TikTok Shop has become an ecommerce behemoth since its late 2023 launch in the United States. Partnerships with influencers, paid ads, and savvy TikTok strategies are garnering unprecedented sales for businesses. That’s a great position to be in – if your fulfillment system is up for the job.
There are several nuances to TikTok Shop logistics. Order placement, preparation, and delivery all follow protocols unique to this specific social commerce platform. Long-term success as a merchant is contingent on both understanding how the system works and taking proactive steps to ensure efficiency. When you get ahead of potential problems, you minimize threats to your business while avoiding major headaches.
Use this article as a preparatory guide to getting TikTok Shop inventory management, TikTok Shop order fulfillment, TikTok Shop shipping done right.
Setting Up Your TikTok Shop
Setting up your TikTok Shop is the first step towards tapping into this rapidly growing market. The process is straightforward but requires attention to detail.
Here’s how to get started:
Create Your TikTok Shop Account
To begin, you need to create a TikTok Shop Business Account. Visit the TikTok Shop Seller Center and sign up using your business credentials. Once your account is created, you’ll need to verify the details you’ve submitted with supporting documents.
Add Products to Your Store
After setting up your account, the next step is to add products to your TikTok Shop. Navigate to the 'Manage Products' section in the Seller Center and click on 'Add Product.' You’ll have the option of doing so manually, using a bulk upload feature, migrating data from an existing source, or synching via a third-party integration.
Fill in all the necessary details, including product name, description, price, and high-quality images. Make sure your descriptions are detailed and engaging to attract potential buyers. Categorize your products accurately to make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.
TikTok Shop’s Product Optimizer can enhance your product pages with AI-powered recommendations.
Set Up Payment Methods
TikTok Shop supports various payment gateways, including credit cards, PayPal, and other local payment options. Go to ‘Account Settings' in the Seller Center, tap ‘Bank Accounts,’ and link your deposit destination.
Configure Shipping and Fulfillment Settings
In the 'Shipping Options' section, you have the option to choose between TikTok Shipping, Seller Shipping, or Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT). Each arrangement has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your business model.
If you plan on using a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, select Seller Shipping. TikTok Shop requires merchants who use this option to complete a TikTok shipping fees template before uploading products, whether they choose a fulfillment partner or handle operations in-house.
Managing and Fulfilling TikTok Shop Orders
Once your shop is set up, the real work of establishing an efficient order management and fulfillment system begins. You’ll need a framework in place for reviewing, picking, packing, and shipping orders to customers. Below, we break down best practices for each of these elements.
View Orders
To stay on top of your orders, set up order notifications in the Seller Center. This will alert you whenever a new order is placed. You can view all your orders in the Admin Panel under the 'Orders' section. Verify the order details, including the product, quantity, and shipping address, to ensure accuracy before proceeding to ecommerce fulfillment.
Pick and Pack Your Orders
Use a systematic approach to pick items from your inventory. Packing guidelines are equally important; use appropriate packaging materials to protect the items during transit. Include a packing slip and any promotional materials to enhance the customer experience.
Ship Your Orders
TikTok Shop allows you to choose from carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Print shipping labels directly from the Seller Center and attach them to your packages. Schedule shipment pickups with your chosen carrier or drop off the packages at their designated locations.
Tracking TikTok Shop Orders
Complete customer satisfaction challenges businesses to meet multiple types of expectations. While product quality and customer service are undoubtedly important, tracking and updating order status are as well.
Here’s how to do it with ease:
Provide Tracking Information
Once an order is shipped, provide tracking information to your customers by entering the tracking number in the Seller Center. Customers can then use this number to track their orders in real-time, giving them peace of mind and reducing the likelihood of inquiries about order status.
Update Order Status
Regularly update the order status in the Seller Center. Mark orders as 'Shipped' once they leave your facility and 'Delivered' once they reach the customer. Keeping the order status updated helps in maintaining transparency and trust with your customers.
Handling Returns and Exchanges of TikTok Shop Orders
Returns and exchanges are an inevitable part of ecommerce. Managing them efficiently can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Don’t limit your planning to one-way delivery – be ready with a reverse logistics system designed to streamline the receipt of orders customers send back.
Smart planning starts with these steps:
Create Your Return Policy
A clear and concise return policy will minimize customers’ confusion about what they can and can’t send back to your business, and in doing so, hopefully reduce the volume of inquiries you need to deal with. Outline the conditions under which returns are accepted, the time frame for returns, and the process customers need to follow. Make sure your return policy is easily accessible on your TikTok Shop page.
Process Returns
When a return request is received, review it promptly. Approve or reject the request based on your return policy. If approved, provide the customer with a return shipping label and instructions on how to send the item back. Ensure that the return process is as hassle-free as possible to maintain customer satisfaction.
Restock Returned Items
Once returned items are received, inspect them for any damage. If the items are in good condition, restock them in your inventory. Update your inventory levels in the Seller Center to reflect the restocked items. This helps in maintaining accurate inventory records and ensures that the products are available for future orders.
Optimize Your TikTok Shop Fulfillment Process
As a high-volume and high-stakes sales channel, it’s in every ecommerce business’ best interest to prioritize TikTok Shop fulfillment. Those who want to do so without the headaches can benefit greatly from 3PL services from Shipfusion.
Well-trained on TikTok Shop packing guidelines, our warehouse teams maintain industry-leading 99.9% accuracy rates. We can spearhead every step of the order lifecycle for you, from inventory management to picking and packing to shipping and even returns management. An integration for TikTok Shop consolidates control into one intuitive and easy-to-use dashboard.
Set your business up with the best 3PL in North America by contacting Shipfusion today.
