TikTok Ecommerce: How to Tap Into this Social Selling Channel in 2024

TikTok has shaken up the ecommerce and online shopping landscape in a big way. Learn about the impact Tiktok has had on ecommerce and how you can tap into another social sales channel.

 Claire Oswald
Claire Oswald
product marketing manager
Claire Oswald
product marketing manager
July 3, 2024
-
1
min

Social media has totally changed the game for ecommerce. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have given businesses the power to connect with tons of potential customers, engage with people through targeted ads and influencer collabs, and even sell stuff directly on their pages. And now, with social commerce, an online store can convert customers without requiring them to visit its website. 

Social media lets brands build trust with their audience by sharing real-life stories and user-generated content (UGC). Nowadays, any business looking to make a good impression on its customers knows that social media is an absolute must-have for a successful ecommerce strategy.

Launched in 2016, TikTok allows users to create and share short-form videos with their followers. With hundreds of millions of downloads, this social media platform has become a force to be reckoned with. And guess what? It's showing no signs of slowing down. 🚀 

TikTok’s explosion in popularity has digital marketers and brands scrambling to keep up. But fear not! With new channels and innovative ways to connect with customers, TikTok has opened up a treasure trove of potential for those who dare to embrace it.

What is TikTok ecommerce?

Following in the footsteps of many other social media channels, TikTok introduced the ability for businesses to sell products directly to customers through the app. Brands across industries, from fashion and beauty to food and electronics, have found innovative ways to showcase their products and build brand awareness on the platform. 

Influencer marketing on TikTok has also become increasingly popular, with creators promoting products through sponsored content and driving sales through unique discount codes. 

Its in-app social commerce feature is called TikTok Shop for brands with a TikTok for Business ad account. TikTok Shop allows users to browse and purchase items without leaving the app. Brands can showcase their products in an online store within the app, making it easy for users to discover and purchase items without leaving the app. 

By embracing the potential of TikTok, businesses can unlock a world of opportunities for growth, engagement, and sales. The possibilities are endless, whether through creative campaigns, influencer partnerships, or user-generated content. 

As TikTok continues to evolve and expand its ecommerce features (more on that below), it will likely change the way you think about online shopping and ecommerce.

Submit a free brief and choose from our highly vetted network of 10K+ creators interested in your products. Partner with UGC creators through Trend by soona, starting at $110 >

Benefits of selling products on TikTok

TikTok videos have opened up possibilities for brands to showcase new products and build a community. The platform’s algorithm can quickly turn a video into a viral hit, providing sellers with unprecedented exposure and driving massive amounts of traffic to their ecommerce sites. 

Improved brand awareness and exposure

Sellers can increase brand awareness and exposure to a broader audience by creating appealing content and leveraging trending hashtags. TikTok's algorithm prioritizes engaging and relevant content, so if your content resonates with users, it’s more likely to appear on their For You page. This means even small merchants with limited budgets can get their content in front of a large and diverse audience.

Increased sales growth and revenue

Using popular TikTok trends and challenges, you can create viral videos that generate millions of views and attract a large following. You can then leverage TikTok's advertising platform to target specific audiences with ads and track their ad performance in real time. This targeted approach allows you to reach more potential customers and increase conversion rates.

Access to younger demographics and new audiences

You’re in the right place if you're trying to reach a younger crowd. Most TikTok users are between 18 and 34 years old, making winning over a fresh, new audience easy. Plus, the platform’s fast-paced, short-form video format lets you get creative and show off your personality in a way that'll keep your brand top of mind.

Challenges of selling on TikTok 

TikTok ecommerce isn’t necessarily as easy as it sounds. It takes strategy and energy to be successful. There are also challenges and pitfalls to be aware of along the way, including the following. 

Trolls and haters

While TikTok can be an effective ecommerce tool for driving engagement, there’s always the potential for negative feedback or backlash from users. Basically, you gotta be ready for some haters.  

