TikTok expands partnership with Shopify to test in-app purchases

TikTok and e-commerce platform Shopify said on Tuesday they will continue to expand their partnership to allow consumers to shop directly within the TikTok app.

TikTok first announced its partnership with Shopify in October last year, launching new tools that enable Shopify merchants to create, run, and optimize their TikTok marketing campaigns directly from the Shopify dashboard.

TikTok has always been seen by the public as a video app that provides entertainment. Although creators on the platform often discuss clothing, cosmetics and household products, users have not been able to purchase products directly within the app.

Under the new partnership, Shopify merchants participating in the project test will be able to add new shopping options to their profile pages and sync their product catalogs to create mini stores within their profile interface.

Another highlight of this cooperation is that the product links of Shopify merchants are provided directly in TikTok videos . In this way, users can jump to the merchant's store to make a purchase by clicking the link on the video.

Shopping tags and product links used by Kylie Cosmetics, image:   TikTok

Kylie Jenner, the youngest sister of the Kardashian family , was one of the early testers of the feature, which allows users to purchase products from her makeup brand Kylie Cosmetics directly through TikTok.

Kim Kardashian Jenner mentioned, "Social media is an important way for me to expand my users and community. Users have strong purchasing power on this platform because this is where they are most interested."

According to a survey by Shopify and London-based market research firm Walnut Unlimited, two-thirds of users surveyed have made "unplanned" purchases through the app. The editor found that the #tiktokmademebuyit tag has been viewed 4.6 billion times on TikTok.

Social media has become a new place for consumers to shop. Shopify's 2021 Future of Commerce Report also mentioned that 54% of young consumers around the world discovered brands through social media.

It is reported that from February 2020 to February 2021, sales on Shopify's social commerce channels - including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Pinterest - increased by 76%.

The editor has learned that the feature will be available to all platform merchants this fall. The feature is currently being tested in the United States and the United Kingdom, and will be rolled out to Canadian merchants in the coming weeks. Merchants can apply to join the test through Shopify's official channels.

In addition, when shopping on TikTok , payment is made by jumping to the Shopify page , and users are directed to the merchant's website to make purchases and complete transactions by clicking on the link . However, in the Instagram store, payment is made directly within the application through Faceboo k Pay , and users have a better shopping and payment experience . This may be the problem that TikTok will solve next.

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Independent website

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