Key highlights
- TikTok is a fast-growing platform perfect for increasing brand awareness.
- TikTok’s creative features help you engage and connect with a younger audience.
- Consistent posting is key to maintaining visibility and engagement on TikTok.
- Learn how to use TikTok for business with ads to boost your reach and drive targeted traffic.
- Connecting TikTok to your site using Bluehost’s hosting + WonderSuite AI Builder helps convert views into real business growth.
Introduction
Gone are the days when TikTok was just a space for viral dances and lip-syncing videos. Today, brands looking to connect with new audiences and drive serious engagement use TikTok for business.
The platform’s unique blend of short, creative videos makes it an ideal place for businesses to shine. Its algorithm-driven discovery system offers opportunities that traditional advertising can’t match. And if your business isn’t already on TikTok, you’re missing out.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to use TikTok for business. We’ll walk you through all the strategies and tips that grab attention, build a loyal following and turn engagement into real results.
Why TikTok is a game-changer for small businesses?
Did you know that TikTok is now the fastest-growing social media platform, with over 1.8 billion active users worldwide? That’s more than the population of the entire U.S. combined! It’s not just Gen Z making funny dance videos. According to study by SQ Magazine, 80% of TikTok users are over 25 years old, with the average user being around 25.
So, why should small businesses jump on board? Here are a few things to consider:
1. Widespread visibility with high user interaction
One of TikTok’s biggest draws is its ability to make content go viral even when you are just starting out. On the basis of high engagement rate TikTok prioritizes content. Which means your videos can reach a massive audience without needing millions of followers.
TikTok users love commenting, liking and sharing content that resonates with them. When your video hits the right note, it can create a snowball effect, quickly spreading across the platform.
2. Budget-friendly promotional strategy
TikTok is an awesome platform for small businesses that want to make a big impact without spending a fortune. You don’t need thousands of dollars to run an effective campaign.
TikTok ads are a total steal compared to traditional platforms. Just a little creativity goes a long way! TikTok has all kinds of ad formats that let you pick what works best for your budget. You can get creative and make it work for you!
3. Highly focused ads tailored to your ideal customers
Being able to serve ads to exactly the people who are most likely to love your product. Well, TikTok makes that possible!
Their ad targeting is so specific, you can focus on people based on everything from location to hobbies and behavior. TikTok’s targeting makes sure your ads hit the right mark every time.
How to set up a TikTok business account?
A TikTok account business setup opens the door to creative marketing opportunities you won’t want to miss. You want to show off your products or connect with new customers, TikTok is the place to be. These easy steps will guide you for a TikTok business account setup fast.
- Download the TikTok app
- Create an account
- Switch to a business account
- Optimize your profile (bio, link, category)
- Explore content relevant to your niche
So, let’s get you set up and ready to create exciting content.
1. Download the TikTok app
First things first, head to the App Store or Google Play and grab the TikTok app! It’s free, super easy to install and once it’s on your phone, you’ll be ready to dive into a world of creativity.
2. Switch to a business account
a. On the top right corner, hover over your profile icon (you’ll see your picture there).
b. Click ‘Settings’ from the menu that appears.
c. Scroll down to the bottom and toggle on ‘Business Account’ this will unlock all the business-friendly features TikTok has to offer.
d. Select a category that best describes your account (this helps TikTok understand what you’re about and match you with the right audience).
e. Click Next, and you’re done!
3. Optimize your profile (bio, link, category)
Optimizing your TikTok profile page is crucial to making sure your audience can easily identify you and get a strong first impression of your business. Here’s what you should add to your profile to make it shine:
- Profile picture: Upload a high-quality profile picture. Ideally, your brand logo. This helps users instantly recognize your business.
- Username: Choose a username that reflects your business name and is easy to remember. Make it simple and professional!
- Bio: Your bio is a chance to tell users what your business is all about in a nutshell. Keep it short, fun and informative. Use relevant keywords and include a call to action (e.g., “Visit our website for more!” or “Follow for daily tips”).
- Website link: Don’t forget to add a link to your website or online store in your profile. It’s a great way to drive traffic and direct potential customers to where they can learn more or make a purchase.
- Contact: Include a business email or other contact details, making it easy for users to reach out. Whether it’s for inquiries or collaborations, being approachable is key!
4. Get TikTok verified
Want to level up your TikTok presence? Getting verified is like putting a badge of authenticity on your business. When you create an ad account, TikTok will ask you to verify your business info. This step is all about boosting your security and making sure your brand’s identity is clear.
You’ll need to provide some official documents, like your business license, to prove you’re legit. Once you’re verified, you’ll get that awesome blue checkmark next to your name.
