It doesn't matter how many online commerce platforms there are, there is always room for some more and if that one is integrated into one of the most popular social networks of the moment, even more so. TikTok Shopping It is one of the latest developments on the Bytedance platform. So, we are going to tell you everything you need to know to buy without leaving TikTok.
What is TikTok Shipping
Due to traffic, the number of active users, the ability to reach large audiences, the power of influence of some creators, for all this and many other reasons, it is logical that social networks have always been an important place for brands. So, knowing all this, the networks themselves are now preparing to also become stores.
Instagram already announced a few months ago Instagram Shop, an option that enabled a tab through which the user could easily make purchases without leaving the application itself. So you not only earn from the sale, but also from the retention by not taking it to a third-party site where you could forget about the social network.
Now it runs TikTok Shopping and it could be said that this new collaboration between the social network itself and the online sales platform Shopify is the answer to Instagram Shop. Thus, thanks to the agreement reached between both companies, a system has been developed that will allow companies to sell to the millions of users that the network has. All this without the need to leave it.
Well, who says companies really means any user account that establishes its profile as TikTok for companies or TikTok for Business. So basically that would be the only requirement, and also have a Shopify account for catalog synchronization, payment gateway, etc.
Once the profile is created, you only have to go to your TikTok user page and there you will see a new tab with access to this new section to online shopping that TikTok has integrated.
How to start using TikTok Shopping
It is possible that you already have some type of ecommerce active on the internet. Sell ​​online It is relatively easy and it does not have to be anything related to the creation of a physical product, the info products are also valid when creating a store or business on the Internet.
Once you have it or you already know clearly that you are going to sell online, the obvious step is to create an account that supports TikTik Shopping. The only important point that you have to know right now is that this service, for the moment, It is only available in the US and UK.
The latter is because everything is still in beta process. Shopify in particular has commented on this and to be able to use the new tool it will not only be enough to be in those countries. They will also need to request early access through a web page enabled by the online shopping tool.
If you want to do it, because you meet the requirements, you will only have to visit the Shopify URL. Once you have applied, you will only have to wait and be patient to see if you are one of the chosen ones to try this new tool. Of course, you will also need to have a product or several products to sell.
How TikTok Shopping works
The operation of TikTok Shopping has surely already become clear to you, but even so, a review so that you can still further establish the information about this new option that TikTok is beginning to deploy that could soon be available to each and every one of the countries where the service will be active.
The first thing you should do to use TikTok Shopping when it activates it is this:
- Configure your profile as TikTok Business. To do this, go to your profile and once inside, go to the three stripes icon in the upper right corner and then to Settings and privacy> Manage account> Switch to Company account
- Accept and that's it, you will have the account changed from personal to Company. This will enable another series of advantages such as new tools to access metrics that will give you information about the reach of your content and more.
After changing the type of account, you will see that an account is activated within your profile. new tab that is the of purchases or Shopping. Now all you have to do is synchronize the items you have for sale through Shipify. So it shouldn't involve any kind of complexity.
At present some well-known users such as Kylie Jenner You already have this tab active that allows your fans and other followers to purchase the products that you sell or directly recommend in your publications.
TikTik will compete against Facebook, Instagram and any other in online sales
As you may have already thought, the new TikTok proposal is not another way to compete with what your main rivals are doing. And it is that Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and even Snapchat know that online shopping mixed with the leisure formula is much more satisfying than other more classic ones.
Also, being able to do it by seeing those content creators that you trust or that you think will not disappoint you with false information is always good. Although the latter is sometimes difficult to know for sure. Not all content creators maintain a high ethical code.
However, as they say from TikTok:
Shopify is bringing commerce to Tiktok. Social commerce is the next frontier of entrepreneurship. Shopify is the infrastructure that powers the Creator economy, unlocking purchases for creators and brands. We are building the ability to convert fans into potential buyers.
All these novelties are always welcome because there are users who could get an extra salary or even make their business out of it if they have some support from their community of followers.