TikTok Storefront Discontinued – What Does This Mean for You?
As of September 12, 2023, the TikTok Storefront will be discontinued globally. This will mean the service is no longer available for use and influencers, celebrities, marketplaces, and brands that are currently utilising it to integrate their stores with the TikTok app will need another solution.
Don’t panic – we can help with that. At Allegro Logistics we’re committed to providing top tier e-commerce fulfilment and logistics support, ensuring your storefront operates smoothly. In this article we will talk about what will be replacing TikTok Storefront, and what this means for Shopify merchants in the UK and the US.
If you’re in need of support for your e-commerce platform, get in touch with our team at info@allegrologistics.co.uk.
Why is TikTok Storefront Shutting Down?
The main reason that TikTok Storefront is being discontinued is to encourage current merchants to move towards using TikTok’s new e-commerce service: TikTok Shop. This would replace the old storefront, carrying its functionality into the app. But what does this mean for third party marketplaces?
“As the retail industry changes rapidly, we are committed to enhancing and expanding our product offering to meet your evolving needs. That’s why we built TikTok Shop.” – TikTok.
As TikTok Shop will be integrated into the app, vendors utilising TikTok’s sales services will no longer be able to use external marketplaces to sell their goods. Instead, TikTok’s own marketplace will be the only place to sell products via their services.
The move to TikTok Shop enables brands, influencers, celebrities, and more to showcase their products and sell them directly through TikTok. It also offers several new incentives to make the switch, such as shoppable in-feed videos, LIVE shopping sessions, and a dedicated store page.
If you’re currently using Shopify or other digital e-commerce platforms to link your store with TikTok, you might be concerned about what this change means for you. Get in touch with our team to find out more about the options available to you.
What is TikTok Shop?
And what does it mean for you? TikTok Shop is a new solution for e-commerce, fully integrated within the TikTok app. This allows vendors to sell their products within a single marketplace and stops buyers on TikTok from having to go to third party marketplaces to complete their purchases.
There are three main ways that TikTok Shop provides ways to purchase goods:
- Live Shopping. This allows users to shop directly from a LIVE video.
- Shoppable Videos. This allows users to shop directly from an in-feed video.
- Product Showcase. This allows users to shop directly from a brand or creator.
These three different ways of shopping provide great incentives for sellers to use the TikTok app, integrating their online storefronts with videos that buyers can purchase from directly.
Want to know more about TikTok Shop? Check out our beginners’ guide >
What Will Happen to Existing Storefronts Using TikTok?
As TikTok Storefront is being discontinued on 12 September 2023, products that are listed on it will no longer be visible on your TikTok profile. This also means they won’t be eligible for inclusion in short videos, LIVE videos, and ads. Access to Storefront on the Store Manager will also be lost. This means that transitioning to TikTok Shop as quickly as possible is important to ensure your online storefront makes the change smoothly.
Worried about the transition? We’re here to help – leave a message or email us at info@allegrologistics.co.uk.
What Will Happen to Active Storefront Ads When It Shuts Down?
Once TikTok Storefront shuts down, all active Video Shopping Ads and LIVE Shopping Ads that use it will no longer be available for use. However, these advertising methods are still available on TikTok Shop.
Upgrading to the Shop as soon as possible will enable you to get your ads up and running swiftly, minimising any downtime. The ads on TikTok Shop are intended to take the best features of the previous experiences from storefront and combining them into a seamless shopping experience.
Working alongside e-commerce partners such as Shopify can also help to ensure the smoothest experience for sellers including influencers, celebrities, and brands, while making sure that the user experience is the best it can be.
How to Migrate from Storefront to TikTok Shop
There is a simple three step process to migrating your account from TikTok Storefront to TikTok Shop.
- Register for TikTok Shop
- Your TikTok Storefront account will be automatically disconnected once you’ve finished onboarding with TikTok Shop.
- Manually re-upload your products to TikTok Shop to create your new product list.
When factoring in e-commerce integration from providers such as Shopify, it might seem like there’s a step missing. Talk through any questions and concerns you might have with a member of the team by contacting us at info@allegrologistics.co.uk.
What Features Does TikTok Shop Have?
TikTok Shop offers a number of benefits to influencers, celebrities, brands, and online storefronts to encourage them to make the switch to using the app as their primary marketplace. These include:
- Direct purchases on the TikTok app
- Conversion data visibility
- Audience expansion through lookalike audiences and video shopping ads
- Insights into buyer demographics, behaviour, and preferences
- Collaboration for influencers and creators through an affiliate programme
- Assistance through the TikTok Shop Academy
TikTok Shop works alongside a number of existing platforms, offering native integration for e-commerce platforms including Shopify, Square, BigCommerce, and Ecwid. If you’re currently using any of these e-commerce platforms to integrate with TikTok Storefront, it is important to make the move to TikTok Shop as quickly as possible.
Is TikTok Shop Fully Contained or Does It Use Third Party Marketplaces?
All elements of the TikTok Shop are fully contained within the app. This includes everything from product discovery and information all the way through to checkout and post-payment activity. Users are not redirected to third party marketplaces at any point during the transaction process.
For third party marketplaces using Shopify, WooCommerce, eBay, Amazon, and more, your e-commerce storefront is a vital part of your business. Get in touch to find out how Allegro can help you stay running smoothly using our centralised software integrations.
E-Commerce and Logistics for Shopify & Online Storefronts from Allegro
While the discontinuation of TikTok Storefront might by an annoyance, it isn’t the end of the world. TikTok Shop offers a great alternative to storefronts run by influencers, celebrities, brands, and more to continue their business online. With Shopify integration, Shop also continues e-commerce support that was available on Storefront.
For seamless integration of e-commerce fulfilment and logistics for your online marketplace, get in touch by leaving us a message, emailing us at info@allegrologistics.co.uk, or call us on 01275405090 – a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Find out how to use e-commerce platforms like Shopify to sell in the fashion industry >
