Ayesha KhanAre you struggling with sales in your online business? Have you tried all organic strategies but not getting enough results? Here is the solution: Try TikTok Ads.
With over 1.1 billion monthly active users, TikTok is one of the fastest growing networks not just for entertainment purposes. Whether it’s millennials or Gen-Z , everyone is reaching out to TikTok for information, entertainment, DIYs, products and what not! The platform has become the ultimate destination for digital exploration.
TikTok is a global space where creators, consumers, and brands all coexist—and where any piece of content can go viral. But how to run ads on TikTok?
TikTok Ads Manager allows brands to step in, stand out, and scale up. You can do that too.
In this article we will learn how you can run ads on TikTok for your brand and everything you need to know about it.
First let’s get to know what TikTok ads exactly are!
What Are TikTok Ads?
TikTok ads are paid promotions that show up right in users’ feeds but not like regular ads we see on other platforms.
They are designed to look and feel just like regular TikTok videos, so they blend in naturally and don’t feel like traditional ads.
Whether it’s a short in-feed video, a branded hashtag challenge, or a fun visual effect, these ads are built to engage. And the best part? You can target your audience based on things like age, interests, and behavior.
So instead of just shouting your message into the void, you’re reaching the right people at the right time.
For brands, TikTok ads aren’t just about being trendy. They’re a smart way to boost visibility, drive traffic, and turn views into real conversions .
If you’re not advertising on TikTok yet, you might be missing out on serious opportunities.
Who Can Use TikTok Ads?
Anyone can advertise on TikTok by signing up for a TikTok Ads Manager account. However, advertisers are required to follow TikTok’s ad policies and community rules.
TikTok ads are available globally, but availability can vary. For example:
- India: TikTok is banned, so businesses there can’t advertise on the platform.
- USA: Products like medications or health devices must comply with FDA regulations.
- UK: The ASA restricts advertising of age-sensitive items like alcohol or gambling.
- EU: GDPR laws require strict data privacy compliance for user targeting.
- Australia: Advertisers must avoid targeting underage users and use age verification tools.
Why You Should Choose TikTok Ads Manager
TikTok gained popularity in a short period right after it was introduced. Being one of the most visited and downloaded apps makes it a great marketplace for your brand.
Here we have mentioned a few of the benefits that TikTok Ads Manager brings to the table.
Global visibility
With over a billion users across regions, cultures, and age groups, it offers unmatched potential for your brand to get noticed.
Whether you are a global business like Netflix, FentyBeauty or Levi’s or a local startup like Enchanted Scrunch which went from small beginnings to gaining 170K followers and generating 90% of its sales through TikTok in just one year.
Exceptional Engagement
TikTok isn’t just about watching, it includes its audience and makes them participate.
It’s all because of its viral nature and creative-first format that users don’t just consume content, they actually interact with it.
This unique feature allows brands to get better engagement rates and deeper brand connection with the audience.
Tools for Creators of All Skill Levels
Not a professional editor? No issues! TikTok does not require you to be a pro to advertise on its platform. It provides drag and drop tools, templates and an easy to navigate interface that not only help you transform a raw video into great ads.
Easy Campaign Management
TikTok gives you full control over every aspect of your advertising efforts from one place. From launching to optimizing to tracking, it lets you build smarter campaigns with fewer headaches.
Results-driven Advertising Goals
Your strategy should lead to results. Whether you are looking to boost your brand’s visibility, get more traffic, or increase sales, TikTok lets you choose specific outcomes as your objectives. It helps your campaigns stay focused and measurable.
Laser-sharp Targeting
With TikTok, you can reach your exact target audience. Whether by demographics, behavior, location, interests, or device, you’ll be able to zero in on the ideal audience for your message and connect with them at the right moment.
Clear and Actionable Insights
TikTok allows you to measure your success with precision. TikTok Ads Manager provides interactive dashboards, custom reports, and real-time performance metrics. All of these help you track ROI, tweak campaigns, and scale what works.
Types of TikTok Ads
Here are a few types of ads, you can use to target the right audience at the right time.
In-Feed Ads
Appear naturally within the user’s feed, last for up to 60 seconds with clickable (Call to Actions) CTAs. These are best for driving traffic and encouraging user engagement.
TopView Ads
High-visibility, full-screen ads shown immediately when users open the app. Ideal for large-scale product launches or brand announcements.