This badge tells everyone (including TikTok) that your account is authentic and really represents the brand you say you are.
5. Register your TikTok business account
Registering for a TikTok business account comes with a suite of tools designed to boost your marketing and make your business more visible.
Note: Business registration is separate from the blue checkmark, which is reserved for high-profile accounts like celebrities and big brands.
To register your TikTok Business Account, simply go to Settings on the app or TikTok.com, select Business Suite and click on Business Registration. From there, upload the required documentation (which may vary by country) to submit your application for review.
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a notification in the app and a confirmation email within 1-5 business days.
Once you’re registered, you’ll gain access to features that will help you generate leads, drive traffic and manage customer interactions more effectively. Let’s explore what TikTok business account has to offer:
- Conversion and performance tools: With TikTok’s lead generation tools, you can easily capture leads through your profile, videos and LIVE events. Customizable forms help you connect with potential customers and grow your audience. Plus, with built-in TikTok analytics, you can track your growth and measure content performance.
- Creative and publishing tools: TikTok’s Creative Hub keeps you inspired by showing trending content and industry ideas. With the Post Scheduler, you can plan and schedule posts up to 10 days in advance. Plus, the Commercial Music Library gives you access to over 1 million songs and sounds that are free for commercial use.
- Interaction management: With features like auto messaging, you can keep your audience engaged 24/7 by setting up automated replies. You can also add your email, phone number and location to your profile to make it simple for people to get in touch. Plus, you gain access to geo-targeting where you can tailor your posts to specific locations.
Your business page is the perfect spot to showcase your information and highlight your brand. You can add a photo gallery and create a custom in-app profile tab to make your brand stand out. Once you’ve hit 1,000 followers or registered for your business, you’ll unlock exclusive features like link-in-bio, app download links and video geo-targeting.
How to use TikTok for business?
After the pandemic pushed more people toward short, engaging content, TikTok expanded its user base across all demographics. With such a massive and highly engaged audience, the platform became a hub of endless possibilities for brands and businesses.
Your business shouldn’t be left alone. Here’s how you make TikTok work for your business.
- Connect with younger audience
- Choose the right content format
- Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds
- Partner with influencers
- Make it authentic and brand-aligned
- Stay consistent with posting
Let’s dive deeper into the strategies that will help your business grow more effectively.
1. Connect with the younger audience
The platform attracts a wide range of users, with the majority falling between 18 and 34 years old. This age group is incredibly engaged, that makes it a perfect platform to connect with younger consumers.
The rise of TikTok challenges, viral dances and niche subcultures, like #BookTok and #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, highlights how deeply the audience resonates. These trends show that TikTok is a space where users actively engage with content they feel personally connected to.
To engage them, create content that feels fresh, fun and true to your brand. Think outside the box and focus on delivering value that resonates with your audience’s interests.
2. Choose the right content format
TikTok offers a ton of content formats, and picking the right one is key to making your brand pop. Sharing a product demo, showing behind-the-scenes moments or hopping on the latest viral trend, the format you choose should match your message.
TikTok Stories are taking off right now. They’re useful when you use TikTok for businesses to share a more casual, behind-the-scenes look at what’s going on. Formats like duets or reaction videos are perfect for interacting with the TikTok community.
3. Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds
TikTok users are fast scrollers, so you have about 3 seconds to grab their attention before they swipe away. Start your video with something eye-catching (A bold visual, a surprising statement or a question that piques curiosity).
These first moments should make viewers think, “I need to keep watching!” If you don’t hook them immediately, you’ll lose their attention.
Also read: How Much Does TikTok Pay? A Complete Guide to Creator Earnings
4. Partner with influencers
Influencer marketing on TikTok is more popular than ever, especially with the rise of “micro-influencers” who have smaller but highly engaged audiences. These TikTok influences can help your brand connect with niche communities in a more authentic and cost-effective way.
Collaborate with influencers who resonate with your target audience, so you start creating TikTok content that feels real. TikTok’s duet feature is also a fun way to interact with influencers. You can react to their content and engage their followers in a creative, organic way. Just keep it genuine and make sure the partnership aligns with your brand.
Also read: Everything To Know About TikTok Influencer Marketing in 2024
5. Make it authentic and brand-aligned
TikTok users crave real, relatable content that does not feel commercial. They connect with personalities and stories that feel genuine and unpolished.
To keep it authentic, you can showcase the behind-the-scenes side of your business. Whether it’s packing orders, answering customer questions or introducing your team, these simple moments help humanize your brand and make it more relatable.
