How to Start a TikTok Shop

Social commerce is a massive deal in 2025. If you want to get your brand and products out there on one of the biggest social platforms in the world, starting a TikTok shop is the way to go.

With a TikTok Shop, you get to use in-app shopping features to draw customers, and you make it easier for them to discover your brand.

What Exactly Is TikTok Shop?

TikTok Shop is an amalgamation of features that allows TikTokers with business accounts to sell their product directly on the platform. The more products you load and sell on TikTok, the more your brand will show up in TikTok search results.

When you create your own TikTok Shop storefront, you can broadcast to a wider audience within the demographic you want to target.

You can also create partnerships with micro-influencers and other trusted content creators to build trust with your target audience.

Furthermore, you have the opportunity to go viral with your product videos by utilizing TikTok trends and hashtag challenges that appeal to your target audience.

How to Get Started

Before you can sell anything on TikTok, you must meet certain criteria.

For one, you can only use the shop feature if you have a business account.

You also need the right information and documentation, such as an active phone number, email address, and bank details.

You must prove ownership of your business, and your business must be registered. This means providing valid business license and registration documents. You will also have to provide a copy of your ID.

Note that access to the TikTok Seller Center is not available in every country.

Those in the U.S., the UK, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore have access (for now). Other countries include Italy, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany.

Choose the device you want to work from, whether your phone or tablet. You must pair the latest version of the TikTok app with reliable interconnectivity.

If you don’t have a business account, you will have to apply for business verification before upgrading.

Creating a TikTok Business Account

If your application for a business account is approved, you get access to the TikTok Ads Manager and analytics data. These features will help you monitor your shop's performance.

When you create your business account profile, remember to add a logo or professional image as your profile picture.

Also, use your bio to describe your business and add a link to the online platform you will sell from.

Once your bio is up, you can register for the TikTok Seller Center. The center aims to help sellers manage their shops properly by providing live shopping ads and customer service options.

You can link your bank account to the Seller Center to streamline your sales.

Setting Up Shop

When you log in with your business account details, you must provide copies of all your company information so that TikTok can review and approve it.

When this is done, you can set up your shop profile. Try to maintain consistency in colors throughout your shop page and product details. Add descriptions to each product that are catchy enough to draw attention.

To truly make a splash on TikTok, consider adding product demo videos to each listing.

To make it easy to filter your products, add them according to categories and load the correct demo underneath each product. Your demo videos should be no longer than 30 seconds and shot in the 9:16 aspect ratio.

As for your descriptions, they should contain key selling points within 250 characters. You can also add SEO keywords and hashtags at the end of the descriptions.

TikTok allows you to add multiple variations, such as color and size, to each video. You have thousands of SKUs at your disposal if you use the ‘Enable Variations’ feature.

Combine Content and Commerce

Keep in mind that your shop will exist within TikTok’s ongoing flow of entertainment. If you want your shop and products to stand out, you need to combine content and commerce.

For example, you must tag products in your videos. When you hook viewers with your content, they will be more likely to buy the tagged product because they don’t have to leave the app to do so.

To proceed, simply tap ‘Next,’ ‘Add Link,’ and ‘Add Product’ after editing and uploading your video. Search your catalog, pick items, and tap Add.

You can also tag multiple products per video. Once your tags have been approved, they will appear above your username or at the bottom of the screen.

It is important that you only tag visible products. All products featured in the video should have a tag, but limit the number of products and tags to three per video.

You must also choose video formats that are more likely to convert.

As mentioned, demo videos will go a long way to proving how your product solves a customer’s problem. You can follow up demo videos with longer tutorials to make your content more authentic.

Behind-the-scenes content also works well for product selling. You can take your viewers inside your product shipping process, allowing your audience to build a human and emotional connection with you.

Lastly, for a truly blended approach to content and commerce, encourage existing customers to create content featuring your products. Social proof is incredibly powerful when it comes to selling online.

Use Ads and Partner With Other Content Creators

You want more users to discover your products, and advertising and collaboration can help achieve that goal.

Use TikTok Ads to boost visibility for your TikTok Shop. You can test different formats, including in-feed with a shopping button, or TopView.

Work with other content creators in an affiliate capacity or with micro-influencers who can drive higher ROI.

Monitor Your Performance and Make the Necessary Changes

To optimize your TikTok Shop's performance, monitor key metrics, including product views, click-throughs, and conversion rates. You can also track the shop performance score and customer feedback.

Use this data to make changes that further optimize your shop for more sales.

Launch Your TikTok Shop in 2025

TikTok Shop is booming with major brands finding massive ROI. This proves that the shop feature is far more than just a trend – it is a complete business revolution.

By following the above steps, you will establish your brand identity on TikTok and attract customers who will keep coming back for your products.