TikTok

TikTok Shop Ads: Setup, Ad Examples & Best Practices

TikTok Shop Ads are helping brands to drive direct sales from TikTok without requiring buyers to bounce from the app. Learn all about how TikTok Shop Ads work below!

TikTok Shop ads cover image

Despite initial skepticism from brands, TikTok Shop has taken over social commerce.

And that's not an understatement!

The platform's recent $100 million in single-day sales speaks for itself. From affiliates to ads, brands are rightfully tripling down on Shop.

With TikTok Shop Ads, brands have more opportunities to turn scrolls into sales by promoting products directly. All without disrupting shoppers or forcing them off the app.

Below we explain what TikTok Shop Ads are, how they work and tips for setting them up.

What Are TikTok Shop Ads?

TikTok Shop Ads are an ad format that integrates shopping directly into the TikTok experience. Rather than send shoppers to an off-platform landing page, these ads allow buyers to discover and purchase products natively within the TikTok app. 

tiktok shop ads example 2a  tiktok shop ads example 2b 

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Compared to other TikTok ad formats, Shopping Ads are designed to create a seamless path to purchase, combining TikTok’s engaging short-form videos with e-commerce functionality.

Through shoppable videos, TikTok Shop Ads make it easy for creators to act on their purchasing impulses. This results in more purchases and fewer opportunities for cart abandonment.

Examples of TikTok Shopping Ads

Let’s look at how real brands are using TikTok Shop Ads to drive results.

tiktok shop ads example 1

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Note how this creator sharing her go-to supplement from TikTok Shop for glowing skin and better health. She breaks down the benefits of the product while casually showing how she incorporates it into her daily routine.

All coupled with a clear call-to-action and TikTok Shop link! No extra steps, no leaving the app. 

Here's another great TikTok Shop Ad example we can learn from:

tiktok shop ad example 3Source

Note how the creator highlights the product and its hydration benefits. Not to mention all of its special ingredients. The link in the description is doing the heavy lifting, giving viewers an effortless way to shop while they’re still hooked on the video.

These TikTok Shop Ads examples highlight just how versatile this ad format is. Whether it’s supplements, skincare or beyond, shoppers are turning to TikTok UGC to make purchases.

How Do TikTok Shop Ads Work?

For brands, TikTok Shop Ads are directly linked to your Shop inventory. This makes it simple to showcase products you already have available. Creators promoting products via Shop can add product links directly to their TikTok videos, allowing users to explore and buy with one tap.

Here’s a closer look at how TikTok Shop Ads work and what makes them unique:

Integration with TikTok Shop

No surprises here! Brands need to set up a TikTok Shop account, which acts as a storefront for their ads. Unlike TikTok ads that take shoppers to third-party landing pages, you have to take care to upload products, manage inventory and process orders directly within the platform.

TikTok Shop Ad Formats

TikTok Shop Ads come in a variety of formats, including:

      • In-Feed Ads. These are shoppable videos that appear when TikTokers scroll through their For You feeds. 

      • Shoppable Videos: These are regular posts linked to products with “Shop Now” or similar call-to-action buttons.

      • Live Shopping Events. These are live streams that allow users to engage with hosts and shop in real time.

      • Spark Ads. These are ads that promote products directly from a creator's account.

Advanced Targeting Options

TikTok’s algorithm and targeting tools help your ads reach the right audience based on demographics, interests and behavior. Features such as Lookalike Audiences and Smart Targeting allow brands to refine their audiences further for conversion-focused campaigns.

TikTok Shop Affiliates 

Shop Ads really shine when coupled with TikTok Shop affiliates. Brands can tap into their affiliate creators to feature their products in authentic, engaging content. It’s a win-win as your products get in front of the right audience and your affiliates earn from their sales.

Benefits of TikTok Shop Ads for Brands

The benefits of advertising on TikTok are well-documented. That said, TikTok Shop Ads offer several unique upsides compared to other formats.

Shopping Ads Provide a Seamless Path to Purchase

TikTok Shop Ads take the hassle out of online shopping by keeping everything in one place. From the moment shoppers discover your product to the final checkout, they never have to leave the app. 

This streamlined experience not only boosts convenience but encourages timely purchases. That's because shoppers don't have to bounce to do research when they can see recent content and reviews from fellow consumers all in the TikTok Shop platform.

Opportunities to Engage Your Influencer Community

TikTok Shopping Ads allow you to harness the creativity of your influencer community like never before. Allow your affiliates and creators to shine by letting them craft authentic, scroll-stopping content that doubles as ad creatives.

Not only does this help drive sales, but it also gives your creators a chance to share in the success through affiliate earnings. Again, this creates a partnership that benefits everyone.

Gather Valuable Insights from TikTok Shop Analytics

TikTok Shop provides powerful insights to help you fine-tune your advertising strategy. For example, you can learn which products, video formats and individual affiliates are driving the most sales. This makes it easier to double down on what works as you run ads with confidence.

Best Practices for Running TikTok Shop Ads

To wrap things up, keep these tips in mind to get the most out of TikTok Shop Ads:

  • Take advantage of TikTok trends. Tap into trending TikTok sounds, challenges and video formats to make your ads feel native and authentic. Remember the mantra: "Make TikToks, not ads."

  • Work with creators. Collaborate with TikTok creators who truly connect with your target audience. Their content feels more trustworthy and relatable than traditional ads, making it easier to build genuine engagement.  Food for thought: 66% more brands are Sparking their influencer content in ads because it delivers significantly higher ROAS. 

  • Test, test and test some more! Use A/B testing to experiment with different creatives, captions and targeting options. Continuously optimize your campaigns based on performance metrics. Especially with UGC ads, it's crucial to make tweaks and account for the variables that impact engagement and conversions. Everything counts!

How to Get Started with TikTok Shop Ads in 3 Steps

If you’re ready to dive into TikTok Shop Ads, here ar the simplified steps to get started

1. Set Up Your TikTok Shop

Start by creating a TikTok Shop account and uploading your product catalog. Make sure your product descriptions are catchy and your visuals are vibrant.  A polished and thoughtful setup lays the foundation for awesome ads!

2. Link Your TikTok Shop Products to Ads Manager

With TikTok’s ad manager, you can easily create campaigns that connect directly to your TikTok Shop products. By linking products to ads, you make it possible for shoppers to discover, explore and make purchases almost instantly.

3. Find Affiliates to Promote Your Products

Simple as! Again, the strength of TikTok Shop comes from the ability for creators to sell products directly to their audiences and earn a cut in the process.

Using TikTok's Open Collaboration option and setting competitive commission rates, you can make your Shop products more attractive to creators and earn more sales. All while building valuable word of mouth!

Why Brands Should Invest in TikTok Shop Ads ASAP

TikTok Shop isn't slowing down.  Early adopters of TikTok Shop Ads have a chance to gain a competitive edge by engaging shoppers while also activating more creators than ever.

Consider how TikTok Shop Ads complement other ad formats, like TikTok Spark Ads, offering brands a holistic strategy to boost awareness and conversions.

And TikTok Shop creators are key to success here. Their authenticity and ability to showcase products in action bring your brand to life in ways flat images or brand-created videos can't.

If you need more TikTok creators and affiliates to promote your Shop products, our platform can help. Statusphere's software matches brands with vetted micro-influencers and can seamlessly integrate links to your TikTok Shop in their content, too.

Want to learn more about how our software works? Connect with one of our experts to see how our platform can help you crush your TikTok ad goals!

Drive Product Discovery & Sales with 100% Automated Micro-Influencer Collabs

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