E-commerce has long been introduced on Instagram, and it has finally reached TikTok. Anyone can set up a TikTok Shop and sell their merchandise or affiliate products to earn commissions or even a good living wage. 

With millions of active users on the platform, TikTok is a global social media hub for content creators. It offers many opportunities to grow and earn income, with TikTok Shop being one of the most profitable ones. 

Any content creator or local business with even a small but loyal following can benefit from selling things on the platform. Ready to learn how to set up your shop and start earning money? Keep reading to find out tried and tested practices. 

What Is TikTok Shop?

TikTok Shop is the e-commerce element of the social media platform, where content creators and business owners can sell merchandise, affiliate products, or other items. 

What distinguishes TikTok Shop from traditional e-commerce websites is that promoted products can be integrated directly into the content. So, when your followers watch your video in which you wear your merchandise, they can interact with it and order any item without leaving TikTok. 

In addition to integrating items into your content, TikTok Shop offers a feature to create a catalog where followers can easily browse all available products. For many content creators, TikTok Shop is an ideal place to set up a marketplace and have a reliable source of income. 

How to Start Selling on TikTok Shop

Selling on TikTok is quite simple, and you don’t have to be tech-savvy to start earning money from your sales. The best part is that you don’t have to spend any money on creating a website or investing in a payment processor. The only thing missing is the items to sell and their engaging descriptions.  

So, here is what you need to do to launch your TikTok Shop: 

1. If you have been using your TikTok as a private account, it is time to make it commercial. To do that, you should do either of the following:
   1. Switch to Business Account in the Account settings if you want the two to be linked. 
   2. Create a brand new Business Account on TikTok. 
2. Apply for TikTok Shop in the Creator Tools. 
3. Upload your items to the TikTok Shop’s catalog.
   1. Make sure to upload high-quality and detailed photos.
   2. Insert engaging and optimized descriptions of each individual product. 
   3. Consider creating videos that could also be added to your TikTok account as a part of the marketing strategy. 
4. Promote your items on your TikTok account to boost sales! 

Whether you are a small local business or an established TikTok influencer, TikTok Shop is suitable for anyone who is looking to capitalize on their success and create a reliable passive income. 

How to Sell Things on TikTok: Top Tips and Best Practices

No matter how engaging and active your audience is, if you want to see the result of your TikTok Shop quickly–you need to work towards your goals. That means improving your content, finding new promotion opportunities, and polishing the descriptions of your products. 

Here are some of the top tips and practices you should know before making your TikTok Shop public: 

• Prioritize concise and engaging content: By content, we mean creating eye-catching descriptions of your items and creating fun and creative videos that will invite your followers to browse the catalog. 
• Build buzz before launching the shop: Promote your products ahead of release to spark curiosity and excitement among your followers. Consider creating anticipation by teasing your offerings and collaborating with influencers to expand your reach and generate interest.
• Take high-quality photos of your products: Visual appeal is as important as the description you write. Hence, make sure you take clear photos of your items from different angles. It will be much easier for your followers to decide what item they would like to purchase the most. 
• Optimize your TikTok Shop: Use product tags, engaging short videos, and strategic keywords to boost the discoverability of your shop and items. Regularly post TikTok videos featuring your products, paired with relevant tags, to enable purchasing directly from your content.

5 Recommendations to Optimize Your TikTok Shop for Maximum Sales 

If sales aren’t rolling in–it’s a sign that your TikTok Shop needs optimizing. Following only five key recommendations is enough to improve the performance of your e-commerce gig and attract customers: 

Optimize Your Catalog

When your followers go to your shop, they should see an organized catalog with high-quality and detailed photos of items, their descriptions, benefits, and sometimes even videos. 

A helpful tip is to create a video that you can use for promotional purposes on your TikTok account and also upload the same content to your catalog.  If possible, add customers’ reviews to the description to enhance the credibility of both your TikTok Shop and the quality of your items. 