Branded Hashtag Challenges
Encourage users to participate using your custom hashtag. Great for viral campaigns and User Generated Content (UGC) that increase brand reach and engagement.
Spark Ads
Boost existing organic TikTok content (yours or a creator’s) to a larger audience. A great way to add authenticity and social proof to your campaign.
Ecommerce Ads
TikTok offers several shopping-focused ad options:
- Video Shopping Ads: Tag products directly in your videos.
- TikTok Shop Integration: Create a complete in-app shopping experience with reviews, catalogs, and checkout.
- LIVE Shopping: Host live sessions to showcase products, interact with viewers, and drive sales in real-time.
Which types of ads would you prefer? Let us know in the comments. Not sure? Click here to get Tiksly TikTok Shop Ad Services.
How to Run Ads on TikTok?
Before you create an ad account, you will need to submit acceptable documents to get your business verified as an organization.Once you complete these documents, follow these steps to set up your TikTok Ads account.
Step 1: How To Create TikTok Ads Manager Account
Start by heading to the official TikTok Ads Manager signup page.
- Register using your email address or phone number, and set a secure password. These credentials will be used to access your TikTok Ads Manager dashboard.
- Review and accept TikTok’s terms and conditions, then click Sign Up. A verification code will be sent to the email or phone number you used, enter the code to complete your registration.
- No need to update pixels like on Shopify, it’s all streamlined.
Source: TikTok Ads Manager
Step 2: How to Create an Advertiser Account
The following business information will be required during setup:
- Select Your Country/Region: Choose the country where your business operates.
- Choose a Time Zone: Set the time zone that matches your business location.
- Enter Business Name: Use your official business name or one that closely matches your legal company name. If it doesn’t align with your registered name, your account may not be approved.
- Phone Number:This number may be used to provide you with insights and recommendations for improving your ad performance.
- Set Your Currency: Pick the currency you want to use for payments and billing.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and register..
The process is simple but make sure your entries are accurate.
Step 3: Start Your Campaign Journey
Once your account is set, you’ll land on the dashboard where you can hit the “Create Ad” button. This kicks off your campaign-building process, but don’t worry, you can pause here and come back when you’re ready.
Source: TikTok Ads Manager
Step 4: Pick the Right Goal for Your Brand
Your campaign’s goal determines its direction. TikTok helps by organizing objectives into three main categories:
- Awareness: Build brand recognition
- Consideration: Drive engagement, traffic, or app installs
- Conversion: Turn interest into action (sales, signups, etc.)
Start with what matters most for your business right now and build upward from there.
Source: TikTok Ads Manager
Step 5: Define Your Target Audience
Whether you want to reach teens in Tokyo or parents in Toronto, TikTok’s advanced audience targeting options help you get specific. You can define users by:
- Age
- Gender
- Location
- Interests
- Device usage
- Behavioral trends
TikTok even recommends broad targeting for new advertisers to take full advantage of its automatic optimization tools.
Source: TikTok Ads Manager
Step 6: How Much Does it Cost to Run TikTok ads?
When running ads on TikTok through Ads Manager, you have to manage both budgets and bidding strategies to effectively control how much you spend and how competitive your ads are. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of both concepts:
1. Budgeting
Budgets help control how much you are willing to spend for your campaigns and ad groups. You can set these budgets at two levels: Campaign Level and Ad Group Level.
Types of Budgets
- Lifetime Budget: This is the total amount you’re willing to spend on the entire campaign or ad group throughout its duration. Once you hit this budget limit, your campaign will stop.
- Daily Budget: This is the amount you’re willing to spend per day. It’s ideal if you want to spread your budget across multiple days to get consistent delivery.
Setting the Budget
- Campaign Level Minimum Budget: The minimum budget required for a campaign is $50.
- Ad Group Level Minimum Budget: For ad groups, the minimum is $20 per day. If you set a lifetime budget, it will be calculated based on the daily minimum multiplied by the number of scheduled days.
No Limit Budget:
- If you want TikTok to fully optimize and find the most relevant audience for your ads, you can set your budget to “No Limit.” This means that your budget won’t restrict the system’s ability to deliver your ad effectively, allowing TikTok’s algorithm to make decisions based on what’s best for your ad delivery.
Out of Budget Issues:
- If your ad group is out of budget or stops delivering, you can:
- Add more balance to your account (increase funds).
- Increase the budget at the campaign or ad group level to ensure delivery continues.
