Today Shopify powers more than 500,000 online businesses across 175 countries, selling just about any product imaginable. So what’s the best way to make your store stand out from the rest?

In considering this question we might also ask: How do people like to spend their time online? If you’re thinking video content, you’re on the money.

It’s estimated 82% of global internet traffic will come from video in 2022. But what kind of video do customers find most engaging? 

TikTok takes center stage

Let’s go back in time…to 2018.

“Alone it stands, a red gummy bear atop a dimly lit stage, and the unmistakable voice of Adele singing. Then, as the unseen crowd joins in with the next line, the camera pans out to reveal hundreds more gummy bears singing along to Someone Like You.

It's silly and cute and extremely watchable.”

This 15 second video put the then fledgling TikTok app in front of millions of eyes. The viral video was also picked up by thousands and shared on other social networks, propelling TikTok to the mainstream. 

Flash forward five years and TikTok has become the biggest video and social media phenomena on the planet. TikTok has:

• 1.2 billion active users every month.
• Over 200 million downloads in the US.
• Surpassed Instagram for popularity among Gen Z users in the US, with 37.3 million to Instagram’s 33.3 million.

‍

‍

E-commerce marketers should be aware of the fact consumer spending on TikTok increased by 77% in 2021. Overall, users spent $2.3 billion dollars in the app, compared to $1.3 billion the year before.

YouTube Shorts is on the come up 

YouTube Shorts is Google’s response to short-form content, letting users shoot, edit, and share short video content (less than 60 seconds) through the familiar YouTube platform. 

After viewership exploded in India, a beta launch for the US in 2021 showed promising results that TikTok could be in for some competition. 

Here are some advantages of YouTube Shorts for e-commerce brands:

• All you need is a smartphone (no need for laptop or desktop computer)
• Create digestible content customers can consume on the go. 
• Multiple creative features like the ability to add multiple videos all at once, add captions, pick music from YouTube’s catalog, and more. 
• Huge potential audience: YouTube has 774.6 million active users just on iPhone and iPad.

‍
Just like TikTok, YouTube Shorts has massive marketing potential, especially for on-the-go brands who need to be able to create high-quality content quickly, and integrate it into their e-commerce strategy.

In video we trust

But the short video content phenomenon didn’t come out of thin air. Video marketing has long been on the rise and today is a primary promotional channel for e-commerce. 

In a recent survey 88% of video marketers said they were satisfied with the ROI on their video spend on social media, and 78% of marketing professionals said videos directly led to improved sales in campaigns.

If video isn’t a part of your e-commerce strategy, here are some additional reasons to consider it: 

• Show customers how to use your products with helpful tutorial and instructional videos.
• Use video to offer close up and panoramic views of products, similar to what a customer would experience in a brick-and-mortar store. 
• Engage customers and improve your conversion rate. 
• Considering including shoppable video to drive sales where customers are most engaged. 

Shop Circle has responded to this demand for video by creating a solution that lets you replace any section of your store with YouTube, Vimeo, and now, TikTok and YouTube Shorts videos. 

Upload impressive, high-quality and responsive videos so your customers can enjoy shopping at your store on any device of their choice. 

TikTok & YouTube Shorts integration

For merchants who are also TikTok or YouTube Shorts creators, SC Video Background enables them to tie their passions for e-commerce and social media into a unified and cohesive strategy. Here’s how it works:

If you’ve already used SC Video Background,  then you have already experienced the positive results of using high-quality YouTube and Vimeo videos as page backgrounds. Now, with this integration, functionality has been added in the app that lets you embed TIkTok and YouTube Shorts videos as well. It’s that simple. 

‍

‍

Imagine the excitement and engagement from TikTok and YouTube Shorts users as they browse your store and find a familiar video format they love. 

Not only will consumers feel a sense of kinship with your store and brand, but you can grow your brand’s TIkTok and YouTube Shorts following through your store as well, or popularize your store through your social media audiences. It’s a match made in heaven for content creators and e-commerce sellers. 

Get Started 

SC Video Background lets you choose unique configuration options, like custom icons and padding for each embedded video, and upload it in minutes—no coding required!

Enjoy industry leading customer support and get your questions answered, customize the app to fit your needs, get help to embed a video, and request design ideas from our team.

Start adding TikTok and YouTube Shorts videos to your store now with a 14-day free trial. 

‍