TikTok Tips & Strategies

How to Add TikTok Shop to Profile

By Spencer Lanoue
October 31, 2025

Thinking about turning your TikTok profile into a thriving storefront? You're in the right place. This guide walks you through every step of adding a TikTok Shop to your profile, whether you're a brand selling your own products or a creator looking to earn commissions through affiliate marketing. We'll cover the eligibility requirements, the step-by-step setup process, and the best practices for turning views into sales.

What Is TikTok Shop and Why Should You Care?

TikTok Shop transforms the platform from a place of discovery into a point of purchase, seamlessly. It's an e-commerce solution built directly into the app that allows users to buy products without ever leaving their "For You" page. When brands and creators have a Shop, a small shopping bag icon appears on their profile, leading users directly to a product catalog. More importantly, products can be tagged directly in videos and LIVE streams, creating an interactive and highly effective shopping experience.

So, why is this a big deal? It shortens the customer journey from awareness to conversion to nearly zero. A user sees a product they love in a video, taps the product link on the screen, and checks out in a few clicks. There are no clunky links in bio, no "head to our website" instructions, and no friction. For brands and creators, this means tapping into the explosive power of social commerce, reaching massive audiences, and converting impulse interest into actual sales right inside one of the world's most engaging apps.

Before You Start: TikTok Shop Eligibility Requirements

Before you can add products to your profile, you need to meet TikTok’s specific criteria. The requirements differ depending on whether you're a business selling your own products (Seller) or a creator promoting other brands' products (Affiliate).

For Sellers (Brands & Businesses)

If you want to sell your own merchandise on TikTok, you'll need to register through the TikTok Seller Center. The primary requirements focus on proving you're a legitimate business operating in an approved location.

  • Location: Your business must be based in a region where TikTok Shop is available. As of now, this includes the United States, United Kingdom, and parts of Southeast Asia (like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore). TikTok is constantly expanding, so check the Seller Center for the most up-to-date list.
  • Business Verification: You must provide legal documentation to prove your business is registered. For U.S.-based sellers, this is typically an Employer Identification Number (EIN). For individual proprietors, it might be a Social Security Number (SSN). You'll need to submit scans of official documents.
  • A Stable TikTok Account: Your associated TikTok account should be in good standing, with no history of major policy violations. While there isn't a strict follower minimum to become a Seller, an established account helps.
  • Products in Permitted Categories: You can only sell products that fall within TikTok's accepted categories. Prohibited items include things like alcohol, tobacco, weapons, medical items, and other regulated goods. Make sure to review their prohibited products list carefully.

For Creators (Affiliates)

If you don't have your own products but want to earn commission by promoting others', the requirements are different and center around your influence and engagement on the platform.

  • Minimum Follower Count: You generally need to have at least 5,000 followers. This benchmark can vary by region, but it's the standard for the U.S. and U.K.
  • Age Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
  • Active Account: You need to have posted a video on TikTok within the last 28 days. TikTok wants to partner with creators who are actively contributing to the platform.
  • Good Standing: Just like sellers, your account must be in good standing and not in violation of community guidelines.

How to Add TikTok Shop to Your Profile: A Step-by-Step Guide for Sellers

Once you’ve confirmed you meet the eligibility criteria, setting up your shop as a seller is a straightforward process managed through the TikTok Shop Seller Center. Here's exactly what to do.

1. Register at the TikTok Shop Seller Center

Your journey begins on the web, not in the app. Head to the official TikTok Shop Seller Center website for your region (e.g., seller-us.tiktok.com for the U.S.). You can sign up with an existing TikTok account or with your phone and email. Choosing to sign up with your TikTok account can make linking it later a bit faster.

2. Submit Your Business Information

This is the most critical step. You'll need to provide details about your business and upload verification documents. Be prepared to share:

  • Business Type: Select whether you are an 'Individual' (sole proprietor) or 'Corporate' entity.
  • Shop Name: This will be the public name of your storefront on TikTok.
  • Verification Documents: You'll need to upload official documentation. For a U.S. corporation, this would be your EIN certificate. For an individual, it's typically a driver’s license or passport and your SSN. Make sure your scans are clear and all information is readable to avoid lengthy delays in the approval process.

After you submit, your account will enter a verification period, which can take a few minutes or a few days. You'll receive a notification once you’re approved.

3. Link Your TikTok Account

Once your seller account is verified, you need to connect the TikTok profile that will host your shop. In the Seller Center dashboard, navigate to "My Account" &rarr, "Linked TikTok Accounts." You can link up to four different TikTok accounts to one Shop if you operate multiple channels.

From here, you'll need to connect your primary *official* business account. After linking it, a shopping cart tab will automatically be added to that TikTok profile.

