TikTok Shop offers online retailers an opportunity to reach a vast and highly engaged audience, driving significant brand visibility and sales growth.
Savvy sellers can significantly benefit from the platform’s potential. According to Statista records, 37% of TikTok users in the U.S. have made a purchase on the app or through a link from the app.
TikTok Shop’s target audience is predominantly Gen Z and Millennials, who are tech-savvy, trend-conscious, and open-minded about shopping online.
As consumers increasingly look to social media for product discovery, more retailers are turning to TikTok Shop for its ability to turn viral content into sales. However, to connect with potential buyers, you must learn how to get discovered on TikTok Shop.
In this guide, I’ll share TikTok Shop tips to help you become discoverable and sell more on the platform.
What is a TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop is a social commerce feature within the TikTok app. It integrates shopping with TikTok videos, enabling users to discover, browse, and purchase products without leaving the app.
Tips to Start Selling on TikTok Shop and Grow Your Sales
To succeed on TikTok Shop, follow TikTok guidelines and let your brand stand out by creating short, engaging video content. Let’s discuss a few TikTok Shop tips to sell efficiently on the social commerce platform.
1. Set Up Your TikTok Shop The Right Way
First, create a TikTok seller account and verify your business documents by signing into your account via shop.tiktok.com.
Verify your identity and indicate your business ownership structure. You can only open one TikTok Shop using your government-issued identification documents.
Next, connect your bank account for smooth transactions. Once your shop is up and running, add your TikTok Shop link to your profile bio.
Here’s a more detailed step-by-step guide to setting up your TikTok Shop.
2. Optimize Your Product Listings For TikTok
Once your TikTok Shop is verified and set up, you must optimize your product listings. Go to “Products” on the right side of the seller dashboard and select “ Manage Product”. Click “Add Products” to add the products you’ll be selling on TikTok Shop.
Use high-quality images of your products. Clear, visually appealing photos are more likely to grab attention as users scroll through their feeds.
Additionally, write concise but compelling product descriptions that explain what the product is all about, highlighting its key features and benefits.
Note: The product title must be 34 characters or less.
Here’s an example of how your shop will look like once you’ve added your products:
3. Categorize Your Products Neatly
You must organize your products into similar categories to create smooth shopping experiences for your buyers on TikTok Shop.
Neatly categorized products make it easier for users to browse and find what they’re looking for, increasing the likelihood of a purchase. It also helps in showcasing the full range of your offerings.
For instance, this seller has put bedding and bedroom products in one category, making it easy for the buyer to find related products and increasing the chances of buying more than one item.
4. Embed Product Listings into Your TikTok Videos
As stated, TikTok’s demographics are drawn to short, entertaining, and informative videos. To drive sales on your TikTok Shop, create engaging videos and embed your product listings.
Start by creating high-quality videos that showcase your products in action. To attract viewers, make your content stand out by incorporating good video elements, like good lighting, clear audio, and appealing backgrounds. You can use the Videoleap app’s trending templates to create and edit TikTok videos.
Look at this well-shot and edited video showcasing a juicer machine.
@tiktokshop_ksa_ #ramdanmubarak #tiktokshopksa #tiktokshop ♬ jab se tumhain me chaha sanam. – 💤 شیر علی 🦋
5. Participate In Relevant TikTok Challenges Or Create One Of Your Own
TikTok challenges and trends go viral quickly and can get more eyes on your product if you do it correctly. You can connect with a bigger audience and increase your brand’s visibility.
For example, a trending sound or challenge can help you get more views, like how Paradox did in this video.
@paradox.worldwide 😜 #paradoxworldwide #paradox #fyp #xuhuongtiktok ♬ original sound – aestheticsx only
Participate in niche challenges that align with your brand or adapt popular trends to showcase your products.
Use relevant hashtags like #trending, #viral #tiktokshop, and other product-related hashtags to make your content discoverable and drive traffic to your TikTok Shop.
6. Create Product Demonstration Videos
Product demonstration videos are a great way to showcase your product’s unique features and benefits. They also help those unfamiliar with the product learn how to use it.
Here is an example of a product demonstration from The Beauty Crop with background music.
@thebeautycrop Taking your makeup after a long day is the best feeling🤩💕 #thebeautycrop #thebeautycropxgracesfaces #cleansingbalm #makeupremoval ♬ Summer – Croquet Club
As you can see, you don’t have to speak in your demonstration. However, if you want to, you can highlight what sets your items apart, including functionality and any unique qualities.
7. Offer Customer Perks Like Product Bundles and Free Shipping
Encourage purchases on your TikTok Shop by offering product bundles and free shipping.
