Social media has become a regular part of our lives, whether we search for entertainment and advice or shop on these platforms. One of the most popular platforms is TikTok. It has one billion users and is still growing.
Growth into e-commerce
This year, TikTok is expanding towards e-commerce. First, they have a partnership with Shopify in the US, UK, and Canada, and now TikTok has introduced us to their recent achievement. They launched the app specified for sellers, available on iOS and Android devices, only in Indonesia, but it will extend to other countries. It’s their pilot program, and they are still testing it.
How the app works
In the app, sellers can register campaigns, manage promotions, provide customer service, and access seller education materials that can be found on a “Seller University” website, also launched by TikTok. There are lessons, tools, policies, and the latest updates to the shop. Sellers can highlight their products and guide users to the products list on their website. Live shopping features allow brands and sellers to stream live videos and share those links. This is a fantastic way for businesses to learn how to sell on TikTok.
Managing online shopping
With Creator Next service, creators can unlock tools that reward their efforts, and it will have new features – Tips and Video Gifts. Tips will let people show gratitude to creators, and with Video Gifts, creators will collect Diamonds. Those Diamonds are gifts from viewers worth 5 cents.
TikTok added that they could manage online shopping in a few different ways. They can handle everything from shipping to fulfillment and point-of-purchase or work with third-party commerce partners. In the following months, TikTok Shopping will have new partners, like Ecwid, PrestaShop, Wix, SHOPLINE, OpenCart, and BASE.
People from the company said they have plans to create an online event called TikTok World on Tuesday. They will also launch the TikTok Shopping API to integrate all catalogues into TikTok.
Other social media apps also provide online shopping possibilities. For example, an Instagram Shop lets you integrate your product catalogue with your profile. This allows you to promote your products directly to Instagram users through Stories in the Explore tab, posts, and a special Shop tab on your profile.
Social media e-commerce
The other well-known e-commerce platform is Facebook Marketplace. Facebook provides a place for sellers to advertise and sell their products without interfering between buyer and seller. There are 2.7 billion users per month, and they can use different tools for a business, like marketing automation tools. Using Facebook Messenger, a buyer can ask the seller questions directly to have real-time information.
TikTok is the best choice if an e-commerce business wants to connect with a younger audience. Statistics say that there are 600 million+ daily users on TikTok, so there is a very high possibility that any content of the marketer or business owner will be seen. Younger users like engaging with content like this app’s challenges or tutorials. Those videos can be up to 60 seconds long, and users spend hours watching them.
Online shopping on TikTok will make other platforms follow their model. Time will show if they could offer the same or even better services.
