How to sell on TikTok Shop in 6 easy steps | Printful

Now that you know why TikTok sells – and what you can list – it’s time to put that knowledge into action. Setting up your TikTok Shop might seem overwhelming, but once you’re familiar with it, it’s surprisingly simple.

Here’s how to go from curious browser to confident seller:

Step 1: Create your TikTok account

Everything starts with a TikTok account. Without one, you can’t open a TikTok Shop or access business tools. If you already have an account, great – you’ll be switching to a Business Account in the next step. If not, here’s how to sign up and get ready to sell products:

How to create a TikTok account:

1. Download the TikTok app (iOS or Android).

2. Sign up using your phone number or email address.

3. Pick a username that reflects your brand – short, clear, and memorable.

Now you’ve got a personal TikTok account. To start selling, you’ll need to set up TikTok Shop.

Registering for TikTok Shop:

To sell products, register through the TikTok Shop Seller Center. Here’s the process:

1. Go to the TikTok Shop Seller Center page (desktop works best).

2. Choose your type of business:

   • Individual seller – Provide a valid government ID (passport, national ID, or driver’s license).

   • Business entity – Upload required documents such as your business license or incorporation certificate.

3. Submit bank details for payouts (must match the name on your account or business entity).

4. Wait for TikTok’s review – they’ll confirm your account and let you know if anything else is needed.

Tip: TikTok may send a request for submitting extra files if your product category is restricted (like beauty or supplements). Always have the proper paperwork ready to avoid delays.

Once approved, your TikTok account and TikTok Shop are connected. Now you’re ready to switch into Business Account mode so you can unlock the tools you’ll need to grow.

Step 2: Switch to a Business Account

If you want to sell products and access TikTok’s full range of selling tools, you’ll need a Business Account. 

Why switch to a Business Account?

• Access to TikTok Ads Manager for creating and tracking campaigns.

• Unlock the ability to add your website and bio links.

• Gain advanced analytics to understand your audience and optimize posts.

• Access TikTok’s commercial music library (royalty-free tracks).

How to switch to a Business Account:

1. Open TikTok and log in to your account.

2. Go to your Profile page.

3. Tap the ☰ Menu button in the top-right corner.

4. Select Settings and privacy > Account.

5. Choose Switch to Business Account.

6. Pick a category that best fits your business (Fashion, Beauty, Fitness, Education, etc).

Once you complete this process, your TikTok account will be upgraded. To finish up, add a profile photo or logo, a short and clear bio, and links to your website or eCommerce store.

While you can use your personal account to access monetization features like the TikTok Creator Marketplace and Creator Rewards Program, this guide goes a step further. It’s designed for sellers who want to launch an online store and promote their products on TikTok.

Step 3: Set up your TikTok Shop

Now comes the fun part – setting up your TikTok Shop. This is your storefront inside the TikTok app, where customers can browse your product catalog, learn about your business, and make purchases without leaving the platform.

How to set up your TikTok Shop:

1. Go to TikTok Shop Seller Center and log in with your TikTok account details.

2. Complete your profile. Fill in your shop name, logo, and business info. Choose your name carefully – once approved, changing it requires extra steps.

3. Upload required documents.

   • Individuals: Government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license, or national ID).

   • Businesses: Incorporation certificate or business license.

4. Connect your bank account. TikTok pays sellers directly, so bank info has to match your registered name.

5. Add your first product. Upload product details, pricing, and photos. TikTok requires high-quality images and accurate descriptions to approve listings.

6. Submit for review. TikTok will check your account, documents, and products before approving your shop.

Your TikTok Shop isn’t just a product page – it’s your hub for selling on TikTok. With it, you can:

• Showcase your full product catalog

• Run ads linked directly to product pages

• Track performance with built-in analytics

Integrating your eCommerce store:

If you already sell products on Shopify, WooCommerce, or other platforms, you can connect them directly to TikTok Shop. Syncing your catalog saves time and keeps listings updated.

• Shopify: Install TikTok’s official Shopify app to connect in just a few clicks.