Bundling related items together can encourage customers to buy more, while free shipping is always a strong motivator for completing a purchase.
These perks add value to your listings and help differentiate your shop from competitors, making it more attractive to potential customers.
8. Run Different Types Of TikTok Ads
TikTok ads are paid promotional content that appears within the TikTok app. They are labeled “Sponsored” and appear between regular TikTok videos.
You can customize TikTok ads to target specific demographics, geographic locations, and time schedules. You can use them to target your potential customers and add a link to your TikTok Shop.
There are various types of TikTok Ad formats:
- In-feed ads: These appear in users’ feeds as they scroll through the “For You Page” (FYP).
- TopView ads: These premium placements appear at the top of the FYP when users first open the app. They are full-screen videos that can last up to 60 seconds.
- Branded effects: This ad type appears as custom stickers, filters, and special effects that users can add to their videos.
- Spark ads: Spark ads allow brands to promote their existing videos and get more views.
Here are the steps to set up a TikTok Ad:
- Sign up on the TikTok Ads Manager platform to create an account.
- Select the goal of your campaign, such as traffic or conversions.
- Define your budget and decide between a daily or total budget.
- Create Your Ad Group by setting targeting options such as location, age, gender, interests, and device type. Select between automatic or custom ad placement, and indicate your bid strategy and budget.
- Upload your videos or images, add text, CTA buttons, and link to your product catalog.
- Preview your ad, make necessary adjustments, and launch it.
9. Work with TikTok Influencers to Promote Your Products
The most successful TikTok Shops collaborate with TikTok influencers to boost their brand’s visibility and credibility. Influencers promoting products with user-generated content are trustworthy on TikTok, and their loyal followers believe in their recommendations.
For example, Aisha is a beauty influencer in the UK with 54,000 followers. She reviews various make-up products for her loyal fans. Look at this video she did for Beauty Crop.
@itsurgrlaisha_ AD @thebeautycrop have added another setting mist to the roster, Dewy Bounce has entered the chat 😎 LET’S TEST HER OUT 👀👀 #thebeautycrop #dewybounce #settingspray #weartest ♬ original sound – Aisha✨
The first step is to find influencers who align with your brand values and target audience. Heepsy can help you find influencers in your niche from your preferred location.
Once you’ve found the right partners, collaborate to create engaging content that highlights your products in a way that resonates with their followers.
10. Engage and Interact with Buyers
Building solid relationships with customers is essential for your success on TikTok Shop. Respond to comments and messages to show your audience you value their feedback and inquiries.
If you’re working with influencers, comment on their videos to build a connection with their audience. This initiative can also be an opportunity to answer questions and clarify issues.
Here’s an example from the video above:
Invite customers to share their experiences with your products and feature this content on your profile for added social proof and community building.
Host TikTok Live sessions to interact with your audience in real-time. This will allow you to answer questions, showcase products, and get feedback from your followers.
11. Set Up and Run Your TikTok Shop Affiliate Program
Creating an affiliate program for your TikTok Shop can expand your reach and drive sales through partnerships.
Here are the steps to set up your affiliate program:
- Sign in to TikTok Shop and click on Affiliates.
- Select “Find New Creators.”
- It will take you to a list of creators. Invite as many creators as you wish.
- Set up Open Collaboration to allow anyone to find your products to promote.
Remember: Always maintain open communication with your affiliates and provide support to help them succeed.
12. Cross-Promote Your TikTok Shop Through Other Channels
To maximize your audience reach, cross-promote your TikTok Shop through other social channels, like Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Additionally, integrate your TikTok Shop links into your website and email newsletters to encourage conversions from your existing audience.
Track key metrics like views, engagement, and click-through rates to gauge the success of your promotions. Use Sprout Social to gather this intelligence and adjust your marketing strategy accordingly.
Bonus Tip: Authenticity is crucial in promoting, engaging, and selling on TikTok. Unlike Instagram, which is all about aesthetics, you can connect with your audience by sharing your brand story, values, and personality. Doing so builds trust and creates a loyal community around your TikTok Shop, leading to sustained growth and success.
Make Your TikTok Shop Successful Using These Tips
Leveraging TikTok Shop can be a game-changer for your ecommerce business. You will tap into an exciting audience of young people eager to discover new products.
To create connections on TikTok Shop, you must stay authentic, be creative, and embrace tools like Vista Social to help you manage and run your TikTok account.
With the tips we’ve shared in this guide, you can transform TikTok Shop into a powerful sales channel for your brand.
