Is TikTok Shop available in Kenya?

TikTok Shop is not yet available in Kenya. But don’t worry, you can still sell your products online using other platforms. 

Setting up a WordPress shop with WooCommerce on Truehost is a great way to start selling in Kenya right now.

Want to reach customers on TikTok? You can still use the app to promote your business. Make fun videos showing off your products. Add links to your website in your TikTok bio. This lets people find your online store easily.

While you wait for TikTok Shop to launch in Kenya, focus on building a strong online presence. 

A WordPress site hosted on Truehost gives you full control over your shop. You can customize it to fit your brand and add new features as your business grows.

What is TikTok Shop

TikTok Shop is a feature that lets you sell products directly on the TikTok app. Think of this as having your digital storefront built into TikTok.

With TikTok Shop, you can create videos that show off your products, making it easy for people to discover and buy. Buyers can purchase items without leaving the app, simplifying the shopping experience.

The platform offers tools for order tracking, customer service, and promotions. 

Live shopping is another standout feature, allowing real-time interaction with customers. The platform also supports collaborations with influencers to amplify product reach.

To start, you need to apply on the TikTok Seller Center. Once approved, you can list products and create shoppable videos.

TikTok Shop is revolutionizing e-commerce by combining social media, video content, and e-commerce in one platform.

Is TikTok Shop Available in Kenya?

TikTok Shop is not yet available in Kenya. Currently, it is limited to a few countries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

While you wait for TikTok Shop to launch locally, focus on creating engaging content and building a strong following on TikTok. This way, you’ll be ready to leverage the platform fully once it becomes available.

Stay updated as TikTok Shop expands—Kenya might be next on their list.

Where TikTok Shop is Available

TikTok Shop is currently available in select countries, including:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Philippines
• Singapore

As TikTok continues to test and expand this feature, more countries will be added.

Launching Your Business on TikTok in Kenya Without a Shop

TikTok offers various ways to promote your business in Kenya even without TikTok Shop. 

You can still grow your brand, engage with customers, and drive sales through creative content.

a) Growing your TikTok Presence

Start by setting up a business account to access tools such as advanced analytics, and ad campaigns. 

Use analytics to understand your audience and create eye-catching videos showcasing your products or services. Leverage popular music and trending effects to increase visibility.

Consider hashtag challenges to boost engagement and partner with TikTok influencers to reach broader audiences. 

Consistent posting during peak times and interacting with followers can help grow a loyal community.

b) Build a WooCommerce Shop

Truehost provides reliable WordPress hosting, which is ideal for WooCommerce. 

WordPress offers:

• Easy setup and management
• Extensive themes and plugins
• Full ownership of your store
• No monthly fees, only hosting costs

WooCommerce integrates seamlessly with WordPress, allowing you to:

• List unlimited products
• Accept various payment methods
• Customize your shop’s appearance
• Track inventory and sales

Combining Truehost, WordPress, and WooCommerce creates a robust e-commerce platform. 

You can then link your TikTok videos to your store for seamless customer access.

c) Optimizing Your WooCommerce Store for TikTok Traffic

To maximize TikTok-driven traffic:

• Use a mobile-first theme
• Add engaging product videos
• Create dedicated landing pages for TikTok promotions

Ensure fast loading times by optimizing images, using caching, and choosing a high-performance hosting plan. 

Also, be sure to simplify checkout with guest options, clear calls-to-action, and trust badges.

By building a WooCommerce shop, you’re not only prepared for TikTok traffic now but also ready when TikTok Shop launches in Kenya.

5 Innovative Shopping Experiences on TikTok

TikTok offers different ways in which users can shop for your products in the app:

a) Interactive Live Commerce

Live shopping on TikTok allows brands to engage with their audience in real time. 

During these livestreams, you can demonstrate products, answer questions, and provide exclusive offers. 

Viewers can add items to their cart and complete purchases without leaving the broadcast, creating a seamless shopping experience.

b) Immersive Shoppable Content

Create engaging videos that seamlessly integrate product links, allowing viewers to shop while being entertained. 

These shoppable videos blend entertainment with commerce, making the purchasing process feel natural and effortless.

c) Dynamic Product Showcases

Brands can curate a virtual storefront accessible through their TikTok profile. 

This dedicated shopping tab displays your product catalog, enabling users to browse and purchase items with just a few taps. 

It’s an excellent way to highlight the unique selling points of your products and build a cohesive brand identity.

I) Targeted Shoppable Advertisements

Even if you’re not eligible for TikTok Shop, you can leverage TikTok’s advertising capabilities to drive sales.

By creating shoppable ads, you can reach potential customers and direct them to your products, whether they’re hosted on TikTok or an external e-commerce platform.

