How To Start a TikTok Shop in 2025

Key takeaways: 

• TikTok Shop makes selling simple. You can turn your videos, lives, and profile into a complete storefront without leaving the app. 

• Choose the right seller account. Whether you go with an Individual, Individually-owned Business, or Corporation setup, picking the right structure saves time and unlocks more tools. 

• Plan for growth. Strong product listings, engaging content, and consistent promotion will help you stand out and build a loyal customer base on TikTok. 

TikTok Shop lets you sell products right on TikTok. It turns your profile and videos into a full store perfect for creators, small businesses, and brands who want to reach active shoppers already using the app.  

If you’re wondering how to start a TikTok shop. we will walk you through every step here from signing up to promoting your products, so you can start selling fast. 

What is TikTok Shop? 

TikTok Shop is TikTok’s own eCommerce platform made for sellers. It gives you everything you need to sell right inside the app, from listing products and managing orders to handling payments. You can tag products in your videos and set up a storefront on your profile, so people can buy without ever leaving TikTok. 

What makes TikTok Shop different is how it blends shopping with entertainment. Instead of searching on a marketplace like Amazon, shoppers discover products naturally while watching videos or livestreams. That helps you build real connections, show off what makes your brand unique, and turn views into sales from one platform. 

How to get started with TikTok Shop  

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to do: 

1. Check eligibility and requirements 

2. Create a Seller Center account 

3. Submit verification documents 

4. List your first products 

5. Optimize your store 

6. Create content 

7. Promote your shop 

8. Track performance and iterate 

Each step is simple but important. Below, we’ll walk through every part of the setup so you can launch your TikTok Shop the right way. 

Step 1. Meet TikTok Shop requirements 

Before you can start selling, TikTok needs to confirm that you meet a few basic eligibility rules. These ensure sellers are verified and that buyers have a safe shopping experience. 

General eligibility 

Here’s what TikTok requires no matter what kind of seller you are: 

• Location. TikTok Shop is currently available in Ireland, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Spain Thailand, U.S., U.K., and Vietnam. 

• Age. Must be at least 18 years old. 

• Valid ID. Government-issued ID (e.g., passport, driver’s license). 

• Business documents. If you’re registering as a business, you’ll need things like your business license, tax ID, and bank account details tied to your business. 

• Bank account. You’ll have to link a bank account for payouts. Make sure the name matches the details on your ID or business registration. 

• Contact info. A working email address and phone number are required to verify your shop. 

Account types 

You can register as an individual or a business. Each option has different setup requirements: 

Individual account 

• Great for creators, freelancers, or side hustlers selling under their own name. You just need: 

• A government-issued ID 

• A linked personal bank account 

 It’s fast and simple, great  if you’re testing things out or selling casually. 

Business account 

• For brands or anyone serious about growth. Business Accounts come in two flavors: 

• Individually‑owned business. Think sole proprietor with a registered business name. You’ll need a business license, tax ID, and a business bank account. 

• Corporation. For formally registered companies, must provide corporate registration docs, tax ID, and a corporate bank account. 

Business accounts usually give you more advanced selling features, extra trust with customers, and better tools for scaling. But they do take more paperwork and time to set up. 

If you’re just starting, then an individual account is totally fine. You can always upgrade to a business account later if you decide to grow bigger. 

Common reasons for TikTok Seller account rejection 

Many new sellers get stuck here. Avoid these common mistakes to keep your registration smooth: 

• Incomplete or blurry document uploads 

• Mismatched name and ID 

• Unsupported countries or banking details 

Tip: Double-check your name, ID, and account details before submission to avoid delays. 

Step 2: Create a TikTok Seller Account 

Once you know you’re eligible, the next move is registering your seller account. This is where you’ll set up the tools to manage your products, track orders, and run your storefront. 

Head over to the TikTok Seller Center and sign up. You can link your TikTok Business Account or register with an email address. During signup, you’ll pick whether you want to register as an Individual, Individually owned Business, or Corporation. 

