Can You Sell Digital Products on TikTok Shop? 3 Reasons Short Videos Boost Sales

1. TikTok’s Algorithm Directs Customers to Digital Products

TikTok’s system shows videos to people who are likely to be interested. Sellers can reach the right audience without spending much money on ads. A new seller without followers can still get noticed. Posting videos about their digital products can attract the right audience.

According to TikTok Marketing Science Global Retail Path to Purchase, over 61% of TikTok users use the platform to find new products. This is great for digital products because many buyers are open to trying something new. Since digital products solve specific problems, TikTok connects them with the right audience. Sellers use TikTok Shop for free exposure without a big marketing budget.

Alex Aster gained massive exposure through TikTok’s algorithm, which connected her with her target audience. She posted a viral video promoting her young adult fantasy ebook Lightlark, using trending audio, hashtags like #booktok, and a compelling hook. TikTok’s algorithm pushed her content to millions of users interested in fantasy and romance, creating significant buzz. This led to a six-figure publishing deal.

2. TikTok Videos Help Digital Product Brands Build Trust

People may hesitate to buy digital products because they can’t see or touch them before purchasing. TikTok helps solve this by allowing sellers to show their products in action. For example, a seller can record their screen to show how a digital planner works. A seller offering online courses can share student testimonials or lesson previews. HubSpot reports that 48% of Gen Z use short-form video platforms like TikTok to find new products.

TikTok Live also allows sellers to answer questions in real time. Analyzify shows that 64% of TikTok users enjoy watching live videos from brands. Digital sellers use this feature to show how it works and connect with potential buyers.

Cassey Ho, creator of Blogilates, built a fitness empire by establishing trust on TikTok. With millions of followers, she shares free workout videos, healthy recipes, and motivational content daily. By being transparent about her own fitness journey and consistently offering high-value, authentic content, she gained credibility. This trust made her audience highly receptive when she promoted her digital products, like the “PIIT28” workout program and nutrition guides.

3. TikTok Has a Huge Digital Audience

TikTok has a massive audience of over 1 billion active users worldwide. Millions of potential buyers might find digital products interesting. When a product gets popular on TikTok, it can go viral fast. A viral video can bring in thousands of views and turn those views into sales. Digital products are great because you do not need to keep stock or ship items in large quantities. They can sell as many as they want without running out.

TikTok also influences buying decisions. Adweek and Morning Consult found that more than 55% of users bought something after seeing it on TikTok. Digital sellers use TikTok because one viral video can bring in many new customers. Although TikTok Shop doesn’t allow digital products, sellers still market them because of its large and active audience.

“The AI Solopreneur” has built a global following by selling digital guides on AI prompts through TikTok. Their content simplifies AI tools like ChatGPT for business and productivity, helping users with marketing and content creation. TikTok’s massive reach allows their viral videos to connect with millions worldwide, driving sales of their “Ultimate ChatGPT Prompt Guide” to a diverse audience.

How Do Sellers Make Money with Digital Products on TikTok?

Sellers make money with digital products on TikTok by linking to their store in their bio. Create engaging TikTok videos to tease your digital product. For example, share a success story clip from your course. Or, show before-and-after photos using a Lightroom preset. In the video or caption, ask viewers to click the link in your profile to “learn more” or “get the full product.”

Kat Norton, known as “Miss Excel,” turned her TikTok fans into paying customers for her online courses. She started by sharing fun and helpful Excel tips on TikTok. As her following grew, she created an Excel training course and sold it through her website. Her online course quickly became a success. Two months after launching, she made more money from her course than from her full-time job. She left her job to focus completely on selling courses. One of her biggest wins was making $100,000 in one day from digital products. This success came from her TikTok audience. TikTok didn’t handle the payments, but it drew in customers and boosted her business.

Another way creators make money with digital products is through “physical” packaging workaround. Some sellers get clever by offering a token physical item with digital goods. For instance, let’s say you made a digital training course. You can sell a printed certificate or a simple handbook through TikTok Shop. After buying, the customer gets access to your online course. You can do this through an email login or a QR code in the package. The TikTok Shop listing is for a physical item, like a certificate or booklet. Always follow the platform’s rules. Meanwhile, the real value that the customer receives is the online course.

Are Digital Products Popular on TikTok?

Yes, digital products are popular on TikTok. Aside from physical products, people also talk about digital downloads and online content. Digital products have over 245k search popularity on Creator Search Insights. The frequency of searches for a topic determines its popularity. A higher search score means that more people are looking for the topic.