6. Stay consistent with posting
TikTok’s ‘For You Page’ (FYP) loves active accounts, so posting regularly increases your chances of being seen. It doesn’t mean you need to post every day, but sticking to a regular schedule can really pay off. Mix it up with product showcases, behind-the-scenes content or engaging with trending challenges, something that keeps your audience coming back for more.
Also read: Best Times to Post on TikTok for Maximum Engagement
Exploring TikTok advertising options
According to Wyzowl’s 2025 Video Marketing Report, 85% of businesses now use short-form video —especially TikTok—to drive brand awareness and conversions. U.S. small businesses have seen up to 22% traffic growth through targeted TikTok campaigns. ads in particular, are exploding. While organic content can still gain traction, running targeted ad campaigns on TikTok can significantly amplify your reach.
By running ads, you can increase your visibility with TikTok ad campaigns, audience demographics and more. Whether you want to drive traffic, increase brand awareness or promote a special offer, TikTok’s ad options provide the flexibility you need. These tools allow you to tailor your TikTok strategy for maximum impact.
Here’s a comparison table that highlights the best TikTok advertising options:
| Ad Type | Description | Best for |
| In-feed ads | Short, full-screen video ads that appear in users’ feeds as they scroll. | Brand awareness, driving traffic and increasing engagement. |
| Topview ads | Full-screen ads with trending sound that play when users first open the app. | Maximum visibility, large-scale brand campaigns and promotions. |
| Branded hashtag challenge ads | Ads that encourage users to create TikTok content around a branded hashtag. | User engagement, viral campaigns and content creation. |
| Brand takeovers | Full-page ads are shown when users open the TikTok app, either as images or videos. | High-impact campaigns, limited-time promotions and driving immediate action. |
| Branded effects | Custom AR filters, stickers and video effects that users can apply to their content. | Creative engagement and interactive campaigns. |
| Spark ads | Boosts organic content to reach a larger audience by amplifying already-published posts. | Amplifying user-generated content, successful past campaigns or viral content. |
Engaging with TikTok trends is essential for maintaining your brand’s relevance and engagement. Now that you’re familiar with the different TikTok ad formats it’s time to explore how you can stay on top of TikTok trends.
Also read: TikTok Ads Manager: Unlocking Effective Campaigns
How to stay on top of TikTok trends (and why it matters)?
With TikTok’s fast-paced nature, it can be hard to keep up. The platform moves quickly and trends can change in the blink of an eye.
But to stay fresh and relevant you need to start creating TikTok content in tune with what users are already excited about. So, let’s dive into how you can stay ahead of the curve.
1. Explore what’s trending at TikTok’s Explore page
One of the easiest ways to stay ahead of trends on TikTok is by regularly checking out the Explore page. This section is where TikTok curates the most popular content, trending hashtags and viral challenges happening right now.
You can start engaging with TikTok trends and jump on them before they get oversaturated. Make sure to add your unique twist to stand out while staying on trend!
2. Follow trending hashtags
Trending hashtags are a great way to stay connected with what’s happening on TikTok. Choose hashtags that directly relate to your brand or campaign. You can either use trending hashtags unique to your brand’s personality or mix popular hashtags with niche ones to expand your reach.
During holidays or events, seasonal hashtags like #Halloween2025 or #ChristmasGifts can help you reach a relevant audience. You can use such hashtags to post themed content or promotions that align with the season.
3. Leverage TikTok’s Symphony AI
TikTok’s Symphony AI is a powerful tool for optimizing your content and TikTok advertising options. Symphony AI uses machine learning to analyze your content’s performance and audience engagement, helping you fine-tune your strategy.
TikTok’s Symphony AI tool uses deep learning to suggest content types, posting times and keyword usage—helping businesses optimize performance without manual guesswork.
For example, if you’re a fashion brand, Symphony AI can analyze the types of clothing or styles that are trending with your target demographic. It can then suggest video content ideas based on those trends. This helps you in creating TikTok content that has a higher chance of going viral.
4. Analyze top-performing creators in your industry
One of the best ways to get ahead on TikTok is by analyzing what the top creator accounts in your industry are doing. This doesn’t mean copying their work. Instead, it’s about understanding the elements that make their content successful and applying similar strategies to your own brand.
For example, if you’re in the beauty industry, look at how top beauty influencers like @HudaBeauty or @JamesCharles use TikTok. They showcase makeup tutorials, reviews and product reveals that resonate with their audience. Notice how they interact with their audience, the type of challenges they create and how they are engaging with TikTok trends.
If you’re a food brand, check out creators who specialize in cooking tutorials or food challenges. You might notice that using specific sounds or showcasing recipes in a fun way tends to get more engagement.
