How to sell products on TikTok: Despite legislative criticism concerning data-sapping, TikTok has continually seen progressive growth, and by the time this article was being prepared, TikTok was one of the most used video-sharing social media platforms. What does this convert to? Well just like all other popular platforms, business owners have begun looking at ways to drive sales, by utilizing the traffic on the Platform.
Ideally, selling your business on your Social Media account basically means making content to make your business known to the users of the social media platform you are exploring. However, it is worth noting that there are some technicalities with different social media platforms with TikTok being included and it is important, that you learn the technicalities in pursuit of profitability.
In this article, we have put together a comprehensive guide on how to utilize TikTok e-commerce for your business. Let’s jump right into the tutorial.
How to Start Selling on TikTok in Four Steps
Getting started with selling products on TikTok is simple. There are four things you basically need to do. You have to create a TikTok account, register on TikTok Shop, create engaging ads run TikTok ads, and possibly some extras.
Create a TikTok account.
Setting up an account is free and easy. Simply download the TikTok app either the Apple Store or the Google PlayStore, then follow the instructions/screen prompts to create an account.
After your account is up and running, you’ll need to switch your account to a business account to run ads. To do this, open TikTok, tap the three lines at the top right of the screen, select “settings and privacy,” and then tap “manage the account.” Finally, select “Switch to a business account.”
Now you’ll need to create a strategy for selling on TikTok. Which of the above tools will you use? How often will you post? Will you work with creators? Don’t forget to think about your budget for ads and creator collaborations. The minimum to advertise on TikTok is $50 per day, so you should set aside at least several hundred dollars for your first campaign.
Link your eCommerce store to your TikTok.
TikTok eCommerce is compatible with Lightspeed eCom and other popular eCommerce platforms. Follow your eCommerce provider’s instructions for how to connect your website with the social media platform. After these steps, you can start leveraging TikTok for its selling power. However, there is another interesting feature in TikTok solely meant for selling which is known as TikTok Shop.
Introduction to TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop is an e-commerce feature of the video hosting service TikTok. Officially launched on September 2023, the feature enables users interested in starting a business and generating income to upload their curated products on TikTok for others to discover and purchase. Daily sales averaged approximately US$7 million in October 2023.
How to start selling on TikTok Shop
Step 1: Choose the Right Products TikTok Shop Selling on TikTok starts with learning about the platform, its users, and which products sell well.
Research Your Target Market
You also need to find out if your target market is using TikTok. As of 2022, 7 out of 10 teens in the US were using TikTok, while more than half (56%) of those aged 20 to 29 are TikTok users. If your market focuses on millennials and Gen Zers, TikTok is the perfect channel for you.
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A significant number of US TikTok users are between the ages of 30 to 49. TikTok is a channel where you can promote brand awareness and connect with a potentially huge audience.
Learn About The Products to Sell
TikTok doesn’t provide a list of allowed sellable products, but it does provide a list of prohibited items. A quick look at trending videos can give you an idea of what types of products are an excellent fit for the platform. You can look at TikTok’s successful business case studies and explore the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt hashtag for ideas.
Step 2: Register as a Seller Once you have an idea of which products to sell, it’s time to start playing with TikTok.
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You can also sign in with your existing TikTok account to apply as a TikTok seller. We
recommend using a TikTok account solely for your business and not linking your personal
TikTok account to your TikTok Shop.
You will then need to submit your documents for verification. Requirements will depend on whether you register as an individual or a company.
Set Up Your Shop Preferences
After you have registered as a seller, you can go ahead and set up preferences for your TikTok Shop such as its name while waiting for approval.
When creating a Shop name, remember the following:
You can use letters, numbers, and special characters for your Shop name, but you cannot use numbers or special characters exclusively. Avoid names that do not make sense, go with a name that befits or describes your brand and products.
You cannot use “official,” “flagship,” “authorized,” or “brand” in the name. You cannot use
trademarked names as well, such as Disney and Nike. Comparisons or exaggerated descriptions, such as “the best” or “vs.” are also not allowed.
You cannot mention “TikTok” without TikTok Shop’s authorized permission or any third-party platforms such as Amazon, Instagram, and Facebook, without authorized permission.
Choose a primary product/service type and set the category that best describes the products you sell. Do not worry—this will not affect your future business activities and will only be used for completing the registration process.
Add contact information for verification purposes. You can change your shop name later if necessary.
Link Your TikTok Account
The next step in registering as a TikTok Shop seller is to link your TikTok account to the Shop. This is important so that you can add your products to your TikTok Showcase, and sell products via LIVE or short video.
In your TikTok Seller dashboard (desktop or mobile app), go to Settings > Linked TikTok Accounts Select the account type, enter the username, and click Send invitation. From the TikTok Account you are linking, go to Inbox
Click on New profile views and from TikTok > Monetization: New Request Click Accept request
Step 3: Add Your Products
After optimizing your profile, you are now ready to start listing your products or connecting your e-commerce shop to your account. You can actually start adding products pending approval of your TikTok seller application. Note that any uploaded products will not go live until you are approved to sell.
