What started as a short-form video platform for dance challenges and lip-sync videos has now evolved into a full-blown e-commerce destination. Yes, we’re talking about TikTok, the popular video-sharing app that has taken the world by storm.
Now with 1.67 billion users, the app is expanding its services beyond entertainment and into the world of e-commerce.
In a recent update, TikTok has officially launched its shopping feature in the US, seamlessly integrating shopping into the TikTok experience.
For businesses and marketers, TikTok Shop could be a game changer for customer acquisition through social media and building brand awareness.
Read more about the exciting updates below, or skip to what you need to know:
- TikTok Shop Launches in U.S.: How Businesses Can Capitalize
- TikTok Gets Smarter: Identifying AI-Generated Content To Build Trust
TikTok Shop Launches in U.S.: How Businesses Can Capitalize
TikTok just launched a new in-app shopping feature in the U.S., poised to be a game changer for e-commerce and customer acquisition.
With TikTok Shop, brands can now showcase and sell products directly to TikTok’s huge Gen Z and Millenial audience.
ICYMI: TikTok Shop, a live-streaming shopping feature, was initially tested in the U.S., U.K., and Canada before being rolled out more widely. In 2022, it was introduced in the U.K. and Asia, where live-stream eCommerce is already widespread.
Users can discover products in a whole new way through the TikTok app. Shoppable product videos and live streams appear in their For You feeds alongside the usual short-form content they know and love.
The in-app Shopping Center also makes buying things a breeze, allowing users to complete purchases without leaving TikTok.
For businesses, this means a major opportunity to:
Reach New Customers
TikTok has 150 million users in the U.S. alone, mainly Gen Z users who spend an average of 52 minutes daily in the app.
With this social media app, businesses now have a direct line to engage these young consumers and drive sales.
Showcase Products Creatively
The short-form video format TikTok is known for aligns itself perfectly with creative product demos, reviews, and unboxings. Businesses can get innovative in how they feature their goods.
Drive Impulse Purchases
Seeing products in their feeds, TikTok users can make spur-of-the-moment buys with just a few taps. For brands, this means more spontaneous purchases and higher conversion rates.
Get Valuable Insights
TikTok will provide brands with data and analytics to help optimize their e-commerce strategies. They’ll gain valuable insights into how users engage with and buy their products.
With its vast reach and short-form video expertise, TikTok Shop is poised to transform online shopping and customer acquisition through social media. It represents an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to build personal connections, drive sales, and acquire new Gen Z customers.
How TikTok Shop Changes Social Commerce
Social commerce is the use of social media to sell things. It’s a way for businesses to reach their target audience where they’re already spending their time and to make buying products easy without ever leaving their favourite social media platforms.
The new TikTok Shop simplifies and revolutionizes social commerce. Here’s how it works.
Seamless Shopping Experience
TikTok Shop provides an incredibly seamless shopping experience for your customers. They don’t have to switch apps or visit an external website to buy from you.
Products are built directly into the content, so customers can make a purchase as soon as that spark of interest is ignited. The frictionless path to purchase boosts conversions and customer acquisition.
ICYMI: TikTok stopped using its Storefront feature with Shopify and other platforms on 12 September 2023. TikTok did this to focus on its shopping platform, TikTok Shop. Shopify merchants can still sell on TikTok through TikTok Shop but can no longer automatically add their product listings to TikTok.
Build Trust
Influencers have high trust with their followers, and when they recommend a product, their followers listen. By partnering with influencers to promote items through TikTok Shop, brands can build credibility and loyalty.
Followers with a good experience with an influencer-promoted product are more likely to purchase from that brand again.
Targeted Ads
TikTok Shop also allows you to run highly targeted ads to promote your products. The more someone engages with your content and shops your products, the more TikTok’s algorithm learns about them. This means your ads and content become more tailored and impactful over time.
TikTok Shop is poised to be a game changer for e-commerce and customer acquisition through social media. The seamless shopping experience and TikTok’s unparalleled personalization abilities provide the perfect environment for turning followers into customers. If you haven’t explored TikTok Shop yet, now is the time. This new feature could revolutionize how you sell products and build your business!
PRO TIP: Want To Gain Followers And Build Trust In Social Media At The Same Time?
Create a standout profile beyond Tiktok, boost your brand’s reputation with great content, make your page more discoverable, and get involved with your community. Read more advice in this guide >
TikTok Gets Smarter: Identifying AI-Generated Content To Build Trust
The AI-generated content label will appear as a gray box on videos and images that have been created or manipulated using A.I. technology.
Similar to the paid partnership label, it lets viewers know the content they’re seeing relies on artificial intelligence. The label allows businesses to be transparent about the tools and techniques behind their work.
Some examples of AI-generated content on TikTok may include:
- Images or videos with objects, scenery or people added in or modified
- Photos or clips that have been colorized or had filters applied to change the overall look and feel
- Media that has been animated or had effects added that wouldn’t be possible with traditional editing software
How Businesses Can Use The Label
TikTok business owners should use the AI-generated content label on any and all applicable videos, images, clips, and photos. The label builds trust with your viewers and allows you to showcase the innovative technology enabling your content creation.
When appropriately used, the label can actually become an asset, highlighting your work as cutting-edge.
Pro tips:
- Be transparent about what specifically in the content was AI-generated. Explain the tools and techniques in your captions or comments.
- Don’t overuse the label on content that only uses basic filters. Save it for more advanced A.I. manipulations and effects.
- Educate your audience about A.I. and how it’s pushing the boundaries of creativity. Engage them in discussions about the ethics and impact of artificial intelligence.
The AI-generated content label opens up a world of new creative opportunities for TikTok creators and businesses. Embrace it as a way to build trust, highlight your skills, and start important conversations about the future of content creation.
TikTok Reinvents What We Know About Customer Acquisition Through Social Media
The two exciting TikTok updates signal big things ahead.
With TikTok Shop now live in the U.S., the platform is poised to become a major player in social commerce and attract even more users and brands. And the A.I. content label, while a small addition, shows TikTok’s commitment to transparency and trust, which customers today value more than ever.
TikTok is making all the right moves to ensure it stays ahead of trends and continues engaging users in new ways. The future looks bright for this short-form video platform that keeps improving. What updates will TikTok roll out next? We’ll have to stay tuned to find out.
Maximize your TikTok and social media campaigns with Beanstalk Growth Marketing. Our team can help you execute cutting-edge marketing campaigns that leverage Tiktok’s latest features to reach your target audience and meet your business goals. Contact us today for a free consultation!
