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TikTok has experienced fantastic growth over the last 12 months. With its focus on short-form video content, the app gained almost immediate traction, particularly among younger audiences. Increasingly, it’s become a red-hot platform for shoppers of all ages.

Engagement is through the roof, with TikTok users spending an average of nearly 58 minutes per day on the app. TikTok has also become a lucrative platform for advertisers. Innovative features, such as shoppable videos, live streams, and a wealth of user generated content have helped TikTok appeal to brands looking to connect with consumers in contemporary ways. 

Whether you know a lot – or a little – about TikTok, this post will help you get started on what’s become one of the fastest growing e-commerce platforms. 

What is TikTok Shop?

TikTok Shop is a feature on the TikTok app that allows users to buy and sell products directly within the app. Launched in the United States on September 12, 2023, TikTok Shop includes a dedicated shop tab, live shopping capabilities, shoppable ads, and an affiliate program for creators to earn commissions by promoting products.

This initiative is part of TikTok’s broader strategy to enhance user engagement and drive sales through social commerce, positioning itself as a competitor to established e-commerce platforms like Amazon, and Walmart. 

For some time now, TikTok has offered a variety of features and tools to help you effectively sell your products. You can use the Product Showcase feature to allow customers to shop directly from your TikTok account. Or, take advantage of Shopping Ads that come in three formats. Video, Catalog, and Live. 

Of course, there’s also influencer marketing and the ability to link to your own website. 

Increasingly however, TikTok Shop has helped create a focal point for e-commerce sales. By offering features tailored for both brands and creators, TikTok Shop is transforming how consumers interact with products online.

6 Reasons Why You Should Sell on TikTok Shop

2025 is right around the corner and brand entrepreneurs are coming to the realization that their e-commerce future should include selling on TikTok Shop. If you need a little push, here are six reasons why selling on TikTok Shop is a must!

1. TikTok’s Massive Audience

With over 1 billion active users worldwide, TikTok offers businesses access to a vast and diverse audience. This global reach means your products can be seen by potential customers from all corners of the world, increasing brand awareness and the potential for international sales. 

The platform’s algorithm is designed to showcase content to users who are likely to be interested, enhancing the chances of your products reaching the right audience.

• Global Exposure: Tap into markets you might not have reached through traditional channels.
• Diverse Demographics: While popular among younger users, TikTok’s audience is expanding to include all age groups.
• Viral Potential: The nature of TikTok allows for video views to go viral quickly, exponentially increasing visibility.

2. Highly Engaged Users

TikTok users are known for their high level of engagement. Approximately 70% of users discover new brands and products on the platform, indicating a strong openness to new content and purchasing opportunities.

• Active Participation: Users don’t just watch videos; they like, share, and comment, fostering community engagement.
• Influencer Culture: Influencers play a significant role in product discovery, and collaborations can amplify your reach.
• Longer Engagement Times: Users spend an average of 58 minutes per day on the app, providing ample opportunity for your content to be seen.

3. TikTok’s Seamless Shopping Experience

TikTok Shop integrates shopping directly into the app, creating a frictionless experience from discovery to purchase.

• In-App Purchases: Customers can buy products without leaving TikTok, reducing drop-off rates.
• Integrated Payment Systems: Secure and straightforward payment options build customer trust.
• Convenient Browsing: The Shop tab and shoppable videos make it easy for users to find and purchase products.

4. Multiple Selling Options

TikTok Shop offers versatile selling formats to suit different marketing strategies:

• Shoppable Videos: Tag products directly in your videos, allowing viewers to purchase items featured in your content instantly.
• Live Shopping Events: Host live streams to demonstrate products, answer questions in real-time, and engage with your audience authentically.
• Product Catalogs: Maintain a catalog within TikTok for users to browse your offerings at their convenience.
• Ads and Promotions: Utilize targeted ads to reach specific demographics and promote special offers.

5. E-Commerce Integration

Seamlessly integrate TikTok Shop with established e-commerce platforms like Shopify, simplifying your sales processes:

• Streamlined Inventory Management: Sync your product listings and inventory levels across platforms to avoid overselling or stock discrepancies.
• Unified Order Processing: Manage orders from multiple sales channels in one place, reducing administrative workload.
• Analytics and Insights: Access integrated data to analyze sales performance and customer behavior across platforms.
• Ease of Setup: Quick integration means you can start selling on TikTok Shop without extensive technical know-how.

6. Start on TikTok, Move to Amazon

Many entrepreneurs are starting their brands on TikTok before moving to Amazon to leverage the unique benefits of both platforms. TikTok acts as a powerful launchpad, offering access to a vast and engaged audience with the potential for rapid viral growth. 

Its video-centric format allows for creative product showcasing, brand personality development, and personal customer connections. The TikTok Shop feature enables direct sales, market testing, and valuable customer feedback.

Once a brand has built a following and validated its product on TikTok, transitioning to Amazon provides access to a larger e-commerce ecosystem with advanced fulfillment infrastructure and a customer base ready to purchase. 