Link Your Online Shop to Your TikTok Account.
If you have an existing online store through an e-commerce platform, you can link it to your TikTok account to enable the Shop tab where you can showcase and sell your products. You can do it in two ways—installing the e-commerce app from the TikTok Shop App store to your Shop or connecting TikTok from your e-commerce dashboard.
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Add Products in Your Seller Dashboard You can easily add new products from your TikTok Seller Center dashboard via desktop or mobile app. If it’s your first time setting up a TikTokShop, you will also get a setup wizard where you go through the basic steps of managing your products.
From your Homepage or Seller Center dashboard, click Add products
Fill in the following information:
Product image: Images should number more than five but less than nine. The first image must contain a single item/product except for sets or bundles and have a white background with no other elements such as text, icons, borders, watermarks, etc.
Product name: The product name should have more than 25 characters, including spaces, with the recommended characters set to 80 or fewer. Each word in the name should be capitalized except conjunctions, articles, and prepositions).
Product Description: Different selling points should be separated by paragraphs, with each
selling point is less than 250 characters, preferably with auxiliary images
Category: Choose the appropriate category from the dropdown menu.
Video (optional): Videos are optional but recommended.
Sales attributes: You can have up to three sales attributes and a maximum of 300 SKUs.
Different sales attributes should have different images.
Click Publish. The product is added to your Shop but will only be active after it is approved.
Usually, it goes to the “Reviewing” tab after submission and will be displayed under the “Live” tab after approval.
Step 4: Understanding TikTok’s E-commerce Features
TikTok Shop: This is TikTok’s in-app marketplace where you can create a digital storefront. You can list products, manage orders, and track sales directly from the app.
Live Shopping: This feature allows you to showcase products in real-time during your live
broadcasts. You can interact with your audience, answer questions, and even offer exclusive deals.
Hashtag Challenges: Create branded hashtag challenges that encourage users to create content related to your products. This can increase visibility and drive sales.
Store Page: Display your products in your own in-app shop. You can customize it with your
branded design for an elevated and recognizable shopping experience.
Step 5: Creating Engaging TikTok Content
Know Your Audience: Understand your target audience’s interests, preferences, and pain points. Tailor your content accordingly.
Short and Snappy: Keep your videos concise and engaging. The ideal length is typically between 15 and 60 seconds.
Use Trending Sounds and Effects: Incorporate popular sounds and effects to make your videos more discoverable.
Showcase Your Products Creatively: Use storytelling, demonstrations, or user-generated
content to highlight the benefits and features of your products.
Encourage User Interaction: Ask questions, run polls, or challenge your audience to participate in your videos.
Branded Effects: Create custom filters or effects that users can interact with in their videos.
Product Demos: Create dynamic and eye-catching demonstrations that highlight your product’s unique features.
Tutorials: Share useful tips and tricks that showcase how your product can solve problems or enhance lives.
Challenges: Engage with current trends by participating in or launching your own viral
challenges.
User-Generated Content: Encourage satisfied customers to share their experiences with your product and feature these clips on your profile.
Step 6: Running TikTok ads
You can get more people to see your videos—and therefore your products—by putting
advertising dollars behind them. TikTok ads for small businesses come in two flavors: Promote and Spark Ads.
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How do you use Promote on TikTok and what is it for? Promote lets you boost your existing
video content with the objectives of increasing video views, driving website traffic, or growing your audience. With Spark Ads, you can promote your video content or an influencer’s content.
Spark Ads gives you more targeting options and objectives, so it’s best for experienced advertisers, while Promote is better for those who are getting started with TikTok ads. With Lightspeed, you can advertise directly through your eCommerce dashboard.
Step 7: Building a Strong TikTok Presence
Consistency is Key: Post regularly to maintain a consistent presence and engage your audience.
Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers in your niche to reach a wider
audience. Influencers can provide an authentic voice and reach for your brand. Collaborate with TikTok creators who align with your brand values and have an audience that fits your target demographic. Their endorsement can drive significant traffic and sales to your product.
Utilize TikTok Ads: Promote your products through TikTok’s advertising platform to target
specific demographics.
Monitor Analytics: Track your performance using TikTok’s analytics tools to measure the
effectiveness of your campaigns. Track the performance of your TikTok content with the
analytics tools available for business accounts. Focus on metrics like engagement rates, video views, and click-through rates. Use these insights to refine your approach, experimenting with different content styles and strategies to find what works best.
Join Relevant Communities:
Engage with other creators and businesses in your industry to
network and learn from others.
Selling products on TikTok isn’t just about creating content; it’s about engaging with a vibrant community in a way that feels natural and compelling. By understanding your audience, creating engaging content, and leveraging TikTok’s unique features, you can transform your TikTok presence into a powerful sales engine. Embrace the platform’s creativity and watch your business thrive.
wrapping up: There you have it – a comprehensive guide on how to sell products on TikTok. It may not be all you need in total, but there is a very high chance, you will achieve high-level success if you adopt the principles outlined in this guide.