The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a TikTok Shop Agency in 2025

A TikTok shop is a merger of social media marketing and e-commerce known as social commerce. As a marketing manager, I have personally worked with around 30+ brands since its launch in September 2023 in the USA. I have witnessed some amazing successes and costly failures over time. For me, the decision of hiring a tiktok shop agency plays the most crucial role in a brand’s success down the road.

I suppose your business’s needle is also stuck, and you are also trying to make the best decision for better revenue. I really appreciate that instead of losing hope, you are trying to find ways, and that’s what makes a business successful.

So, for smart business individuals like you, I am putting together everything you might need to know before hiring a TikTok shop agency.

Market Dynamics and Opportunities For TikTok Shop in 2025

As per the latest TikTok CEO (Shou Chew) statement published in January 2024, TikTok has more than 170 million adult users in the USA who spend an average of 53.8 minutes per day on TikTok, according to eMarketer.

In the best interest of businesses and overall TikTok users, the Trump administration has also lifted the ban and restored the services for 170 million+ + users. So, if you were stopping yourself from utilising this platform due to these concerns, well, they are no more. So, buckle up as we guide you through the hiring process.

These numbers not only translate to massive growth of the TikTok Platform in the U.S, but also demonstrate the potential for businesses using TikTok shops in the U.S for their business growth.

Source: Backlinko

How Does TikTok Shop Agencies Scale Brands on Social Commerce?

Before we start guiding you on the hiring process, it’s important to understand how TikTok shop agencies scale brands and why in-house marketing teams are failing miserably. During my analysis of multiple TikTok shop campaigns, I concluded that brands that understood the unique commerce philosophy of this platform were far more successful than those that approached it like e-commerce or general social platforms.

TikTok shop agencies are specialised in optimizing and scaling TikTok shops for brands. These Agencies blend entertainment, authenticity, and impulse purchasing as they fully understand TikTok’s unique ecosystem.

TikTok Shop Agencies Service Portfolio

Here is the list of services TikTok shop agencies have in their arsenal to scale brands beyond expectations and promises. Let’s have a brief look at them:

1. Set up & Configuration of the Brand’s TikTok shop
2. Creating Marketing Strategy and Content as per the Strategy.
3. Running Video Shopping Ads, Spark Ads, and Live Shopping Ads as per the Algorithm.
4. Partnerships with Vetted Content Creators & Influencers.
5. Monitoring and Optimizing Performance Metrics like conversion rates, ROI, and Shop Performance Scores.

The main goal isn’t to drive more engagement or follower count, its driving crazy sales with lower investments on ad spend.

How Should You Evaluate the Capabilities of a TikTok Shop Agency Before Hiring?

This section is going to be crazy because I will not only catch you a big fish at the end, but I will also teach you how to do it yourself. So, let’s begin without further ado.

Analyse Portfolio & Performance Metrics

When you start exploring the ecosystem, you’ll find so many vague claims that will attract you. But you need to stick to first principles and demand concrete performance metrics, and examine them deeply.

Ask for data like gross merchandise value (GMV), conversion rates by traffic source, return on ad spend (ROAS), and average order values. This will help you differentiate between vague claims and real results.

You should definitely look for agencies which can demonstrate these performance metrics:

Performance Metric	Good Performance	Exceptional Performance
GMV Growth Rate	100%+ Year-over-Year	200%+ Year-over-Year
Conversion Rate Improvement	15-25% over baseline	30%+ improvement
ROAS on Advertising	3:1 minimum	5:1 or higher
Shop Performance Score	4.0+ out of 5	4.5+ consistently

If you look for these metrics in a TikTok shop agency before hiring, you can have a competitive edge over other brands and assurance of not burning your marketing budget.

Verify the Authenticity of Case Studies Provided

Instead of relying on published sources, you should ask for detailed case studies which include client names, specific timeframes, starting metrics, and final results. You can also ask to verify the case studies by having a look at the TikTok shop accounts/metrics during the discovery call.

Agencies like Tiksly demonstrate impressive credentials with GMV of $30K+ for a starting brand in their first month. This is outstanding for a dropshipping store in its first month in business.

