How to Set Up a TikTok Shop

Think about the last time you bought something online. Did you search for it intentionally? Or did you stumble across it on social media, where a creative video made you stop, think, and hit “Buy Now”? For millions of shoppers, that moment of discovery happens every day on TikTok. And with TikTok Shop, sellers can turn those moments into real revenue. 

Whether you’re a seasoned online seller or just exploring the world of e-commerce, TikTok Shop provides an entirely new way to connect with the customers. This guide will show you step-by-step how to set up your TikTok Shop and thrive in this dynamic digital marketplace. Ready to transform views into sales? Let’s get started.

What Is TikTok Shop and Why Should You Use It?

In 2021, TikTok took the next big step in social commerce by launching TikTok Shop, an in-app shopping feature that lets sellers connect with a massive, engaged audience. But TikTok Shop isn’t just typical online marketplace — it’s built to match the platform’s unique purpose and energy. Shoppers don’t just browse; they experience. They see products in action, whether in a fun tutorial, a viral dance video, or a live Q&A with a brand. 

What makes TikTok Shop different? It’s all about discovery. Instead of buyers searching for products, products find buyers — right in the middle of engaging, scroll-stopping content. It’s a whole new era for e-commerce, and if you are a seller —  it would be a huge mistake not to even try to start.

Fun Fact: TikTok Shop has grown so rapidly that in some regions, it’s already outperforming traditional marketplaces, marking it as a must-have platform for any seller looking to innovate.

Want to dive deeper into selling on TikTok Shop? Don’t miss our guide on How to Sell on TikTok Shop — it’s packed with simple tips and strategies to help you grow your sales and connect with your audience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a TikTok Shop

Getting started with TikTok Shop begins with setting up your seller account through the TikTok Shop Seller Center. Here’s a detailed walkthrough to help you navigate the process smoothly:

Step 1: Register as a TikTok Shop Seller

1.1. Access the TikTok Shop Seller Center

Go to the TikTok Shop Seller Center and select your region. TikTok Shop is available in specific countries, including the U.S., U.K., and several Southeast Asian markets. 

Source: TikTok

Pro Tip: Make sure that the country you choose is the one where you will be selling. Once you’ve registered, you won’t be able to change the country.

1.2. Sign Up for a New Account

Once you have selected your country, enter your email address and confirmation code. Then it’s time to choose your business type. There are four types: individual, sole proprietorship, corporation, and partnership.

Source: TikTok

1.3. Complete Verification Process

To activate your seller account, TikTok requires business verification. This step ensures that your business is legitimate and complies with local laws.

Registering as an individual seller, you should upload your passport photo or driving license photo.

Source: TikTok

If you are a business seller you’ll need to provide business registration documents, such as your business license, EIN or legal business address.

Source: TikTok

Pro Tip: Use a clear business logo or profile picture to enhance your store’s professional appearance.

TikTok provides specific formatting requirements for uploaded documents, so double-check that your files meet their standards. The review process usually takes 1-3 business days.

Step 2: Set Up Your Shop Information

With your documents uploaded, the next step is to provide your shop’s details, such as its name and the primary product category. It’s okay if you’re not fully decided on these yet — you can adjust them later as needed. 

Source: TikTok

Hit the submit button to confirm your details, and your application will be processed within 2-3 days. Congratulations — you’re now the owner of a TikTok Shop!

Step 3: Link Your Bank Account

Next, set up your bank account details in the Seller Center to receive payments. Ensure the account name matches your registered business name to avoid delays in payment processing. TikTok allows sellers to manage payment preferences, track payouts, and view transaction histories directly through the dashboard.

Pro Tip: Ensure all information is accurate during registration, as inconsistencies may lead to delays or account suspensions. 

Step 4: Add Your Products

Once your account is verified, it’s time to add your products to TikTok Shop (you can do it in 3 different ways). This step involves listing items and ensuring accurate details to attract your audience and stand out among other sellers.

4.1. Add Products Manually

For smaller inventories, manually uploading products is quite simple:

• Go to the “Product Management” tab in the Seller Center.
• Add product details such as:
  
  – High-quality images from multiple angles.
  – Compelling descriptions highlighting features, benefits, and unique selling points.
  – Competitive pricing that includes any additional costs like shipping or commissions.
  
  

• Select the appropriate category to ensure your product appears in relevant searches.
  

4.2. Bulk Upload via CSV Files

For larger inventories, TikTok allows you to upload multiple products simultaneously using a CSV file. To avoid errors:

• Download TikTok’s CSV template from the Seller Center.
• Fill out required fields, including product titles, stock levels, pricing, and descriptions.
• Re-upload the completed file and review your entries before finalizing.

4.3. Integrate with Existing E-commerce Platforms

If you already have an online store, integrating it with TikTok Shop simplifies product management. Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce offer seamless connectivity, allowing you to:

• Sync product listings, stock levels, and pricing across channels.
• Manage orders in one centralized dashboard.

In case you don’t have another online store, Mysellerhub is the solution you need. With our upcoming TikTok partnership, you’ll gain access to the catalogue of trending products, you’ll be able to upload them to your TikTok Shop in seconds, and handle orders effortlessly, all in one place.

