How to Use TikTok for eCommerce Marketing

Posted on Feb 22, 2022
How to Use TikTok for eCommerce Marketing

TikTok is the current most powerful social media site capturing Generation Z’s attention, but it’s also a terrific medium for e-commerce promotion because of its massive active users globally. While the majority of its users are under the age of 34 and between the ages of 16 and 24, the demography of adult TikTok users has more than quintupled in the previous 18 months. But, how to use TikTok for ecommerce marketing ideas to boost business?

Using TikTok for eCommerce is a smart method to reach new consumers as the fastest growing social media site right now. TikTok is no longer merely a social networking platform, it has become an integral element of popular culture.

Careers are being established there and brands are thriving there. And because it is still relatively new, the prospects are plentiful. TikTok users spend an average of 52 minutes each day on the app, with 90 percent visiting the app more than once per day. All of these statistics point to the potential for you to establish your domain on TikTok and begin marketing your eCommerce business to a hitherto unreached audience.

This tutorial will help you understand what it takes to successfully market your eCommerce business on TikTok. 

How it all began

TikTok Campaign in Piccadilly Street
TikTok Campaign in Piccadilly Street – Image Credit: Walkthechat

All about Tiktok

TikTok is a social networking website that mostly focuses on entertainment. It is all about sharing short video clips. Creators can publish up to 60 seconds of video. To prosper, the eccentric platform necessitates a greater standard of originality.

Unpredictable, hilarious, and outlandish content performs well. But here’s the catch: Because TikTok’s audience isn’t looking for high-quality videos, one does not need professional equipment or a skilled videographer. The platform focuses on unique, unfiltered, genuine, and real content. On TikTok, content reigns supreme over production quality.

TikTok is, in many aspects, the polar opposite of Instagram. Its young audience prefers authentic, behind-the-scenes content to glossy photos and professionally produced videos. This means that TikTok offers promotional chances for online retailers of all sizes and budgets.

TikTok videos, like Instagram or Snapchat, are accessible to individuals outside of a user’s network.TikTok automatically proposes other videos to users based on what they see. Its ingenious mechanism encourages viewers to go down the rabbit hole and find amazing new material.

If an eCommerce company sells on TikTok, its content can go viral on the first day — if it’s good enough. People interested in your eCommerce field might also locate you by searching hashtags.

Why it is important to use TikTok for eCommerce marketing

If you’ve ever worked in marketing, you realize how difficult it is to keep your target viewer’s attention. Finding the platform that your target audience likes is an ongoing challenge. Here are some of the benefits of using TikTok for eCommerce marketing;

1. The Antidote to Marketing Fatigue

TikTok focuses on quick, amusing, and original content that freely connects its Generation Z audience. Since the bulk of Gen Z on TikTok is younger, they prefer innovative content over perfected and high-quality videos.

Individuals are usually tired of being bombarded with buzzing commercials that produce weariness conditions. TikTok comes to the relief here; indeed the advertising on this site is interesting, fun, and brief.

2. A larger audience

The app is rapidly gaining popularity. But how does it differ from other social media platforms? TikTok’s ability to reach the target generation is what distinguishes it.

TikTok, like Snapchat, is always accessible to anyone outside your network. This is an exciting chance for eCommerce to promote its business from an advancement. Wider reach doesn’t really guarantee success; to outperform your competitors, you must be equally imaginative and creative.

3. Promotional Opportunities Included

TikTok has a marketing strategy that employs a variety of strange yet unique tactics. TikTok provides numerous promotional options for businesses and eCommerce marketers.

4. Establishing new markets

TikTok has a large global user base as well. If your eCommerce store ships overseas, this is an excellent platform for expanding into new areas. Videos are also accessible to a broader audience of users; you do not need to be a member of a user’s network to view them.

This increases the likelihood that your material will go viral and reach a large number of people.TikTok for eCommerce is great for businesses wishing to sell globally. Whereas the software was initially launched in China, it has already spread to over 150 nations.

TikTok for online businesses has enormous prospects, whether you want to gather momentum with Gen Z or connect with new geographic areas.

What to consider at pre-phase

TikTok is new to online business, yet it has far more coverage than any other channel for advertising and rebranding. Marketing strategy can be difficult at first because the platform is unusual, both in its structure and in its engagement method. 

To get noticed, you must be incredibly imaginative and sharp when developing your plans. Taking incremental steps in your objective can be a promising strategy. Because not all businesses can fully utilize TikTok’s potential, you must be very smart and careful before diving in. 

