There are variety of new social media platforms that can be used to boost sales on your ecommerce website. Among the platforms that are currently growing at a huge rate is TikTok. This video and music-based platform is currently home to over 600 million users worldwide and is one of the most downloaded applications for both Apple and Android for 2018 and 2019. This provides a large and virtually untapped audience for marketing for your ecommerce store. TikTok can be used in a variety of ways to drive traffic to your site. And in this guide, we will look and see if your website can leverage TikTok to increase traffic to the site and the best ways we can implement it.

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What is TikTok?

Before you jump into a social media platform, it helps to find out what the platform is about. In order to best use it lets learn a little bit more about it.

TikTok is a platform where visually appealing content is used to interest and bring in views. TikTok is used for lip synching videos and dance routines. Most videos on TikTok last for up to 15 seconds. In these videos, the user can lip sync duets with friends using a split screen page on their phones. TikTok is based on music and that has given it influence with younger generation audiences. Much of the audience is between the ages of 16 to 24. This platform is already been looked at by businesses seeking to market their products to new audiences.

Like Snapchat or Instagram Users, TikTok users become celebrities in their own right As they look to build followers and increase views. TikTok also analyses videos and has a robust suggestions algorithm That will keep the user hooked on similar content.

Why is TikTok important?

TikTok enjoys incredible growth and the average user will spend up to 50 minutes per day on the app creating, sharing or watching videos. Businesses looking to connect with the audience of tomorrow should look to capitalise on TikTok’s incredible user base. Similarly, to Instagram, businesses can partner with influencers or TikTok creators as they are called With the millions of views they get you can ensure your business will get maximum exposure.

How can I use TikTok?

There are two main strategies on using TikTok to advertise or market your ecommerce website.

Team up with a TikTok creator or multiple TikTok creators to showcase your products.
Use TikTok’s inbuilt ad system

Teaming up with a creator

One strategy which will work is to team up with one or many TikTok creators to showcase your brand. This has a distinct advantage over using an advertising platform as you can specify and control what needs to be showcased about your ecommerce website. It will then help in building your social media strategy to come in on specific time frames. You might use a bunch of the creators to emphasize an aspect of your product, therefore creating good coverage of the product with minimum work.

Ad formats

To serve and advertisement on TikTok you need to go through an advertisement representative. The platform offers four types of ads.

Native Content.
Brand Takeover
Hashtag Challenges
Branded Lens

Native content

This kind of ad is similar what Snapchat or Instagram support and features website clicks and app downloads. This provides you with an in-stream video or 15 seconds which you can use to build your ad. This helps users view the ad without disrupting their experience. There are three advertising models for this kind of ads.

Cost Per View (CPV). This model will cost you every time someone views your ad. This is limited to 6 seconds.
Cost Per Impression (CPM). Payment for this is charged when the ad appears in a user’s TikTok feed.
Cost Per Click (CPC). Advertisers will pay when a user clicks on their advertisement

The tooling permits you to target users based on age, gender and location.

Brand Takeover

In this kind of format, brand can takeover TikTok for a day. This might include having a pop-up advertisement on the opening screen, controlling the flow of the app by redirecting to another website. Brand takeover are limited to one advertiser per day.

Hashtag Challenges

This is a game for users to share content with a sponsored hash tag. It also permits users to buy products with the hashtag without ever leaving the application. Normally a “creator” shows off a new coat or shoes or product with their content having the sponsored hash tag. There’s a new separate tab to provide an in-app experience where you can sell your products.

Branded Lenses

These are similar to Snapchat and Instagram 2D and 3D lenses used for photographs and faces. these are mostly AR filters. This lens encouragers loads of people tune into watching their favourite creators using them.

Tips on how to use TikTok

Content on this platform is based on fun and creativity. To create your own followers, you need to create exclusive fun content. This is a very inexpensive way to promote your business. This platform also does not require highly produced videos. A phone is enough to get started with to promote your website and business.

Keep in mind that all businesses might not be able to use TikTok’s platform effectively. Users are more likely to engage with authentic fun content than a slick polished ad. Keep your content quirky and funny and you will attract a lot of viewers.

Another thing to remember is you should engage with everyone who responds to your content. Spend some time going through the content on the app and you will realise that it is possible to master the platform and get a running start on some of your competitors.

If your website sells products or services that target younger audience, chances are that TikTok is the perfect place to capture their attention. Make sure you follow these tips to get the best out of your TikTok promotion strategy