🛍️ TikTok Shop Setup Plan

Eligibility Requirements

Core US Seller Requirements

• Age: 18+ for all account holders and business representatives
• Location: US residential or business address required; VPNs prohibited (can result in permanent ban)
• Valid ID: Unexpired government-issued US ID — Passport, Driver's License, State ID, or Permanent Resident Card
• US Bank Account: Payout account in the exact same legal name as registration (business account for LLC/Corp)
• Unique contact info: Phone + email cannot already be linked to another TikTok Shop

Seller Type Decision (Critical)

Since Piqki is likely an LLC or registered business, the correct path is Corporation/Partnership, which requires:

• Business registration documents (Articles of Organization/Incorporation)
• EIN confirmation letter from IRS
• Owner/officer government-issued ID (unexpired)
• UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) information
• Business bank account in the company's legal name

Common Disqualifiers

• Name mismatches between ID, bank account, and business registration (even abbreviations)
• Expired or blurry/partial document images
• Non-US bank accounts
• Previously rejected accounts using same contact info

Setup Process (Step by Step)

Phase 1: Pre-Registration Prep (1–3 days)

1. Confirm Piqki's legal entity type (LLC? S-Corp?) and locate all business documents
2. Prepare: Business registration docs, IRS EIN letter, owner ID, business bank account details, business address proof — all high resolution PDF/JPEG, under 10MB, fully visible, no alterations
3. Verify all names match exactly across every document — bank account name = registration name

Phase 2: Account Registration (1 day)

1. Go to seller-us.tiktok.com → Sign Up
2. Register with business email (gin@piqki.com or dedicated business email — not linked to another TikTok Shop)
3. Select seller type: Corporation/Partnership (assuming Piqki is an LLC)
4. Fill in: legal business name, EIN, address, contact details
5. Set up Primary Business Representative (PBR) — the person whose ID will be verified; must be a US resident 18+
6. Link to Piqki_bc TikTok Business Center account

Phase 3: Document Verification (1–7 business days)

1. Upload all documents in correct format and submit
2. Wait for email from TikTok — typically 1–7 business days
3. If rejected: Email explains reason → fix and resubmit (do NOT create a new account)

Phase 4: Bank + Tax Setup (1 day after approval)

1. Link US business bank account (name must match registration exactly)
2. Complete W-9 for US business
3. Enable automated tax calculations

Phase 5: Shop Configuration (1–2 days)

1. Configure shipping zones + rates (TikTok Shipping or own carrier)
2. Set delivery timeframes (be conservative — missing SLAs hurts seller score)
3. Publish shop policies: returns, refunds, privacy

Phase 6: Product Listing (1–2 days)

1. Upload product photos — high quality, multiple angles, clean backgrounds + lifestyle shots
2. Write product descriptions with size guides, application instructions, materials
3. Set pricing ($28–30) and inventory levels
4. Map to correct category: Beauty → Nails / Nail Care

Phase 7: Shopify Integration

(See detailed section below)

Phase 8: Go Live + Affiliate Setup (1 day)

1. Publish shop
2. Set up affiliate/creator program (10–12% commission rate)
3. Begin targeted creator outreach and seeding

Shopify Integration

Official Integration (Recommended)

TikTok has a native Shopify integration via the TikTok Sales Channel app:

1. Shopify Admin → Apps → "Visit Shopify App Store" → Search "TikTok" → Install the official TikTok app (verify developer = TikTok)
2. On setup page → "Connect TikTok account" → Log in with Piqki's Business Center account
3. Connect the approved TikTok Shop
4. Map product catalog — Shopify products sync to TikTok Shop listings
5. Configure inventory sync (bidirectional — TikTok sales update Shopify stock)
6. Route TikTok orders through Shopify order management
7. Ensure shipping settings match across both platforms

What Syncs

What Doesn't Sync (Manage Separately)

• TikTok-specific promotions and vouchers
• Creator affiliate links and commissions
• TikTok Shop ad campaigns
• Product reviews on TikTok

Fee Structure

Commission / Referral Fee

Other Fees

Affiliate Commission (Piqki Pays to Creators)

Seller-set rate, paid only on completed sales. Recommended for Piqki launch: 10–12%