Vetting collaborators

Then there's the issue of user-generated content and influencer partnerships. 🤝 While these can be a great way to build buzz and boost sales, you need to be careful about who you collaborate with and which content is shared. Make sure everything aligns with your brand and values!

How to sell on TikTok 

If you want to tap into the opportunities of selling on TikTok Commerce (formerly TikTok Shopping), you can either open a TikTok Shop or run Shop Ads (or both!). You can use this step-by-step guide to walk you through the process: 

1. Sign up for a TikTok for Business account

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to sign your business up for a TikTok account. 

If you already have one, simply log in and head to step #2. 

2. Create a TikTok Shop

You can now open a TikTok Shop should you choose. To do so, go to TikTok Seller Center and then set up your information and settings for your warehouse or pickup address, contact information, and return address. 

3. Verify your documents

Go to the Seller Center homepage and click Verify Documents. Click Upload Documents and attach your corresponding files. You’ll also need to input information about your business type, Shop name, owner identification, business registration or license, and other corresponding documents as requested. Click Submit.

4. Receive approval

Your application will undergo review, during which you may need to provide supplemental information. Once approved, you can move on to the next step. 

5. Set up your bank account

If you don’t already have one, you'll need a business bank account. Once that’s set up, you can link it to TikTok so it knows where to transfer the funds once you’ve made some sales. 

6. Add products

You can add products to your TikTok Shop by setting up Shop Ads. Navigate to Seller Center and click Ads. Click Create campaign—you might be redirected to TikTok Ads Manager, but select Product Sales as your campaign objective with TikTok Shop as the product source. Then create and publish your ads.

TikTok ecommerce success: strategy is key 🔑

A well-planned strategy will help you make the most of the platform. It’s not enough to just post a video of your cat and hope it goes viral (although that could work). Instead, you need to be intentional about the content you create, who you’re targeting, and how you’re measuring success. That means understanding your audience, creating engaging content, and staying on top of the latest trends.

Tips for ecommerce success on TikTok

TikTok is more than just a fun app for dance challenges and lip-syncing—it’s a powerhouse for businesses looking to spice up their ecommerce strategy. With its youthful and engaged user base, TikTok is a unique platform that can help brands tap into a new audience and build brand loyalty.

  • Know your audience: Start by figuring out what makes your target customers tick and tailor your content accordingly. 
  • Show up. Consistency is key, so keep the good vibes flowing by posting regularly (we recommend at least twice a day!) and engaging your audience. 
  • Use new features and tools. Remember to take advantage of TikTok’s features like shoppable links, hashtags, and challenges to boost your reach and sales. 
  • Track your efforts. Stay on top of your game by using TikTok’s analytics tools to track your performance and adjust your strategy as needed. 
  • Incorporate UGC: Sprinkling user-generated content and influencer marketing into your strategy can increase your visibility, build trust with potential customers, and drive sales growth. Plus, with TikTok's affordable advertising options and real-time analytics, it's easier than ever to track your success and make adjustments on the fly. 
  • Tap into the content you already have: No budget for new video or photoshoots to come up with new TikTok content? Use what you’ve got! You can repurpose existing assets into TikTok video shopping ads and product content. Or we can do that for you ;) 

Use your product photos & videos on every channel with soona photo editing and video production services >

TikTok, UGC, and influencers: a match made in marketing heaven

UGC and influencer marketing are the key to success on TikTok. UGC is essentially any content created by users about a brand or product. Think reviews, testimonials, and user-generated videos and pics. This is so important because it builds trust with potential customers. 

Influencer marketing means partnering with TikTok creators to promote a product or service to their followers. 🤩 By using a combination UGC and influencer marketing, you can reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness.

Go viral with the power of soona video packs 

By incorporating TikTok into your marketing strategy and leveraging its unique features, you can showcase your products in fun and engaging ways, build brand loyalty with a new generation of consumers, and tap into a massive user base that is only continuing to grow.

Ready to boost your business with TikTok and get your products to stand out from the crowd? soona's TikTok deluxe video pack offers high-quality video content that's perfect for giving your products the attention they deserve. With soona, you'll get affordable, cart-worthy content to help you build your brand and connect with your audience. 

