Small businesses constantly search for income sources while maintaining their social media presence. Social commerce is a fusion of both, and TikTok shops utilize this strategy. A TikTok shop is a built-in feature in the TikTok app that allows users with business accounts to sell directly on TikTok without buyers leaving the app.
TikTok shops have high potential, as revenue is expected to reach US$ 17.5 billion by the end of 2024. According to Forbes, TikTok shopping has been proven to help small businesses drive sales.
To help you master TikTok shopping and produce desirable results, we’ll discuss effective strategies to leverage this feature and achieve your brand goals.
Table of Contents
What TikTok shopping is all about
TikTok shopping key terms and features
7 best strategies for success with TikTok shopping
Conclusion
What TikTok shopping is all about
TikTok shopping is an innovation that unites e-commerce and social media, making consumer and business interactions easier. It allows users to discover, search, and buy products without exiting the app. The feature enhances the shopping experience between businesses and consumers through shoppable videos, ads, and product tags.
For example, a shoppable video on TikTok integrates product tags that allow users to make direct purchases. Utilizing TikTok shops as a small business presents numerous advantages, such as:
Improved customer engagement
In addition to likes, comments, and shares, the live shopping event feature on TikTok shop allows real-time interaction between users and the audience. This interaction helps your business provide instant feedback, creating genuine connections, strong relationships, and brand loyalty.
Integrated shopping experience
TikTok shops have made it easy for users to browse and buy products they like directly from businesses without leaving the app. This increases conversion as it reduces friction in the buying process.
Affordable marketing
While traditional advertising channels require a significant budget to reach a large audience, TikTok shops make marketing and sales very cost-effective for small businesses. You can market your products to the right audience without spending so much on ads.
By strategically leveraging TikTok shopping, small businesses will increase their reach, visibility, and sales while creating a preferred and enjoyable shopping experience for their customers.
TikTok shopping key terms and features
To effectively utilize TikTok shopping to drive business growth, it is necessary to understand these unique terms and associated features.
In-feed shopping
A feature that allows businesses to add product links directly to their TikTok videos. Viewers can easily click the link to explore or purchase products they see on your feed.
Product links
These links in TikTok videos direct viewers to a product page. This simplifies the buying process because viewers can click from the video and be automatically directed to the product.
Live shopping
Businesses can host live shopping sessions to showcase products in real-time. This allows viewers to engage with your products in real-time, increasing their trust in your business and remarkably boosting sales.
Product showcase tabs
This section, also known as shopping tabs, is a business profile section dedicated to displaying product catalogs. Users can browse these tabs to view all available products and manage orders.
Shopping ads
E-commerce businesses can also advertise their TikTok shops with personalized ads that display products on users’ feeds based on their interests and behavior.
7 best strategies for success with TikTok shopping
If your goal as a small business is to grow and be profitable on TikTok, owning a TikTok shop is not enough. These top 7 strategies can help you achieve profitable results from your TikTok shop.
1. Optimize your profile and product catalog
Your TikTok profile should clearly and concisely communicate your business’s mission. Your product catalog serves as your online shopping store and should showcase your products, discounts, and promotional offers in an organized way.
To optimize your TikTok business profile, add a clear, captivating bio, high-quality profile picture, and product catalog that takes viewers to your product showcase. Also, add visually appealing product images to your catalog to attract potential customers.
2. Use data-driven storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful way to engage viewers and make content more relatable. Authentic stories build emotional connections and trust, making it more likely for users to support and buy from the business.
Use TikTok analytics to understand what kind of content your audience resonates with. Use these insights to create a content strategy that showcases customer testimonials, product transformations, and behind-the-scenes moments.
3. Showcase products through virtual workshops and tutorials
TikTok users are more likely to appreciate educational and relatable content. Sharing educational content positions your brand as an authority in your niche. This will make you valuable and attract more followers and potential customers to your business on TikTok.
Use live sessions to teach your audience the best ways to use your products to achieve results. Talk about your TikTok shop and promote it in your videos. Create videos that show your products in normal life settings and how they enhance daily living and solve common problems.
4. Engage in niche communities
Participating in communities in a niche similar to your business allows you to connect with users with interests related to your products. It also enhances visibility and word-of-mouth referrals.
Engage actively in these communities to build relationships and increase your businesses’ visibility to potential customers. Comment on other users’ content and participate in TikTok trends. Users in this community are more likely to trust and support active businesses in the same communities by purchasing their products.
5. Implement flash sales and limited-time offers
This marketing strategy creates excitement and a sense of urgency for the buyers. The urgency drives immediate conversion and attracts new customers who wouldn’t want to miss out on special deals in your TikTok shop.
Promote these offers through live sessions and engaging videos. This strategy can help you drive sales by leveraging the live shopping events feature.
6. Encourage user-generated content
User-generated content (UGC) is a form of social proof that shows how real people are using and enjoying your products. Adding incentives and rewarding UGC creators encourages more people to shop for your products so they can join in the challenge.
Encourage your customers to create and share their content that features your products and share them on your TikTok feed. This makes them feel like they are part of the brand’s community. Organize challenges that encourage them to share UGC and reward participants.
7. Partner with the right Influencers
Followers are more likely to try products recommended by trusted influencers. Collaborating with influencers with a similar target audience will significantly increase your visibility.
Partner with influencers to market your TikTok shop and products, as they tend to have a more personal connection with their followers. Go for Influencers who connect genuinely with your products. They will better create authentic and engaging content that drives traffic and sales.
Conclusion
TikTok shops offer businesses a profitable opportunity to connect with potential customers in a fun and impactful way. Apart from being a sales channel, they are interactive ways to showcase your brand, build community, and nurture loyalty.
Applying the best strategies for TikTok shopping increases conversions and drives visibility and engagement. Implementing and reviewing these strategies when necessary will help small businesses get the best results from TikTok shopping.
