How to Get a TikTok Shop

Setting up a TikTok Shop is one of the most powerful moves you can make to turn your brand’s reach into real revenue, right inside the app where your audience already hangs out. This isn't about linking out to your website, it's a full-blown e-commerce store integrated directly into your profile. This guide will walk you through exactly who qualifies, the step-by-step application process, and what you need to do to start selling successfully once you're approved.

So, What Exactly Is a TikTok Shop?

Think of TikTok Shop as a complete shopping experience without ever leaving the app. It allows sellers, brands, and creators to showcase and sell products directly to their audience through several clever integrations. Instead of a "link in bio," your followers can discover and buy your products seamlessly.

There are three primary ways customers can shop:

• In-Feed Videos and LIVEs: You can tag specific products in your videos or during a LIVE broadcast. A small shopping bag icon appears, letting viewers tap to see the product details and purchase instantly. This is the cornerstone of social commerce - seeing something you love and buying it in one motion.
• Product Showcase Tab: A dedicated shopping tab is added to your profile page, acting like a traditional digital storefront. Users who visit your profile can browse your entire product catalog, making it easy for engaged followers to see everything you offer.
• Affiliate Program: The Shop feature also includes a robust affiliate system, allowing you to partner with other TikTok creators who can then sell your products in their own videos for a commission. It’s a powerful way to expand your reach organically.

Essentially, TikTok Shop closes the gap between discovery and purchase, making every piece of content a potential point of sale.

Are You Eligible? The TikTok Shop Requirement Checklist

Before you get ready to apply, you need to make sure you tick all the boxes. The requirements vary depending on whether you’re a business or a creator and can differ slightly by region. Here’s a breakdown of the typical requirements for sellers based in the United States.

For INDIVIDUAL Sellers and Creators (US)

This path is designed for individuals, including sole proprietors and creators, who want to sell products directly. These requirements have recently become more accessible.

• Location: You must be based in the United States.
• Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
• Follower Count: Previously 5,000, TikTok has lowered this requirement. While there's no official public follower count right now, accounts with as few as 1,000 followers are often getting approved, provided they are active and in good standing.
• Activity: You must have posted a video on TikTok in the last 28 days.
• Account Standing: Your account must be in good standing with no significant or repeated Community Guideline violations.

For UK-based creators, the follower requirement is often around 1,000 followers, with similar age and activity requirements.

For BUSINESSES (US)

If you're a registered business, your requirements focus more on legal documentation than follower counts. This is the best path for established brands and companies.

• Business Registration: Your business must be registered in the United States.
• Documentation: You’ll need to provide business-related documents. For a corporation, this could be your company registration or Articles of Incorporation. For a sole proprietor, it would be your official documentation (like an EIN letter from the IRS).
• Verification: The legal representative or owner of the business must provide a government-issued ID, like a passport or driver's license.
• Location of Operations: Your products must be shipped from the United States. TikTok prioritizes reliable and timely shipping for its users, so local fulfillment is a big deal.

If you meet the criteria for a Business, you do not need to meet the follower or account activity requirements designed for creators. You can get a TikTok Shop for your brand's account even if it's brand new.

How to Apply for Your TikTok Shop: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve confirmed you meet the requirements, the application process is quite straightforward. You’ll do all of it through the TikTok Seller Center portal.

Step 1: Open the TikTok Shop Seller Center

First, head over to the TikTok Shop Seller Center website. Just search "TikTok Seller Center" and you'll find the portal for your region. Choose your location and click the “Sign Up” button.

Step 2: Sign Up with a TikTok Account or Register Separately

You’ll be presented with a choice: Sign up with your existing TikTok account or register with an email and phone number.

• Sign up with TikTok Account: This is the simplest option if you're a creator or business owner who directly runs the TikTok account you want the shop on. It automatically links the Seller Center to your profile.
• Register with Email/Phone: This option creates a standalone Seller Center account. This is useful if you manage multiple shops or if someone else will be managing the shop for you. You can link your main TikTok account later.

Step 3: Complete Your Business Verification

This is where you'll provide your details. The screens will guide you, but have this information ready:

• Individual Sellers: You'll choose "Individual" as your business type. You will need to upload images of a government-issued ID (like a US passport or driver's license) for identity verification.
• Registered Businesses: You'll choose "Corporate" and submit your company's registration information, including your Employer Identification Number (EIN). You will also need to provide the identification documents for the business's legal representative.

Be very careful to enter all the information exactly as it appears on your official documents. Any mismatch can lead to rejection or delays.

Step 4: Add Your Shop Information

Here you’ll give your shop a name and designate your primary product category. You’ll also need to link a bank account for payouts. This is a critical step for receiving your sales revenue, so double-check your account and routing numbers.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

After you submit everything, your application will be under review. TikTok says this can take a few days, but approvals often come through within 24-48 hours if all your documentation is clear and correct. You’ll receive an email notification once your shop is approved.

Your Shop Is Ready! Here’s How to Go from Setup to Sales

Getting approved is just the start. To make your TikTok Shop a success, you need to set it up properly and create content that drives sales. Here's what to do next.

1. Add Your Products

Log in to the Seller Center dashboard and start uploading your products. For each item, you’ll need:

• High-Quality Images & Videos: Showcase your products clearly. Since you’re on TikTok, short product videos are highly effective here.
• Descriptive Titles: Make your product titles clear and searchable. Don’t stuff them with keywords, make them helpful for a human to read.
• Detailed Descriptions: Explain the product's benefits, features, materials, and sizing.
• Accurate Variants: Add all available versions of your product, like different sizes and colors.

2. Tag Products in Your Videos

Now, it's time to create content. When you upload a new video to TikTok, you'll see a new "Add Link" option before you post. Tap it, select "Product," and choose a product from your shop that is featured in the video. The shopping bag icon will now be displayed when users watch it.

Your video strategy shouldn't just be a hard sell. Answering frequently asked questions, showing a behind-the-scenes look at packing an order, or demonstrating how to use your products through unboxings - all of these strategies work well. The more organic your product mention feels, the better it will perform.

3. Master TikTok LIVE Shopping

Going LIVE is one of the most effective ways to drive immediate sales. During a LIVE session, you can pin different products to the screen, offer exclusive live-only discounts, and answer customer questions in real time. It builds a sense of urgency and direct connection. Plan your LIVE sessions ahead of time, have your products ready to demonstrate, and promote the event to your followers beforehand to maximize attendance.

4. Recruit Affiliate Creators

The affiliate program is like having an army of creators selling for you. In your Seller Center, you can set up an affiliate plan for your products. You can offer a flat commission rate for all your products and make them available for all creators to request a sample and promote.

You can also reach out to specific creators you think would be a great fit for your brand and send them free samples directly through the platform. This helps you get your products in front of new audiences and leverage the trust those creators have built with their followers.

Final Thoughts

Securing a TikTok Shop is your ticket to one of the biggest social commerce waves happening right now. And now, you know precisely how to do it - from being sure you meet the requirements and finishing the registration process all the way through to creating content that actually moves product.

Once your shop is approved and running, a consistent stream of video content is what separates a slow start from a great one. We noticed many scheduling tools weren't designed for a fast-paced, vertical-video platform like TikTok, so we built our own solution. Postbase is designed for planning and scheduling your video content across different platforms, making it both easy and reliable. This frees up your time to focus on developing your brand and selling products instead of fighting with software.