TikTok Shop is TikTok’s built-in e-commerce feature that allows sellers to easily showcase and sell products directly within the TikTok app. Introducing TikTok Shop. It provides sellers and brands a way to tap into TikTok’s highly engaged user base to drive product discovery, views, and sales. To sell on TikTok Shop, sellers first need to register and have their TikTok Shop seller account approved.
The sign up process involves submitting information about your business, products, and accounts. TikTok reviews seller applications to ensure policies and quality standards are met before approval. However, sometimes seller sign ups get rejected during this review process for various reasons. This can be disappointing for eager sellers aiming to leverage TikTok’s platform and user base.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify as a seller on TikTok Shop in the US, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. According to TikTok’s registration and onboarding guidelines, TikTok Shop accepts applications from a variety of seller types, including:
- Individual sellers
- Small businesses and entrepreneurs
- Influencers and content creators
- Large brands and corporations
TikTok does not seem to exclude any particular type of seller from applying. However, all applicants must comply with TikTok’s policies and meet certain requirements regarding identity verification, product legitimacy, financial documentation, and more. TikTok aims to maintain a safe, trustworthy marketplace through its selective application process.
Sign Up Process
Signing up for TikTok Shop as a seller involves a few key steps:
First, go to the TikTok Shop Seller Sign Up page and click on “Apply Now.” You will need to enter your phone number and email address.
Next, you will need to provide information about your business, including your company name, tax ID, business address, and bank account information. TikTok requires this verification to ensure only legitimate businesses are selling products.
After submitting your business details, TikTok will review your application. This process can take a few days.
Once approved, you will gain access to the TikTok Shop Seller Center, where you can begin creating and managing your TikTok Shop.
According to TikTok’s seller center guide, you will need to link your product catalogs, set up your store profile, create listings, manage orders, and more through this dashboard.
Signing up requires providing legitimate business credentials and then patiently awaiting TikTok’s approval before accessing the full seller platform.
Reasons for Rejection
There are a few common reasons why TikTok Shop may reject your sign up application:
- Not meeting the minimum follower count requirement – Most accounts need at least 10,000 followers to be eligible.
- Posting infrequently – Your account needs to have regular posting activity to show it’s an active business.
- Submitting incorrect business documents – Make sure to double check you are sending valid business licenses, trademarks, etc. that match the account name.
- Violating TikTok’s policies – Any violations of their community guidelines or monetization policies could lead to rejection.
- Sending low-quality or inappropriate content – TikTok has high standards for shop profiles.
- Having unoriginal products – The products you sell cannot be replicas or counterfeits.
It’s crucial to carefully review the eligibility criteria and only submit a strong application that meets TikTok’s high bar for Shop accounts. Taking the time upfront to ensure you qualify and have a professional brand presence will increase your chances of approval.
Appealing a Rejection
If your application to join TikTok Shop gets rejected, you can appeal the decision to potentially get approved on a second review. Here are some tips for appealing a TikTok Shop rejection:
Review the reason your application was rejected. TikTok should provide details on why you did not meet their requirements for sellers. Understanding the specific policies you violated will help strengthen your appeal.
Correct any issues that led to the rejection. If your product images did not meet standards, replace them. If your seller profile was incomplete, add the missing details. Fixing problems shows TikTok you are ready to comply.
Write a formal appeal letter addressed to TikTok’s review team. Outline the steps you have taken to fix the deficiencies and request they reconsider your application. Be polite and professional.
Provide additional documentation that verifies your business meets the criteria. This could include business registration papers, product invoices, license information, etc. Evidence helps support your appeal.
Follow up if you don’t hear back. Repeated polite inquiries may get your appeal prioritized for review. But avoid excessive contact that could be seen as harassing.
If you address the specific problems cited and strengthen your application, TikTok may overturn the initial rejection. However, approval is still not guaranteed. Focus on meeting all requirements to improve your chances.
Improving Your Application
If your TikTok Shop seller application gets rejected, there are several things you can do to improve your chances for approval on your next attempt:
- Enhance your seller profile by adding more detailed information about your business, products, and services. Provide a strong “About” section, user bio, high-quality profile photo and cover images to showcase your brand (Source).
- Link to your business website and social media profiles to demonstrate your reputation and authority.
- Craft appeals that directly address the reasons your application was rejected. Provide any requested information that was missing.
- Expand your audience and engagement on TikTok before reapplying. Post high-quality videos showcasing your products. Use relevant hashtags. Collaborate with influencers in your niche (Source).
