Many people would agree that TikTok is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. It started as entertainment with funny videos, dance challenges, and more. Now, it has transformed into a place where people connect in many different ways. At this point, TikTok is more than just a place to watch videos – there are also options to discover new products and shop online through TikTok shop.
This online shopping solution offers users the opportunity to have an integrated and customized shopping experience through the app. According to TikTok, TikTok shop aims to help sellers and creators connect authentically to provide meaningful shopping experiences for the communities.
How Is TikTok Shop Unique?
Compare TikTok shop with other online shopping experiences, and you will see that this platform is quite unique. Instead of listing different products that users can browse, the app delivers an immersive and experiential process combining entertainment and relatable videos.
Customers find it easier to see if a product is right for their unique needs based on User Generated Content (UGC) and reviews from other product customers. TikTok creators with large audiences can drive a lot of sales by sharing information about various products and brands, establishing a win-win relationship with the brand sponsoring the content.
Many companies prefer the traffic and views that come through TikTok because it is an effective way to build trust and deliver a new way for people to shop. The more your products are mentioned on TikTok, the more people will take action in the TikTok shop to buy these products. Between the option to have a product showcase, live streaming content, and more, there are plenty of ways to put products in front of interested buyers.
Plus, the shopping and checkout process is seamless, making it simple for users to purchase items through TikTok shop. Not only is it easy for customers to buy, but sellers have a simple integration that handles order management, tracking, and more.
Quick Overview: Selling on TikTok Shop
If you are a seller and you want to make your products available for purchase through TikTok shop, it is easy to get started. You must have a TikTok account, and then it’s necessary to register the account to indicate that you are a seller.
Make sure to create your TikTok Shop with as much relevant information as possible. For example, your business bio should be interesting and eye-catching so you can set a good impression from the first moment a potential customer lands on your page. Describe your brand and share information about what you offer. Quality content can be helpful for Search Engine Optimization on TikTok so you can bring in more organic traffic to your shop.
Make sure everything is optimized and easy to navigate in your product catalog. Good quality photos go a long way to make the experience more enjoyable for customers, which increases the likelihood that people will buy from your store. Product titles are limited to 34 characters, but you can add as much information as you would like in the product description section.
Additionally, shoppable videos can be a great way to showcase your offerings. These videos can help by showing the customers what they are going to get so they can see the benefits of purchasing your products. You can create your own videos or partner with influencers to tap into a bigger audience of potential customers.
Most of the time, businesses have customers complete their purchases on the TikTok app directly. But there is also the option to redirect customers to other locations for the checkout, including BigCommerce or Shopify.
Other App Integrations for TikTok Sellers
Consider using other supportive apps in conjunction with the main TikTok app. For example, there is a TikTok Shopify app for sellers that list their products through Shopify and want to promote them through TikTok. This tool makes it easy to create video ads and manage orders.
Other integrations include TikTok for Business Ads Manager, TikTok for Business, and TikTok Shopping. These tools make it easier to drop TikTok pixels and track the results of various ad campaigns.
Shopping on TikTok
As a customer, there is no need to do a special registration so that you can buy products through a TikTok shop. You can use your regular account and search for products through the online shopping experience.
Here’s a quick overview to help you learn how to navigate the shop and purchase the items that you desire:
- Open the TikTok app on your smartphone or other device.
- Search for the brand or account name that offers the products you want to buy.
- View the brand’s profile and look for the “Shop” icon – the image looks like a small bag.
- Click on the shop icon to visit the TikTok Shop.
- Scroll through available products to find the item(s) you desire.
- Click the “Buy Now” button and move through the checkout process.
As you are checking out, the prompts are similar to other online shopping experiences. For example, you must fill in your address, indicate the number of items you want to order, add any notes about the purchase, and enter your payment information to complete the transaction.
One of the benefits of using TikTok Shop is that many different payment methods can be used, including credit cards, bank transfers, funds, and other third-party payment systems such as GoPay and Ovo.
While many products are listed in the product showcase on a TikTok Shop, there is also another method that you can discover items: through live streaming. This real-time event sells items that are being shared through the video stream. You can watch the live stream and purchase the items as desired.
Full-Service Social Media Solutions
There is no question that TikTok Shop is an excellent strategy for promoting your products online. Social media can be a powerful form of marketing that makes it easier than ever to connect with your target audience.
If you need help improving your social media marketing strategy, ARYU Advertising is here to help. Contact us for more information about how you can reach potential customers online.