This TikTok-to-Amazon strategy allows entrepreneurs to first establish brand awareness and loyalty, then scale operations and reach a broader market through Amazon’s established platform.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your TikTok Shop

Setting up your TikTok Shop is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:

• Create a TikTok Account: If you don’t have one, sign up for a TikTok for Business account to access advanced features and analytics.
• Register for TikTok Shop: Visit the TikTok Seller Center at seller.tiktok.com and click “Get Started.”
• Select Your Location: Choose your region—North America, Europe, or Asia—and confirm compliance with TikTok’s terms.
• Provide Basic Information: Enter your email address, create a password, and name your shop.
• Specify Your Business Type: Indicate whether you’re registering as an individual or a corporation.
• Choose Your Primary Product Category: Select the category that best fits your products. This choice won’t significantly impact future operations.

Verifying Your Business Information

After the initial setup, you’ll need to verify your identity and business details:

• Upload Identification Documents – Individual Sellers: Provide a government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, or national ID). Corporations: Submit a government-issued ID and business registration documents.
• Provide Tax Information: Enter your tax identification number (e.g., EIN for U.S. businesses) and any required tax documents.
• Confirm Your Business Address: Supply your business address for shipping and tax purposes.
• Wait for Approval: TikTok will review your application and documents, typically responding within 1-2 days.

Setting Up Payment Methods

Once approved, set up your payment methods:

• Link Your Bank Account: Provide bank account details to receive payments from sales.
• Set Up Payment Processing: Choose your preferred payment processor for customer transactions. Options may vary by location.
• Configure Shipping Options: In TikTok Seller Center, navigate to the Shipping tab to set your shipping preferences. Opt for self-shipping or use TikTok’s fulfillment services.

Tips for a Successful TikTok Shop Profile

To maximize your success on TikTok Shop, consider these best practices:

Optimize Your Product Catalog

• Use high-quality images and videos.
• Write clear, concise product descriptions.
• Include relevant keywords in titles and descriptions.
• Keep your inventory up to date.

Create Content that Converts

• Produce authentic, creative videos showcasing your products.
• Leverage popular TikTok trends and challenges to boost visibility.
• Collaborate with influencers or other brands for cross-promotion.

Leverage TikTok’s Shopping Features

• Shoppable Videos: Tag products directly in your content.
• Live Shopping Events: Demonstrate products and interact with customers in real-time.
• Product Showcase: Highlight best-selling items.

Offer Promotions and Discounts

• Run exclusive offers on TikTok Shop to encourage purchases.
• Use TikTok’s promotional tools to create limited-time deals.

Provide Excellent Customer Service

• Respond promptly to customer inquiries and comments.
• Address issues or complaints professionally and efficiently.
• Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.

Analyze and Adapt

• Utilize TikTok’s analytics tools to monitor performance.
• Identify which products and content types are most successful.
• Continuously refine your strategy based on insights.

Stay Active and Consistent

• Post new content regularly to keep your audience engaged.
• Maintain a consistent brand voice and aesthetic across all TikTok content.

Utilize TikTok Ads

• Experiment with TikTok’s advertising options to expand your reach.
• Create shoppable ads to drive direct sales from promotional content.

How to Drive Sales to Your TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop offers three primary methods to drive sales: organic content, affiliate marketing, and paid advertising. Most TikTok Shop sellers follow this path in a sequential manner. They begin with organic sales, then build an affiliate strategy, and finish with paid advertising. 

Pro Tip: It’s TikTok Influencers that have really propelled TikTok into the stratosphere as an e-commerce platform. This is where the magic happens.

Organic Sales:

• Start by creating engaging and authentic content that resonates with TikTok’s algorithm and user base.
• Create compelling videos that are likely to lead to viral exposure and natural product discovery (without additional advertising costs).
• This approach leverages the TikTok algorithm’s potential to accelerate viral trends to boost visibility organically.

Affiliate Program:

• TikTok’s affiliate program allows brands to collaborate with creators who promote products in their content.
• Creators earn commissions on sales generated from their promotions, making it a cost-effective strategy since brands only pay when a sale occurs.
• This method taps into the TikTok creators’ established audiences and their trust in the influencer’s recommendations.

Paid Advertising:

• TikTok paid ads enable brands to reach targeted audiences through various ad formats, including in-feed videos and sponsored challenges.
• Paid ads offer a more direct and controlled approach to increasing visibility and driving sales.
• You’re able to tailor your brand’s advertising campaigns to specific demographics and interests for maximum impact.

Don’t Miss Out!

By following these steps and rolling with these best practices, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful TikTok Shop. Remember, making it big on the platform often comes down to being real, getting creative, and keeping up with trends and what users are into. 

As your presence grows, keep experimenting with different types of content and selling strategies to find out what really clicks with your audience. With its massive user base, trendy shopping features, and creator marketplace, TikTok Shop is a fantastic opportunity for businesses of all sizes. 

By jumping on the platform and taking advantage of its momentum, you can tap into a dynamic and engaged community of potential buyers, setting your business up for success in the ever-evolving world of social commerce.

How Canopy Management Can Help

In 2025, brand entrepreneurs are going to want to sell on Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok to tap into each platform’s unique audience. 

By combining the global reach and fulfillment power of Amazon, the growing U.S. shopper base on Walmart, and TikTok’s viral potential for brand awareness and creative engagement, this omnichannel strategy maximizes exposure, scales sales, and meets customers wherever they prefer to shop.

As an ecommerce marketing agency that works with top sellers on all three platforms, Canopy Management is uniquely positioned to help you get started on one, or all of these ecommerce pillars.