Is TikTok Shop Worth It? 6 Reasons Why You Should Sell on TikTok Shop

December 17, 2024

TikTok Shop is worth it as it is the 5th most popular social media platform worldwide. It has 1.58 billion active users. It is best used to sell trending products to younger buyers. TikTok Shop is also quickly closing the gap in sales with other top platforms. Influencer Marketing Hub reports that 31% of U.S. buyers aged 18-34 have made purchases on TikTok. This is compared to 35% on Instagram and 36% on Facebook.

TikTok Shop allows easy integration with your online store. It works with your own website or stores on other platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. You can also sell on TikTok Shop without an existing store.

A TikTok Shop seller started a Reddit thread asking other users what they thought of TikTok Shop. They explained that ads overhyping products on TikTok Shop annoy them. They also mentioned that they felt pressured to create ads instead of laid back content in order to compete.

A Redditor and TikTok Shop user replied to the thread. They found it gross that there were many subpar clothing products promoted. They even claimed that 98% of the clothing sold on TikTok Shop would degrade in a few months.

Another TikTok Shop user also weighed in on the thread. They explained how it didn't help them make a lot of money, but it provided them with free items. Based on the comment, we can assume they are an influencer who gets free products to market.

I've been making money online for over a decade and have earned multiple six figures. I did several business models like dropshipping and affiliate marketing. However, I found ecommerce to be taxing in both time and money. You need to constantly put a lot of effort and money into ads and marketing campaigns.

In this article, I will give you the top 6 reasons you should sell on TikTok Shop. You will also discover the biggest challenges, factors for success, and risks. I also give examples of some real-world successful TikTok Shop sellers.

6 Reasons You Should Sell on TikTok Shop

  • Large audience: Demand Sage reports that TikTok has 1.58 billion monthly users worldwide. TikTok has the highest user engagement of all popular social media platforms. According to Backlinko, TikTok users spend an average of 95 minutes per day. TikTok Shop's algorithm is known to be efficient at connecting products with buyers.
  • Smooth shopping experience: You can connect your store to TikTok Shop with just a few steps. TikTok Shop lets users buy products within the app, giving them a great experience. This increases conversion rates and repeat business.
  • Low marketing cost: TikTok Shop's algorithm lets you go viral without spending much on ads. You can also leverage live streams and influencer collaborations to increase your visibility.
  • Demographics: TikTok Shop is a great platform for targeting a younger audience. Backlinko says most TikTok users are Gen Z and young millennials. 55% of U.S. weekly active users are aged 18 to 34. This leads to cheaper targeted ad spending and higher conversion rates.
  • Advanced feature: TikTok Shop has built-in analytics and sales tracking. It also has multiple product showcase options and collaboration tools. These help you optimize your performance and increase your visibility organically.
  • Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT): Stores without logistics can use TikTok's fulfillment program.You can save up to 40% on shipping costs, and all items shipped out are insured. TikTok also often has promotions such as free first 1,000 orders.

4 Main Challenges of Selling on TikTok Shop

  • Inconsistent visibility: A SWOT analysis determined that TikTok's algorithm can be unpredictable. It leads to fluctuations in brand visibility. What is viral today might not reach the same audience the next day.
  • Logistics: Some sellers had trouble integrating their back-end operations with TikTok Shop. The CEO of XO Marshmallow said that their biggest challenge was adapting their systems to TikTok Shop. It may be more practical to use FBT when encountering such issues.
  • Marketing challenges: Influencer Marketing Hub found that 58.2% of TikTok Shop sellers fail to drive traffic to their stores. 14.1% also reported low conversion rates. Effective marketing trends on TikTok Shop differ from those on other platforms. The focus is on viral short-form content that is popular with younger consumers.This strategy is difficult for many marketers.
  • Competition: Since its 2023 launch, TikTok Shop has grown to 15 million sellers worldwide. The fast growth of sellers means tougher competition, with popular niches becoming saturated. This leads to an increasing cost of ads and lower profit margins.

You will encounter more challenges as you sell on TikTok Shop. New challenges may rise from global market and industry changes. You must equip yourself with 

Successful Sellers on TikTok Shop

MySmile is a brand specializing in teeth-whitening kits. They started selling on TikTok Shop and engaged with TikTok's creator affiliate program. MySmile earned over $1 million in sales through TikTok Shop within 3 months. They had a 3x return on ad spend.

PRISM+ is a brand that specializes in electronic gadgets and smart home appliances. They started selling on TikTok Shop to reach Gen Z audiences. They posted informative videos and conducted live streams. PRISM+ earned over $2 million on TikTok Shop in their first quarter.

Boss Up Cosmetics is a beauty brand known for its color-changing lip oil. They made over $5 million in sales using TikTok Shop. The strategy they use is creating viral videos and influencer collaborations. Boss Up Cosmetics often joins TikTok's promo events to boost sales and increase followers.

