TikTok has taken the world by storm, evolving from just a social media app into a full-fledged eCommerce powerhouse. With the launch of TikTok Shop, Sellers got the opportunity to harness the platform’s virality and turn content into real sales.
Now sellers can tap into one of the most engaged online communities and and make their brand go popular. It is a goldmine of opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses. As users scroll through their favorite videos, brands appear in front of million of potential buyers – this visibility is what all businesses aspire for.
With over 1 billion active users and the explosive popularity of hashtags like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, TikTok has changed the eCommerce game by blending organic discovery, influencer marketing, and seamless checkout – all within the same app.
But how do you tap into this viral market? In this comprehensive step-by-step guide, we will show you everything you need to know about selling on TikTok Shop. From setting up your store, influencer collaborations, and viral trends, we will teach you how to use them to your advantage.
What is TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop is an integrated shopping feature which allows brands, sellers, and creators to sell products on the go (directly within the TikTok app). This platform takes an entirely different approach than its competitors, where people had to search for products.
Meanwhile, TikTok Shop thrives on discovery-driven shopping, meaning that users can buy any product they find interesting while scrolling on their FYP (For You Page), watching live streams, or browsing the Shop tab on profiles.
Here are multiple ways for you to showcase and sell products:
- In-Feed videos – Enabled product links in your TikTok content so users can make purchase instantly.
- Live Shopping – Sell products in real-time via TikTok Live, where viewers can buy while also engaging with you.
- Product Showcase (Shop Tab) – Present all your available products on TikTok Shop in a dedicated tab on your profile.
- Affiliate Programs – Collaborate with TikTok influencers to promote your products, and sell them on a commission basis.
The rest of the work is done by TikTok’s algorithm which pushes engaging content to the right prospects, sellers can truly leverage this platform’s organic reach to drive crazy sales without having to rely on hefty PPC costs.
Why Should You Sell on TikTok Shop?
Still unsure whether it is worth selling on TikTok Shop? Here are some powerful reasons as to why your competitors are flocking to this new marketplace:
1. Access to a Massive Audience
With over 1 billion active users, TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms, especially among Gen-Z and Millennials – these two groups love discovering and purchasing trendy products online. So a vast potential lies for sellers to cater to such audience.
2. High Engagement & Conversion Rate
Unlike traditional eCommerce platforms, where users had to search products and spend hours looking for the right one. On TikTok Shop, products come to you via organic reach (based on user’s interests and preferences). Thus leading to a high conversion rate on with each click.
3. Viral Marketing Potential
TikTok’s algorithm rewards engaging content, meaning even a new seller/creator has the potential to go viral and generate thousands of sales overnight. Thus levelling the playing field for every seller.
Several hashtags have already made small brands into viral sensations.
4. Lower Advertising Cost of Sales (ACoS)
Compared to platforms like Amazon and Facebook, that suck the budget dry in PPC campaigns, TikTok’s organic reach is far more efficient with little to no Ad spend.
The key is to create the right kind of engaging content that hits the spot.
5. Engaging Shopping Experience
With in-app purchases, TikTok eliminates the friction of channeling customers to external websites (which gets annoying for most users). This platform makes the buying process much easier, accessible and effortless.
How to Set Up Your TikTok Shop?
Even getting started on TikTok Shop is easier than the rest of platforms. Here is a 5-step process to launch your store right now:
Step 1: Create a TikTok Business Account
To access TikTok Shop as a Seller, you need to have a business account. Follow these steps to create one if you haven’t created it yet:
- Open TikTok and go to Settings -> Manage Account
- Switch to Business Account
- Choose your business category and complete your profile.
Step 2: Register for TikTok Shop
Go to TikTok Shop Seller Center and then you sign up as a seller. What you will need is:
- A registered business (or personal seller verification in some regions)
- A valid phone number or email
- A Payoneer or bank account for payments
Step 3: Add Your Products
Once you get approved, now its time to upload your products:
- High-quality product images & videos
- Detailed product descriptions with SEO-friendly keywords
- Competitive pricing
Step 4: Set Up Shipping & Payment
Configure your shopping policies and payment options (TikTok Shop offers several payment methods based on your region).
Step 5: Start Promoting Your Product
Now its time for you to start creating engaging TikTok content, use trending hashtags, and experiment with other content formats like Live Selling or Influencer Collaborations and generate sales like crazy.
How to Succeed on TikTok Shop: Best Practices
Just listing your products does not guarantee sales, the competition is also there. Here are proven strategies from experienced Sellers to grow your TikTok Shop early-on:
1. Create Reels that Grab Attention
Creativity gets rewarded on TikTok Shop – so be sure to showcase your creative side instead of just boring demos. If you are a marketing genius, this is where you can shine the brightest.
Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Keep an eye for on-going trends, challenges, and memes. Use them in your videos to take advantage of the current phenomenon.
- Showcase your product’s benefits through engaging storytelling.
- Make before-and-after comparisons to spark interest.
- Use your humor and UGC (user-generated content) to cross that formal barrier, build trust and keep it fun.
2. Make Use of Influencer & Affiliate Marketing
Collaborate with relevant influencers whose message resonate with your brand. It is one of the fastest ways to gain traction. Talk to influencers and offer them commission-based deals so they put up the effort and both parties make a ton of money together.
3. Optimize Your Listings for SEO
Use relevant TikTok search keywords in your product title, description, and hashtags. Such smart integration of keywords leads to more discoverability.
4. Run TikTok Ads for an Extra Push
While you can make waves with the organic reach, TikTok Ads can also amplify your efforts and reach. You can start with:
- Spark Ads (boost existing content)
- In-Feed Ads (show up in user’s feeds whose interests align with your products)
- Live Shopping Ads (drive high-purchase intent traffic to your live streams)
5. Host Live Selling Sessions
TikTok Live Shopping is a launchpad for sales. You can strengthen your consumer-base by engaging them live, answer questions, and showcase your products in real-time.
It has been seen that brands experience 3x-10x more sales from live events as compared to regular product listings.
Get Viral on TikTok Shop – With Shopin Ecom
Let us be real. You will not get popular overnight just after slapping some products on TikTok Shop. To an untrained seller, this might be a hassle to make his mark in such viral yet competitive market.
You need a viral-worthy content, algorithm-friendly optimizations, and a ever-relevant sales strategy to actually pull it off. Lucky for you, that is exactly what we do!
Shopin Ecom has made remarkable progress in understanding this platform and delivering real results. What’s sweet about it – is that we handle everything that falls under TikTok Shop.
We set up your store, boost product visibility, run killer PPC ads, and team up with the top influencers that serve your brand’s purpose. Our team makes sure that you get seen, clicked, and sold.
Take the first step towards viral success by filling this short form and we will be in touch shortly!
