Live streams succeed at marrying video, interactivity, exclusive content as well as the thrill of real-time, social shopping.
In the past year we have seen many brands jump onto new video E-commerce strategies. Just look at Jacquemus' shoppable run-way show, Walmart's exclusive 'shop-a-long' live streams or Nordstrom's house video shopping channel where shoppers can watch tutorials and buy exact products in seconds. And of course, E-retailer giant, Amazon has joined the trend by hosting more than 1,200 live streams during their annual Prime Day sale in October proving to brands that this new technology needs to be pursued.
Live stream shopping events are becoming more and more popular with merchants, selling on streams linked through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Email newsletters and increasingly on E-commerce landing pages. Reflective of the classic 'telly shopping' shows on channels such as QVC, brands are using live stream to give home shopping a much needed facelift.
Social media has meant that these real-time broadcasts are easily accessible and more attractive to a younger, Gen-Z audience. Plus, with bricks and mortar stores closed for the majority of 2020/2021, everyone (whether they like it or not) was pushed to make purchases online. With this, the industry is booming, set to be worth around $25 billion by 2023.
So, it is no surprise that interactive video platforms are racing to provide the best option for brands to take part in such a modern, engaging and highly anticipated streaming commerce format.
Services such as Smartzer help brands to host exclusive shopping events via social media or straight from their E-commerce landing pages. Viewers can shop in real-time and even chat to their favourite brands using a nickname and the chat bar. Apps like NTWRK direct streetwear fans to the hottest clothing drops from iconic brands like Off-White, Supreme and Palace. These live stream shopping events produce a thrilling, time sensitive buying experience that drives impulse purchases causing items to sell out in minutes. Sellers on NTWRK have seen their sales surge by 400%.
Telly-shopping is no longer the endless stream of mind-numbing marketing content that it used to be. Dynamic hosts from top brands demonstrate their products, interacting with the audience to provide a bespoke, personable experience. The industry has seen a technological injection which has modernised and energised a previously out-dated and boring sales channel.
We can't wait to see what the future holds for video E-commerce technology.
Black Friday is THE shopping event in the run up to Christmas.
With many people knee deep in their Christmas shopping, the event provides a crucial opportunity to grab some insane bargains from top high-street brands.
This year the highly anticipated date falls on Friday the 26th November. However, with COVID-19 still impacting many countries, brands could be doubting whether shoppers will want to make the effort to come into a potentially packed store in person.
As a result, businesses may be looking towards new digital methods to sell in anticipation of bricks and motor store shopping being the less popular option.
Live stream shopping and streaming commerce opportunities have proven a life saver for E-commerce during the global pandemic. There is no reason why brands shouldn't harness the revolutionary technology to broadcast deals to the masses this Black Friday and beyond.
The US live stream shopping market is expected to reach $25 billion by 2023. Up $14 billion in 3 years.
This proves that the future of E-commerce lies within real-time shopping experiences that take advantage of the social elements of conversational commerce to push impulse purchases.
After all, impulse purchases are the driving force behind Black Friday. Combine this with real-time live stream shopping experiences and shoppable video content and you could see conversion rates sky rocket.
Interactive video platforms can help you boost your engagement rates by 3-4X this Black Friday with streaming commerce and shoppable video.
Shoppable videos can help your brand clearly advertise the hottest deals on E-commerce landing pages and direct customers straight to their perfect purchase.
Interactive video platforms like Smartzer allow businesses to add a clickable overlay to pre-existing video content. Brands can tag direct links to products pages alongside pricing info, sizing drop downs and even an 'add to cart' button. Dynamic video content grips the viewer while the clickable hotspots engage and provide customers with an instant way to buy. This massively reduces the path to purchase and drives revenue through the roof.
Save your customers the panic of searching for products this Christmas and Black Friday with shoppable video.
By the end of 2021, live streaming is expected to account for 82% of all internet traffic
Streaming commerce can connect brands and customers live from their homes. Demonstrate how products work in exclusive, one-off sale events that engage customers. You can add product popups as your stream plays to give viewers a direct link to buy. Live stream shopping events provide a personalised experience via a chat bar that allows hosts and viewers to communicate.
You can incorporate countdowns, use live streams to boost your flash sales, and announce a referral program or coupon code. You could do these things with other forms of content, too, but there are very few forms of content that offer the interactivity and engagement of live streaming.
Check out Samsung's exclusive event that allowed viewers to shop one-off coupon deals via the magic of streaming commerce:
Streaming commerce can help your brand reach thousands of customers online and overcome barriers put in place by the global pandemic.
This Black Friday, use an interactive video platform to create a personalised, sociable shopping experience for customers at home to drive rapid, impulsive purchases.
Updated: Aug 25, 2021
Check out these game changing apps on Shopify that can help you harness the top 5 CRO boosting techniques.
There are many ways you can improve your Shopify store's conversion rate. Whether it is including a video player on Shopify sites, improving your email marketing or managing SEO, we have put together a list of the top 5 apps and top 5 methods to help you to maximise profit and boost your brand to new heights 👇
1. CM Commerce - Email Marketing
The app on Shopify helps brands to send smarter emails with personalisation and refined targeting.
Send emails featuring segments specific to your audience as well as conversion driven campaigns
Recover revenue with abandoned cart emails
Include reviews
Send valuable feedback surveys
Check out CM Commerce here!
2. Smartzer - Video on Shopify and Shopify Livestream
The Smartzer app helps brands to create shoppable video on Shopify as well as Shopify Livestream. Boost conversion with an engaging, interactive and memorable video player on Shopify.
Easy to distribute, on-demand and shoppable videos that can be used across social media, on ecommerce and in email newsletters
Tag video on Shopify with interactive, clickable product tags with information and an 'add to cart' functionality
Import product information direct from product feeds to show customers correct stock information
Broadcast Shopify livestreams to sell products in real time.
Find out more about using a video player on Shopify with Smartzer.
3. Privy - Popups
Create exit popups and emails to show your customer the best deals and push conversions.
Create site popups with special offers, promotions and the option to grow your mailing list
Create loyalty schemes tailored to your Shopify brand
Save abandoned cart revenue with reminder popups
Check out Privy here!
4. Easy Video - Product videos for your store
Add excitement to your store with this app for product video on Shopify.
Easy Video supports YouTube and Vimeo to allow users to add product videos to galleries
Customise your video layout with flexible settings (autoplay, thumbnail icon, video aspect ratio)
No coding required
Bring your products to live with Easy Video
Find out more here!
5. Sitemapper - SEO Manager
Boost your sites visibility on Search Engines with Sitemapper SEO Manager.
Generate a site map for your Shopify store
Improve traffic to your store to boost conversion rates
Link products to blog posts
Create site maps that include all the products you are selling
Check out Sitemapper here!