro.
You only have about three seconds to grab the user’s attention, so keep that in mind. Whether it’s a catchy sound, an engaging visual, or a satisfying action, your goal is to get people to stop scrolling. See: the cracked egg in this most effective TikTok ad from Rocket Money.
Blend and follow the trends
Unlike other social media marketing strategies, with TikTok you really want your videos to blend in with the crowd. At least in some respects. This is because if a user instantly marks your video as sponsored content or ad placement, they will most likely swipe up instantly. In other words: don’t be suspicious, as the trendy sound says.
Whether you’re making ads or regular feed videos, make sure your content looks and feels like genuine user-generated content on the app.
Here’s how to do it:
- Collaborate with creators to make videos about your products
- Skip kits, scripts, filters and fancy lighting
- Use trending sounds
- Make videos with the latest trends
A great example of a brand using TikTok trends to promote their products is Chipotle’s recent super viral collaboration with Corn Kid, which has over 8 million likes.
@chipotle Wait for it #corn
Add calls to action (CTA) to your ads
Calls to action are short, linked buttons that appear at the bottom of TikTok ads. This allows people scrolling through their feed to move from viewer to potential buyer without losing their place in the feed. In other words, it’s a great tool for boosting TikTok conversions.
When posting a promoted video, the app lets you choose from a list of pre-defined CTAs such as Learn More, Book Now, or Sign Up. You can turn a short phrase into a clickable button that directs users to a landing page on your website or store.
Choose a landing page URL that matches the user’s intent and allows them to complete the desired action in the minimum number of clicks.
Add product links to videos and your bio
TikTok now allows some brands and e-commerce creators to add links directly to videos. Unfortunately, this TikTok shopping feature is still only available in select markets. If you have one, you should always link to the products mentioned in your videos so that users can purchase immediately.
If you don’t have this feature, be sure to add a link to your store in your bio. In the video caption, tell users that they can purchase the product directly from this link. You can also host TikTok LIVE trade events and show links to products during product demos.
Source: TikTok
Manage Your Brand’s TikTok Presence with Hootsuite
With Hootsuite, you can manage your brand’s presence on TikTok along with all other social media profiles.
With one intuitive control panel, you can easily:
- TikTok timetable
- view and reply to comments
- measure your success on the platform
Or use Hootsuite to schedule your videos ahead of time with personalized timing recommendations.
Try Hootsuite free for 30 days
TikTok: Examples of brands doing it right
Beechwaiver
If you’re looking for a TikTok e-commerce store that uses all the best sales strategies, check out The Beachwaver Co.’s feed..
@thebeachwaver @xtinequinn learning from the best!! Celeb stylist @sarahpotempahair #beachwaver #hairtok #christinequinn
Kaya Beauty
Kaja Beauty is a Korean beauty brand that has a leading position on social media. With nearly 2 million followers, this brand’s solid e-commerce strategy on TikTok includes using their own app showcase tool, bio links, paid ads, and satisfying ASMR videos of their products.
@kajabeauty Have you missed our #ASMR content? 💖 We’re back with our scheduled programming 👂🏼🔊 #kajabeauty #satisfying #oddlysatisfying #kbeauty
flexible seal
While Flex Seal doesn’t have its own TikTok storefront, the rubberized liquid maker has a knack for creating content that goes viral. His feed is filled with attention-grabbing product usage videos, often with viral sounds and trends. Flex Seal’s efforts have been successful, with several of their organic videos reaching over 10 million views.
@getflexseal Who else can do that? 💪 #flextape #philswift #funny #meme #tiktok
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Ecommerce
Is there Shopify on TikTok?
If you enjoy using Shopify to boost your online sales, you’ll be happy to know that Shopify is on TikTok. The popular commercial tool has an app profile and often posts its own short video content. There is also an integration with Shopify that helps you manage your TikTok orders from within the tool.
Source: Shopify
How can I list my shop on TikTok?
Ready to create your own store in the TikTok app? First, you need to create an account with the TikTok Seller Center. If you qualify to open a TikTok store, you will need to upload a few required documents, add your products, and then link your bank account. From there, you will be able to sell directly from your TikTok profile.
How can I sell on TikTok?
Unfortunately, not everyone is allowed to set up a TikTok store to showcase and sell products directly from their profile. This feature is currently only available to merchants in certain countries who meet certain requirements.
If you’re not eligible to participate in the TikTok Seller Center, don’t worry! There are other ways to sell your products on TikTok. You can easily add product links to your ads and videos to direct users to your eCommerce site so they can browse and buy without leaving the app. You can also drive traffic using the link in the bio tool.
Be sure to read our guide to setting up a TikTok store for more information and guidance on who can open a store on TikTok.
What is the conversion rate on Tiktok?
The TikTok conversion rate is the percentage of viewers who completed a specific action on your social media post. In other words, if 100 people viewed your video and 10 people clicked on your product link in a post, your conversion rate would be 10%.
With that in mind, what is a good TikTok conversion rate? It depends a lot on what you’re selling, who your target audience is, and how much effort you put into a conversion-focused video. All things considered, a good conversion rate can be as low as 3%.