TikTok Business for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Get Started
What Is TikTok Business and How Can It Help DTC Brands?
TikTok has become a powerhouse platform for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, helping them reach millions of potential customers in an authentic and engaging way. But if you’re new to TikTok, you might be wondering: where do I even start? That’s where TikTok Business comes in.
TikTok Business is a suite of tools designed to help brands grow their presence, connect with their audience, and drive sales. Whether you’re a small business owner or an established DTC brand, TikTok Business allows you to showcase your products, understand your audience, and optimise your marketing efforts—all in one place.
But TikTok Business isn’t the only tool at your disposal. There’s also TikTok Seller (for selling products directly on TikTok) and TikTok Ads (for reaching even more people). Not sure how they all fit together? Don’t worry—we’ll break it all down in this guide, step by step.
1. TikTok Business vs. TikTok Seller vs. TikTok Ads: What’s the Difference?
To make the most of TikTok, it’s important to understand how these three tools work together:
TikTok Business
– What It Is : A dedicated account type for businesses to manage their presence on TikTok. It provides access to analytics, ad tools, and features like adding a website link to your profile.
– Best For: Growing your brand presence, engaging with your audience, and creating content that resonates with potential customers.
– How It Fits In: This is your foundation. It’s where you create and manage your account, post videos, and track performance.
TikTok Seller
– What It Is: A platform that allows you to list products and sell directly to TikTok users through TikTok Shop. Customers can purchase without leaving the app.
– Best For : DTC brands looking to streamline sales by offering a seamless in-app shopping experience.
– How It Fits In: TikTok Seller integrates with TikTok Business. You can promote your products through content or ads while linking directly to your TikTok Shop for easy purchasing.
TikTok Ads
– What It Is : TikTok’s advertising platform, where you can create targeted campaigns to promote your content or products to specific audiences.
– Best For: Reaching more people, increasing brand awareness, and driving traffic to your TikTok Shop or website.
– How It Fits In: TikTok Ads amplifies your content. You can promote videos from your TikTok Business account or directly drive traffic to your TikTok Seller store.
How They Work Together
Think of it like this:
1. TikTok Business is your storefront and content hub.
2. TikTok Seller is your cash register, allowing you to sell directly on the platform.
3. TikTok Ads is your megaphone, helping you shout about your brand to a larger audience.
2. Setting Up Your TikTok Business Account
If you’re new to TikTok, the first step is setting up your TikTok Business account. This will be your base for managing all your content, ads, and analytics.
1. Create Your Account
– Download TikTok and sign up for an account.
– Switch to a business account by going to Settings and Privacy > Manage Account > Switch to Business Account.
2. Optimise Your Profile
– Use a clear profile picture (like your logo) and write a bio that explains who you are and what you offer.
– Add a clickable link to your website and/or TikTok Shop.
3. Explore Analytics
– TikTok Business gives you access to analytics so you can track what’s working and what’s not. Check your followers’ demographics, video views, and engagement rates regularly.
3. Setting Up TikTok Seller
Selling on TikTok through TikTok Shop is a game-changer for DTC brands, but it requires setting up a TikTok Seller account. To learn more about setting up TikTok Seller, check out our detailed guide on [How to Get Started with TikTok Shop](hyperlink). This blog walks you through everything from registering your account to listing your first product and optimising your shop for success.
4. How TikTok Business Helps DTC Brands Grow
TikTok Business is a game-changer for DTC brands because it offers a unique blend of creativity, visibility, and sales potential. Unlike traditional platforms, TikTok encourages businesses to connect with their audience through authentic, entertaining content. This opens the door for even small brands to compete with bigger players, thanks to TikTok’s discovery-based algorithm that helps your content reach the right people.
By using TikTok Business tools like analytics, you can better understand what your audience loves, allowing you to fine-tune your strategy and create content that converts. You also have the option to integrate with TikTok Ads, giving you a cost-effective way to amplify your reach and target specific audiences. For DTC brands, TikTok Business bridges the gap between discovery and purchase, especially when paired with TikTok Shop to make buying seamless and instant.
TikTok is not just a platform—it’s a community. When DTC brands tap into that community with engaging content, storytelling, and direct shopping options, the results can be transformational. From going viral overnight to steadily growing your customer base, TikTok Business empowers you to achieve both.
Ready to Grow Your Brand on TikTok?
TikTok might seem overwhelming at first, but with the right tools—TikTok Business, TikTok Seller, and TikTok Ads—you have everything you need to grow your DTC brand. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, TikTok offers an incredible opportunity to connect with customers, showcase your products, and drive sales.
Not sure where to start? SET is here to help. Our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Let’s make TikTok your business’s next big success. Contact Proventus today!
About the Author
This blog post was written by NYB Marketing, a TikTok specialist agency passionate about helping DTC brands unlock the full potential of TikTok Shop. Collaborating with leading agencies like SET, we’re dedicated to providing valuable insights and strategies to help businesses succeed in the ever-evolving world of social media marketing.
