Live selling platforms are widely considered as the future of commerce. As more live selling platforms emerge, it can be confusing to figure out which one is best for your needs. You will likely want to work with a live stream shopping platform that allows you to create an interactive and engaging shopping experience for your viewers. Such a platform will allow your viewers to watch live product demonstrations, ask questions, and make purchases directly. In this article, we review our top 8 handpicked livestream shopping platforms and recommend a tool to help in making the right choice for your brand.
In this article
Part 1: Choosing from 8 Major Live Selling Platforms
When choosing the best live shopping platforms, you will want to consider the ability to host real-time video streams where you showcase and sell your products. A good live commerce platform will combine the immediacy of live video with online shopping convenience that allows viewers to make purchases on the spot. The following is an overview of our handpicked best live shopping platforms:
1. Smartzer
Being one of the leading live shopping and interactive video platforms, Smartzer works well with international brands. It helps customers discover products more easily and instantly add them to their cart for a seamless shopping experience. Brands such as Adidas, Mini, and Jo Malone have used Smartzer to boost their view engagement rate to an average of 55% and a click-through rate of 25%.
Integrations: Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Salesforce
Pricing: Pricing upon request. Subscription is based on product features, usage levels, and integration.
Standout Features:
- Real-time comments and likes
- Catalog integration
- Detailed video performance data
Limitations:
- Higher pricing compares to other service providers
- Limited platform integrations
- Some advanced features have a steeper learning curve
2. NTWRK
NTWK blends entertainment, pop culture, and commerce. The live stream selling platform is designed to create a unique experience for viewers by combining live-streamed content with limited-time product drops. It also often features hard-to-find and exclusive items from various artists and brands.
Integrations: Connect to most social media platforms
Pricing: Pricing upon request
Standout Features:
- Virtual festival feature where users can participate in immersive online events with experiential content, exclusive drops, and interactive experiences
- Display of exclusive and highly-coveted product releases from brands and artists
- Users can purchase limited-editing items available only during the festival
Limitations:
- Does not embed on other platforms
- Does not provide customer activity data
3. Amazon Live
The live shopping platform is found within Amazon, allowing US Amazon vendors, US Professional Sellers, and Amazon influencers with storefronts to promote and sell their products during livestream shopping events. Store owners can create shoppable live streams where they educate and interact with shoppers in real-time. They can also partner with influencers to promote their products.
Integrations: Integrates with other Amazon systems quickly
Pricing: Free to Use
Standout Features:
- Product highlighting feature that allows store owners and users to showcase their products during live streams
- A metrics feature where users can measure their performance and improve their next live stream
- Channel Analytics dashboard within the Amazon Live Creator app provides a snapshot of total views, product clicks, and unmuted views
Limitations:
- Can only promote Amazon products
- Users cannot redirect traffic to their own websites
4. Facebook Live Shopping
This live shopping feature within Facebook combines live video streaming with ecommerce. Businesses can sell their products using live video broadcasts on Facebook. With Facebook having a huge user base, the live shopping platform is ideal for businesses of all shapes and sizes. Local businesses and craftsmen can use the platform to reach a broader audience while fashion and beauty industry businesses can leverage the platform to demonstrate makeup techniques or provide styling tips.
Integrations: Integrates with other META platforms
Pricing: Free to Use
Standout Features:
- Live stream notifications reminding users when the event is about to begin
- Brands and creators can collaborate on shows seamlessly
- Live streaming directly from a Facebook page
Limitations:
- Limited features
- Not scalable
5. TikTok Live Shop
The live shopping feature of TikTok offers a great opportunity for sellers to reach a large audience. With over 1 billion users and about 50 million daily active users in the United States, TikTok is one of the most popular social media channels. Users can increase their brand exposure, especially among millennials and Gen-Z.
Integrations: Prestashop, Square, Base, BigCommerce, Ecwid, OpenCart, and Shopline
Pricing: Free to start using, but charges from 2% for a commission fee
Standout Features:
- Effects and filters that improve the quality of live-stream videos
- Users can co-host, which allows collaboration with influencers
- In-app checkout
Limitations:
- Analytics data is only available for 28 days
- Limited functionalities
6. YouTube Live Shopping
The live shopping feature by YouTube allows creators with more than 1,000 subscribers to conduct live stream events. You can showcase your products on live streams and take advantage of live redirects. This means redirecting viewers from the premier or live stream to another one on a different channel. With the YouTube-Shopify partnership, you have the option for onsite checkout and syncing of inventory.
