Have you ever impulsively shopped for a cosmetics product or adorable new phone case via the shop tab on your Instagram? Whether or not you’ve completed the purchase, you’ve certainly noticed those shopping bubble tags on in-feed posts. Now, that same experience is coming to TikTok.
TikTok has become one of the most popular apps in the world, and Canadian e-commerce company Shopify has announced a new partnership with the social media giant, providing easy-to-use, in-app shopping services.
Merchants with existing Shopify accounts can use TikTok business accounts to sync their products across the platforms, allowing viewers who scroll by their content to immediately shop featured products, making it easier for both the consumer and merchant.
For example, if Kylie Jenner’s makeup company, Kylie Cosmetics, opened its own unique TikTok account, the page would consist of three tabs with a “shop” tab in the middle. This page would contain images and prices for Kylie Cosmetics products available. By simply clicking on each image, customers can be prompted to complete a purchase.
Merchants will also be able to tag products for sale in individual in-feed videos. Similar to those product bubbles on Instagram, potential customers can easily view which products are featured as they scroll through their TikTok feed.
“I have so much fun creating TikTok videos, and I love sharing posts of my fans using the products,” Kylie Jenner is quoted in a press release. “That’s why I’m excited for Kylie Cosmetics to be one of the first to let customers shop directly on our TikTok.”
According to President of Shopify Harley Finkelstein, this service is meant to help new entrepreneurs reach more people through a platform that is widely used among all generations. There are currently hundreds of millions of people using the TikTok app, its popularity having surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“TikTok is uniquely placed at the center of content and commerce, and these new solutions make it even easier for businesses of all sizes to create engaging content that drives consumers directly to the digital point of purchase,” Blake Chandlee, President of Global Business Solutions at TikTok, is quoted. "We're thrilled to be expanding our partnership with Shopify and making TikTok more accessible than ever for their merchants.
Merchants who are currently on Shopify are able to use this pilot TikTok Shopping service in the United States and the United Kingdom. Learn more about the partnership announcement via Shopify.com.
Photography by: Solen Feyissa / Unsplash
