What is a TikTok business account?
A TikTok business account is a type of account designed specifically for brands, businesses, creators, and public figures on TikTok. It unlocks additional features not available on a standard personal TikTok account, allowing businesses to more easily manage their presence and promote themselves on TikTok.
The key differences between a personal account and a business account on TikTok include:
- Analytics – Business accounts provide access to TikTok analytics, allowing you to view data and insights about your followers and content performance.
- Advertising – Business accounts can run paid ad campaigns directly through the TikTok Ads Manager.
- Content tools – Features like branded content, longer videos, and link in bios are available.
- Professional branding – Business accounts have a more polished look with the account category and contact info displayed.
In summary, a TikTok business account enables brands to tap into promotional opportunities, analytics, and tools to establish a professional presence on the platform beyond what a personal profile can offer.
Benefits of switching to a TikTok business account
There are several advantages to switching your personal TikTok account to a business account. One of the main benefits is access to analytics data. Business accounts on TikTok provide insights into your followers, content performance, and traffic sources (TikTok Business vs. Personal Account | Creator Portal). With a business account, you can view detailed stats on your videos to understand what resonates with your audience.
You also gain access to business tools like promoted posts. TikTok ads allow businesses to get their content in front of new audiences and grow their follower count. Promoted posts are only available for business accounts.
Switching to a business account also gives your profile a more professional appearance. Personal profiles are capped at 5,000 followers, while business accounts have no follower limit. The verified badge and expanded bio make your brand seem more established.
Drawbacks of switching to a business account
While TikTok business accounts provide useful tools for brands and creators, there are some drawbacks to being aware of before switching from a personal account:
You lose access to some features like stitch and duet. Business accounts have limited options for stitching and dueting other users’ videos compared to personal accounts (Source). This restricts opportunities for collaborating with others.
Your account is subject to different community guidelines. TikTok holds business accounts to higher standards regarding content moderation. Brands must avoid controversial content to maintain a safe environment for all users (Source). This limits creative freedom.
Overall, brands must carefully weigh the pros and cons before converting to a TikTok business account. While you gain valuable analytics and promotion, you lose some functionality. Know the tradeoffs so you can make the best choice for your needs.
How to switch to a business account
Switching your personal TikTok account to a business account is easy and can be done directly within the TikTok app.
Here are the step-by-step instructions for switching your account type on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app on your mobile device.
- Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the menu icon in the top right corner (it looks like 3 horizontal lines).
- Select “Manage account” from the menu.
- Tap “Switch to Business Account”.
- Read the information about business accounts and tap “Switch” to confirm.
It’s that easy! TikTok will now switch your account type to a business account. The process is quick and takes just a few seconds to complete within the app.
What happens to your followers when you switch?
One of the most common questions people have when switching to a TikTok business account is what will happen to their existing followers. The good news is that all of your followers will automatically transfer over to your new business account.
When you convert your personal TikTok account to a business account, you don’t have to start building your follower count from scratch. TikTok seamlessly moves all of your current followers onto your new business profile so you can keep the audience you’ve already built.
This makes switching to a business account on TikTok very easy. You don’t have to worry about losing your followers or having to rebuild your audience. As soon as you convert to a business profile, your follower count will stay exactly the same.
So if you have 1,000 followers on your personal account and decide to switch to a business account, you’ll still have those same 1,000 followers after making the change. Your followers automatically move over to your new business profile.
According to TikTok’s support page, “Your followers will stay the same when you switch to a Business account.”
What happens to your likes and comments?
When you switch from a personal account to a business account on TikTok, your existing likes and comments remain on your old content. Unlike other platforms like Instagram, TikTok does not wipe the engagement metrics on your previous posts when you convert to a business profile.
This means that any videos you posted from your personal account will retain the same number of likes, comments, and shares after making the switch. You don’t have to start building engagement from scratch.
However, once you convert to a business account, your new content will have separate like and comment counts. TikTok essentially treats your old personal account content and new business account content as two separate bodies of work.
