How to Sell on TikTok Shop: A Guide To Get Started & Boost Sales

Since the introduction of TikTok Shop, the e-commerce world has taken by storm. Now, learning how to sell on TikTok Shop is a must for anyone wanting to boost their online sales. This guide will walk you through the tutorials on how to sell on TikTok Shop, from setting up your business account to creating engaging content that drives sales.

Is Selling on TikTok Shop Worth It?

TikTok Shop is rapidly growing, especially in regions like Southeast Asia, where it has become a popular platform for sellers to engage with young, tech-savvy consumers.

As TikTok expanded its e-commerce feature to the US, it opened up new opportunities for businesses to reach a broader audience in this market.

With over a billion active users, TikTok has transformed from a social media phenomenon into a powerful e-commerce platform. But what truly makes TikTok Shop stand out? Let’s dive into some of the key benefits:

• Massive Audience Base: TikTok has a large and rapidly growing user base, with 170 million active users in the U.S. alone, and 1.04 billion globally.
• Powerful Algorithm: TikTok Shop’s algorithm analyzes users’ browsing and purchase history, engagement with product listings, and interactions with similar content to provide personalized recommendations.
• High Conversion Rate: TikTok users are 1.5x more likely to convert, and 37% want to buy immediately after discovering a product on the app.
• Seamless Shopping Experience: TikTok Shop lets users discover, browse, and buy products without ever leaving the app, increasing chances of impulse buys.

What to Prepare Before Selling on TikTok Shop?

Before launching your store on TikTok Shop, there are a few key things you should get in place to ensure a smooth start.

• Business License and Documentation: Ensure you have the required licenses, tax identification, and business registration to meet local regulations.
• Product Range and Inventory: Choose the products you want to sell and maintain sufficient inventory based on current trends and demand.
• Product Listings: Create standout listings with high-quality images, engaging descriptions, and accurate pricing to attract more buyers.
• Shipping and Logistics Plan: Develop a solid logistics plan for delivery, packaging, and returns to ensure smooth order fulfillment and customer satisfaction.
• Content Strategy for Promotions: Plan engaging content like tutorials, demos, or influencer collaborations to showcase your products and build your presence on TikTok.

How to Sell on TikTok Shop?

Now, let’s walk through the key steps to start your TikTok eCommerce journey.

Step 1: Create a TikTok Business Account

To sell on TikTok Shop, you’ll first need a TikTok Business Account. This account gives you access to key features like analytics, ads, and the ability to integrate your shop.

• Download the TikTok app.
• Next, register with your email address, phone number, and Facebook or Twitter account.
• Tap the three lines in the top-right corner, go to “Settings and Privacy,” then “Manage Account.” Select “Switch to Business Account” and choose the category that fits your business.

Step 2: Create Your TikTok Shop Seller Account

This account allows you to manage product listings, orders, and payments all in one place.

You can either sign up with your phone number or email or sign into your TikTok account if you already have one.

• Head to the TikTok Shop Seller Center and register by providing your business information and required documentation.
• After approval, you’ll gain access to the seller tools necessary to start listing your products.

Step 3: Confirm your information

Next, you’ll need to verify your identity and confirm your business details.

After providing your Shop name and selecting whether you’re a corporation or an individual business owner, you’ll upload the necessary documents:

• For individually-owned businesses, this includes a passport, national ID, or driver’s license.
• If you’re registering as a corporation, you’ll need to submit a government-issued ID along with a business license, registration, or similar documentation to verify your business status.

Step 4: Add Your Products to TikTok Shop

Now that your accounts are linked, you can begin adding products to your TikTok Shop. When adding a product to your TikTok catalog, you must include the following information:

• A precise and succinct product title
• A product description that is well-written
• The product class
• A brand’s name
• Images and videos of high-quality
• Details on “what’s in the box”
• Dimensions and weight of the package
• Features that sell (such as size, color, and pattern)
• Product cost

Step 5: Create Content to Promote Your Products

The key to success on TikTok is engaging, creative content. Start by promoting your products with short videos that grab attention:

• Create videos that showcase your products in use, highlighting their features and benefits.
• Take advantage of trending challenges, hashtags, and music to make your content more discoverable.
• Consider hosting live shopping events where you can interact with your audience in real-time and offer exclusive deals.

Is TikTok Shop free?

