Key takeaways
- Connect your store catalog to each platform so products are tagged and synced.
- Pick one or two platforms where your customers already spend time.
- Content that teaches, entertains or shows the product in use outsells ads that look like ads.
- Capture emails so you are not dependent on any one algorithm.
Choose the right platforms
| Platform | Best for | Shoppable features |
|---|---|---|
| Visual brands, fashion, beauty, home | Product tags, shop tab | |
| TikTok | Discovery, trends, younger buyers | TikTok Shop, product links |
| Communities, older demographics | Shops, groups | |
| Planning purchases (home, weddings, gifts) | Product pins | |
| YouTube | Reviews, tutorials, high-consideration items | Product shelf |
Set up social selling with Shopify
Create your store
A full store with Shopify (opens in a new tab), or Shopify Starter if you only sell through social.
Install the sales channel apps
Add the Facebook & Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Google & YouTube channels from the Shopify App Store.
Sync your catalog
Products, prices and stock sync automatically, so there's no double entry.
Tag products in posts and videos
Make every piece of content shoppable.
Track results
See sales by channel in Shopify Analytics.
Content that sells
- Show it in use: demos, before/after, unboxings.
- Behind the scenes: how it's made and who makes it.
- Customer content: reshare reviews and photos (with permission).
- Creators: send products to micro-creators in your niche.
Turn followers into email subscribers with a first-order discount. Email is the channel you own. More tactics in how to get your first sale.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a website to sell on social media?
Not strictly. Shopify Starter lets you sell via links and social for $5/month. A full store helps with SEO, email and brand building. See Shopify Starter.
Which social platform is best for selling?
It depends on your audience. Instagram suits visual brands, TikTok excels at discovery for younger audiences, Pinterest drives planning-stage traffic, and Facebook works well for community and older demographics.