What Are the Factors to Be Successful on TikTok Shop?

  • Engaging content: Create appealing videos that focus on current trends. Feature authentic storytelling in your content and leverage influencer collaboration. Use popular audio and hashtags to boost visibility.
  • Live shopping: Host live streams to showcase products and interact with customers. This also helps you drive urgency with exclusive deals.
  • Algorithm optimization: Post consistently and encourage engagement (likes, shares, comments). Use TikTok's analytics to track your performance and find areas for improvement.
  • Competitive offers: Provide discounts, free shipping, and clear product descriptions to entice shoppers. Monitor your competition and adjust your pricing and strategies as needed.
  • Customer experience: Quick responses, clear policies, and quality products build trust and drive repeat purchases. Deliver excellent customer service and proactively ask for reviews.
  • TikTok tools: Take advantage of TikTok Shop ads, video shopping, and user-generated content. These boost your visibility and can increase conversion rates.

Create effective systems and strategies for these factors to succeed with TikTok Shop. You need to understand TikTok's unique culture to do this. You also need to adapt to changes and any new challenges that may appear.

What Are the Risks of Selling on TikTok Shop?

  • Regulations: TikTok faces regulatory concerns in certain regions. For example, the U.S. passed a bill that would ban TikTok in 2025 because of privacy and security reasons. This will mean an end to TikTok stores that sell in the U.S. market.
  • Customer trust: Counterfeit or poor-quality products can lower customer trust in your brand. This is especially true with dropshipping and affiliate marketing on TikTok Shop. Make sure you check the quality of the products you sell.
  • Content costs: Constantly creating quality content takes time and money. Outsourcing can be expensive and risky, especially for small businesses. This can lead to a negative income stream.
  • Demographic limits: TikTok’s younger audience may lack disposable income. High-ticket products may not sell well on TikTok Shop. This can lead to loss of advertising investment.

These risks can end your store or even damage your brand. It is important to have a deep understanding of the platform and your market to minimize the risks.

TikTok Shop vs Instagram Shop

Why should you choose TikTok Shop over other popular social media shopping platforms? Here's a quick comparison of TikTok Shop vs Instagram Shop:

TikTok Shop

Audience are predominantly Gen Z (41%).

Users spend an average of 95 minutes daily.

82% of customers discover brands on TikTok.

Ads are 30% to 50% cheaper.

The largest audience region is in Asia. Indonesia is at the top, with 157.6 million users.

60% of users are more likely to buy during live streams.

Instagram Shop

Diverse demographics with 60% of users aged 18-34.

Users spend an average of 58 minutes daily.

81% of buyers discover products on Instagram.

Ads cost 20% to 30% more.

Popular in all regions, especially in the West. India has the most users, estimated at 362.9 million.

Not used for live shopping.

Every platform has its own strengths and weaknesses. TikTok Shop is best for low- to mid-ticket products targeted at younger buyers. It is best used for short-form video and influencer marketing. TikTok Shop is also great for U.S. and Asian market but less so for European markets.

TikTok Shop Automation

TikTok Shop automation is a vital component for scaling and management. It is especially important if you also sell on other platforms. Automation streamlines repetitive day-to-day tasks so you can focus on other parts of the business. You can do this by utilizing automation tools and outsourcing. For example, use AI-powered tools to increase content production. You can also hire freelancers or agencies for content creation. Use management software or hire a manager/management team. Outsource the order fulfillment by signing up for Fulfillment by TikTok. Automation helps you scale quickly and reduce costs if done correctly.

How to Drive Traffic to Your Store with Minimal Effort

A lead generation site is my recommended way of driving traffic with minimal effort. You create a site based on your niche and use SEO tactics to rank it on search engines. Once your site ranks, it will attract traffic organically. As long as your site ranks, it will get traffic without input from you. This makes it sustainable in the long run.

You can also use this strategy to create another income stream. This business is called local lead generation, and it works practically the same way. Instead of the site driving leads to your store, it drives them to local businesses. In exchange, these businesses will pay you for the leads. You can even rent out the site to earn stable monthly income. This is great to supplement your income that you can use to cover the risks of your ecommerce business.

conclusion-lead-gen-maps

You earn $500 to $3,000 a month in passive income from renting out your site. Since you are targeting local markets, you do not have to compete with hundreds of other lead sites. Local lead generation is highly scalable without adding more risks. You just repeat the rank and rent process as much as you want. I have several lead gen sites that earn me $52K a month in passive income with a 90% profit margin. This has surpassed my ecommerce business and become my main source of income. Check out local lead generation for my number 1 business model with low risks.

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Ippei Kanehara
Founder/CEO

$52K per month providing lead generation services to small businesses

Ippei.com is for digital hustlers, industry leaders and online business owners.

His #1 online business recommendation in 2025, is to build your own lead generation business.

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