· 14 min read

How to Sell on TikTok with Shopify in 2024? Step By Step Guide

In October 2022, Shopify and TikTok for Business joined forces, unlocking a world of possibilities for online merchants everywhere.

With the launch of TikTok on the Shopify app store, store owners can now seamlessly run ads, connect pixels, and monitor performance all within their admin dashboard.

In this step-by-step guide, we'll break down the process and answer your frequent questions to help you master the art of selling on TikTok with Shopify.

Why Do You Need to Install TikTok App on Shopify?

As a Shopify online merchant, you'll want to ensure you're taking advantage of every opportunity to reach potential customers.

➣ A staggering 50% of TikTok users have made a purchase after watching a TikTok LIVE, demonstrating the platform's influential potential.

➣ TikTok users are twice as likely to recommend a product or service found on the app and 1.5x more successful in persuading others to try it.

55% of users rely on TikTok to research new brands or products, showcasing the app's role as a discovery platform.

As you can see in the stats above with the TikTok platform, you'll tap into a world of chances that can directly impact your bottom line.

Not only can you swiftly set up an account and begin running ads for a seamless experience, but you can also promote your products using web conversion and smart performance campaigns.

These campaigns optimize ad delivery and prolong shelf life, ensuring maximum impact.

a stock image of a hand holding a phone with a Shopify logo on its screen

You can also utilize machine-learning-powered automatic targeting to pinpoint your ideal audience and connect with potential customers in your chosen country.

Effortlessly create eye-catching TikTok-style videos by uploading product images or videos, then receive customized creative suggestions.

Keep an eye on crucial performance data through the reporting dashboard, empowering you to optimize your ads and conversion funnel effectively.

With TikTok and Shopify integration, you'll enhance your online presence and drive your business forward.

How to Install TikTok For Business on Shopify?

To install TikTok on your Shopify store and get started with advertising follow these simple steps:

Shopify app store showing TikTok search results of apps relevant to TikTok

1- Find the TikTok app: Visit the Shopify App Store and search for "TikTok."

Step one Shopify app store to install TikTok for Shopify

Be cautious of similar-looking apps; ensure you install the official TikTok app created by TikTok. Click on "Add app" to channel it onto your store.

2- Add sales channel: Click the "Add sales channel" button and set up your TikTok account.

Step two TikTok app on Shopify app store

Either log in to your existing account or create a new TikTok for Business account.

3- Connect accounts: Link your TikTok account and Shopify store.

Step three Shopify admin page showing the process of connecting TikTok account to Shopify

To switch users, use the "Switching User" option.

Step three a window showing the TikTok and Shopify integration process with a Switching User option

4- Set up TikTok Ads Manager: Once connected, configure your TikTok Ads Manager. You can either create a new marketing catalog or connect your account to your existing one.

Step four TikTok Ad manager set up

This is where you'll create and manage your TikTok ad campaigns.

Step four TikTok marketing catalog set up on Shopify

Once you set up your TikTok Business Center account and added your marketing catalog locations just click on “Finish Setup” and go to the next step.

5- Choose data sharing level: TikTok allows you to select how data is collected and shared between your online store and the platform.

Step five TikTok data Sharing Setup

You can choose from three levels: Standard, Enhanced, or Maximum.

6- Add your company information: Finally, add your company info and a payment method to your account by either adding a balance or binding a credit/debit card.

finish setup Shopify and TikTok integrationn

You can manage this payment method directly in Shopify or TikTok Ads Manager. Once you are done just click on “Finish Setup”.

And that’s all! By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to harnessing the power of TikTok ads to drive sales and grow your brand on Shopify.

How to Create a TikTok Ad Campaign on Shopify?

Creating a TikTok ad campaign on Shopify is a straightforward process, and by following this step-by-step guide, you'll be able to set up your Smart Performance Campaign (SPC) in no time.

SPC is TikTok's automated ad solution, designed to optimize conversion results.

1- Create Campaign: Just click on the TikTok add-on on the left side panel of your Shopify admin page and start to “Create Campaign”.

Step-one-create-marketing-campaing-on-TikTok

2- Ad Name: Start by naming your campaign, keeping it descriptive and relevant.

Step-two-add-name-TikTok-Ad-campaign

3- Promotion: Choose a Landing Page Type for your ad, selecting from Single Product, Collection, or Homepage.

Step-three-TikTok-Ad-campaign-promotion

4- Ad Creation: Decide whether to upload an existing video file or use TikTok's video generator tool to create a new video from existing images or videos.

Step-three-TikTok-Ad-campaign-creation-process

Review the generated options and pick your favorite to run as an ad campaign.

5- Automatic Targeting: TikTok uses machine learning to find your ideal audience through automatic targeting. Simply provide the target country for your ads.

Step-four-targeting-TikTok-Ad-campaign

You can also check the box to only target users above 18 in your ad campaign.

6- Optimization Event: Select an optimization event based on signals from your Shopify Pixel. It's a good idea to begin with an upper-funnel event, like Add to Cart, before progressing further down the purchase journey to Complete Payment.

step-five-TikTok-Ad-campaign-event-and-budget-setup

7- Budget: Set a daily budget of more than $20 USD per day. Finally, choose whether to schedule your campaign for a specific duration or let it run continuously.

By following these steps, you'll successfully create a TikTok ad campaign on Shopify, allowing you to reach your target audience and boost your sales effectively.