• WooCommerce/BigCommerce/other platforms: Use TikTok’s integration plugins or third-party connectors.

• Printful: Connect Printful to TikTok Shop through Shopify or other integrations to sell print-on-demand products without managing inventory.

When adding products, you have to comply with TikTok Shop policies and provide the required documents. We highly recommend visiting TikTok Shop Academy to see all the guidelines.

Once your shop is live, you’re ready to make your products shoppable in videos and lives.

Step 4: Create shoppable content

Your TikTok Shop is only as strong as the content you create to promote it. On TikTok, videos drive sales. The key to standing out? Short, authentic clips that tag your products directly – so customers can buy in just a few taps.

Types of shoppable content:

• Product demos: Show how your item works in real life.

• Tutorials and how-tos: Teach users something valuable while featuring your product.

• Livestream shopping: Go live, answer questions in real time, and tag products viewers can buy instantly.

• Behind-the-scenes videos: Share packaging, design, or creative process clips to build trust.

• Trend-driven posts: Jump on trending sounds, hashtags, or challenges to ride TikTok’s viral wave.

How to tag products in videos:

1. Upload your video through the TikTok app.

2. Before posting, select Add product link.

3. Choose the item from your product catalog.

4. Publish – your video now has a direct shopping link.

Tips to maximize engagement:

• Use short captions and relevant hashtags.

• Post consistently – TikTok rewards frequency.

• Add calls-to-action like “Tap to shop” or “Link in bio for more”.

• Keep it authentic: TikTok users prefer creative, unpolished videos over traditional ads.

All the content you put out must comply with TikTok Shop Content Guidelines.

Step 5: Promote with TikTok Ads and organic reach

TikTok rewards creativity, but even the best content sometimes needs an extra push. That’s where TikTok Ads and organic strategies come in. Together, they help you promote your shop, reach more users, and drive sales.

TikTok Ads formats:

Running ads on TikTok means working inside TikTok Ads Manager, the platform that gives you full control over your campaigns. 

Here are the most popular ad formats:

• In-feed ads – Appear inside the For You Page feed, blending in with regular videos.

• TopView ads – Premium placement – the first video users see when they open the app.

• Video Shopping ads – Shoppable videos that let viewers tap to purchase products.

• Catalog Listing ads – Showcase multiple products within a single ad.

• Live Shopping ads – Promote your livestreams and link products in real time.

• Branded Effects – Stickers, AR filters, and interactive effects that boost engagement.

• Carousel ads – Swipeable image or video ads, great for showing product variations.

Each ad format lets you set budgets, target audiences, and track performance with built-in analytics tools.

Or try organic reach and grow without ad spend.

You don’t have to spend on advertising to succeed. TikTok’s algorithm favors content that engages users – meaning organic posts can go viral and promote your offers without a budget.

To grow organically:

• Follow trends that fit your brand

• Use relevant hashtags (but avoid keyword stuffing)

• Reply to comments and engage with your audience

• Post frequently to stay visible on For You Pages

The best strategy? Mix both.

Most successful sellers use a combination: create consistent, authentic content and boost top performers with TikTok Ads. This approach keeps costs under control while maximizing reach.

Step 6: Encourage user-generated content (UGC)

On TikTok, authenticity sells. That’s why user-generated content (UGC) often outshines polished ads. When customers or creators post videos using your products, it feels organic and trustworthy – and shoppers respond. In short, UGC works because it’s social proof.

Instead of hearing from a brand, people see real customers enjoying a product. These clips usually spark more comments, likes, and shares than branded content, which boosts engagement and helps the TikTok algorithm push them to wider audiences.

For sellers, UGC is also a cost-saver – you don’t have to create every video yourself, and you can repurpose authentic clips into ads or feature them on your own page.

How to get more UGC:

• Ask directly. Slip a note into your packages, asking users to tag them for a chance to be featured.

• Launch a branded hashtag challenge. Invite people to show off your product in creative ways.

• Send samples to creators. Let niche creators try your product and post honest reviews.

• Repost and reward. Share UGC on your own account, credit the creator, and thank them with discounts or shout-outs.