When Cost Cap Bidding is Involved:
- Cost Cap is a bidding strategy that helps you control the cost per action (CPA), but it can sometimes limit your ad spend if the CPA bid is too low. In this case:
- You may need to increase your CPA bid to unlock more spend and deliver more actions (e.g., clicks, conversions).
- Alternatively, you can switch to the Maximum Delivery bid strategy, which doesn’t require a CPA bid. This strategy aims to get the most actions possible within your set budget, regardless of the specific CPA target.
2. Bidding
Bidding controls how much you are willing to pay for each action (such as a click, conversion, or impression) your ad generates. This determines how competitive your ad is in the auction where TikTok decides which ads to show to users.
Bidding Strategies
- Cost Cap Bidding: This strategy aims to keep your cost per action (CPA) as close as possible to the set cap. This helps you maintain budget efficiency while ensuring that the system delivers ads at a rate you’re comfortable with.
- Maximum Delivery: This strategy doesn’t require a specific bid and aims to deliver the highest number of actions your budget can support. It works best if you’re focused on getting as many interactions as possible with your available budget.
- Budget Tips:
- Use Daily Budget for dynamic daily optimization.
- Apply the 50% Rule to scale spending gradually.
- Stick to Lowest Cost Bidding for potential discounts when adjusting budgets during the day.
- You can also schedule your ad to run at specific times to reach your audience when they’re most active.
Source: TikTok Ads Manager
Step 7: Upload Your Ad Creatives
This is where the fun begins. Upload your videos or pull content directly from your existing TikTok account. Want to stand out?
Use TikTok’s Creative Center or Video Creation Kit to design engaging, on-brand visuals even if you’re not a pro.
Not only visuals, your ad script also needs to be really catchy and appealing. Here’s how you can draft a high-converting Ad Script.
The best TikTok ads follow a 3-part formula:
- The Hook (0–3 Seconds)
Think your phone screen is clean? It’s holding more germs than your kitchen sink. - The Story (Pain Point + Solution)
I used to wipe it with my sleeve until I saw how much bacteria was still there. That’s why I use the (product name) sanitizer. - The Conversion (CTA + Urgency)
Snag yours now for 40% off—only while supplies last!
Here are some tips to create viral videos
- Film on a phone (no fancy camera needed).
- Use CapCut (free TikTok editor) for captions & effects.
- Test 6–12 ad variations (different hooks, angles, CTAs).
Launching & Optimizing Your Ads
For launching and optimizing your ads, consider the following
- Upload your video to TikTok Ads Manager.
- Add a strong CTA button (“Shop Now” linking to the product page).
- Submit for review (TikTok approves in hours)
- Use UGC styled videos
- Retarget engaged users
- Duplicate winning ads with small tweaks.
- Kill underperforming ads after 2–3 days.
- Scale budget on top performers (increase by 20–50% daily).
For expert help, contact Tiksly. We help businesses create, manage, and optimize TikTok ads to reach the right audience and increase conversions.
And You’re Live! Now What?
Your first TikTok ad is live. Now it’s time to take things further. Use TikTok’s analytics and reporting tools to track performance, understand what’s working, and adjust your strategy for even better results. The platform is global, the tools are powerful, and your audience is waiting.
Metrics and KPIs you need to track for best results:
To ensure the success of your campaign, it’s essential to track key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect the effectiveness of your ad. Here are some of the most important metrics to monitor:
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): Measures the percentage of people who clicked on your ad after seeing it. A high CTR indicates that your ad is engaging and compelling.
- Conversion Rate: Tracks how many people took the desired action (e.g., made a purchase or signed up for your service) after interacting with your ad.
- Cost Per Acquisition (CPA): Measures how much it costs to acquire a customer or lead through your ad campaign. Lower CPA indicates a more efficient campaign.
- Impressions and Reach: Measures how many people saw your ad and how often. These metrics are crucial for brand awareness campaigns.
- Engagement Rate: Tracks how much interaction your ad received (likes, comments, shares). Higher engagement usually leads to increased visibility.
Final Thoughts
Advertising on TikTok is about more than impressions, it’s about expression. With the right tools, clear goals, and creativity, your brand can break through the noise and make a real impact. Now you know how to run ads on TikTok and scale. However, if you are still confused, all you need to do is to leave a comment below, our team will contact you soon!
Join the movement. Create your first campaign today with TikTok Ads Manager and connect with audiences in a way that’s fresh, fun, and authentically you.
Connect with us to drive your sales and achieve your desired results!
