The Impact of TikTok on Ecommerce and Online Shopping

The Impact of TikTok on Ecommerce and Online Shopping - Soona.co

Rayna Opoku

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The Impact Of Tiktok On Ecommerce And Online Shopping?

With TikTok's meteoric rise in popularity, the platform is changing how digital marketers do business. With over 300 million downloads (and counting), this social media platform has become a force to be reckoned with. And guess what? It's showing no signs of slowing down. 🚀

This explosion in popularity has sent digital marketers and retailers scrambling to keep up. But fear not! With new channels and innovative ways to connect with customers, TikTok has opened up a treasure trove of potential for those who dare to embrace it.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social media platform that has exploded in popularity recently. Launched in 2016, the app allows users to create and share short-form videos with their followers. With its user-friendly interface and addictive algorithm, TikTok has quickly become a cultural phenomenon, with over 1 billion active users worldwide.

Social media: the shopping buddy you never knew you needed

Social media has totally changed the game for ecommerce. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have given businesses the power to connect with tons of potential customers, engage with people through targeted ads and influencer collabs, and even sell stuff directly on their pages.

Social media lets brands build trust with their audience by sharing real-life stories and user-generated content. In fact, 74% of consumers use social media to make purchase decisions, with 90% saying they rely on user-generated content to inform those decisions.

Nowadays, any business looking to make a good impression on its customers knows that social media is an absolute must-have for a successful ecommerce strategy.

From scrolling to shopping: TikTok's impact on ecommerce

TikTok has been shaking up the ecommerce and online shopping landscape in a big way. With its massive user base and addictive video format, it has become an attractive platform for businesses looking to reach new audiences and connect with customers in a more engaging way.

The short-form videos and challenges have opened up new possibilities for brands to showcase their products and build a community around their brand. The platform's algorithm can quickly turn a video into a viral hit, providing brands with unprecedented exposure and driving massive amounts of traffic to their ecommerce sites.

In addition, Influencer marketing on TikTok has also become increasingly popular, with creators promoting products through sponsored content and driving sales through unique discount codes.

As TikTok continues to evolve and expand its ecommerce features (which we cover more on below), it will likely change the way we think about online shopping and ecommerce.

From dances to deals: TikTok ecommerce campaigns

Just how effective are these videos? A 2022 study revealed that 7 out of 10 shoppers worldwide are moved to purchase stumbling across a product, and 6 out of 10 use the app for shopping inspiration.

It doesn't end there. They say that the proof is in the social media pudding, right? TikTok is now a hotspot for businesses wanting to launch creative and successful ecommerce campaigns.

Brands across industries, from fashion and beauty to food and electronics, have found innovative ways to showcase their products and build brand awareness on the platform.

Here are two examples of successful campaigns to help you create your next TikTok trend:

Chipotle: In May 2019, Chipotle launched a "lid flip challenge" on TikTok, where users had to show off their skills by flipping the lid of a Chipotle bowl and landing it perfectly. The challenge quickly went viral and resulted in over 100,000 user-generated videos, with the hashtag #ChipotleLidFlip received over 230 million views..

Gymshark: In 2020, Gymshark launched a "66 Days: Change Your Life" campaign on TikTok, encouraging users to document their fitness journey over 66 days using the hashtag #gymshark66. The campaign resulted in over 1.9 million likes, 12,576 comments, and 45.5 million views for the #gymshark66 hashtag challenge.

Paris Hilton Tik Tok Campaign: Paris Hilton recently teamed up with Hilton Hotels to launch a 10-minute TikTok campaign featuring a diverse group of influencers in the space. Viewers were encouraged to stay to the end for a chance to win Hilton Honors points, while poking fun at the fact that influencer marketing has changed over the years. The video got over 35.5 million videos, and to date, has over 517k likes and 28.6k comments.

Let's review some of the key benefits of using TikTok

Improved brand awareness and exposure

Businesses can increase their brand awareness and exposure to a broader audience by creating appealing content and leveraging trending hashtags. TikTok's algorithm prioritizes engaging and relevant content, so if your content resonates with users, it's more likely to appear on their "For You" page. This means that even small businesses with limited budgets can get their content in front of a large and diverse audience.

