What TikTok’s new Shopify integration means for sellers

On March 6, 2024, TikTok announced a groundbreaking integration for UK businesses.

The social media giant, known for its trendsetting power, has finally launched their integration with Shopify in the UK, allowing merchants to showcase and sell products directly through the TikTok app. 

This integration, facilitated by the new “TikTok for Shopify” app, opens doors for small businesses, Tiktok dropshippers and side hustlers to tap into a highly engaged audience and potentially skyrocket their sales.

What’s all the fuss about?

Hashtags like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, #Squishmallows and Love and Pebble #Beautypops perfectly illustrate the platform’s influence on consumer behaviour, and just a few examples of brands are gaining massive popularity solely through user-generated content. It’s a breeding ground for new customers and trends! 

TikTok Shop capitalises on this by offering businesses the ability to:

• Create shoppable videos: showcase products directly within engaging video content.
• Host live streams: interact with potential customers in real-time, answer questions, and promote products.
• Sell directly through the app: eliminate the need for external website visits, creating a frictionless shopping experience.

This translates to a powerful combination of community, creativity, and commerce.

Brits: the prime audience for your TikTok shop

The UK presents a fertile ground for this integration. Now as a seller, the integration can provide you with a highly engaged audience and mobile-first commerce.

Brits happen to spend an exceptional amount of time on TikTok – a staggering 49 hours and 29 minutes per month on the Android app alone, according to Digital 2024: The United Kingdom report. 

In addition to that, Brits hold the highest average monthly usage of TikTok globally, spending nearly 50 hours on the app. This translates to a massive potential customer base actively engaged with the platform.

TikTok also ranks first in mobile app spending in the UK, surpassing giants like Tinder and Disney+. Since consumers are increasingly comfortable shopping directly from their mobile devices, this integration allows businesses to tap into this trend and meet their audience where they already are. 

How to make this work for you:

• Identify your niche: the key to success lies in understanding your target audience and the type of content that resonates with them.
• Embrace creativity: leverage the power of short-form video to showcase your products in an engaging and entertaining way. Tutorials, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and user-generated content are all effective strategies.
• Focus on high-quality visuals: product demonstrations, unboxing videos, and lifestyle content are all effective ways to grab attention.
• Utilise trending sounds and hashtags: ride the wave of popular trends whenever you can to increase your discoverability.
• Run contests and giveaways: surprise and delight your fans by incentivising engagement, which also encourages user-generated content.
• Offer exclusive deals and promotions: motivate viewers to take action and convert them into paying customers.
• Partner with influencers: collaborate with relevant Tiktok creators to reach a wider audience and leverage their established communities.
• Run targeted ads: utilise Tiktok’s advertising platform to target users based on demographics, interests, and behaviours.
• Prioritise customer relationships: respond to comments, answer questions, and actively participate in the conversation to build trust and brand loyalty.
• Use data & analytics: capitalise on insights provided by both Shopify and Tiktok to understand your audience’s preferences and optimise your business strategy accordingly.

Conclusion

The Shopify integration with TikTok Shop presents a unique opportunity for small businesses and side hustlers in the UK to streamline and simplify the user journey. By embracing creative content, and building an engaged community, you can leverage the power of TikTok to reach a wider audience and achieve significant sales growth.