Integrations: Although not listed on the Website, YouTube has partnered with Shopify to enhance live shopping experience
Pricing: Free to use
Standout Features:
- Live chat moderation tools that enhance audience engagement while preventing online harassment
- Shopify integration that enables on-site checkout
Limitations:
- Users require at least 1,000 subscribers
- Available in limited countries
7. Channelize.io
Channelize.io is an end-to-end solution that enables ecommerce brands to add live shopping experiences to their apps and websites. It offers a wide range of features that allow sellers to interact live with customers. These include product demonstrations and live chat for enhanced live shopping experience.
Integrations: Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, Wix, PrestaShop, and Shoplazza
Pricing: Free plan + demo available, with pricing starting from $49/month
Standout Features:
- Live chat and a floating video player for buyers to check the product page without leaving the live shopping experience
- In-show product promotion, spotlight, show analytics, and custom RTMP support
- Audience analytics that include unique insights about user behaviors and preferences
Limitations:
- Multi-streaming is only available in top plans
- Additional add-ons can be expensive
8. ShopShops
ShopShops was founded in 2016 as an international shopping app to replicate the fun of in-person shopping through a livestream video. The app allows sellers to grow their followers and shoppers to browse through products they are interested in.
Integrations: PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, Instagram, Meta for Business, Square for Retail, TikTok, Shippo, Intercom, and Avalara
Pricing: 30-day free trial, with pricing starting from $134/month plus 5% of sales
Standout Features:
- Real-time inventory and a waitlist where e-commerce businesses can manage inventory across channels from a single dashboard
- Updates inventory in real-time, allowing users to keep track of stock levels and avoid overselling
Limitations:
- Limited customizations
- Limited customer support
Part 2: Future Trends of AI-Powered Live Selling
Live selling is redefining e-commerce and how people buy products online. However, setting up an account and live streaming your products can be time-consuming and a costly affair. That’s why Virbo Live aims to automate the process and give you more time to focus on your products while still making sales.
01 Leveraging Virbo Live for effective live selling
Virbo Live allows users to create AI streamers that keep live shoppers engaged. The realistic AI-powered avatars will provide your viewers will all the information they need to make a purchase decision. With multi-lingual capabilities and the ability to interact with the audience in real-time, you can boost your sales even without being directly involved.
02 Simplified live selling experience with Virbo
Starting with Virbo Live is quite easy and straightforward. You only need to choose an avatar and provide information about your product, and AI will handle the rest. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1 Create a Live Shopping Rooms
Log in to your account on the official Virbo Live website, and click “Create a Black Livestream Room” to get started. You may also select a template of choice to start your livestream room.
Step 2 Choose AI Streamers and Background
Choose an AI avatar from the virtual host library to become your virtual streamer. Add the avatar to your livestream room and make appropriate customizations.
Step 3 Enter Text or Voice
Upload your audio or enter a script for the AI avatar. You may choose to effortlessly generate a script using the AI smart scriptwriter or AI translator by Virbo Love.
Step 4 Start Live Streaming
Click Start Live Streaming in the top right corner and choose the OBS software. This will allow you to integrate the Avatar to your live shopping platform that you are using.
Step 5 Interact With the Audience
Turn on Interact with the Audience feature once your avatar has gone live. This will allow the AI streamer to freely interact with your audience by responding to their questions.
FAQs about Live Selling Platforms
- What is live selling?
Also known as live streaming shopping, live selling is engaging with shoppers online given the same experience they would in an in-person shopping scenario.
- How do you use live selling platforms?
To use live selling platforms effectively, interact with your viewers, demonstrating your products and encouraging them to make a purchase.
- Can you use Virbo Live AI avatars for commercial purposes?
Yes, you can use the Virbo Live AI avatars commercially by taking a paid subscription. All in-built assets on Virbo Live are copyrighted by Wondershare ad all subscription users can use these resources commercially. However, commercial use is not supported for free users.
Conclusion
Live shopping platforms are a great choice when you want to engage with your viewers in real-time and boost your sales. Although it can feel overwhelming when looking for the right live shopping platform, your goals and target audience should be our major consideration. Once you have established the platform that works well for your brand, we recommend using Virbo Live to create content for your live event. With the AI streamer, you can automate your live events, ensuring your audience is catered for at all times.
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