TikTok is looking to facilitate more eCommerce activity on its platform, which is why its launching its new ‘TikTok Seller’ app. The new app will enable brands on TikTok to manage all the aspects of their on-platform product listings with a dedicated, standalone space. The differentiation between one’s standard account and their ‘TikTok Seller’ account will allow for better product management and smoother marketing, boosting the market potential of personal TikTok enterprises, alongside the monetary possibilities introduced by expanded profile tipping and digital gifts.
New Stall In The Market
The app is only currently available to brands in Indonesia and supposedly:
“…enables sellers to manage their TikTok Shop via mobile phone. Available features including but not limited to seller registration, product management, order management, return&refund management, promotion management , customer service, data analysis, campaign registration and seller education.”
The summary is pretty simple, indicating that the app, for the most part, is still within the early stages of development. The idea is that the tool eventually enables eCommerce brands to more easily manage their product listings on TikTok, regardless of their location, in order to squeeze as much on-platform sales performance as they can.
As TikTok said to TechCrunch on an interview:
“We are always looking at ways to enhance our community’s experience and regularly test new features that inspire creativity, bring joy and innovate the TikTok experience. Brands on TikTok have found a creative outlet to authentically connect with audiences, and we’re excited to experiment with new commerce opportunities that enable our community to discover and engage with what they love.”
If you’ve keenly observed TikTok throughout 2021, you’d have noticed by now that the platform is focusing on evolving its eCommerce offerings. From last year, it has introduced product listings on select profiles, Live-Commerce initiatives, and previews of upcoming promotional and highlight options in clips.
‘Live-Shopping’, as exemplified byTikTok’s sister app, Douyin, in China, has already proven that direct shopping through apps can be a significant driver of revenue, with the afore-mentioned platform raking in billions (in USD) worth of revenue. Since TikTok has essentially been ‘cultivating’ its in-stream shopping tools within Douyin for years, it stands a better chance at performing when said tools finally catch on to western markets.
The Wrap
TikTok’s focus on short-form content means that its format makes it very limited in terms of in-stream ads. As such, TikTok has been exploring new avenues in which it could further monetize the efforts of performing creators, especially those who are among its upper echelons. This is why you should expect TikTok to quickly push with its eCommerce initiatives. Either way, right now, it stands to succeed early as compared to other platforms who’d try the same things.
Subscribe to our ‘Bottoms Up!’ Newsletter. Get the latest social media news, strategies, updates and trends to take your business to the highest level.
Sources