Here’s what to expect in the setup flow: 

• Confirm your chosen account type 

• Add your business or personal details 

• Upload the required documents 

• Link your payout bank account 

• Set your return address 

Once you hit submit, TikTok will review your application. Approval usually takes a few business days, and you’ll get notified as soon as your shop is live and ready to go. After that, you can move on to listing your products and building your storefront. 

Step 3. List your products 

After setting up your seller account, you can start adding products to your TikTok Shop. This is where you decide how your store looks and what you offer. 

Add your first product 

Inside the Seller Center, go to “Product Management” and click “Add Product.” You’ll need to fill out: 

• Product name 

• Category and subcategory 

• Pricing and stock 

• Shipping details 

You can list both physical and digital items (if allowed in your region). 

Upload product images and videos 

Visuals matter. Use high-quality, well-lit images and consider uploading a short product video. 

• Use white or neutral backgrounds 

• Show the product from multiple angles 

• Add a short demo or unboxing clip if possible 

Optimize titles and descriptions 

Good listings help your products show up in TikTok’s search.  

• Use niche keywords people might search for (e.g., “waterproof gym bag” instead of “bag”) 

• Keep titles clear and under 120 characters 

• Highlight key features in bullet points 

Well-written listings not only boost visibility but also help buyers trust your shop. 

Step 4. Optimize your storefront 

Your storefront is what buyers see when they visit your profile. A polished, professional layout builds trust and encourages people to shop. 

Customize your shop layout 

Inside the Seller Center, go to the Store Design section to: 

• Add a banner image that reflects your brand 

• Upload a profile picture or logo 

• Organize products into featured categories 

Think of this space as your storefront window, it should look clean and inviting. 

Add a brand story 

You can include a short bio or introduction that tells visitors who you are and what you sell. Keep it simple and clear and: 

• Mention what makes your shop unique 

• Highlight product quality, fast shipping, or other strengths 

Design for mobile 

Most TikTok users are browsing on their phones. Use images and layouts that display well on small screens. Avoid clutter and make sure key info is easy to find. 

Treat the design like your digital storefront. The better it looks, the more likely people are to stay and buy. 

Step 5. Create content that converts 

The most successful TikTok Shops don’t rely on product listings alone. They create content that grabs attention, builds interest, and drives clicks. 

Use a mix of content types 

Different types of videos serve different goals. Try using: 

• Educational videos. Show how your product works or solves a problem 

• Product demos. Highlight key features in action 

• User-generated content. Share real customer reactions or testimonials 

• Behind-the-scenes. Build trust by showing how items are made or packed 

Follow TikTok best practices 

Content needs to feel native to TikTok. Here are some tips: 

• Use trending sounds and effects 

• Keep videos short and fast-paced (under 30 seconds works best) 

• Add captions and clear visuals, even without sound 

• Post consistently to stay visible in the feed 

Add strong calls to action 

Every video should make viewers want to take the next step. Here are a few effective CTAs: 

• “Tap to shop” 

• “Link in bio” 

• “Grab yours before it sells out” 

You don’t need a big following to make sales. What matters most is making videos that feel genuine and make people curious enough to click. 

Step 6. Promote your TikTok shop 

Posting videos is just the start. To drive traffic and boost sales, you’ll need to actively promote your shop both inside and outside TikTok. 

Organic promotion strategies 

Use TikTok’s built-in tools to grow your audience without spending money: 

• Feed posts. Consistent content keeps your products in front of followers 

• TikTok Stories. Share quick updates, promos, or behind-the-scenes clips 

• TikTok Live. Host live selling sessions, product launches, or Q&As 

You can also cross-promote your shop on other channels like Instagram, email newsletters, or your website. 

