TikTok Shop came to life in September 2023. Before this, shopping on the platform happened organically: Influencers talked about products in their videos and viewers rushed to ecommerce sites and local stores to make a purchase.
This long-awaited feature of social commerce literally places the full shopping experience directly in the app, making product discovery and purchase easier. You can shop in TikTok without leaving the app, and that's what three out of four likely will do.
As a selling platform, TikTok presents a perfect opportunity for big businesses or SMEs to showcase their products. Say you're into the business of selling products like clothing and home goods: through TikTok Shopping, customers now find a perfect outlet for buying the items they watch in those videos without ever leaving the app.
If you're interested in learning how to set up a TikTok shop for your brand come 2024, then look no further.
Why Sell on TikTok Shop?
TikTok Shop simplifies the process of turning your TikTok followers into customers by providing direct shopping options within the app. With TikTok becoming a prime destination for product discovery, particularly among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, brands can capitalize on appearing in search results and offering easy shopping solutions right on TikTok.
TikTok Shop, along with other shopping integrations, allows brands to seamlessly weave products into engaging videos and content. If TikTok Shop isn’t available in your area, integrations like the TikTok app for Shopify can still provide access to shopping features.
Adding TikTok Shop to your sales channels offers an additional touchpoint beyond your online store, catering to your customers' online shopping preferences. The perks include:
- Reaching a broad and diverse audience of potential shoppers.
- Work with trusted influencers to up the ante on authenticity with influencer marketing.
- Showcase your products in the most creative way with fun content.
- Provide a personalized shopping experience based on TikTok user behavior.
- Ride on TikTok trends and hashtag challenges to drive further virality.
Schedule a call with one of our experts today!
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your TikTok Shop
Setting up a TikTok Shop starts with creating either a TikTok business account or a TikTok Shop account. You can easily do this on the TikTok website or app.
1. Download the Necessary App
If you’re selling through Shopify, the TikTok Shopify app is your best friend. It allows you to create video ads, track results, and manage orders seamlessly within Shopify. This app integrates smoothly with TikTok Shopping and TikTok For Business Ads Manager.
Your customers can complete purchases within the TikTok app. Remember, in-app purchases reduce the chances of customers dropping off and not completing their purchases.
For those not using Shopify, you can still leverage TikTok Shop by setting up a TikTok For Business account and using the TikTok Seller Center. Additionally, third-party ecommerce platforms like BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and others offer integrations and plugins.
Alternatively, you can utilize ChannelEngine's integration capabilities to manage products, inventory, track orders, and more. Our platform provides a comprehensive solution that simplifies the whole process, enabling you to efficiently handle your ecommerce operations across multiple channels, including TikTok Shop.
2. Craft an Engaging Business Bio
Think of your TikTok bio as a crucial piece of digital real estate. This will be the first thing that people see when they visit your account, so make a good impression at the very beginning. Be creative and informative; you need to be remembered.
Say a lot about your brand in a few words. Use relevant keywords to enhance your SEO on TikTok. For instance, if you deal in vintage handmade women's wear, then these key phrases should kind of ring all across your profile and content.
3. Optimize Your Product Catalog for TikTok
Your shopping tab is essentially your TikTok storefront. To provide an enjoyable shopping experience, ensure it’s optimized. Use high-quality images that are consistent with your brand’s presentation across all platforms. Good lighting and a quality camera are essential.
Product titles should be concise, fitting within the 34-character limit, and loaded with keywords. Use the description to add detailed information about each product. Note that links in TikTok product descriptions aren’t clickable, so avoid using them.
Best Practices for Selling on TikTok Shop
Use TikTok Ads
Take your TikTok shop to the next level by creating product ads. Actually, TikTok has made sure that one can create TikTok shoppable ads through the TikTok App for Shopify; therefore, buyers can buy directly from the ad. One of the prerequisites for selling products on TikTok is getting your brand in front of a large number of people. And that's what TikTok Ads are all about.
Host Live Stream Shopping Events
Live stream shopping events are perfect for showcasing your products and answering customer questions in real-time. It’s like a modern, interactive version of a QVC show.
Find out more about TikTok LIVE Shopping and what it can do for your business.
Partner with Influencers
Working with a TikTok influencer may turn the tide in your favor, if you are not in the know in terms of trends, inside jokes, and subcultures.
You should find an influencer who really likes your brand and whose style resonates with yours. This way, you will be able to expand your reach and increase brand visibility on TikTok.
Leveraging ChannelEngine for TikTok Shop Success
TikTok has, from being a passing trend, turned into an acting force in e-commerce; it is here where creativity really meets commerce. And it's not just creative content but authentic connections. We shared strategies and tools to launch a brand on TikTok, with real success always lying in genuine relationships.
At ChannelEngine, we're dedicated to helping you thrive on platforms like TikTok Shop. Our integration capabilities are designed to make your life easier, allowing you to automate and manage listings, inventory, orders, shipping, and accounting effortlessly.
Think of us as your central hub for channel management. With ChannelEngine, you’ll enjoy synchronized inventory and automated order processing, giving you more time to focus on what matters most – scaling your revenue. Our solutions ensure your product listings are always optimized, so you can make the most of TikTok’s vast user base and dynamic social commerce features.
We’re here to help you increase your brand's visibility, engage your customers with shoppable content, and boost your sales efficiently. With ChannelEngine, you’ll have everything you need to succeed on TikTok Shop right at your fingertips.