- Identify what’s working
- Check their engagement
- Follow the trends
Connect TikTok to your website and grow smarter
Connecting your TikTok account to your website is a smart move to drive traffic and boost conversions. Here is how you can make the most of it:
1. Add your website link in your TikTok bio
By adding your website link to your TikTok bio, you’re giving followers an easy way to dive deeper into what you offer. A direct link gives your audience an immediate call to action without making them search for it elsewhere. You can either link to your homepage, an online store or a specific landing page.
To make it even more effective, buy a short, memorable URL that’s easy to type and remember. With Bluehost Domains, you can purchase a custom domain that aligns with your brand to make your link more professional and user-friendly. A custom domain not only adds credibility to your business but also makes it easier for TikTok users to remember and visit your site.
Plus, when you choose a hosting plan with Bluehost, you’ll also get a free domain for the first year, helping you establish your online presence with ease and at no extra cost. Bluehost offers a variety of hosting solutions tailored to different types of users. Each type of hosting has its own features designed to provide flexibility, performance and ease of use.
- Shared hosting- It is ideal for individuals and small businesses starting out. Shared hosting is super affordable and easy to use, making it the most popular choice for beginners.
- VPS hosting- It offers more power and control than shared hosting. VPS hosting is suitable for businesses or websites that have outgrown shared hosting but don’t need the resources of a dedicated server.
- Dedicated hosting- It provides you with an entire server dedicated to your website. Dedicated hosting is the most powerful and flexible hosting option and is best for large websites or those with very high traffic.
- Cloud hosting- It provides flexible and scalable hosting with the ability to increase or decrease resources as your business needs change. Cloud hosting is ideal for growing websites or those with fluctuating traffic.
Bluehost has a solution tailored to your needs. Their support, security features and flexible plans make them an excellent choice for entrepreneurs and businesses scaling through platforms like TikTok.
2. Direct traffic to a dedicated landing page
Make your TikTok traffic work harder by sending users to a dedicated landing page tailored specifically for your TikTok audience.
For example, if you’re running a special promotion or new product launch, create a landing page specifically for TikTok users that highlights those offerings. You can also use your TikTok bio to promote blog content or direct users to product pages.
Bluehost’s WonderSuite AI Website Builder creates TikTok-optimized, mobile-friendly landing pages in minutes. No design or coding needed—just plug in your brand info and let AI handle layouts, visuals and calls to action.
This makes it simple to create a page that will catch your TikTok audience’s attention. With Bluehost WonderSuite AI Website Builder, you can efficiently capture the interest of your TikTok followers, convert them into customers.
3. Promote blog content, product pages or newsletter sign-ups
Use TikTok to guide followers to your blog, product pages or encourage newsletter sign-ups. It’s all about guiding your followers to take that next step with your brand.
These steps ensure you are turning TikTok engagement into real, measurable business results.
Final thoughts
TikTok is one of the fastest-growing platforms out there and if you do not already use TikTok for business, you’re definitely missing out! It’s the real goldmine for brand awareness, audience engagement and even driving revenue. So, why not dive in and start creating TikTok content that connects with millions?
TikTok can help you amplify your brand’s reach and having a strong online presence is just as important to turn that reach into tangible results. That’s where Bluehost comes in. With Bluehost’s hosting includes AI page builders, staging environments, plugin bundles like Yoast SEO and CreativeMail and even free business email setup—helping you grow and monetize your TikTok presence professionally from day one.
Ready to take your TikTok marketing to the next level and grow your online presence? Get started with Bluehost today to launch your business with confidence.
FAQs
TikTok offers unparalleled organic reach, allowing businesses to connect with a vast audience through short-form videos. Its algorithm promotes content based on user engagement, enabling even new accounts to go viral.
Yes, switching to a TikTok Business Account unlocks essential features like analytics, advertising tools and the ability to add a website link to your bio. This transition is simple and provides a professional edge to your brand.
Content that is authentic, engaging and aligns with current trends tends to perform well. Behind-the-scenes glimpses, tutorials and user-generated content resonate with audiences.
By adding a clear and concise link to your website in your TikTok bio, you can direct followers to specific landing pages, product listings or blog posts. You can also utilize call-to-action phrases in your videos for viewers to visit your site for more information.
Absolutely. Many small businesses have experienced significant growth by leveraging TikTok’s platform.
Aim to post 3-5 times a week for consistent visibility. Quality is key, so focus on creating engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Add a custom landing page link in your TikTok bio using Bluehost’s AI Website Builder. Tailor your CTA to your TikTok campaign and use email opt-ins, product links or downloads to capture interest and grow your list.