Unit Economics at Launch

Gross revenue (per unit):        $30.00
TikTok referral fee (3% promo):   -$0.90
TikTok referral fee (6% ongoing): -$1.80
Affiliate commission (10%):        -$3.00
                                  -------
Net after platform + affiliate:   $25.20 (promo) / $24.20 (standard)
Less: COGS + shipping

Affiliate / Creator Program

Creator Requirements to Join as TikTok Affiliate

• Age: 18+
• Followers: Minimum 1,000 followers to self-apply
• 5,000+ followers: Full access to Product Marketplace, shoppable LIVEs, and campaigns
• Clean account health (no prior TikTok Shop permission revocations)
• US-based account (for Piqki's US Shop)
• Pass TikTok Shop quiz/assessment

How Piqki Sets Up the Affiliate Program

1. In TikTok Seller Center → Marketing → Affiliate
2. Set commission rate: 10–12% for launch
3. Add products to "Open Collaboration" — any eligible creator can self-select and promote
4. Use "Targeted Outreach" to invite specific creators with custom rates
5. Commission paid automatically only on completed, non-returned sales

Creator Tiers for Piqki Strategy

Launch Strategy for Beauty Brands

Content Formats That Convert

• Before/after transformations — The #1 nail format. Bare nails → application → final look. 15–30 seconds.
• Application tutorials — Step-by-step press-on application. Builds trust, demonstrates ease.
• Comparison content — "Press-ons vs. salon" angle: cost ($28 vs. $80 salon), time, quality.
• Lifestyle context — Nails in OOTD, event-ready, aesthetic flat lays.
• Unboxing + first reaction — Creator opens Piqki box cold. Authentic, high-converting.
• Longevity proof — Nails lasting 7+ days through dishes, typing, gym (addresses key objection).

Platform Mechanics to Use

• Shoppable videos: Tag product directly in video → one-click purchase. Must-have from day 1.
• LIVE Shopping: Real-time demos with product link in stream — highest conversion rate on the platform. Even 1-hour weekly LIVEs move significant volume.
• Product Showcase tab: Curated storefront within TikTok brand profile.
• Video Shopping Ads: Use after organic content has proven which hooks/angles convert — not before.

Piqki-Specific Angles

• "Salon quality at home" — Premium press-ons vs. $80+ salon visit
• Size inclusivity — Show multiple fits if applicable
• Special occasion — Wedding nails, event-ready, date night
• Limited-edition color drops — Creates urgency and affiliate creator buzz
• Real nail health message — Press-ons as nail protection vs. gel damage

Case Study Reference

Avenue Z worked with a DTC makeup brand on TikTok Shop and achieved a 75x GMV uplift + 120% increase in conversion through creator-led content strategy. Key driver: diversified creator network (not one viral video) + shoppable video ads on proven organic angles.

Gotchas & Risks

Platform Risks

• MED Regulatory risk: Despite ban threats fading, political risk persists. Don't put 100% of social commerce revenue on TikTok. Shopify DTC is primary.
• MED Policy changes: Fees, creator eligibility, and category rules change without much notice. Check Seller Center Academy regularly.
• MED Algorithm dependency: Build Klaviyo email list from TikTok buyers to reduce dependency on feed visibility.

Operational Pitfalls

• HIGH Document rejection: One name mismatch between bank and registration restarts the verification clock (days to weeks). Prepare meticulously before submitting.
• HIGH Fulfillment SLA violations: Late shipments trigger seller score penalties → reduced discoverability. Build buffer into fulfillment.
• HIGH Inventory sync lag: If Shopify and TikTok Shop go out of sync (oversell), cancellations and negative reviews tank seller score. Monitor closely at launch.
• MED Unique bank account required: Can't reuse a bank account across multiple TikTok Shops.

Content & Creator Mistakes

• HIGH Replicating Shopify/Amazon UX: Product-listing-style content does not convert on TikTok. Must be entertainment-native.
• HIGH Over-relying on one creator: Diversify across 10–20+ creators. Viral videos are luck; consistent conversion is a network.
• MED Hard-selling content: TikTok users are in scroll/entertainment mode, not buy mode. Authenticity and education convert; pushy CTAs repel.
• MED Forcing irrelevant trends: 80% evergreen + 20% relevant trend participation is the right mix.

Financial Gotchas

• HIGH Fee stacking: 10% affiliate + 6% platform = 16% off top before COGS. Model margins carefully.
• MED Ads: $50/day minimum: Don't run ads until organic + affiliate content has proven converting angles.
• MED Reconciliation complexity: TikTok payment reconciliation can lag. Track TikTok revenue separately from Shopify DTC from day 1.