- Consider applying for TikTok Shop access through an e-commerce partner like Shopify. Leverage an established platform while building your own brand presence.
Putting in this work can demonstrate you are a serious seller committed to bringing value to the TikTok community. Strong applications highlight why your products deserve a spot in the TikTok Shop marketplace.
Alternatives to TikTok Shop
If your TikTok Shop application gets rejected, there are other ecommerce platforms you can utilize to sell your products. Here are some popular alternatives:
Instagram Shopping – Instagram has shopping features like shoppable posts and Instagram Shop where you can easily sell products directly within the app. Over 130 million people tap to reveal tags in shopping posts each month, so it’s a huge potential sales channel.
Facebook Shops – Create a free Facebook Shop and sell your items across Facebook and Instagram. It’s integrated with Facebook Business Suite for easy product management. Facebook Shops saw over 1.2 billion visits in the first three months after launch.
Amazon – While Amazon takes a commission on sales, it provides instant access to millions of customers. You can sell as an individual or professional seller. Consider Amazon Handmade for artisanal products.
Ebay – Ebay is another major marketplace where you can set up an ecommerce shop and tap into their 182 million buyers globally. You don’t need to build a full standalone website.
Etsy – For vintage, craft, and handmade items, Etsy is a top choice with over 90 million active buyers. You can create your digital storefront and list products easily.
YouTube Shopping – Enable shopping capabilities from YouTube videos. When viewers click the “View Products” button under your videos, they can browse and purchase the items shown.
With many robust ecommerce platforms available, sellers have options if TikTok Shop doesn’t work out. Consider which alternatives align best with your products, audience, and business goals.
Maintaining Motivation
Getting rejected from TikTok Shop can be disappointing and discouraging. However, it’s important to maintain motivation and continue working towards your goals. Here are some tips for staying motivated if your TikTok Shop application gets rejected:
Focus on the factors you can control rather than the rejection itself. Keep improving your content, engagement, and overall TikTok presence (https://everyancillary.com/8-tips-to-staying-motivated-after-rejection/).
Don’t take the rejection personally. TikTok has a very thorough vetting process and many great creators still get rejected. Stay confident in yourself and your abilities.
Build your pipeline by exploring other monetization options like affiliate links, sponsorships, merchandise, etc. Having multiple income streams helps overcome the sting of rejection.
Learn from the rejection. Analyze why you may have been rejected, and work on strengthening those areas for next time. Feedback is an opportunity for growth.
Ask peers for advice and support. Connect with other creators who have experience getting rejected or accepted to TikTok Shop. Learn from their journeys.
Take small steps each day to keep making progress, whether it’s creating content, engaging with your audience, or improving production quality. Baby steps forward will keep you from getting discouraged.
Stay inspired watching creators who kept persevering through rejection and eventually succeeded. With hard work and persistence, you can achieve your goals.
Trying Again
If your TikTok Shop application gets rejected, don’t be discouraged. You can reapply after making some improvements. However, it’s recommended to wait 30 days before submitting a new application according to TikTok’s support page (source). This gives you time to strengthen your shop and application.
When reapplying, carefully review the reasons your original application was rejected. Make sure you have addressed any issues around copyright, authenticity, clarity in your shop policies, etc. Provide as much detail as possible on your products, shipping, returns, and contact information. Have high quality images ready that showcase your merchandise. Consider asking for feedback from those familiar with TikTok Shop applications. With some time and tweaks, you’ll be better prepared when going through the process again.
It’s normal to feel disappointed when your TikTok Shop application is initially rejected. But stay determined if owning a Shop is your goal. Follow TikTok’s guidelines, continue building your audience, and reapply once you’ve made improvements. Many successful TikTok Shop owners had to try more than once before getting approved. So don’t get too discouraged if it takes more than one attempt. Stay optimistic and keep working towards your shop!
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting rejected from TikTok Shop can be disappointing, but try not to let it discourage you completely. With persistence and dedication to improving your application, many sellers are eventually able to get accepted. Focus on developing high-quality products, professional branding, excellent customer service and a strong following on TikTok. Even if TikTok Shop does not work out, there are other ecommerce platforms and social networks to explore. As long as you maintain the motivation and passion for your business, you can find success through alternative channels. Keep trying, keep learning and keep improving. With enough grit and resilience, you can achieve your dreams of becoming an online merchant.