Step 5: Link Your TikTok Account

Now that you have your products added, it’s time to link your TikTok account to your TikTok Shop to fully utilize its features. This integration allows you to tag products in videos and access tools for enhanced content promotion.

5.1. Connect Your TikTok Profile

In the Seller Center, navigate to the “Account Settings” tab and follow the prompts to link your TikTok account. Once connected, you’ll be able to:

• Tag products directly in videos.
• Gain access to analytics on video-driven sales.

5.2. Utilize the Shop Tab

After linking your account, TikTok will enable the Shop Tab on your profile. This tab acts as a virtual storefront, displaying all your listed products. Users can browse your shop and make purchases directly from your profile, enhancing discoverability and driving conversions.

Pro Tip: Keep your profile visually appealing with a professional profile picture, engaging bio, and pinned videos highlighting your best products.

Understanding TikTok Shop Fees

So, it seems like everything is covered and you are ready to launch. The next and most vital thing to consider are the platform’s fees. These are the costs that TikTok charges for selling your products through its service.

Commission Fees

While setting up a TikTok Shop account doesn’t cost anything, TikTok takes a commission on every sale. As of September 2024, the standard commission rate has increased from 5% to 9%, though exact rates vary by product category and sales method.

Consider these specifics:

• First-Time Sellers: TikTok offers a 0% commission rate for the first 90 days, provided you complete the Seller Mission. This involves uploading your product catalog and creating an affiliate plan within 45 days. Without this, the rate defaults to 1.8% for the first 90 days.
• Lower-Cost Categories: Electronics, collectibles, and select beauty items are charged a reduced 5% commission.
• Short Video Sales: Have a commission rate of 7%.
• Live Stream Sales: Carry a 5% commission fee.

TikTok automatically deducts the commission from the sale price, so it’s essential to account for these fees when pricing your products. Review TikTok’s commission rate table to determine the exact fee for your product category and ensure your pricing strategy aligns with your profit goals.

Fulfilment Fees

TikTok Shop provides several fulfillment options to help streamline your logistics and ensure customer satisfaction:

Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT)

For sellers looking for a hands-off approach, TikTok’s Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT) service is a nice solution. TikTok stores your inventory, picks, packs, and ships orders directly from their fulfillment centers. FBT offers features like next-day delivery options and promotional perks to enhance customer satisfaction and drive sales.

This option is perfect for sellers who want to focus on creating engaging TikTok content while leaving the logistics hassle to TikTok’s team. Keep in mind that FBT may come with additional fees based on storage and order volume, so it’s important to factor these costs into your pricing strategy.

Shipped by Seller

If you prefer to maintain control over your shipping process, TikTok Shop allows you to handle fulfillment yourself. With the Shipped by Seller option, you can manage inventory, choose your own carriers, and customize packaging to align with your brand’s image.

While this option gives you full control, it also requires more time and effort, especially as your business scales. Sellers must monitor stock levels, handle packaging, and coordinate shipping timelines to ensure orders are delivered on time.

Third-Party Fulfillment

For growing businesses, partnering with a third-party fulfillment provider can be a game-changer. Services like Mysellerhub specialize in inventory management, picking, packing, and shipping. By outsourcing these tasks, you can streamline your operations while focusing on marketing, product development, and scaling your brand.

Shipping Fees

Shipping costs can vary significantly depending on your chosen fulfillment method, product size and weight, destination, and carrier. TikTok Shop offers two primary shipping options:

Shipped via Platform

This method allows TikTok to handle the entire shipping process on your behalf. TikTok partners with logistics providers to manage delivery, offering predictable shipping rates and reliable service. This option is convenient for sellers who want to minimize their involvement in logistics.

Shipped via Seller

For sellers who prefer more control, the Shipped via Seller option lets you handle shipping independently. This flexibility allows you to:

• Select carriers that best meet your needs, such as USPS, or FedEx, depending on your location.
• Customize packaging to boost your brand identity.

When managing your own shipping, consider these factors:

• Carrier Options: Compare rates and services from multiple carriers to find the best balance of cost and reliability.
• Flat Rate vs. Standard Shipping: Decide whether to offer a flat shipping rate for simplicity or calculate costs based on the order’s weight, size, and destination.
• Free Shipping: Offering free shipping can boost sales but requires careful planning. Include shipping costs in your product pricing or use it as a promotional incentive.

Sell on TikTok Easily with Mysellerhub (*Coming Soon)

TikTok Shop is an incredible sales channel, but without the right tools, managing it can be overwhelming. Mysellerhub is going to be the ultimate platform for TikTok sellers who want to work smarter, not harder.

With Mysellerhub, you can:

• Simplify Multichannel Integration: Seamlessly manage your TikTok Shop alongside Shopify and eBay stores from one dashboard.
• Sync Products Seamlessly: Avoid overselling with automatic inventory updates across platforms.
• Bulk Upload Listings: Save hours of work by uploading multiple products to a few sales channels at once.
• Track Performance: Use powerful analytics to identify bestsellers and improve profitability.

And the best part? Mysellerhub offers features like AI-driven product insights, completely FREE access to its tools, and U.S.-based supplier networks, making it a standout solution compared to other platforms. 

Take your TikTok Shop to the next level soon with Mysellerhub and start managing your business like a pro.