TikTok Organic Dropshipping

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: Nov 05, 2024

TikTok 101

Want More Real Tiktok Followers?

Do you have a decent following on TikTok? If you’ve been wondering how to create an income stream from your social media activities, try dropshipping! TikTok organic dropshipping allows you to sell products from third-party suppliers via your TikTok page without a physical inventory. 

Here’s everything you need to know!

A shopper checks out the products on a grocery shelf.

TikTok Organic Drop Shipping Course: Earn With Minimum Investment

There are many ways to earn money, such as promoting or selling products without having your own products. Influencer marketing is among the most popular for those with a big enough presence on social media. Affiliate marketing is another option, especially for e-commerce beginners. 

You can try dropshipping if you have good selling skills and want more control over your earnings!

TikTok has become a major hub for direct and indirect sellers as its video format provides the perfect channel for marketing products. In addition to opening a TikTok Shop, brands can also explore shoppable ads, branded mission ads, and other TikTok formats for advertising. 

However, you can also start selling products with minimal to zero startup costs and no physical inventory via dropshipping. Keep reading to learn more! 

Rows of empty shopping carts.

What Is TikTok Organic Dropshipping?

Dropshipping on TikTok works the same way as on other online channels. This form of e-commerce facilitates indirect selling between third-party suppliers and customers. Via dropshipping, you (the retailer) sell products from one or more suppliers, which also handle the fulfillment of all orders. 

This means you don’t need to maintain a physical inventory of the items you sell. You won’t be processing the shipment of your customers’ orders, either. You simply promote and sell the products under your business and on your platform of choice. 

TikTok dropshipping taps into the video-sharing platform’s user base to reach a wider audience and generate sales for your dropshipping business. You can have your own website or a page on another e-commerce platform (such as Shopify or eBay) and expand on TikTok. You can also use the platform exclusively for your dropshipping business. 

Given its massive popularity among consumers, TikTok has become a favorite channel for all types of businesses. Is your target market Gen Z and Millennials? If so, you should definitely tap into TikTok’s user base, the majority of which belongs to these younger demographics.

The platform has also become the preferred search and discovery engine among younger users and consumers looking for product recommendations. According to Statista, 63% of Gen Z users shop on TikTok. Additionally, 49% of millennials, 35% of Gen X, and 23% of boomers use the platform for social commerce.

Needless to say, TikTok offers rich opportunities to earn money from selling products. Ready to start your dropshipping business on TikTok? Read on to learn how! 

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How To Do TikTok Organic Dropshipping

If you’re new to dropshipping, it simply involves selling products that you source from a third-party company. 

As a dropshipper, you act as the go-between between the supplier and the customer. Here’s a quick guide on how to use TikTok for dropshipping:

  1. Create a TikTok Business account. If you already have a personal account, you can switch to a Business account or create a separate account and link the two. 
  2. Link your TikTok Business account to your dropshipping store on another e-commerce platform (such as Shopify). 
  3. Promote your dropshipping products through your TikTok page via organic posts, sponsored collaborations with creators, and ads. 
  4. Depending on the type of content you share, customers can shop directly from your videos. Alternatively, they can click on a link to make a purchase from your dropshipping store. 
  5. You process customer payments (inclusive of shipping costs) via TikTok or your dropshipping store. You also pass along the customer and order information to the company that manufactures/sells the product. The company takes care of the packaging and shipping. 

How do you earn money from dropshipping? Most sellers pay wholesale prices for the items they market, and then they list the products at retail prices. Some sellers may also offer the items at prices that are higher or lower than their suggested retail price (SRP). 

Dropshippers, therefore, have more control over their profit margins.

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Why Should You Do Dropshipping?

What makes dropshipping a good business model? And why should you use TikTok to sell your products? Let’s take a look at the advantages of dropshipping on TikTok:

  • Minimal startup costs. Setting up a dropshipping store on an e-commerce platform requires minimal investment. Or you can use TikTok exclusively to sell your products. 
  • Easy access to a massive market. TikTok is nearing the 2-billion mark in terms of active users. And a significant percentage of users go on the platform to search for products and go shopping. 
  • TikTok offers multiple ways to promote products. You can explore a wide variety of options to market and scale your dropshipping business. Even if you rely only on organic content, you can guarantee higher visibility and more views on TikTok than on other platforms. 

What Are the Limitations of Dropshipping?

It’s always a smart move to weigh the pros and cons of any marketing strategy. Here are the disadvantages of using TikTok for dropshipping:

  • High views and engagement don’t always deliver conversions. While you can always expect higher views and engagement on TikTok than anywhere else, converting these into sales is another story. You still need a solid marketing strategy that’s properly optimized for driving conversions on the platform. 
  • The competition on TikTok is fierce. With more and more businesses flocking to TikTok, you can also expect fierce competition for a prominent spot on feeds. You may find it difficult to gain a solid footing and generate sales if many other dropshippers are offering the same products. 
  • You have no control over the quality of the products. The best you can do is test the products before offering them. Remember that you — and not the company or manufacturer where you got the products — will have to deal with dissatisfied customers.

Before starting your dropshipping expansion on TikTok, make sure you know the platform’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. Find out what items the platform prohibits to avoid an account suspension or a permanent ban. 

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Boost Conversions Through Optimized Targeting

Expanding your dropshipping business via TikTok is a good step toward generating more sales. However, as with any new business endeavor, research is key. Find out as much as you can about brands that offer the same products as you on TikTok. Check their audience engagement and content strategies. 

Identify opportunities to fill consumer demands, e.g., products with a high search volume but low results. 

If you already have a decent following on the platform, TikTok organic dropshipping is an easy income-generating opportunity. If you’re new to TikTok, remember that reaching the right market is crucial to driving conversions. 

Need help connecting with your target audience on TikTok? Sign up for a High Social plan to leverage their advanced, proprietary AI targeting solution. Reach more viewers who are most likely to become engaged and buy followers.

Start growing your TikTok today!

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Is TikTok Dropshipping Worth It? Frequently Asked Questions

Is TikTok dropshipping a profitable enterprise? Here are a few more FAQ to help you decide if this form of e-commerce is right for you.

What is TikTok organic dropshipping?

Organic TikTok dropshipping refers specifically to promoting your dropshipping business and products via organic content. 

Again, dropshipping involves the selling of third-party products to customers. You only create content to market the products and take care of the order-taking and payment processes. 

How do I do TikTok organic dropshipping?

The first step usually involves setting up a dropshipping store on your e-commerce platform of choice. This is where you’ll have the complete list of products you’re selling, including product information. This is also where customers make their purchases and complete payment. 

Then, you need to set up a TikTok Business account and link it to your dropshipping store. You can add a link to your store in your TikTok bio. 

Find inspiration on creating posts to promote the specific products you offer. Your content must highlight your niche, industry, and product categories. Learn how to optimize your posts for your target market on TikTok. 

You should also explore the various paid options for promoting your products on the platform.

TikTok 101