Analyse the Diversity of the Agency’s Portfolio

TikTok shop is a diverse platform, as audience behaviors and the platform’s culture might change dramatically. So, you should look for industry-specific experience to ensure you are making a low-risk investment with your TikTok shop partner.

You should look to see if the agency has:

• Relevant and direct industry experience in your product category.
• Scaled brands similar to your brand size with a similar marketing budget.
• Consistent success across multiple clients rather than isolated success stories.
• Long-term client partnerships that demonstrate the agency delivers sustainable results.

A more relevant experience will give you another reason to trust that agency for your brand. However, there are other things to consider as well, so that’s not the decider yet.

Assess Agency’s Technical Capabilities

If an agency is able to demonstrate experience with real-time synchronization between product catalogs and TikTok Shop systems, that’s a big plus. This ability can help you manage inventory, pricing updates, and automate order processing.

Below are the technical abilities of an agency that you need to evaluate:

• A technically strong TikTok shop agency should be able to integrate your existing technology stack, like CRMs, analytics platforms, and inventory management, into TikTok shops.
• An analytically strong agency should be able to implement and manage the TikTok pixel, events API, and advanced matching for performance tracking.
• Then comes the expertise in tracking and reporting critical metrics like profitability, revenue, customer value, content performance, and campaign efficiency indicators.
• The company you choose should have the expertise to create a custom reporting dashboard to show analytics from across platforms in one place.

You should be able to evaluate their potential to grow your business by checking their technical arsenal in action.

Compare Pricing & Service Offerings Across Multiple Agencies

Last but not least, you should do a detailed comparison between what different agencies are offering, the value they’re providing, their expertise, and how they are charging you. While you think about profitability and return on investments, you should also consider the initial investments you are making.

At the end, it’s not about how many sales you make, it’s about how much money you can take home. If you are spending an unreasonable amount on hiring an agency, you would end up spending everything on trying to make more money and still being worried.

Critical Red Flags To Watch Out For To Protect Your Investment

As I mentioned before, I have also witnessed costly failures throughout my career. I have analysed all the failed campaigns and tried to list down common concerning patterns or red flags in agencies that failed to produce results. Let’s have a look at them together:

Vague Viral Promises and Generic Proposals

If you position your ads better, they resonate with your audience, and if timing is correct, the chances of your content going viral may increase. However, these factors can be optimized for better performance, but can never be guaranteed.

The same goes for agencies that propose approaches that seem like one size fits all. They do not understand that audience behaviors change dramatically for different product categories, demographics, and industries. A legitimate agency will prepare a customized approach/strategy for your business after a comprehensive evaluation.

Non-Transparent Reporting Systems With Unrealistic Timeline Expectations

Professional agencies should be able to provide detailed, accessible analytics that track every aspect of campaign performance. If an agency can’t explain their measurement methodology or provide transparent data access, they might be hiding poor performance.

The same goes for the agencies giving unrealistic timelines for massive results are definite red flags you need to watch out for. If they are promising immediate results, either they will be measuring short term vanity metrics or they can’t fulfil those promises they made down the road. In both scenarios, you will be wasting your time and investment.

Concerning Communication Patterns

The legitimate TikTok shop agencies are usually confident in their ability to deliver results. They don’t need to pressure prospects into long-term commitments; they first prove their ability to deliver results either through previous results or trial periods. If an agency seems to pressure you into signing a long-term contract without any valid reason, you should definitely run.

If you see vagueness or hesitation in explaining the agency’s approach towards and optimization methods, that’s another sign the agency lacks long term strategy expertise.

In the end, if you see a company promoting vanity metrics like follower count, views, and likes, instead of impact on revenue, conversion rates, and CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost), they won’t be able to deliver valuable results, as they are not even part of their goals.

Questions You Should Ask Before Finalising An Agency In 2025

Sometimes, it might become difficult to differentiate between false marketing claims and actual agency capabilities. Worry not, we have got you here as well. Below are a few questions to differentiate top tiktok shop agencies from ordinary ones. We have also explained what answers you should be looking for.