Some popular types of digital products that do well in TikTok:

• Online courses and workshops. Experts create video courses on topics such as language learning and personal finance.
• Ebooks and guides. Creators sell digital books. These include workout plans from fitness trainers and cookbooks from chefs.
• Digital art, templates, and presets. Marketers offer Notion and Instagram templates. Photographers sell Lightroom presets.
• Music and audio products. Musicians and sound designers offer beats, background music, and sound effects for sale.

Does TikTok Shop Allow Digital Product Sales?

TikTok Shop does not allow digital product sales. According to TikTok Shop Academy, digital products are not allowed, including:

• Memberships
• Services
• Warranties
• Subscriptions
• Digital downloads like ebooks, music, videos, or magazines
• Electronic codes

TikTok Shop manages shipping, inventory, and delivery for physical items. But digital products don’t need shipping and come with other challenges. For example, how do you send a file? How do you handle refunds or piracy? TikTok Shop isn’t set up for these issues yet.

But there is one exception. You can sell a digital product if it comes with a physical item. For example, you can use a printed workbook with a download code or a DVD with digital content. The main product must be physical; the digital part is a bonus. However, this is not the same as selling digital products on TikTok. It’s more like using a backdoor to include digital content with something physical.

What Are the Disadvantages of Selling Digital Products on TikTok Shop?

• No direct in-app sales. You can’t list a digital item on TikTok Shop and have people buy it with one tap. There’s friction in your sales process. The extra step includes clicking on your bio, visiting an external site, and checking out. Impulsive TikTok viewers might drop off if the buying process isn’t seamless.
• Building trust for an intangible product. With a digital product, buyers might be more skeptical. They can’t see a file or course in the same way. New sellers need to establish credibility. Show results like testimonials or snippets of the digital product. Also, you must have a professional landing page. If you’re not a known creator, convincing people that your $15 digital guide is worth it can take effort.
• TikTok’s algorithm and competition. TikTok’s algorithm is powerful but unpredictable. One day, your video might get a million views; the next day, only a few hundred. Digital product sellers rely on visibility. Your target audience needs to see your content. Changes in the algorithm and the competitive feed can affect your reach. You can’t always count on consistent results.
• No built-in digital delivery. When you sell products on TikTok Shop, TikTok provides order tracking and confirmation. With off-platform sales, you deliver the product and customer service. You must set up automatic email delivery for your files or manually send out download links. If the customer doesn’t receive the email or can’t access the file, you must handle it alone. TikTok isn’t involved at all.

Is TikTok Shop Worth It for Marketing and Selling Digital Products?

Yes, TikTok Shop is worth it for marketing and selling digital products because the audience is large, and the shopping behavior on the platform is notable. Studies have shown TikTok’s influence on buying habits. Statista found that 71.2% of TikTok users bought something after seeing it in their feed. Also, 58% use TikTok for shopping ideas. TikTok’s short, engaging videos can quickly turn viewers into customers. Trends like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt show how the app sparks impulse buys. People share products they bought after seeing them on TikTok.

The platform’s algorithm can put your content (and product) in front of millions of TikTok users. You can go viral and attract buyers without costly marketing. TikTok’s audience loves quick value and entertainment video. If your digital product, like a recipe PDF or a photo filter, is useful, TikTok is a good place to find buyers. Sell where your audience already spends their time.

Conclusion: Why Is Local Lead Generation the Better Business Model?

Local lead generation is better because you can sell digital services without restrictions. The TikTok Shop Help Center says you can’t sell digital products like ebooks, courses, or templates on the platform. TikTok also frequently changes its rules and algorithms. But, local lead generation doesn’t have those limits. You can sell digital leads or services directly. You don’t even need to worry about what to do and what not to do since you own the websites. It’s a more stable and scalable business model.

According to the TikTok Business Report, over 500,000 U.S. sellers compete at TikTok Shop. To succeed, you need to create content, run ads, and make viral videos to attract customers. Statista shows that 40% of Americans haven’t used TikTok Shop and aren’t interested in it. This limits your potential buyers. In comparison, local lead generation has far less competition. According to BrightLocal, 75% of local searches lead to a contact or sale. A single local lead generation website can earn between $500 and $3,000 per month passively.

Additionally, local lead generation gives you complete control over your business. A lead generation website needs little upkeep once it ranks. It continues to bring in steady leads. Forbes reports that companies pay $50 to $200 for each lead. Many also choose monthly lead subscriptions. Local lead generation offers higher profit margins, fewer restrictions, and long-term financial security than selling digital products on TikTok.