How Does Data Sharing Work on TikTok?

Data sharing on TikTok is a crucial aspect of optimizing your ad targeting experience.

By utilizing tools like Pixel, TikTok collects customer data and browsing behavior from your store, allowing you to gain insights into your visitors' actions and preferences.

This valuable information helps measure campaign performance, refine ad targeting, and ultimately improve the reach and conversion rates of your ad campaigns.

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Earlier we mentioned that TikTok offers three data-sharing levels to choose from: Standard, Enhanced, and Maximum.

Now we’ll explain each level in detail so you can have a clear understanding before choosing one:

Standard: This level employs TikTok Pixel, a tracking technology that gathers and shares customers' browsing behavior on your online store. However, browser-based ad blockers may hinder the pixel from collecting data.

Enhanced: In addition to customer browsing behavior, this level uses Advanced Matching to share personal information about your customers, such as email addresses and phone numbers. Browser-based ad blockers can still prevent the pixel from collecting data.

Maximum: This level combines all data-sharing options for the most comprehensive reach. It uses custom APIs to share data from partner servers to TikTok, along with pixel-based tracking for customer browsing behavior. With this option, data blocking becomes less likely, ensuring a more effective ad campaign.

For example, if you choose the Maximum level of data sharing, you'll benefit from the most robust targeting and insights possible.

This wide approach enables you to fine-tune your ad campaigns to reach your ideal audience, ultimately driving more conversions and boosting your overall return on investment.

What’s the TikTok Pixel for Shopify?

The TikTok Pixel for Shopify is a powerful piece of code that you can add to your website to help you in finding new customers, optimize campaigns, and measure ad performance.

It enables you to track visitor actions, such as 'view page' or 'purchase,' and create audience segments for re-engaging previous site visitors or modeling lookalike audiences to discover new prospects.

Now you might ask why do you need to use TikTok Pixel for Your Shopify store?! Well here are some of the most important reasons why:

By utilizing the TikTok Pixel for Shopify, you can elevate your marketing strategy, better measure results, and maximize the potential of your advertising efforts on the platform. Here are some other good reasons why:

Easy implementation: With a single click, you can effortlessly set up the pixel, avoiding potential errors and gaining valuable insights into your product and checkout flows. The pixel's standardized event rules cater specifically to Shopify's unique user journey, and full-funnel event tracking, including payment and checkout pages, is possible with the Shopify pixel integration.

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Advanced features: The TikTok Pixel for Shopify, built on a robust developer codebase, provides access to the pixel's latest features.

Advanced Matching improves the accuracy of tracking website visitor events, while Audience Enrichment allows you to build audiences and present relevant ads to potential customers.

Additionally, Product Parameters send extra information about visitor actions, such as the total price of an order or product name and category, which can be used to customize audiences and enhance reporting with metrics like Return on Ad Spend (ROAS).

Automatic updates: The TikTok Pixel for Shopify stays current with the latest pixel updates through automatic version releases, requiring no action from you. The direct integration with Shopify's API allows TikTok to automatically push updated code to your Shopify store.

What’s the Difference Between TikTok for Business & TikTok Business Account?

TikTok for Business serves as a unified platform that integrates various business products, such as TikTok Ads Manager and TikTok Business Center, into a single ecosystem.

It is designed to streamline the advertising and marketing experience for businesses on TikTok.

For example, TikTok for Business enables users to create and manage ad campaigns, access performance insights, and manage multiple accounts through the TikTok Business Center.

On the other hand, a TikTok Business Account is a specific profile type on TikTok created to equip businesses with the tools necessary to build a cohesive marketing strategy on the platform.

hands hold a cellphone showing the tiktok logo

A TikTok Business Account allows businesses to showcase their products or services, engage with their audience, and use analytics to better understand their performance.

For instance, a clothing store could create a TikTok Business Account to share engaging content, such as styling tips or behind-the-scenes footage, and interact with potential customers in the TikTok community.

Final Thoughts

In this guide, we've strived to deliver a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough for harnessing the power of TikTok on Shopify, unlocking a world of marketing potential.

As the most downloaded mobile app worldwide and with its video editing tool, CapCut, in the top five, TikTok presents an invaluable marketing channel for savvy businesses.

With the TikTok channel app, Shopify merchants can effortlessly manage and tweak campaign settings right from their Shopify Dashboard, simplifying the entire process.

This integration also empowers you to craft captivating, TikTok-style short videos that showcase your products to the platform's vast and diverse audience, including the highly coveted teenage demographic.

Considering the seamless installation, expansive user base, and enticing credit offer, there's no excuse not to give this marketing channel a try.

If you're eager to reach this audience but haven't yet established an online store, you can set one up for free with Shopify.

Moreover, TikTok provides a helpful knowledge base to support you in mastering this integration and exploring other pertinent topics.

Frequently Asked Questions

a torn paper written with inscription Q and A

How Can I Link My Existing TikTok for Business Account to Shopify?

To connect your account, follow these steps:

  • In Shopify, click on "Connect Account" under the Settings tab and enter your login information.
  • After connecting, all ad accounts with Admin permissions will be displayed.
  • Select the specific account you want to connect to Shopify and click "Connect."

What Happens to My Ads Created in the TikTok App on Shopify if I Disconnect My Pixel?

If you disconnect your Pixel, your existing ads won't be paused, but you won't be able to create new ads until you reconnect or create a new Pixel.

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