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How to Increase eCommerce Sales Using TikTok: A Foolproof Guide

Posted on 1st Nov, 2024.

There are plenty of ways to advertise your eCommerce store - emails, Google ads, and even word of mouth. But one of the most effective and affordable (but somehow underrated) platforms to use for marketing is TikTok. Far from being exclusively for influencers, businesses can also take advantage of all that TikTok has to offer to boost their profile.

Small businesses in particular benefit from the budget-friendly marketing approach that TikTok allows for. If you plan on starting or growing your eCommerce business, here's how to make TikTok a focal part of your strategy.

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1. Use Paid TikTok Ads

While there are plenty of ways to use TikTok for marketing that cost nothing, TikTok ads are incredibly effective for online stores - they're used by everyone from big names to small businesses. TikTok is highly visual, so you can show your product in the best light using paid ads on the platform, which appear in between videos as users scroll.

Dynamic showcase ads can leverage your product collection, while collections ads are perfect for increases conversion rates. If you're a new brand, establish your visual design and tone of voice before getting started with ads - more fun, laid-back content can happen in the meantime.

2. Tap into Trends

If you ask an established creator or popular business on TikTok how to go viral, they'll say one word. Trends. Trends such as challenges, dances, and lip syncs are not only incredibly popular on TikTok, but they also provide constant content ideas for when you run dry. Don't let being a business put you off taking part in challenges - showing your more fun and playful side helps consumers connect to your brand.

Get creative with your products, too. If you run a clothing store, for example, wear some of your key products in a TikTok dance. Use trending sounds that describe your products in the background of your content.

3. Repost and Duet User-Generated Content

User-generated content does what it says on the tin - it's content created by users. When your customers create content about your products, sharing that content, whether through duets or reposts, is a great way of using consumer trust to your advantage. Consumers are much more likely to believe the word of other consumers because there's no ulterior motive, so when your customers heap praise on your products, other consumers will trust them.

You can encourage user-generated content by telling TikTok users to share videos or images of themselves using your products, which you can then make a focal part of your content (with their permission, of course). While UGC works across all social media platform, it's especially advantageous on TikTok because it's such a visual app.

4. Post Product Guides and Tutorials

One of the most effective ways to take advantage of TikTok's highly visual nature is that you can truly showcase your products from all angles, taking advantage of the video format to present your products in all their glory. Take advantage of the video format by posting product guides and tutorials as well as how-to guides if your product requires know-how.

Another excellent approach is to showcase how products are used in a natural setting, by creating content like 'A Day in the Life' featuring the product being used as it would be by your target audience.

5. Send Freebies to Creators

TikTok users trust recommendations from their favourite content creators as though they came from their best friend, so by getting popular influencers to share positive reviews of your products, you'll enjoy a seal of approval as well as getting your products seen by more eyes. Send your products for content creators for free in return for a complimentary review or collaborate directly by paying creators for an ad.

6. Open a TikTok Shop

One of the biggest barriers to consumers purchasing your products is friction. You can remove friction from the buying process by opening a TikTok shop, which allows customers to buy directly from you without even having to leave the TikTok app, making it one less step in the process. You can then use your TikTok content to push viewers directly to your TikTok shop.

7. Build Campaigns

As well as taking advantage of TikTok's bells and whistles, don't forget to use it as a traditional marketing platform by sharing cultivated marketing campaigns. Whether centered around a trend, an upcoming holiday or festival, marketing campaigns should contain multiple videos in different formats all centered around one seasonal line or product drop. Take it to the next level by creating a dedicated hashtag for the campaign or featuring well-known content creators in your promotional video.

8. Use Relevant Hashtags

Hashtags make your content easier to find and more visible. Plus, they align you with your niche, which, in your case, is the demographic you appeal to and the type of products you sell. Use a few hashtags in every video you upload, and make sure they align with any trend you're participating in, too.

You can create a hashtag that centres around your brand and encourage your customers to share user-generated content and tag the hashtag. That way, you'll easily find your customers and repost their content.

Any Good Strategy Starts With Followers

Separate yourself from the crowd with your TikTok marketing campaigns by creating unique and personable content (such as an interview with the CEO) and putting our top tips above into action.

While implementing marketing techniques is all well and good, we'd recommend starting with as many followers as possible to ensure your content gets seen by your target audience. There are plenty of ways to grow an audience while you start creating content - these include buying followers, posting consistently, and taking part in popular trends. Once you've garnered enough followers, you'll start to see your increased follower count translate into boosted sales.