Increased sales growth and revenue

Using popular TikTok trends and challenges, businesses can create viral videos that generate millions of views and attract a large following. You can then leverage TikTok's advertising platform to target specific audiences with ads and track their ad performance in real time. This targeted approach can help you reach more potential customers and increase conversion rates.

Access to younger demographics and new audiences

You're in the right place if you're trying to reach a younger crowd. 40% of TikTok users are between 16 and 24 years old, making winning over a fresh, new audience easy. Plus, the platform's fast-paced, short-form video format lets you get creative and show off your personality in a way that'll keep your brand top of mind.

TikTok, UGC, and influencers: a match made in marketing heaven

UGC and influencer marketing are the key to success on TikTok. UGC = content created by users about a brand or product. Think reviews, testimonials, and user-generated videos and pics. This is so important because it builds trust with potential customers.

Influencer marketing means partnering with TikTok creators to promote a product or service to their followers. 🤩 By using both UGC and influencer marketing, businesses can reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness.

Challenges and risks of TikTok for ecommerce

Don't let the haters get you down

While user-generated content and influencer partnerships can be powerful tools for driving engagement, there is always the potential for negative feedback or backlash from users. Basically, you gotta be ready for some haters.

The good, the bad, and the UGC

Then there's the issue of user-generated content and influencer partnerships. 🤝 While these can be a great way to build buzz and boost sales, you need to be careful about who you collaborate with and what content is being shared. Make sure everything aligns with your brand and values!

TikTok success: a careful strategy is key 🔑

Ensure you have a well-planned strategy to make the most of the platform. It's not enough to just post a video of your cat and hope it goes viral (although that could work too, who knows?). Instead, you need to be intentional about the content you create, who you're targeting, and how you're measuring success. That means understanding your audience, creating engaging content, and staying on top of the latest trends.

The Future of TikTok and Ecommerce

To stay competitive in the ever-evolving world of ecommerce, it's crucial to keep up with the latest social media trends and platforms. And with TikTok showing no signs of slowing down, it's more important than ever for businesses to adapt and integrate this platform into their marketing strategy.

TikTok recently launched an in-app ecommerce feature called TikTok Shop. With this new feature, users can browse and purchase items from within the app. Brands can showcase their products in a storefront within the app, making it easy for users to discover and purchase items without leaving the app.

TikTok has partnered with select merchants and integrations with ecommerce platforms like Shopify to make it easier for brands to set up their storefronts. Keep in mind though, that this feature is only currently available to businesses that have a Tiktok for Business account.

By embracing the potential of TikTok, businesses can unlock a world of opportunities for growth, engagement, and sales. The possibilities are endless, whether through creative campaigns, influencer partnerships, or user-generated content.

Don't miss the TikTok boat: final tips for ecommerce success

TikTok is more than just a fun app for dance challenges and lip-syncing - it's a powerhouse for businesses looking to spice up their ecommerce strategy. With its youthful and engaged user base, TikTok is a unique platform that can help brands tap into a new audience and build brand loyalty.

To succeed on TikTok, you gotta understand your audience and their vibe. So, start by determining what makes them tick and tailor your content accordingly. Consistency is key, so keep the good vibes flowing by posting regularly (we recommend at least twice a day!) and engaging your audience.

Remember to take advantage of TikTok's features like shoppable links, hashtags, and challenges to boost your reach and sales. Lastly, stay on top of your game by using TikTok's analytics tools to track your performance and adjust your strategy as needed.

Sprinkling user-generated content and influencer marketing into your strategy can increase your visibility, build trust with potential customers, and drive sales growth. Plus, with TikTok's affordable advertising options and real-time analytics, it's easier than ever to track your success and make adjustments on the fly.

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to join the TikTok revolution and take your ecommerce game to the next level.

Go viral with the power of soona video packs

By incorporating TikTok into your marketing strategy and leveraging its unique features, you can showcase your products in fun and engaging ways, build brand loyalty with a new generation of consumers, and tap into a massive user base that is only continuing to grow.

Ready to boost your business with TikTok and get your products to stand out from the crowd? soona's TikTok deluxe video pack offers high-quality video content that's perfect for giving your products the attention they deserve. With soona, you'll get affordable, cart-worthy content to help you build your brand and connect with your audience.

Are you ready to create feed-stopping content that drives sales? Book your virtual shoot with soona today!

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Posted Jun 16, 2023

Part of the article series completed for Soona on the impact of social media on e-commerce and online shopping

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