Creating a TikTok Shop seller account is completely free, but there are costs associated with each transaction. Sellers are subject to several fees, making it essential to review the complete fee structure before getting started.

The fees for selling on TikTok Shop typically include the following:

• Transaction Fee: TikTok charges a 1.8% fee on each sale made through TikTok Shop.
• Currency Conversion Fee: A 2% fee applies when selling in a different currency than your local one.
• Payment Processing Fee: Typically 1-2% of the transaction value, depending on the payment method used.
• Logistics Fee: Additional fees if using TikTok’s shipping partners, depending on delivery destination, package size/weight, and service level.
• Payout Fee: Charged when transferring earnings to your bank or payout method (e.g., 1% fee for PayPal).
• Advertising Fee: Extra cost based on the TikTok ad type and targeting options chosen for product promotion.

7 Tips for Increasing Sales with TikTok Shop

Selling on TikTok Shop can be highly rewarding if you implement the right strategies. Here are some essential tips to help boost your sales and ensure your shop’s long-term success:

Get your TikTok Pixel ready

Achieving success on TikTok requires closely monitoring your goals and understanding your target audience’s behavior.

To do this effectively, make sure your TikTok pixel is set up properly (according the brief instruction below) to align with your campaign objectives before committing resources to ads, content, or influencer partnerships.

Make your TikTok Shop’s presence known

Don’t just sit there and expect your fans and followers to discover the shopping option by themselves. Promote it actively and create a few TikToks to guide them in the right direction.

No matter what your main TikTok goals are, you should showcase your product catalog on your account after setting up a TikTok Shop.

Don’t to feature your products in your videos from time to time.

Optimize your product catalog for TikTok

A well-optimized product catalog is key to increasing sales on TikTok Shop. Make sure your product listings are clear, attractive, and optimized for TikTok’s audience.

• Use high-quality images and concise descriptions that highlight the product’s key features.
• Include relevant keywords to make your products easier to discover through TikTok’s search and recommendation algorithms.
• Ensure that pricing and availability are always accurate. Misinformation can lead to frustrated customers and lost sales.

Partner with TikTok influencers

Collaborating with TikTok influencers can significantly increase your visibility and credibility on the platform. Influencers have established audiences that trust their recommendations, making them valuable partners for driving sales.

• Research influencers who align with your brand values and target audience. Their followers are more likely to convert if they see a product that resonates with them.
• Consider working with influencers through TikTok’s affiliate program, where influencers earn a commission on sales they drive.

Influencers can create authentic, relatable content that showcases your products, leading to a wider reach and increased sales.

Encourage User-Generated Content

User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful way to build trust and social proof for your products. Encouraging your customers to share their experiences creates a sense of community and boosts brand credibility.

• Offer incentives such as discounts or giveaways for customers who post videos or reviews featuring your products.
• Repost UGC to your own TikTok profile, highlighting real customer experiences and reinforcing your product’s value.

By showcasing real customers using your products, potential buyers are more likely to feel confident in their purchases.

Run Contests and Giveaways

Running contests and giveaways is a great way to generate excitement around your brand and attract new customers. These campaigns can boost engagement and can lead to a surge in sales during and after the event.

• Run contests that encourage users to create content with your products, such as participating in a hashtag challenge or tagging friends.
• Offer exclusive discounts or free products as prizes to incentivize participation.

These promotions not only help increase your follower count but also provide a fun and interactive way to showcase your products, driving sales as a result.

Maintain Shop Health

Shop Health refers to the overall quality and compliance of your TikTok shop, including factors like customer service, product quality, and adherence to TikTok’s policies. You can track your performance and any violations through the TikTok Seller Center.

Keeping your TikTok Shop in good standing is essential to ensuring long-term success.

• Respond quickly to customer inquiries to provide top-notch service and build trust with your audience.
• Regularly update your product listings (changes to product details, prices, and availability) to keep them accurate and relevant.
• Keep an eye on customer reviews and feedback, addressing any concerns promptly.
• Follow TikTok’s guidelines and policies to avoid violations that could harm your shop’s reputation and visibility.
• Stay up to date on TikTok’s latest policy changes to ensure compliance and minimize risks to your shop.

Wrap-up

Selling on TikTok Shop offers a unique opportunity to reach a massive, engaged audience and drive real sales growth. By following the steps and tips in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to master how to sell on TikTok Shop and optimize your business for success. I hope that these insights help you get started and achieve your business goals on TikTok.