Recommended Timeline for Piqki

• March 1–7

  Phase 1 — Document Prep + Registration

  • Confirm Piqki's legal entity, gather all documents at high resolution
  • Register at seller-us.tiktok.com → Corporation/Partnership track
  • Link to Piqki_bc Business Center
  • Submit application for verification
• March 7–21

  Phase 2 — Verification + Shopify Setup

  • While verification is pending: install TikTok Sales Channel app in Shopify
  • Prep product catalog for TikTok (images, copy, variants, category mapping)
  • Once approved: connect Shop to Shopify, sync catalog
  • Configure shipping, taxes, shop policies in Seller Center
  • Set up Affiliate program at 10–12% commission
• March 21–31

  Phase 3 — Creator Seeding Begins

  • Browse TikTok Product Marketplace → identify 20–30 nail/beauty creators (1K–100K)
  • Enable Open Collaboration so creators can self-select products
  • Send 15–20 targeted creator invites with free product offer + affiliate commission
  • Ship product to first wave of seeded creators
• April 1–15

  Phase 4 — First Sales + Content Live

  • First affiliate content goes live (creators received + filmed product)
  • Target first sale within 60 days of onboarding → activates 3% promo rate
  • Start posting from Piqki's own TikTok account (algorithm doesn't require followers)
  • Monitor which angles, hooks, and creators convert best
  • Test 1–2 low-budget shoppable video ads ($20–50/day) on proven content
• April 15 – May 10

  Phase 5 — Scale Into Official Launch

  • Double down on converting creators (increase commission or send more product)
  • Launch weekly LIVE Shopping sessions (highest conversion rate on platform)
  • Scale TikTok Shop ads on proven creative
  • Capture TikTok buyers' emails → Klaviyo post-purchase flow
  • May 2026: Official launch with 20+ active creator affiliates + ads running

Summary

Open Questions

1. Piqki's legal entity: LLC, S-Corp, or other? Determines registration path and exact documents. Check before starting.
2. Piqki_bc Business Center invite: Has Gin accepted the TikTok Business Center invite? Needed before Shop setup completes. (Link: business.tiktok.com/?invite_code=fde5a93392030c07d1d181a2662cac81)
3. Piqki TikTok account: Does a Piqki TikTok account exist? Even 0-follower accounts can post shoppable content.
4. Margin model: Can Piqki sustain 10% affiliate + 6% platform = 16% off top before COGS? Need COGS to model fully.
5. LIVE Shopping readiness: Is Gin comfortable going on camera for weekly LIVEs? Highest-converting format. Alternatively, hire a LIVE host.
6. Creator seeding budget: How many units is Piqki willing to seed at cost for affiliate outreach? Recommended: 50–100 units for first wave.
7. FBT consideration: As order volume scales, explore TikTok's Fulfilled by TikTok warehousing for faster delivery SLAs.

Sources

• 1. TikTok Shop US Seller Registration Requirements — seller-us.tiktok.com (official)
• 2. LuminusHub: Complete TikTok Shop Setup Guide 2025 — luminushub.com (Dec 2025)
• 3. SmartSMSSolutions: TikTok Shop Seller Center Setup US — smartsmssolutions.com (Jan 2026)
• 4. Printify: TikTok Shop Fees 2025 Guide — printify.com (May 2025)
• 5. TikTok Seller University: New Seller Referral Fee Promotion — seller-us.tiktok.com (official)
• 6. TikTok Seller University: Creator Eligibility Policy — seller-us.tiktok.com (Dec 2025)
• 7. Shopify: Complete Guide to TikTok Affiliate Marketing — shopify.com
• 8. CustomerLabs: TikTok Shop + Shopify Integration Guide — customerlabs.com (Aug 2025)
• 9. Shopify Help Center: Setting up TikTok Shop — help.shopify.com (official)
• 10. Simple Global: 10 Things Every Seller Should Know — simpleglobal.com (Aug 2025)
• 11. MediaPost: Turn These 7 TikTok Shop Mistakes Into Wins — mediapost.com (Oct 2025)
• 12. Avenue Z: DTC Makeup Brand TikTok Shop Case Study — avenuez.com (Jan 2025)