II) Expansive Marketplace Integration

The TikTok Shop tab serves as a centralized marketplace where users can discover products from various creators and brands.

This feature opens up new avenues for businesses to get discovered and boost sales, tapping into TikTok’s vast and engaged user base.

By utilizing these innovative shopping features, brands can create a multi-faceted approach to e-commerce on TikTok, engaging users at various touchpoints throughout their app experience.

TikTok Shopping Best Practices for Brands to Sell More

a) Leverage TikTok Live Shopping

Your audience loves real-time interaction. Host short live streams where you show, test, and talk about your products. 

Engage viewers by answering their questions. Highlight product features and handle objections on the spot. 

Use TikTok’s native checkout tools to let viewers buy directly from the stream. This reduces friction and boosts conversions.

b) Partner With Creators Who Know Their Audience

Influencers bring trust. Seek those who genuinely love your products. Let them tell authentic stories. Avoid scripts. Instead, let them show how they use your products daily. 

This raw, real narrative resonates well with your customers. 

Ask creators to incorporate your product into trending TikTok challenges. This pushes your brand into organic discovery and top-of-feed recommendations.

c) Focus on Visual Storytelling

TikTok is about short videos, so use stunning visuals and tight editing. 

• Show your product in action. 
• Add before-and-after demos. 
• Use fast-paced transitions that keep viewers glued.
• Blend product features with lifestyle shots.
• Emphasize how your item solves real problems. Clear value props help audiences see why they must buy.

d) Use TikTok’s Built-in Shopping Ads

Use TikTok Shopping Ads, Collection Ads, and Spark Ads to highlight your products. 

These ads pop up naturally in the For You feed. Make ads feel like organic content. 

• Show people enjoying your product, not just standard product shots. 
• Keep it short, mobile-first, and upbeat. 

You can then measure results with TikTok’s analytics to know what’s converting. TikTok Ads Manager gives you tools to refine targeting and messaging.

e) Create Immersive Product Catalogs

Build out your TikTok storefront. Add multiple product videos, specs, and pricing details. 

• Make navigation simple. 
• Link trending products on your feed posts. 
• Use QR codes and direct links within your profile bio. 
• Encourage followers to check out the store after entertaining them with compelling videos.

f) Optimize Your Product Pages

Once users tap into your product details, they should see clear pricing, fast shipping details, and positive reviews. 

• Offer limited-time discounts. 
• Provide a Buy Now button that’s easy to spot. 
• Lower cart abandonment by offering multiple payment options. 
• Include short, energetic product videos directly on the product page to keep viewers engaged longer and nudge them to hit that checkout button.

g) Capitalize on Trends Fast

TikTok thrives on trends. Track popular sounds, memes, and challenges. Adapt them to fit your products. 

When something trends, move quickly. Show your product in the context of that trend. For example, if a certain dance is big, have your product featured in the dancer’s outfit. Integrate your store link. You’ll tap into existing traffic, making sales happen organically.

h) Show Customers Using Your Products

Gather and share User-Generated Content (UGC). Ask buyers to post short clips of them using your products. Encourage creativity. 

You could offer coupons in exchange for tagging your brand. 

UGC builds authenticity. Future customers see real humans benefiting from your brand. This social proof leads to more clicks and conversions.

i) Test Frequently and Refine

Track how different formats perform. Test different styles of creator collabs. Evaluate which CTAs drive the most sales. 

For instance, “Tap below to get yours” vs “Limited stock, grab now.” Analyze what resonates. Double down on your top performers. Continuous testing helps you scale what works and cut what doesn’t.

j) Keep it Simple and Fun

People hop on TikTok for entertainment. 

• Avoid dull product pitches. 
• Show personality. 
• Use humor, short skits, or fun Q&As. 

The simpler and more entertaining your approach, the more followers you get. More followers means more eyeballs on your storefront and more sales.

k) Focus on Community-building

Respond to comments. Thank buyers. Show behind-the-scenes content. Reveal your packaging process or introduce team members. 

When you show the human side of your brand, you build community. A loyal community trusts you and buys repeatedly. 

Add a follow for updates CTA at the end of your videos to grow your audience.

l) Encourage Repeat Business

Offer exclusive TikTok-only discount codes. Mention them during live streams. 

Pin them on your store’s featured products. Reward your loyal fans with early product drops. This transforms passive viewers into paying brand ambassadors. 

Sales grow when you turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.

TikTok Shop for Creators

Where available, Creators can make money with TikTok Shop by signing up for affiliate programs to promote merchants’ products directly on the platform.

You can select items from the TikTok Shop Product Catalog and incorporate shopping links into your content, making it easy for your audience to purchase featured products. 

Like TikTok Shop for Sellers, this option is not available for creators in Kenya, yet.