Most people consider TikTok a platform to share funny dances and short videos.
However, it’s much more than that – especially in the e-commerce industry.
The introduction of the TikTok Shop Official Portal has made selling online easier.
In this article, I give you step-by-step instructions on how to start your own TikTok shop.
And the best part is that setting up your shop (and selling products) is easier than performing that viral dance you’ve been practicing in front of your mirror!
Key Steps to Start a TikTok Shop
Here are the steps to start a TikTok shop.
Set Up Your TikTok Seller Account
Head over to the TikTok Seller Center website.
Choose the portal you want to log into.
Next, fill in some basic business information.
You’ll have to verify your identity using an official document.
Once you’re ready, give TikTok some time to review your application.
This can take up to 48 hours.
Your TikTok Seller Central
While waiting for approval, you can still look around your TikTok seller dashboard.
The most important part might be the order management section.
In this section, you’ll eventually create product discounts, set deals, create coupons and adjust shipping fee discounts.
You can do all this (and more) through the promotions tab.
You can also run ads through your TikTok seller central dashboard.
This can be a great way to attract customers to your business.
You can also set up the campaigns you want to run in your shop.
Link Your TikTok Business Account
Alright, it’s now time to connect the dots and link your TikTok business account with your shop.
First things first, make sure your TikTok account is set to public.
It also needs to be a TikTok business account.
You can’t have a personal account for this to work.
Instead, you need a TikTok business account to sell on the platform.
Here are some official TikTok stats to consider if you need any convincing that upgrading your account is the right move.
When you’re ready, you can link your account through the “Linked TikTok accounts” option on your seller dashboard.
Just scan the QR code and you’re good to go.
Want to take things further?
You can even integrate your TikTok Shop with e-commerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce.
Once you’re up and running, this step will make managing your inventory and orders a breeze.
Additional TikTok Shop Considerations
There are a few extra things you’ll want to keep in mind when starting your TikTok shop.
First off, let’s talk about shipping.
TikTok has a strict policy—you must ship pending orders within 3 days.
Break these rules a few times and things won’t stay looking good for your shop.
Also, keep an eye out for your shop’s health.
You don’t want your shop’s health to change from good to bad without realizing you’re doing something wrong.
As soon as you see a change in your shop’s health, you should take immediate action to rectify the situation.
Let’s next consider getting paid.
Don’t expect to see that money right away.
Payouts are generally released 15 days after delivery.
You might want to keep a little cushion in your budget to tide you over.
Here’s another heads-up: TikTok’s support for shop owners isn’t always the most robust.
You’ll want to have your own customer service game plan in place.
Think about how you’ll handle questions, concerns, or issues that pop up.
Being prepared can save you a lot of headaches down the line.
I would advise you to have templates you build up that address the most common questions you get.
This way, you won’t have to type out a response each time you get a question.
Instead, you can copy and paste the templated answer, make a few, small changes, and hit send.
Staying on top of these small details can make a big difference in how smoothly your TikTok shop runs.
Overall:
- Keep that shipping speedy
- Be patient with payouts and
- Be ready to provide stellar customer service.
With these bases covered, you’ll be in good shape to make the most of your TikTok shop adventure.
Conclusion
Setting up your TikTok Seller Account correctly means you’re well on your way to tapping into TikTok’s vast, engaged audience.
Remember that the customer is the most important part of running a successful online business.
And it’s no different when setting up a TikTok shop.
Always do your best to provide the best experience possible, and you’ll attract both new and returning customers who will want to do business with you.
Further reading on AdamEnfroy.com: Want to maximize your TikTok experience?
Learn the ins and outs of going live on TikTok to engage with your audience in real-time.
To monetize your presence, discover seven simple ways to make money on TikTok and turn your passion into profit.
Need inspiration for your profile?
Here are cool and funny TikTok bio ideas for both boys and girls.
And if you ever need to retract a post, follow this easy guide to undoing a repost on TikTok.