Oct 23, 2024

How Brands Can Use TikTok Shop and UGC to Drive Sales

TikTok Shop is changing social e-commerce! Discover how to use UGC to drive sales on TikTok Shop and find out why this platform is essential for brands today!

TikTok Shop is changing social e-commerce! Discover how to use UGC to drive sales on TikTok Shop and find out why this platform is essential for brands today!

Did you know that 67% of TikTok users say they discover new products on the platform?

Shopping is no longer limited to websites and physical stores - now, it happens directly on social media through authentic content, and TikTok Shop is taking the lead.

For brands, this means new opportunities to reach customers where they already spend time: watching videos, engaging with influencers, and scrolling through their feeds. TikTok Shop takes the typical e-commerce flow and simplifies it, allowing users to discover, browse, and buy products without ever leaving the app. There’s no need to send people to your website, making them hunt for the product, and hoping they make it through a lengthy checkout. With TikTok Shop, it's all streamlined - see a product, click, buy.

Whether you're a startup or a large brand, TikTok Shop makes it easy to turn casual viewers into customers with just a few clicks.

How the Buying Process Works

On TikTok Shop, the path from interest to purchase is straightforward. A potential buyer first comes across a product tagged in a short form video or live stream. They can then click through to a product tagged, which contains the details they need to make a decision. Finally, the purchase is made within the app itself through a quick checkout process. This frictionless approach helps maintain user engagement and supports spontaneous purchases.

SEO & Reviews

Just like with traditional e-commerce platforms, you want to make sure your products are searchable and appealing. To stand out on TikTok Shop, optimising your product listings is essential. The way you present your products (the descriptions, images, and keywords) plays a big role in how easy they are to find.

However, an added feature on TikTok Shop is the influence of reviews on your product’s visibility. The more sales and positive reviews you receive, the more TikTok’s algorithm will push your content in front of new potential buyers. TikTok prioritises listings that have higher engagement, and customer reviews act as both social proof and a trust signal to the platform. This feedback loop can help you gain momentum quickly, with TikTok rewarding popular products with even more exposure.

Working with Content Creators

Working with content creators is a powerful strategy for boosting sales on TikTok Shop, and Twirl can make this process seamless for brands. Twirl connects businesses with a network of content creators who specialise in producing user-generated content (UGC) and know how to film natural, engaging content that feels like it’s coming from a fellow TikTok user, not an ad.

Whitelisted Ads and UGC

Brands can go a step further by using these UGC videos for whitelisted ads. Whitelisting allows brands to promote content through the creator’s TikTok profile, making it feel more genuine while maintaining full control over targeting and distribution. This blend of organic-feeling UGC and paid promotion typically performs better because it looks and feels like a regular TikTok post, rather than a traditional ad.

By tagging products from your TikTok Shop directly in UGC videos, brands can create a seamless shopping experience. Viewers can watch the content, connect with the creator’s authentic take on the product, and then buy it in just a few clicks. This mix of engaging UGC, whitelisted ads, and integrated product tags is a recipe for higher conversions, allowing brands to tap into TikTok’s massive audience while shortening the sales funnel.

TikTok viral beauty brand Made by Mitchell has become the first-ever UK business to hit $1 million in revenue in one day on TikTok Shop.

As many brands search for the secret to going viral on TikTok Shop, Made by Mitchell has not only excelled on the platform but also set impressive records.  

During a 12-hour live event in June, Halliday sold a cosmetic product every second, accumulating $830,000 in that timeframe. The success continued post-event, allowing the brand to reach the $1 million milestone within 24 hours. Halliday expressed pride in demonstrating that smaller brands can effectively compete with larger companies in the social commerce spaces on their innovative marketing strategies.

Tips for Success

Simplify Fulfilment with TikTok's Logistics

We all know that a smooth post-purchase experience can lead to repeat business - and TikTok Shop should be no exception.

TikTok cancels orders that don’t change to “Ready to Ship” within seven business days. To ease the burden, consider Fulfilled by TikTok. This service manages your inventory and shipping, letting you focus on marketing and product quality.

Why choose Fulfilled by TikTok?

  • Quick Shipping: Orders can be fulfilled on the same day if placed before 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
  • Next-Day Delivery: Offer your customers faster options.
  • Streamlined Process: Let TikTok handle logistics while you concentrate on growing your brand.
  • Support: Get help with customer inquiries to resolve issues promptly.

Understand TikTok Shop’s Commission Fees

When selling on TikTok Shop, keep the commission structure in mind. The platform charges 1.8% on each sale for the first 90 days, after which the fee rises to 5%.

🔗 Twirl Creator POV: UGC Diaries

Ready to crack the TikTok Shop code as a UGC creator? 🌟 Tix shares her journey from overwhelmed to overachiever, with practical tips on personalising content, experimenting with formats, and nailing that all-important stuff!

The better way to get great UGC done

Twirl is your go-to partner for UGC. Whether you're a brand, agency or a UGC creator, we bring together 1800+ talented creators to produce authentic, scroll-stopping content for ads, websites, emails, and social channels.