Unleashing the Power of TikTok Shop: A Starter’s Guide
TikTok Shop has taken the eComm world by storm, giving eComm brands a new channel to showcase and sell products. It enables you to sell to new audiences via LIVE stream shopping events, short video and in-app store fronts, as well as making working with creators and affiliates on the platform more effective.
With over 50bn views across TikTok videos tagged #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt - the mass appeal of TikTok as a commerce channel can’t be denied.
TikTok Shop’s Gross sales (GMV), or total value of goods sold, skyrocketed more than four times to $4.4 billion in Southeast Asia alone in 2022, according to internal data obtained by tech media outlet The Information. TikTok Shop is reportedly aiming for a GMV target of $12 billion by 2023. Source CNBC
We'll guide you through the step-by-step process of setting up your TikTok Shop and share effective strategies for promoting your products, including collaborations with TikTok creators.
What are the benefits of a TikTok Shop?
Due to its integration into the app, users can effortlessly transition from content consumption to making purchases, presenting advantages for ecommerce brands, including:
Enormous User Base: Establishing a TikTok shop provides unparalleled access to a vast user community, exceeding 1 billion monthly active users.
Seamless Shopping Experience: With a mere swipe of the finger, users can seamlessly shift from engaging with the latest dance trends to purchasing products, all accomplished with just a few taps.
Diverse Feature Set: The TikTok Shop has an array of features for brands to leverage, encompassing personalized recommendations and interactive elements like stickers or shoppable videos.
Comprehensive Insights: TikTok Shop offers extensive insights into customer behavior, furnishing valuable data to enhance understanding of the audience and tailor offerings accordingly.
Setting Up Your TikTok Shop
Step 1: Business Account Setup
Before diving into TikTok Shop, ensure you have a TikTok Business Account. Switch to a Pro Account and access the TikTok Ads Manager to unlock the full range of features.
Step 2: Linking Your Online Store
Connect your TikTok Business Account to your online store. TikTok supports integrations with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and others. Linking your store allows for seamless product integration.
Step 3: Product Catalog Creation
Build a visually appealing product catalog on TikTok. Upload high-quality images, write compelling descriptions, and ensure that all relevant details, such as pricing and availability, are accurate. A well-curated catalog increases the chances of attracting potential customers.
Step 4: TikTok Shop Activation
Once your catalog is ready, activate TikTok Shop through the TikTok Ads Manager. Follow the provided instructions to complete the setup process and make your products accessible to TikTok users.
Step 5: Plan out your fulfillment
Plan out your fulfillment process. This includes packaging, shipping, and handling returns. Make sure that your fulfillment process aligns with the expectations of TikTok Shop and provides a positive experience for customers.
What is Fulfilled by TikTok?
Tiktok has launched 'Fulfilled by TikTok' (FBT), a new logistics program that simplifies the selling process for merchants utilizing TikTok Shop in the UK. FBT, a logistics solution available in the UK, handles the storage, picking, packing, and shipping of merchants' products to the TikTok community. The program is crafted to liberate merchants from time-consuming logistics
Fulfilled by TikTok offers:
Same-day, automated fulfillment for all orders placed by 7 PM Monday to Saturday
A premium next working day delivery service
Enhanced customer feedback and ratings facilitated by an instant messaging service and dedicated customer service representatives
Improved metrics reflecting reduced delivery times.
How can merchants use FBT?
Upon signing up for FBT, merchants are required to allocate a portion of their stock, which is then securely stored. Merchants have the flexibility to choose specific items for storage and shipping through FBT, rather than storing their entire inventory or using FBT for all products.
When a customer places an order, the warehouse takes care of the entire fulfillment process, including picking, packing, and labeling the merchandise, providing an integrated service for the merchant.
To be eligible for FBT, merchants must be based in the UK, delivering to the UK, and ensure that packages do not exceed a weight of 30kg or a cubic volume of 31.5 cubic liters per shipment.
TikTok Shop imposes fees for various services associated with FBT, including warehousing, shipping, and additional value-added services such as labeling, pre-packing, and leaflet insertion. For a comprehensive understanding of the costs involved, merchants can refer to the seller center, which provides a full rate card and a list of value-added services.
Promoting Your TikTok Shop
Step 6: Content Creation
Craft engaging and authentic content that showcases your products in action, and designed to look native and natural on the platform. Leverage TikTok's creative features, such as music, effects, and transitions, to make your content stand out. Authenticity is key on TikTok, so aim for a genuine connection with your audience.
Step 7: Collaborating with TikTok Creators
Use power of influencer marketing by collaborating with TikTok creators. Identify influencers whose audience aligns with your target market. Reach out to them for potential partnerships, either through direct messages or by using TikTok's influencer marketing platform.
Step 8: Setting Up Affiliate Marketing
Let TikTok creators to become affiliates for your products. Offer them a commission for every sale generated through their unique affiliate link. This not only incentivizes creators to promote your products but also expands your reach to their dedicated followers.
Step 9: Leveraging TikTok Ads
Use TikTok's advertising platform to reach a broader audience. Experiment with different ad formats, such as in-feed ads, branded hashtags, and branded effects, to find the most effective approach for your brand.
Step 10: Engaging with Your Audience
Interact with your audience through comments, duets, and challenges. Encourage user-generated content by creating branded challenges related to your products. This fosters a sense of community and increases the visibility of your TikTok Shop.
Step 11: Analyzing and Iterating
Regularly analyze the performance of your TikTok Shop using the analytics provided by TikTok Ads Manager. Adjust your strategies based on the data, refining your content, and promotional efforts for continuous improvement.
By strategically setting up your TikTok Shop and implementing effective promotional strategies, you can tap into the huge potential audience that is TikTok. Collaborating with TikTok creators as affiliates adds an extra layer of authenticity and reach to your marketing efforts. Keep experimenting, stay authentic, and watch your TikTok Shop flourish in the ever-evolving world of social commerce.
Don’t forget, our team are here to help accelerate your eCommerce business with Facebook, Google, TikTok and Pinterest ads and Klaviyo email marketing.
Let’s chat about your business and goals - email us on hello@webtopia.co