Are you ready to create feed-stopping content that drives sales? Book your virtual shoot with soona today!

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Social media has totally changed the game for ecommerce. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have given businesses the power to connect with tons of potential customers, engage with people through targeted ads and influencer collabs, and even sell stuff directly on their pages. And now, with social commerce, an online store can convert customers without requiring them to visit its website. 

Social media lets brands build trust with their audience by sharing real-life stories and user-generated content (UGC). Nowadays, any business looking to make a good impression on its customers knows that social media is an absolute must-have for a successful ecommerce strategy.

Launched in 2016, TikTok allows users to create and share short-form videos with their followers. With hundreds of millions of downloads, this social media platform has become a force to be reckoned with. And guess what? It's showing no signs of slowing down. 🚀 

TikTok’s explosion in popularity has digital marketers and brands scrambling to keep up. But fear not! With new channels and innovative ways to connect with customers, TikTok has opened up a treasure trove of potential for those who dare to embrace it.

What is TikTok ecommerce?

Following in the footsteps of many other social media channels, TikTok introduced the ability for businesses to sell products directly to customers through the app. Brands across industries, from fashion and beauty to food and electronics, have found innovative ways to showcase their products and build brand awareness on the platform. 

Influencer marketing on TikTok has also become increasingly popular, with creators promoting products through sponsored content and driving sales through unique discount codes. 

Its in-app social commerce feature is called TikTok Shop for brands with a TikTok for Business ad account. TikTok Shop allows users to browse and purchase items without leaving the app. Brands can showcase their products in an online store within the app, making it easy for users to discover and purchase items without leaving the app. 

By embracing the potential of TikTok, businesses can unlock a world of opportunities for growth, engagement, and sales. The possibilities are endless, whether through creative campaigns, influencer partnerships, or user-generated content. 

As TikTok continues to evolve and expand its ecommerce features (more on that below), it will likely change the way you think about online shopping and ecommerce.

Submit a free brief and choose from our highly vetted network of 10K+ creators interested in your products. Partner with UGC creators through Trend by soona, starting at $110 >

Benefits of selling products on TikTok

TikTok videos have opened up possibilities for brands to showcase new products and build a community. The platform’s algorithm can quickly turn a video into a viral hit, providing sellers with unprecedented exposure and driving massive amounts of traffic to their ecommerce sites. 

Improved brand awareness and exposure

Sellers can increase brand awareness and exposure to a broader audience by creating appealing content and leveraging trending hashtags. TikTok's algorithm prioritizes engaging and relevant content, so if your content resonates with users, it’s more likely to appear on their For You page. This means even small merchants with limited budgets can get their content in front of a large and diverse audience.

Increased sales growth and revenue

Using popular TikTok trends and challenges, you can create viral videos that generate millions of views and attract a large following. You can then leverage TikTok's advertising platform to target specific audiences with ads and track their ad performance in real time. This targeted approach allows you to reach more potential customers and increase conversion rates.

Access to younger demographics and new audiences

You’re in the right place if you're trying to reach a younger crowd. Most TikTok users are between 18 and 34 years old, making winning over a fresh, new audience easy. Plus, the platform’s fast-paced, short-form video format lets you get creative and show off your personality in a way that'll keep your brand top of mind.

Challenges of selling on TikTok 

TikTok ecommerce isn’t necessarily as easy as it sounds. It takes strategy and energy to be successful. There are also challenges and pitfalls to be aware of along the way, including the following. 

Trolls and haters

While TikTok can be an effective ecommerce tool for driving engagement, there’s always the potential for negative feedback or backlash from users. Basically, you gotta be ready for some haters.  

Vetting collaborators

Then there's the issue of user-generated content and influencer partnerships. 🤝 While these can be a great way to build buzz and boost sales, you need to be careful about who you collaborate with and which content is shared. Make sure everything aligns with your brand and values!