Paid promotion options 

If you’re ready to invest in growth, TikTok offers paid ad tools: 

• Spark Ads. Boost existing videos (yours or others’) to reach more people 

• In-Feed Ads. Appear between regular videos in users’ feeds 

• Carousel Ads. Show off multiple products in one ad 

Start with a small budget, test what performs best, then scale. 

Work with creators and affiliates 

TikTok’s Creator Marketplace lets you connect with influencers to promote your products. You can also set up affiliate programs, so creators earn a cut from each sale they generate. 

Collaborations help you reach wider audiences and build social proof faster. 

Step 7. Track your performance 

Once your shop is live and running, it’s important to monitor how it’s doing. Tracking performance helps you spot what’s working, fix what’s not, and grow with purpose. 

Key metrics to watch 

These are the most important numbers to keep an eye on: 

• Orders and revenue. Total sales, top-performing products, and repeat customers 

• Return on ad spend (ROAS). How much you’re earning compared to what you’re spending on ads 

• Click-through rate (CTR). How often people click on your product links 

• Fulfillment success rate. How well you’re meeting delivery timeframes 

• Product views vs. Purchases. Helps you see which items need better descriptions or visuals 

External tools you can use 

TikTok gives you built-in analytics through the Seller Center, but you can get even deeper insights with tools like: 

• Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Tracks user behavior across platforms 

• Shopify Dashboard. If you’re using TikTok’s Shopify integration 

• Looker Studio.  For building custom visual reports 

Check your data weekly. Use it to decide what to post next, which products to push, and where to improve. 

Step 8. Scale and stay competitive 

Once your TikTok Shop is running smoothly, it’s time to build momentum. This is where scaling comes in. 

Double down on what’s working 

Use your analytics to identify: 

• Best-performing products 

• Videos that convert viewers to buyers 

• Top traffic sources (organic, paid, influencer-driven) 

Recreate and repurpose that winning content. Run new ads using your best videos or turn high-performing posts into TikTok Lives. 

Refresh your content regularly 

TikTok trends shift fast. Stay visible by: 

• Testing new video hooks or angles 

• Updating your visuals or product descriptions 

• Posting seasonal or limited-edition content 

Consistency matters more than going viral. Keep your shop fresh to stay in TikTok’s algorithm and on users’ feeds. 

Explore TikTok’s AI and automation tools 

TikTok now offers tools to help streamline your operations and boost growth, including: 

• Auto-reply and chatbots for customer service 

• Smart product recommendations based on viewer behavior 

• Campaign automation for ads and remarketing 

Small improvements in process can lead to big gains in scale over time. 

Common mistakes new TikTok sellers make 

Starting a TikTok Shop is straightforward, but a few missteps can slow you down or hurt your sales early on. Here are the most common issues sellers run into (and how to avoid them). 

• Submitting incomplete or blurry documents. Double-check that your ID or license is fully visible and matches your account name. 

• Skipping the product visuals. Low-quality images or videos make buyers scroll past. Use good lighting, multiple angles, and clean backgrounds. 

• Neglecting product descriptions. Missing or vague details can lead to fewer sales and more returns. Be clear, accurate, and specific. 

• Posting inconsistently. TikTok rewards active accounts. Create a simple posting schedule even if it’s just 2–3 videos per week. 

• Ignoring customer service. Responding slowly to messages or missing delivery deadlines can get your shop flagged. Stay active in the Seller Center and monitor your inbox. 

Before launching, run through this checklist to avoid early roadblocks and set yourself up for a smoother start. 

Start selling smarter on TikTok 

Getting started with TikTok Shop doesn’t require a huge following or a complicated setup. With the right steps, from account setup to content creation, you can build a storefront that sells directly inside one of the world’s most engaging platforms. 

The tools are there. The audience is already scrolling. All that’s left is for you to show up. 

Need help growing visibility for your shop? Explore Network Solutions’ SEO services to boost your reach and get found by more buyers on TikTok and beyond. 

Frequently asked questions