Invest in TikTok Ads

One of the business rules is to invest money to generate even more. Following this principle, you could purchase TikTok ads, targeting them at your audience and attracting them to your shop. 

Although posting engaging content is what brings organic traffic to your account, TikTok Ads can save you time and promote your shop to people who match the profile of your ideal customer. 

Create Engaging Content 

Content is king on TikTok, and success depends on leveraging both text and video effectively. While detailed product descriptions and engaging promotional videos play a key role, supporting content is equally essential.

Supporting content complements your products, aligns with your brand, and is optimized for discoverability. The result? It will help you reach both your followers and a broader audience.

Establish Collaborations 

If you are a TikTok influencer with a few thousand followers but want to reach even more people at once–the best solution is to collaborate with other influencers. A smart partnership will help you attract more people to your shop, drive organic traffic, and even grow your audience. 

Make sure to partner with influencers that work in the same or similar niche, ensuring their followers will also find you relevant. 

Track and Review Your Performance

Tracking your progress is the only way to understand whether your strategies are working. Pay attention to what posts gain the most views, what people purchase your items the most, and what products are bestsellers. 

Review your progress and improve the elements of your marketing plan that are underperforming. 

3 Practical Techniques to Promote Your TikTok Shop

Promoting your TikTok shop doesn’t have to break the bank–sometimes, it is enough to post high-quality content regularly. However, if you want to boost sales now, here are a few practical tips to make your shop more discoverable: 

Start an Affiliate Program 

Joining the TikTok Shop Affiliate Program is a great way to promote the products of other brands and earn commissions from every sale. This is a great option for content creators who don’t have any merchandise items but are looking for ways to establish a passive income. 

Use Trending Hashtags and Sounds

Leverage trending hashtags and sounds to boost your shop’s visibility and rank higher in TikTok feeds. The TikTok algorithm favors popular and viral content, increasing your chances of reaching a broader audience and gaining more exposure. Hence, always stay updated with trends to keep your content fresh and relevant, attracting even more engagement.

Encourage Your Audience to Interact with Your Content 

No matter the size of your audience, active followers give you a chance to rank high on TikTok feeds. Always encourage viewers to interact with your content by liking, sharing, and commenting. A higher engagement rate significantly improves your chances of reaching your target audience.

Wrapping Up

The TikTok Shop is shaping the future of e-commerce, offering massive potential with millions of active users scrolling daily. With in-video integration, creators and business owners can showcase products seamlessly, allowing viewers to make purchases without leaving the platform.

TikTok’s affiliate marketing opportunities are also a goldmine, no matter the size of your audience. Any creator can sign up for a program and start earning immediately. 

However, to secure your first sales, attracting viewers is key. Bulkoid can organically boost your followers, likes, and views—helping you succeed. Get in touch with us today! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to set up a TikTok Shop?

To set up a TikTok Shop for yourself, you need to meet the platform’s eligibility criteria and sign up as a seller in the TikTok Seller Center. 

Next, you should provide your personal or business information, add your products to the catalog, and link your TikTok account to your shop. 

How to sell stuff on TikTok shop?

List your products in the TikTok Shop Seller Center and create engaging videos showcasing them. Promote your TikTok Shop with trending hashtags, product links, and collaborations to boost visibility and encourage viewers to purchase your items.

Can you sell on TikTok for free?

Yes, selling on TikTok is free to set up, but TikTok charges a small commission on each transaction.

Can I sell my used clothes on TikTok?

Yes, you can sell pre-owned items, including clothes, on TikTok as long as they meet TikTok’s product policies. 

Do you need a trademark to sell on TikTok?

No, a trademark isn’t required, but you should consider it if you want to protect your brand and build credibility. 

Can you sell whatever you want on TikTok?

No, TikTok restricts items like alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and weapons. Before uploading your catalog of products, make sure to check what is allowed on the platform.