Beginner's Guide

How to Start Selling on TikTok Shop in 2026

A complete step-by-step guide to becoming a successful TikTok Shop seller. From account setup to your first sale, everything you need to know.

Why Sell on TikTok Shop?

🚀

150M+ US Users

Massive audience ready to discover new products

💰

Low 6% Fee

Lower fees than Amazon, eBay, and most marketplaces

📈

Viral Potential

Products can go viral overnight through affiliates

1

Check the Requirements

TikTok Shop Seller Requirements (US)

Valid US Business

LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietor, or Partnership with EIN

US Address

Physical US business address (P.O. boxes not accepted)

Government-Issued ID

Passport, Driver's License, or State ID for identity verification

US Bank Account

For receiving payouts (ACH transfer)

Phone Number & Email

For account verification and notifications

⚠️ Note: TikTok Shop currently accepts US-based sellers only. International sellers may need a US entity.

2

Create Your Seller Account

  1. A
    Go to TikTok Shop Seller Center

    Visit seller-us.tiktok.com and click "Start Selling"

  2. B
    Sign Up with TikTok Account

    Use an existing TikTok account or create a new one for business

  3. C
    Enter Business Information

    Business name, type, address, and EIN/Tax ID

  4. D
    Upload Verification Documents

    ID verification and business documents as required

  5. E
    Wait for Approval

    Usually takes 1-3 business days. You'll receive an email when approved.

3

Set Up Your Shop

🏪 Shop Profile

  • • Add shop name and logo
  • • Write compelling shop description
  • • Set up shop banner image
  • • Connect social media accounts

📦 Shipping Settings

  • • Set up shipping templates
  • • Configure shipping rates
  • • Choose fulfillment method (self or FBT)
  • • Set handling time

💳 Payment Setup

  • • Link US bank account
  • • Complete tax information (W-9)
  • • Set up payout schedule

📋 Return Policy

  • • Set return window (7-30 days)
  • • Define return conditions
  • • Configure refund process
4

List Your Products

Creating High-Converting Listings

📸 Product Images

  • • Use 5-9 high-quality images (1000x1000px minimum)
  • • Include lifestyle shots and detail shots
  • • Show product from multiple angles
  • • White background for main image preferred

✍️ Product Title

  • • Include main keywords at the beginning
  • • Be specific (size, color, key features)
  • • Keep under 80 characters for best display

📝 Description

  • • Lead with benefits, not features
  • • Use bullet points for readability
  • • Include size/specification details
  • • Add usage instructions if relevant

💲 Pricing

  • • Research competitor pricing first
  • • Factor in ALL costs (use our profit calculator)
  • • Consider promotional pricing for launch

💡 Pro Tip: Calculate Profit Before Listing

Before setting your price, use our profit calculator to ensure you're making money after all fees. Many new sellers underprice and lose money on every sale.

5

Launch and Promote

🤝 Affiliate Program

The fastest way to get sales on TikTok Shop is through affiliates. Enable your products for affiliate promotion and set competitive commission rates (15-25% recommended for starting out).

Learn more about affiliate strategies →

📱 TikTok Shop Ads

Consider running TikTok Shop Ads to boost visibility. Start with a small daily budget ($20-50/day) and test different creatives. Product Shopping Ads are the most effective for direct sales.

🎬 Create Content

Post TikTok videos showcasing your products. Even simple product demonstrations can drive significant organic traffic to your shop. Aim for 1-3 videos per week minimum.

📊 Monitor & Optimize

Check your Seller Center analytics daily. Track views, add-to-carts, conversion rate, and reviews. Continuously optimize listings based on performance data.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Underpricing Products

Not factoring in all costs (product, shipping, fees, returns). Use our calculator to find your true profit margin.

❌ Low-Quality Images

Blurry, poorly lit, or stock photos kill conversions. Invest in good product photography.

❌ Ignoring Affiliates

Not enabling affiliate program or setting commissions too low. Affiliates drive the majority of TikTok Shop sales.

❌ Slow Shipping

Long handling times hurt your shop score and rankings. Ship within 1-2 business days.

Ready to Calculate Your Profit?

Before you start selling, make sure your pricing is profitable. Use our free calculator.

Use the Profit Calculator →

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