1. How do you approach TikTok Shop’s new category-specific performance benchmarks and what’s your methodology for maintaining Shop Performance Scores above 4.0?

In March 2025, TikTok implemented category-specific benchmarks that changed how performance is measured. Look for agencies that understand:

• Category-specific optimization of accounts rather than generic approaches.
• Real-time SPS monitoring systems that track the five core metrics:
  • On-Time Delivery Rate
  • After-Sales Handling Time
  • Instant Message Satisfaction
  • Product Satisfaction
  • Seller Service
• Proactive violation prevention to maintain compliance while driving revenue growth
• Explain how they prioritize the “Top Opportunity” metric of Tiktok shop account.

Pro Tip: Watch out for Agencies that can’t explain the 2025 SPS updates or still reference outdated 90-day measurement periods (now reduced to 60 days).

1. How do you leverage TikTok’s 2025 algorithm updates, particularly the emphasis on longer-form content and AI-driven optimization

The 2025 algorithm favors videos exceeding 60 seconds (receiving 43.2% more reach and 63.8% more watch time). Top Tiktok Shop Agencies demonstrates:

• Content optimization strategies that balance longer formats with completion rate requirements
• AI-driven content analysis using tools that predict viral potential before scaling
• Search optimization techniques recognizing TikTok’s evolution as a primary search engine for Gen Z
• Predictive analytics frameworks for content performance forecasting
• Real-time optimization systems that adjust content strategy based on algorithm changes

1. Can you provide 3 specific case studies with measurable ROI data, including crisis management or account recovery scenarios?

Tiktok’s complex systems and 2025 algorithm advancements require agencies which handle complex scenarios and perform well under pressure. You should request case studies showing:

• Specific dollar amounts generated within defined timeframes (i.e. Monthly revenue generation ranges ($8K-$30K+ as demonstrated by top performers).
• Health score improvements with before/after SPS metrics (agencies should show improvements from critical levels like 1.9 to 4.3+)
• Violation point reduction strategies with quantifiable compliance improvements (reduction from dangerous levels like 42 points to safe zones under 30)
• Crisis management capabilities including account recovery from high-risk situations

1. How do you approach TikTok Shop’s enhanced live shopping features and what’s your framework for live session optimization?

As TikTok continues to improve their algorithm, live shopping events have become more popular for low cost conversions. Getting high conversions require specialized expertise like:

• Live session planning methodologies including optimal timing strategies.
• Interactive engagement frameworks that drive real-time conversions.
• Creator-hosted live shopping experience with specific performance benchmarks.
• Technical integration capabilities for seamless live-to-purchase experiences.

How Does Tiksly Stands Out As A TikTok Shop Partner?

The Social commerce market in the US is projected to reach USD 188.35 billion by 2030 as per report published by Business Wire. Which translates to a 10.4% through years 2025-2030. However, whether you cash on this immense projected growth or not is based on what business decisions you take today.

I understand that it might be difficult to know whether your decision will be profitable or not. That’s where Tiksly, the most authentic and results driven Tiktok shop agency comes in. Tiksly has been proven to be highly profitable for our campaigns and for their other clients as well. Don’t take our word for this, below are the reasons what makes them stand out from the crowd.

Proven Track Record of High Revenue Generation

When Tiksly says: where sales go viral, they don’t just say it, they prove it with their results over the years. If we see the most defining metric – the revenue generation, they are top of everyone. Here are some of the top results they generated for their clients in just a 30 days period.

Account Details	Revenue Generated	Timeframe	Challenge Level
Near-Closed Store Recovery	$8,000 in sales	30 Days	High-risk account with 42 violation points
New USA Account Launch	$30,000 in sales	30 Days	Brand new store with dropshipping model
Underperforming Store Turnaround	$15,000 in sales	30 Days	Previous failed attempts with other providers

You can verify these metrics through case studies published on Tiksly’s website with convincing proofs and account screenshots.

Excellent Store Health and Risk Management

Well, if an agency is working on a tiktok shop account from the very beginning, it takes a good skill level to maintain the store’s health. However, the real test of an agency’s expertise when they’re asked to manage an already at risk account. So, now they need to reduce the risk and generate revenue at the same time.