The following are some essential factors you need to consider before using TikTok for your eCommerce;

1. Profile of the intended audience

You must determine whether or not your target audience is on this platform. TikTok may not be the ideal suitable for you right now if your target consumer is in the high-end space or over the age of 30. Keep in mind that every channel you create adds to the number of channels you must handle.

Similarly, you should also take into account whether your intended audience will use TikTok in the coming years. Getting involved with the platform before your rival companies may grant you a significant advantage when it becomes more popular.

2. Goals for marketing

TikTok is the ideal platform for you if your major goal is to increase brand exposure and social media interaction.

However, if you’re on a strict budget and want to concentrate on sales conversions, your assets may be best invested on a platform that specifically focuses on customer acquisition and conversions.

3. Brand recognition

TikTok may or may not be appropriate for your company image. TikTok content is now relatively limited in scope, focusing on amusing, engaging, and trending material. If such characteristics do not correspond with your current brand, hopping on this platform can appear uncomfortable and cringe-worthy.

11 Ways to Use Tiktok for eCommerce Marketing

TikTok is incredibly imaginative and embraces businesses’ artistic side in showcasing their narrative. Since the birth of its  Monetization Model, there have been numerous opportunities.

Take into account that, regardless of your brand, your TikTok audience will most certainly be young. You will be tailoring your marketing plan to their tastes. Your brand’s potential fame, like in other platforms, starts with virality. 

While there is no definite recipe for success, there are several TikTok marketing techniques you may employ to enable your eCommerce business to acquire traction. So by making use of the listed below features, you will be able to excel in your eCommerce.

1. Use TikTok Top View ads

A Top View ad
A Top View ad – Image credit : Tiktok.com/business

These ads appear whenever users launch the TikTok app for the first time. They capture the viewer’s attention for up to 1 min before appearing at the top of the user’s newsfeed.

As opposed to other formats, these advertisements are far more appealing and interesting.

They are far-reaching and can easily lead to sales conversions.

2. Adopt Brand takeovers ads

Brand takeovers likewise feature on user screens whenever they launch the TikTok app for the first time. 

These full-screen ads, however, differ from top view ads in that they only last some seconds. Such advertising typically covers the entire page, accompanied by a CTA button or an external link that may take you to another page of the site, or a clip-on TikTok, either on a user’s page or even on a page of a website. They are much faster compared to other marketing options

3. Utilize Infeed ads

Gymshark brand infeed ad
Gymshark brand infeed ad- Image credit: gymshark wear

Advertisements are frequently placed at the bottom of organic videos or in the stream as part of your company’s video backlog. They are far less expensive than Brand Takeovers. These TikTok ads appear in the ‘For you’ feeds of relevant individuals U. This is an excellent approach to gain a follower and interact with a new audience.

Video advertising from in-feed plays automatically in your ‘For You’ feed. These advertisements are tailored to relevant users and allow viewers to participate. When someone sees the ad, they have the option of using your music in their own video. This can be a useful feature for increasing the popularity of your work.

4. Follow trends and hashtag challenges

TikTok is all about keeping up with the current trends. Using TikTok for eCommerce marketing the new technique marketers have been successfully implementing. The most recent music patterns, the most recent dance trends, and even the most recent style, nutrition, or lifestyle hack trends. Music trends are the most prevalent form of fad on TikTok.

It’s simple to find out about the current TikTok music trends, first via the For You Page or the Discover Section, which will compile videos on accounts you don’t follow, and then from your analysis in pro mode.

You may find out what music and sounds are “popular sounds” that you can include in your videos.

This ad structure enables you to produce your own content based on the campaign topic of your company.

Hashtag challenges are an excellent technique to raise brand recognition to new heights.

Hashtag challenge: Ecommerce Marketing
Hashtag challenge: #couple challenge- Image credits: Chipotle

5. Make use of branded effects

Branded effects are a fun method for label eCommerce businesses to increase visibility and credibility. TikTok users enjoy making videos, your company can take this chance to have its logo appear in more videos on the platform. so provide them with branded animated stickers, filters, lenses, and features. This aesthetic method of advertising is an excellent way to increase user-generated content and attract users of Generation Z who understand a variety of languages.

