Your Complete Guide for Livestream Shopping

Welcome to your ultimate guide for successful and thriving livestream shopping. This innovative retail trend transforms how people shop online. It innovatively combines the thrill of live video with the convenience of instant direct purchases.

We made this guide to make livestream shopping easy to understand so that you can boost sales for your amazing product lineup. So let’s get started.

What is Livestream Shopping?

Livestream shopping is a retail trend wherein you blend live video streaming with online shopping. It typically involves live video sessions where a host showcases products, provides demonstrations, and interacts with viewers in real time.

In the livestream shopping format, viewers get the following benefits:

• Ask questions in real time
• Get more detailed information
• Make direct purchases during the livestream

Undoubtedly, livestream shopping effectively fuses entertainment and commerce. It also leverages the immediacy and engagement of live video.

The growing popularity of social media and video platforms contributes to the rise of livestream shopping. These platforms provide a familiar and interactive environment where users are already accustomed to spending time. Thus, livestream shopping has become a compelling way for brands to connect with their audience, drive sales, and create a unique sense of community around their products.

How Does Livestream Shopping Work?

Livestream shopping works by combining live video broadcasting with interactive features that could facilitate direct purchasing.

Here’s a step-by-step look at how it typically functions:

1. Setup and planning: Before going live, brands or influencers plan the livestream session. This includes selecting the products to be featured and setting up the streaming environment. Preparing any promotional materials or offers is also part of this step.
2. Broadcasting: During the livestream, hosts present and explain their products. They simultaneously answer questions from viewers. This live format leads to spontaneous interactions and real-time feedback.
3. Interactive Features: Most livestream shopping platforms come with interactive elements. These may be clickable product links, live chat, and real-time polls. These are beneficial to viewers as they can engage directly with the content. Making purchases via the mentioned features without leaving the livestream is another advantage.
4. Purchasing: Viewers become instant customers because they can make direct purchases through the livestream shopping apps. Product information, prices, and purchase links are usually displayed in real time. By doing so, viewers become more interested in the livestream.
5. Follow-up: Once the livestream ends, hosts may record their livestream which their viewers can easily access. Brands and online sellers can use this opportunity to engage with viewers who missed the live event and continue driving sales.

10 Best Live Shopping Apps

Thanks to the technological advancements we have today, one can access several live shopping applications. Here are 10 of the best livestream shopping apps.

Instagram Live

Instagram Live is a popular feature of Instagram. It allows users to broadcast live videos to their followers. Instagram Live is an excellent platform for brands to explain their products, engage with their audience, and produce sales.

Pros:

• Wide audience reach
• Integration with Instagram features
• Interactive tools
• Ease of use

Cons:

• Limited E-commerce features
• No direct sales integration
• Time limit

YouTube Live

YouTube Live provides a robust platform for livestreaming with a wide reach. Brands utilize YouTube Live for live product demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and more. This platform supports high-quality video and integrates with YouTube’s extensive ecosystem.

Pros:

• High-quality streaming
• Wide reach and searchability
• Monetization options
• Integration with YouTube’s ecosystem

Cons:

• Complex setup
• Limited interactive features
• High competition

TikTok

TikTok has rapidly become a major player in the livestream shopping space. It is known for its engaging short-form video format. TikTok is also equipped with interactive features, making it an ideal platform for reaching younger audiences.

Pros:

• Engagement and virality
• Creative tools
• High-viewer engagement

Cons:

• Short content format
• Less mature e-commerce features

Restream

Restream is a versatile platform that allows users to stream live video to multiple channels simultaneously. This app is a great choice for brands looking to expand their reach by broadcasting to different platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn all at once.