How to sell on TikTok 

If you want to tap into the opportunities of selling on TikTok Commerce (formerly TikTok Shopping), you can either open a TikTok Shop or run Shop Ads (or both!). You can use this step-by-step guide to walk you through the process: 

1. Sign up for a TikTok for Business account

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to sign your business up for a TikTok account. 

If you already have one, simply log in and head to step #2. 

2. Create a TikTok Shop

You can now open a TikTok Shop should you choose. To do so, go to TikTok Seller Center and then set up your information and settings for your warehouse or pickup address, contact information, and return address. 

3. Verify your documents

Go to the Seller Center homepage and click Verify Documents. Click Upload Documents and attach your corresponding files. You’ll also need to input information about your business type, Shop name, owner identification, business registration or license, and other corresponding documents as requested. Click Submit.

4. Receive approval

Your application will undergo review, during which you may need to provide supplemental information. Once approved, you can move on to the next step. 

5. Set up your bank account

If you don’t already have one, you'll need a business bank account. Once that’s set up, you can link it to TikTok so it knows where to transfer the funds once you’ve made some sales. 

6. Add products

You can add products to your TikTok Shop by setting up Shop Ads. Navigate to Seller Center and click Ads. Click Create campaign—you might be redirected to TikTok Ads Manager, but select Product Sales as your campaign objective with TikTok Shop as the product source. Then create and publish your ads.

TikTok ecommerce success: strategy is key 🔑

A well-planned strategy will help you make the most of the platform. It’s not enough to just post a video of your cat and hope it goes viral (although that could work). Instead, you need to be intentional about the content you create, who you’re targeting, and how you’re measuring success. That means understanding your audience, creating engaging content, and staying on top of the latest trends.

Tips for ecommerce success on TikTok

TikTok is more than just a fun app for dance challenges and lip-syncing—it’s a powerhouse for businesses looking to spice up their ecommerce strategy. With its youthful and engaged user base, TikTok is a unique platform that can help brands tap into a new audience and build brand loyalty.

  • Know your audience: Start by figuring out what makes your target customers tick and tailor your content accordingly. 
  • Show up. Consistency is key, so keep the good vibes flowing by posting regularly (we recommend at least twice a day!) and engaging your audience. 
  • Use new features and tools. Remember to take advantage of TikTok’s features like shoppable links, hashtags, and challenges to boost your reach and sales. 
  • Track your efforts. Stay on top of your game by using TikTok’s analytics tools to track your performance and adjust your strategy as needed. 
  • Incorporate UGC: Sprinkling user-generated content and influencer marketing into your strategy can increase your visibility, build trust with potential customers, and drive sales growth. Plus, with TikTok's affordable advertising options and real-time analytics, it's easier than ever to track your success and make adjustments on the fly. 
  • Tap into the content you already have: No budget for new video or photoshoots to come up with new TikTok content? Use what you’ve got! You can repurpose existing assets into TikTok video shopping ads and product content. Or we can do that for you ;) 

Use your product photos & videos on every channel with soona photo editing and video production services >

TikTok, UGC, and influencers: a match made in marketing heaven

UGC and influencer marketing are the key to success on TikTok. UGC is essentially any content created by users about a brand or product. Think reviews, testimonials, and user-generated videos and pics. This is so important because it builds trust with potential customers. 

Influencer marketing means partnering with TikTok creators to promote a product or service to their followers. 🤩 By using a combination UGC and influencer marketing, you can reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness.

Go viral with the power of soona video packs 

By incorporating TikTok into your marketing strategy and leveraging its unique features, you can showcase your products in fun and engaging ways, build brand loyalty with a new generation of consumers, and tap into a massive user base that is only continuing to grow.

Ready to boost your business with TikTok and get your products to stand out from the crowd? soona's TikTok deluxe video pack offers high-quality video content that's perfect for giving your products the attention they deserve. With soona, you'll get affordable, cart-worthy content to help you build your brand and connect with your audience. 

Are you ready to create feed-stopping content that drives sales? Book your virtual shoot with soona today!

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