Ecommerce marketing using TikTok
Social tourist fashion house using branded effects- Image Credit: Social tourist

6. Make Viral Videos

You will need to create a lot of material if you want to become successful on TikTok. TikTok videos are entertaining and simple to make. The more you publish, the more you’ll realize how much impact TikTok truly provides.

Incorporate trendy music into your own video, and you’ll be able to engage with a large number of interested users. Follow popular hashtags and try to capitalize on such trends as soon as they emerge.

Even if your account has a small number of followers, the appropriate content can turn your TikTok page into a popular feature.

7. Spice up your content

TikTok invented interacting with a tint of delight, so ensure your material is engaging while also entertaining and fashionable. This is an excellent technique to capture the interest of viewers, and TikTok is well-known for its humorous content.

After you’ve made someone chuckle, they may be interested in learning further about your page and company. Because the majority of Generation Z in this country is young, serious content may not appeal to them.

8. Keep your videos short

Shorter videos of 15 to 20 seconds, for instance, are more prone to be watched and reposted than longer ones.TikTok’s algorithm is heavily weighted toward viewing time. A user is more likely to watch 14 seconds of a 20-second video than 34 seconds of a 50-second video. Shorter videos will automatically increase video completion rates, which is critical.

A way to ensure longer watch time is to be engaged from the start. This means they will have to skip any introductions or awkward silences and go right to the point without rambling.

9. Collaborate with popular creators

If you are a new eCommerce business owner looking to experiment with TikTok, creators may be able to assist you. It would be the most effective way to use TikTok for eCommerce marketing. You may deliberately plan to collaborate with producers to exhibit your business based on their recognition and preferred domain. Milkbar store is a perfect example of a brand that has thrived from collaborating with popular influencers.

Collaboration with a popular influence- TikTok Marketing
Collaboration with a popular influencer -Image credit: Milkbar store

10. Partner up with well-known influencers

If you want to increase awareness of your eCommerce store and attract new clients, working with influencers is a terrific idea. The appropriate influencers help you build more awareness about your business and goods.

Individuals prefer suggestions from their top influencers. Ensure you select the proper influencers. They must appeal to your clients while also marketing your brand to a large number of new fans. Once you’ve found the perfect influencers, try reaching out to contact them. Be creative & concise in your outreach, and don’t be afraid to follow up multiple times.

 You’re leveraging the influencer’s notoriety to reach these new followers, but this will only work if your business is in line with the influencer’s image.

11. Appeal to your users’ emotions

Make Your Content Relevant by making your content relatable. Show them how what you are selling through your e-commerce site makes life easier and can be used to solve a problem. The most important aspect of this method is to be genuine.

Maintain relatability, authenticity, and honesty in your stories. Tell mentally captivating stories about your products to entice your customers. 

What to avoid when on TikTok

However, like any other social media platform, there is a word of caution for internet sellers when using TikTok for eCommerce. These include:

1. Avoid reusing TikTok content

TikTok is known for its originality and uniqueness. If your films are dull, boring, or overly long, you will most likely lose viewers. Avoid recycling existing videos from other platforms as this is inauthentic content and may turn off your viewers.  

2. Don’t overdo it

On TikTok, excessively advertising content is often frowned upon. Treating your TikTok videos like a shopping channel would only turn off viewers. Instead, tell stories about your business.

Demonstrate to audiences what your organization can achieve for them. Inform them how your products work, why they’re awesome, and who created them. Make use of popular culture to highlight your brand’s unique character and style.

Of course, you can promote your products—this is your channel, after all. However, nuance is essential. And, if you do develop product-centric videos, make them innovative or interesting.

Bottom line

Online shopping is greater than it has ever been, thus vendors must leverage a wide range of available channels to stay competitive. TikTok has an enormous ability to increase eCommerce sales. This is amongst the most fascinating eCommerce venues for keeping up with what’s latest and popular.

If your online business isn’t already on TikTok, it’s time to download the application and begin connecting with the thousands of TikTok users worldwide. This might give a broader market for your company to enter. It can incorporate the most recent news from your e-commerce company. 

TikTok, when used correctly, puts businesses closer to consumers. You could have a massive win that improves your brand instantly if you create a popular clip showing your product.

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WRITTEN BY
Rithesh Raghavan

Rithesh Raghavan, is a seasoned Digital Marketer with more than 17+ years in Digital Marketing & IT Sales. He loves to write up his thoughts on the latest trends and developments in the digital world, especially related to WordPress, Woocommerce and Digital Marketing.