Skip to Content

3 Essential TikTok Tips for Ecommerce Success in 2024

Ethan
Kramer
Ethan Kramer
August 2024 | 5 min read

TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse for ecommerce businesses in today’s digital marketplace. And it’s more than just a nice-to-have marketing tool. With around 170 million monthly users in the US alone (more than half of America’s population), TikTok is a platform that online sellers can’t afford to ignore!  

As a discovery-first platform, rather than a follow-first platform (e.g. Instagram), TikTok has become a search engine for users to discover new products, ideas, and user reviews—which has strong implications for buyer intent. That’s why many brands are using it to effectively hypertarget consumers and skyrocket sales. 

You’ll want to download our detailed guide if you’re ready for a comprehensive, step-by-step playbook for setting up your TikTok Shop for selling success. But, if you’re just looking to suss out some high-level tips for using TikTok to boost your ecommerce growth, or if you’re just dipping your toe into the idea of TikTok for your business, this post is a great starting point for you. 

Here are three key tips for success on TikTok Shop:

1. Master Your Content Strategy 

Consistency is the cornerstone of TikTok success. The platform recommends working your way up to posting 5 times per day for optimal targeting. However, it’s crucial to remember that quality should always trump quantity. 

To create a winning content strategy: 

  • Focus on short-form videos (under 60 seconds), which thrive on TikTok’s “For You” page. 
  • Use TikTok’s Video Inspiration Analytics to discover popular video scripts, music, and hashtags in trending videos. 
  • Tailor your content to your audience’s interests. As you post consistently, TikTok’s algorithm will identify interested viewers and push your content to similar users. 
  • Experiment with different types of content, such as product demonstrations, behind-the-scenes looks, and user-generated content (UGC) featuring your products. 
  • Utilize TikTok’s shoppable video feature to directly link your products within your content. 

Remember, posting just for the sake of posting won’t spark growth. Continuously research your audience’s interests and focus on creating content with intent to drive real impact. 

2. Leverage Live Selling

Live selling has taken the ecommerce world by storm since 2020, and for good reason. It can increase your sales by an impressive 20-30%—and a seller recently hit $1 million in sales during a single TikTok livestream! It’s also reported that 50% of TikTok users have bought something after watching TikTok LIVE.  

Live selling on TikTok Shop gives you the opportunity to virtualize an experience similar to a live demo at a brick-and-mortar store, allowing you to showcase your products in action and interact with potential customers in real time. 

To make the most of live selling: 

  • Create product sets in advance using TikTok’s LIVE Manager feature. This allows you to easily showcase products during your livestreams. 
  • Use engagement tools like vouchers, product coupons, and live giveaways to incentivize viewers to watch longer and purchase sooner. 
  • Analyze your livestream performance data to understand when users are most excited about purchasing. Pay attention to metrics like viewership, click-to-order rates, and overall engagement
  • Master the customer experience by exploring other sellers’ livestreams. This will help you understand best practices and what resonates with shoppers. 
  • Consider partnering with influencers or charismatic team members to host your livestreams, adding personality and authenticity to your brand. 

Remember, live selling isn’t just about pushing products. It’s an opportunity to build community and brand loyalty, which can significantly increase customer lifetime value (CLV).

3. Implement a Strong Affiliate Program 

TikTok’s affiliate program, introduced in 2023, has been a game-changer for brands. It allows content creators to share and promote your products, effectively expanding your reach and tapping into established audiences. 

To maximize your affiliate program: 

  • Choose between Target Collaboration (for nurturing relationships with specific creators) and Open Collaboration (allowing any creator to promote your products). 
  • Regularly promote new products to your affiliates to keep them engaged and excited about your brand. 
  • Invite new affiliates to request product samples, ensuring they can create authentic content featuring your items. 
  • Incentivize good performance with increased commission rates. This encourages affiliates to put more effort into promoting your products. 
  • Provide affiliates with key information about your products, brand story, and unique selling points to help them create compelling content. 
  • Monitor affiliate performance and nurture relationships with top performers. 

A well-managed affiliate program can significantly boost your brand awareness and sales on TikTok Shop. It’s essentially influencer marketing on steroids, allowing you to leverage the power of multiple creators to promote your products.

The Clock is Ticking 

The sooner you implement these strategies for your business, the faster you’ll be on your way to TikTok Shop success. To get a detailed guide for setting up your TikTok Shop and optimizing it for growth, download our guide here

If you’d like help getting started, our team has helped clients generate over $1 million in GMV (gross merchandise value) on TikTok Shop month-over-month. Contact us and your business could be next!

Thanks for reading!
Written by Ethan Kramer, Managing Partner & Social Media Practice Leader
Ethan Kramer is a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of EK Creative (now Agital), a trailblazing social commerce and digital marketing agency, a certified CommentSold Partner, and one of the first TikTok Shop Partners in the US. Ethan and his tea…
subscribe

Subscribe to the marketing revolution.