It’s a bit of a hectic week, right? January has no chill, but it’s good we’re all still surviving this hurricane of issues.
Speaking of issues, did you know many merchants, local and foreign, are already plotting their next moves in case a certain platform (yup, we’re talking about TikTok) really goes down for good?
- TikTok marketing alternatives 📋
- The best Amazon alternative this 2025 🔵
- Amazon + Shein vs. TikTok 🛍️
- Top marketing agencies in 2025 🤝
HOT TOPIC
Needless to say, everyone felt a rollercoaster of emotions with the TikTok drama. It appealed but was rejected. It went dark, then came back. Now, you can open the app, but Apple and Google will no longer allow updates or new downloads. 🤯
This begs the question: What happens now?
As shared by Stacked Marketer, TikTok is working on solutions with incoming President Trump. But ICYDK, there are now TikTok alternatives ready to receive #TikTokRefugees.
📲 Who are they?
- Instagram. The app has started rolling out new tools and features that make it more like TikTok than ever.
- A longer short. You may now post 3-minute reels.
- Reel engagement. New features make it easier to see what others are into. You can even reply and engage with the reels using the new reply bar. 🖱️
- Vine. Before TikTok, Vine was the short-form video platform. Sadly, it went offline on January 17, 2017 after losing popularity. But a recent Tweet from Elon Musk teases its return.
- Bluesky. Another billionaire, Mark Cuban, said he’s open to financing a TikTok alternative. However, it has to be built on the AT Protocol—the same as Bluesky.
❔ Another important question
With these alternatives, it might be time to ask yourself: Is it still worth advertising on TikTok? Or is it time to shift to other platforms?
Whatever your decision is, feel free to let us know so we can help you strategize. In the meantime, let’s see which TikTok alternatives will deliver. brand first. Request official authorization to resell their products to avoid the painful risk of getting suspended. 📌
TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE
Forget TikTok—here’s what could replace Amazon as your main selling platform
Looking for better margins for your bottom line?
On Walmart Marketplace, you can sell with zero fees and hidden costs!
Walmart Marketplace is one of the fastest-growing ecommerce platforms in the U.S. Designed with sellers in mind, you’ll pay:
- monthly fees
- setup fees
- closing fees
On top of that, our competitive commission and fulfillment fees mean better margins for your bottom line.
Start selling on Walmart.com today to tap into:
- a network of millions of customers
- innovative programs that help you scale
- Walmart’s omnichannel advantage
It takes just a few steps to start selling your products on Walmart Marketplace, so sign up today.
BITES OF THE WEEK
- Generative Engagement: ICYMI, you can now create generative AI ads to increase your brand engagement.
- New year, New logo: Walmart recently revealed its new logo, signifying a “brand refresh” this 2025.
- The Big Show: Here’s what went down in NRF 2025 held last Jan 11–13 in NYC.
TRENDING
Chinese TikTok sellers turn to alternatives with TikTok’s instability issues in the US
U.S. sellers aren’t the only ones affected by the issues surrounding TikTok. Several China-based sellers targeting U.S. customers are also looking for alternatives. South China Morning Post reported that Chinese sellers (targeting U.S. customers) are also looking for other options—particularly Amazon and Shein.
💬 Seller sentiments
- Qian Liu, who ran 12 stores on TikTok, shared how her U.S. business had been so impressive she had planned to rent and hire there. But because TikTok’s U.S. operations aren’t stable, she would “definitely expand to other platforms” like Amazon.com and Shein.
- A merchant, Xia, had already started selling on Amazon, Shein, and other platforms. He said they “won’t put all our eggs in one basket” considering their tens of millions of inventory. 🪺
- Another merchant named Cai has been operating stores on TikTok and Shopee, targeting Southeast Asia. He wanted to expand to the U.S. but plans to “wait and see” how things unfold first.
So, what’s TikTok’s move now?
Bloomberg reported that Chinese officials are weighing their options. One is to let X, owned by Elon Musk, take control of TikTok’s U.S. operations.
This could be a logical solution that sparks hope for those who plan to stick to the video platform. However, a TikTok spokesperson responded, calling the report “pure fiction.”
TACTIC TALKS
Top marketing agencies to partner with this 2025
With all the ecommerce issues (too) early in the year, your marketing and sales teams shouldn’t be only looking for alternatives. They must also rework their content plans and sales strategies.
🏆 One smart move to do this is by partnering with marketing agencies to help lighten the load. Influencer Marketing Hub lists their top choices to help you find the best one for your brand:
Best for DTC ecommerce store: WEBITMD
WEBITMD is a known digital growth agency offering a one-stop solution. They’re both a HubSpot Platinum Partner and Klaviyo Partner Agency. Their services come from a team of direct-to-consumer experts, great for those who want to optimize their online stores.
- Features:
- Ecommerce PPC services for all major platforms (including Meta Ads and Amazon Ads)
- HubSpot onboarding and integration to BigCommerce or Shopify
- WEBITMD Growth Stack, which is a host of ecommerce marketing services like CRM onboarding, messaging and positioning, sales operation, marketing automation, revenue operations, and paid media
Best for Amazon PPC: Sellozo
Sellozo is an analytics and growth suite that automates and optimizes product advertising. It lowers your ACoS, which is ideal for growing their Amazon business.
- Features:
- Full PPC management by U.S.-based Amazon experts and in-house AI tool
- Sellozo’s Campaign Studio, which can harvest keywords, customize campaign flows, and test keyword matches
- Dayparting to optimize campaigns for hourly and daily performance
Best for social media marketing: Sociallyin
Social media is a fast-paced world, so you need an agency that can adapt just as fast. Sociallyin has a decade of experience in being a 100% social media-focused agency, as well as a suite of seller-tailored services.
- Features:
- Social media and community management to produce tailored content strategies
- Social selling and influencer marketing features
- Content production services
🔎 If you’re looking for agencies that offer other services apart from the listed ones above, make sure to check out the full breakdown. Tip: Find one that aligns with what you need and what you can afford.