In summary, you don’t lose your previous engagement and followers when you upgrade to a TikTok business account. Your old content and metrics remain untouched. You simply begin posting new content under your business profile that has its own engagement and reach.
What happens to your content?
When you switch from a personal TikTok account to a business account, your existing videos and drafts will be transferred over to the new business account. You do not lose any of your previously posted content or works-in-progress by converting to a business profile.
According to TikTok’s support article, “Personal and Business Accounts on TikTok,” “All your previously posted videos and drafts will still be available after switching your account type.” https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/growing-your-audience/switching-to-a-creator-or-business-account
So you can rest assured that converting your account will not result in any loss of content. Your videos, drafts, captions, sounds, hashtags, etc. will all remain intact and transfer over to your new TikTok business account.
Can you switch back to a personal account?
Yes, it is possible to switch back from a TikTok business account to a personal account. However, there are some important things to keep in mind if you decide to revert back to a personal account:
When you switch back to a personal account, you will lose access to all the analytics and insights that come with a business account. This includes data on your followers, content performance, and growth metrics. If you want to retain this data for your records, be sure to export any reports before making the switch back.
You’ll also lose access to certain business tools like TikTok advertising and the ability to use a professional email address associated with your account. Any ads you were running will be paused when you revert to a personal account.
The process to switch back is simple – just go to your account settings and select “Switch to Personal Account”. You’ll be asked to confirm that you want to switch account types. Once confirmed, your account will change back to a personal TikTok account.
However, your content, followers and previous engagement will remain unaffected. Switching account types does not reset your account or remove anything you had previously posted or any followers you had gained.
So in summary – yes, you can revert to a personal account if you wish but will lose access to business tools and analytics. As long as you are comfortable with this, switching back is straightforward.
Tips for Using Your Business Account Effectively
Once you’ve made the switch to a TikTok business account, there are some best practices to follow to get the most out of the platform:
Post high-quality, engaging videos consistently – Aim to post at least once per day, preferably at peak times when your target audience is most active on TikTok. Use trending sounds and hashtags where appropriate.
Interact with your followers – Respond to comments, answer questions, and engage with your audience. This helps build relationships and loyalty.
Analyze data in the analytics dashboard – Review top videos, traffic sources, audience demographics, etc. to optimize your content and strategy.
Use promotions and advertising tools – Consider promoted hashtags, in-feed video ads, and other paid options to expand your reach and conversions.
Collaborate with influencers – Work with relevant creators to tap into their engaged follower base and increase brand awareness.
Go live regularly – Broadcast live videos to engage your audience in real-time and generate excitement.
Link to your website/online shop – Add links to your profile, videos, etc. to drive traffic to your online destination.
Create shoppable video content – Use TikTok’s e-commerce tools to tag products and enable direct checkout.
Stay on brand – Ensure your content aligns with your brand identity, messaging, visual style etc. for consistency.
FAQs about TikTok Business Accounts
Here are answers to some common questions about switching to and using a TikTok business account:
How do I switch my personal account to a business account?
You can switch your personal account to a business account directly within the TikTok app. Go to your profile, tap the 3-dot menu icon, select “Switch to Business Account”, and follow the prompts.
Can I switch my business account back to a personal account?
Yes, you can switch your TikTok business account back to a personal account at any time. Just go to your profile, tap the 3-dot menu, select “Switch to Personal Account” and confirm.
What features do business accounts have?
TikTok business accounts unlock additional analytics and advertising capabilities like branded content, TikTok pixel, and Instagram cross-posting. You also get access to TikTok’s ads creation and management platforms.
Will I lose my followers if I switch to a business account?
No, switching to a business account does not affect your followers. All your existing followers will remain on your new business profile.
Can I post the same content on a business account?
Yes, the type of content you can post does not change with a business account. Feel free to continue posting videos just like you did with your personal account.
Do I have to pay for a business account?
No, a TikTok business account is free to create and use. You only pay when you decide to purchase advertising through TikTok’s ad platforms.
