Welcome to our DTC Next Ecommerce Growth Virtual Summit Series where we are recapping all of the goodness from our big-time event. Miss the show? Catch the replay here and get the hottest tips from the top ecommerce pros in the industry along with an exclusive gift!
Don’t have time to watch? Get the full recap below:
Welcome to the future of ecommerce!
If you’ve been ignoring TikTok Shop or brushing off short-form video, it’s time for a serious wake-up call.
As Derric Haynie, ecommerce extraordinaire and Head of Demand Generation at Pipe17 put it, TikTok Shop is the blue ocean opportunity for brands. And…it’s officially replaced your old SEO strategy!
Let’s break down what Derric had to say at the DTC Next Ecommerce Growth Virtual Summit.
TikTok Shop Deserves a Spot on Your 2025 Game Plan
TikTok Shop is the Beyoncé of ecommerce right now – it’s show-stopping and impossible to ignore (plus we all love Beyonce right?).
Launched in September 2023, TikTok Shop has already snagged 2% of US ecommerce sales. That’s no small feat for a platform that’s just getting started.
Fast forward to 2025 and it’s projected to hit a jaw-dropping $17 billion in U.S. sales.
So, what’s the deal? Why should your brand be on TikTok Shop yesterday?
1. Impulse Buys Galore
As Derric Haynie noted, TikTok Shop is built for the dopamine hit.
You’re scrolling, laughing at memes, then BOOM – you’ve bought a skincare brush in 30 seconds flat. And with more than half of TikTok users engaging with TikTok Shop and a quarter making purchases, it’s clear this platform is where impulse shopping thrives.
The best part?
TikTok stores user credit card and shipping info, making checkout faster than your morning coffee run.
2. Perfect for Specific Product Types
Haynie advises putting your impulse-friendly products on TikTok Shop – think beauty, electronics, and health products.
If it’s simple, low-cost, and doesn’t need a lot of mental gymnastics to buy, it’ll crush it here.
Alternatively, avoid complex or high-ticket items as they are less likely to sell (though a $300 product has succeeded in live video sales).
3. Outshining Shopify in Conversion Rates
Here’s where it gets wild – TikTok Shop sales grew by 318% in 2023 compared to Shopify’s 222%.
TikTok’s seamless purchase process beats redirecting users to a Shopify store, where you’re losing about 33% in revenue.
If you’re running TikTok ads and sending users to Shopify, Derric Haynie says, “Switch to TikTok Shop ASAP. You’ll make a boatload more money.”
Short-Form Video: The SEO Replacement You Can’t Ignore
If you’re still writing 3,000-word blog posts hoping for SEO magic, here’s the harsh truth: Written SEO is d-e-a-dead.
Short-form video has taken its place – and for good reason.
Why Video Wins:
- People want quick, engaging content, not walls of text.
- Video drives purchases, with platforms like TikTok making it ridiculously easy to convert viewers into buyers.
- Tools like Opus Clip (perfect for talking-head videos) and CapCut (an editor’s dream) make video creation simple. No excuses!
Derric Haynie’s advice?
Repurpose written content into multimedia formats.
Got a blog? Turn it into a video script.
Record a video? Use tools like Descript to auto-generate transcripts for SEO.
The more formats you can churn out, the better.
More Advanced Tactics to Boost Ecommerce Sales
1. AI-Powered Phone Calls
AI is coming for cart abandonment in the best way possible. Imagine a shopper leaving your site and 30 minutes later, they get a friendly call: “Hey, noticed you didn’t finish checking out. Need help?”
Thanks to generative AI, this is now doable, and no expensive call centers are required.
It’s especially great for high-ticket items where a little nudge can lead to big bucks.
Bonus? It feels personalized, which builds trust.
2. Split Testing Everything
If you’re only split-testing ad creatives you’re leaving money on the table.
Haynie recommends testing homepages, product pages, cart setups, and even the products you feature at checkout.
The customer will tell you what works – it’s your job to listen. Think beyond the obvious and let the data guide your choices.
Trends to Kill in 2025 (According to Derric Haynie)
1. Written SEO
Yep, we’re saying it again because it’s that important.
The days of cranking out keyword-stuffed blogs are over. Focus on short-form video, multimedia content, and social proof instead.
2. Shipping Insurance
Derric’s take: Shipping insurance is a grift.
It doesn’t add value to the customer and creates friction at checkout. Instead of nickel-and-diming your customers, invest in experiences that foster loyalty.
Closing Thoughts: 2025 Is the Year of Action
Derric Haynie’s advice is clear – If you want to dominate ecommerce in 2025, you’ve got to embrace TikTok Shop, double down on short-form video, and get serious about data-driven decisions.
The tools are there, the audience is waiting, and the only question left is, are you ready to stop guessing and start selling?
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