Tiksly has a track record of improving account health and managing the risk of permanent closure. One of the case worth mentioning is Below:

• Store Health Score Increased from 1.9 to 4.3 out of 5
• Violation Points Decreased from 42 to 24 points (well below the 48-point closure threshold)
• Achieved $8,000+ in revenue while improving all other metrics.

Managing aggressive growth with improving store health and reducing the risk of closure at the same time is not everyone’s cup of tea.

Full-Service Agency With Specialized Expertise

Tiksly goes with a full service approach for Tiktok shop accounts, whether it’s account creation, management, or violation removal, they do it all and the best.

Here are the major service categories they offer to USA businesses.

Service Category	Tiksly’s Demonstrated Approach	Verified Results
TikTok Shop Management Services	End-to-end store operation, health monitoring	$8K-$30K monthly revenue across different scenarios
Violation Removal	Systematic compliance management, risk mitigation	42 to 24 violation points (43% reduction)
Account Health Recovery	Health score optimization, performance restoration	Health score improvement from 1.9 to 4.3 (124% increase)
Influencer Outreach	Creator vetting, sample programs, affiliate optimization	Consistent affiliate contribution to overall sales performance
Performance Recovery	Turnaround strategies for underperforming stores	$15K recovery from previously failed attempts

These services cover most of a business’s requirements. However, if you want any other services related to the Tiktok shop account, you can visit Tiksly’s website for all services or book a 1:1 consultation for free.

Rapid Problem Resolution

Tiktok’s aggressive growth requires rapid resolution of problems to stay ahead of the game. Agencies which can resolve issues quickly, are more certain to achieve all business goals.

Most common problems that might occur in tiktok shop management are these:

• Violation Point Reduction: Systematic approach to reducing compliance risks
• Health Score Recovery: Proven strategies for improving platform standing
• Performance Maintenance: Ability to grow sales while addressing account issues

Tiksly’s track record demonstrates how they resolve these kind of problems as quickly as possible.

The Onboarding Process For The Top Performing Agencies

If you are starting your Tiiktok shop from scratch, the first 1-4 weeks might go into account creation and technical integrations. This pre-launch phase might include:

• TikTok Shop account verification and optimization
• Product catalog synchronization from existing e-commerce platforms
• Analytics and attribution setup including TikTok Pixel implementation
• Business Center configuration for multi-account management
• Content calendar development aligned with platform trends and business objectives
• Performance measurement framework with clearly defined KPIs

The next phase of week 4-8 after launch is more focused on initial planning, content strategy, content creation, and optimization. Agencies typically create 10-50 videos per month and the first 60 days goes into collecting analytics, analyzing, and campaign optimization according to collected data from campaign results.

How You Can Future-Proof Your Investment?

The TikTok Shop’s new features, algorithm updates, and competitive dynamics changes the game constantly. A thoughtful partnership should position your brand to capitalize on these changes rather than simply maintaining current performance levels.

Look for agencies that demonstrate forward-thinking strategic capabilities, platform relationship insights, and the flexibility to adapt strategies as market conditions change. This is precisely why Tiksly has consistently outperformed other agencies in my client analyses.

Having analysed their methodology and client results, you can gain a deeper understanding of Tiksly’s background and team expertise, which helps explain what drives their consistent performance and forward-thinking approach to TikTok Shop strategy.

The Bottom Line

The social commerce revolution isn’t coming, it’s already here. With the U.S. market projected to reach $188.35 billion by 2030, your next 90 days will determine whether you capitalize on this explosive growth or watch competitors claim your market share.

Criteria for an informed decision:

1. Results-Driven Partnership: Look for agencies demonstrating consistent 200%+ GMV growth
2. Technical Excellence: Demand advanced attribution setup and cross-platform integration
3. Risk Management: Prioritize agencies with proven account recovery capabilities

The question isn’t whether TikTok Shop will drive your next growth phase, it’s whether you’ll partner with an agency capable of maximizing this unprecedented opportunity.