4. Add Your Products

With your shop approved and account linked, it's time to stock your shelves. In the Seller Center, go to the "Products" tab and click "Add New Product." You'll need to provide:

  • Product Name: Make it clear and searchable.
  • Category: Choose the most relevant category for your item.
  • Images & Videos: High-quality visuals are everything. Use clear photos from multiple angles and consider adding a short video showcasing the product in use.
  • Description: Detail what the product is, its features, and its benefits. Use formatting to make it easy to read.
  • Variety Information: If you have different sizes, colors, or styles, enter an SKU, price, and quantity for each variation.
  • Weight & Dimensions: This is for calculating shipping costs accurately.

Your products will also go through a brief review process to ensure they comply with TikTok's policies.

5. Set Up Shipping and Returns

Navigate to the "Shipping" section in the Seller Center. You can set your warehouse address (where products ship from) and choose a shipping template. TikTok offers options for letting them calculate shipping or for setting your own custom shipping rates.

6. Connect Your Bank Account

The final step is to make sure you can get paid. In the "Finance" section, add a bank account for your payouts. You'll need to enter the account holder's name, routing number, and account number. Payouts from sales are typically processed after the order is delivered and confirmed, minus TikTok's referral fees.

Once these steps are complete, the shopping tab on your profile will be live, populated with the products you’ve added. You can now start tagging them in your videos and LIVEs!

How to Join TikTok Shop as a Creator or Affiliate

For creators, the process is much simpler and is handled almost entirely within the TikTok app itself. If you meet the eligibility criteria (typically 5,000+ followers and 18+ years old), here's how to get started.

  1. Apply for TikTok Shop for Creators: Open your TikTok app and go to your profile. Tap the three-line menu icon in the top right, then select "Creator Tools." If you're eligible, you will see an option for "TikTok Shop for Creators." Tap it and follow the on-screen instructions to apply.
  2. Confirm Your Details: The application process is usually quick. You'll just need to confirm your name and contact info. Once approved, you're ready to start finding products.
  3. Access the Product Marketplace: Inside the "TikTok Shop for Creator" section, you'll find the Product Marketplace. This is where brands list their products and the commission they're offering to affiliates. You can browse trending products, search by category, or look for specific brands.
  4. Add Products to Your Showcase: When you find a product you want to promote, simply click the "Add" button. This will add the product to your personal "Showcase," which is the shopping tab that appears on your profile.
  5. Start Creating Content: Now for the fun part! Create videos featuring the products from your showcase. When you're on the new post screen (right after recording), click "Add Link," select "Product," and choose the item from your showcase. The product link will now appear above your username in the video, ready for viewers to tap and buy. You'll earn the commission specified for every sale made through your link.

Making Your TikTok Shop a Success: Best Practices

Getting your Shop live is just the first step. To generate real revenue, you need a strategy.

  • Create Authentic, Value-Driven Content: Don't just make an ad. Show the product in action. Solve a problem with it. Tell a story about it. The best-performing Shop videos feel like native TikTok content, not commercials.
  • Go LIVE: TikTok LIVE Shopping is a powerful tool. You can answer questions in real-time, demonstrate products up close, and create a sense of urgency. Viewers can pin products they're interested in and purchase them directly from the livestream.
  • Optimize Your Product Listings: Use high-quality photos and videos for your product listings in the Seller Center. Write clear, benefit-oriented titles and descriptions. Treat your TikTok Shop page like any other premium e-commerce landing page.
  • Run Promotions and Campaigns: Use the promotion tools in the Seller Center to offer discounts, create flash sales, or provide free shipping. This can be a huge motivator for viewers on the fence about a purchase.
  • Collaborate with Creators: If you're a seller, getting your product into the hands of skilled creators is one of the fastest ways to grow. Use the Affiliate program to connect with creators who can generate authentic buzz around your brand.

Final Thoughts

Adding a TikTok Shop opens up a powerful new revenue stream, blending content and commerce directly at the point of discovery. By following the right steps and focusing on authentic content that provides value, Sellers and Creators alike can turn their profiles into highly profitable social storefronts.

Once your shop is running, keeping your feed filled with engaging promotional content is the next big challenge. We built Postbase to simplify exactly that. Our visual calendar lets you plan out your video campaigns for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts all in one place, while our reliable scheduling ensures your content goes live at the perfect moment to drive traffic to your new Shop. It helps you stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

Spencer's spent a decade building products at companies like Buffer, UserTesting, and Bump Health. He's spent years in the weeds of social media management—scheduling posts, analyzing performance, coordinating teams. At Postbase, he's building tools to automate the busywork so you can focus on creating great content.

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