How to Connect Your Site to a Live Shopping Platform and Start Live Selling
Live shopping is the future of eCommerce, transforming static online stores into interactive, high-conversion sales channels. If you’re wondering how to increase online sales, how to improve eCommerce sales, or how to boost website sales, live selling is the answer.
This guide will walk you through the steps to connect your website to a live shopping platform so you can start engaging your audience in real time, reduce cart abandonment, and convert viewers into buyers.
Step 1: Choose the Best Live Shopping Platform
There are several best live selling platforms that integrate seamlessly with Shopify, WooCommerce, and other eCommerce platforms. Here are the top choices:
Ideal for engaging Millennials and Gen Z.
Integrates directly with Shopify via TikTok Shop.
High live shopping engagement rates with viral potential.
Works well for businesses with an existing Facebook following.
Live selling on Facebook allows direct checkout in-stream.
Reduces basket abandonment by answering questions in real time.
3. Instagram Live Shopping (post March 16th, 2023)
Go Live on Instagram as usual and show your products in real-time. Highlight key features, benefits, and use cases. Engage viewers with Q&A, demos, and real-time requests.
Use the Pin Feature for Call-to-Actions (CTA) Pin a comment with purchase details: Example: “To order, DM us ‘LIVE SALE’ or visit [your website link].” Example: “Shop now: [your website or product link].” Update your bio link before going live to direct users to your shop.
Drive Sales Through DMs & Comments. Ask viewers to comment “SOLD” or send a DM to purchase.
Use Instagram’s automation tools (e.g., ManyChat) to auto-reply to customers with a purchase link.
Ideal for long-form content and product demonstrations.
Works best for businesses selling high-ticket items.
5. Amazon Live
Best for established brands looking for live video commerce opportunities.
Provides a built-in audience actively shopping for products.
Pro Tip: Compare platforms based on where your audience engages most. If your audience is active on TikTok Live Selling, start there!
Step 2: Connect Your Site to a Live Shopping Platform
Once you've chosen a platform, the next step is integration. Here's how:
For Shopify Users:
Go to the Shopify App Store and install the relevant app (e.g., TikTok Shop, Facebook Live Shopping, etc.).
Connect your store by linking your Shopify catalog to the live shopping platform.
Sync inventory, pricing, and product descriptions to appear in your live streams.
For WooCommerce Users:
Use plugins like Shopify vs WooCommerce Live Stream Plugins to connect to TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.
Set up product tagging so viewers can click and buy in real time.
For Other eCommerce Platforms:
Many platforms, like BigCommerce and Magento, support third-party integrations for live shopper engagement.
Explore API connections if your platform doesn’t have a direct integration.
Step 3: Set Up Your Live Selling Experience
Now that your website is connected, it's time to optimize your live video commerce experience:
1. Optimize Your Live Setup
Use professional lighting and clear audio to improve engagement.
Choose a clean, branded background that complements your products.
Have your products easily accessible for smooth demonstrations.
2. Plan Your Live Selling Strategy
Create a structured script with key talking points.
Engage viewers by encouraging Q&A and interactive elements.
Offer exclusive live-only discounts to drive urgency and sales.
3. Use Effective Engagement Techniques
Shout out viewer names to make the experience personal.
Pin featured products so buyers can click and purchase instantly.
Implement a cart abandonment recovery strategy by following up with interested viewers.
Step 4: Promote Your Live Shopping Event
A successful live shopping campaign starts before you even go live! Here’s how to boost online sales with promotion:
Use email marketing to alert subscribers about upcoming live events.
Post countdowns and teasers on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Collaborate with influencers to extend your reach and increase viewership.
Create urgency by highlighting limited-time offers.
Step 5: Analyze and Improve Your Live Shopping Performance
After your first live session, analyze key metrics to optimize future broadcasts:
Track conversion rates: How many viewers actually made a purchase?
Monitor engagement levels: Are people asking questions and interacting?
Identify drop-off points: When do people leave the stream?
A/B test different formats: Try different times, product lineups, and engagement tactics.
Why Live Shopping is the Future of eCommerce
If you want to increase website sales, boost eCommerce sales, or generate sales online, live shopping is your secret weapon. Here’s why:
Higher Conversion Rates – Live selling converts 9-30% of viewers into buyers, compared to the 2-3% standard eCommerce conversion rate. Reduced Cart Abandonment – Answer customer questions instantly, reducing cart abandonment from 70% down to 30%. Stronger Engagement – Live shopping engagement averages 15-30 minutes, far longer than the 54-second average for passive eCommerce browsing. FOMO & Urgency – Limited-time offers and flash sales drive immediate purchases.
Ready to Start Live Selling?
Connecting your site to a live shopping platform isn’t just about selling products—it’s about creating a real-time shopping experience that builds trust, engagement, and brand loyalty. And this is where we come in. With over 30 years experience in live shopping, we can help you to master the art of live selling.
Subscribe to our Newsletter, the Live Sell Edit for regular updates in live selling for small businesses, and consider investing in live selling coaching to optimize your engagement, reduce cart abandonment and scale your business for growth. Click the link if you would like to check out our coaching packages.