Did you know, an average TikTok user spends more than 1.5 hours daily on the platform? Moreover, deciding between a TikTok business vs personal account can have a big impact on your online presence and engagement strategies.
Therefore, understanding the differences and advantages of each account type is key to making the most of your TikTok experience. Thus, in this blog post, we’ll clarify that for you so you can chose the account type that best suits your needs.
Let’s get started!
What’s a TikTok Business Account?
A TikTok business account is a specialized profile on TikTok designed for brands and businesses aiming to promote their content, products, and services on the platform.
It offers advanced business tools, analytics, and features to support a comprehensive TikTok marketing strategy that encourages you to show off your products or services in snappy videos.
Nonetheless, think of it as your brand’s little domain, like a corner on the platform dedicated to your brand and your brand only. Keep reading to explore the pros and cons of the TikTok business account.
Advantages of Using a TikTok Business Account
Listed below are some of the key benefits of using a TikTok business account:
Access to Analytics and Insights
Switching to a TikTok Business Account unlocks detailed analytics and insights, providing valuable information on content performance, audience demographics, and the impact of content on account growth.
Moreover, you get to peek behind the curtain and see all sorts of juicy details about your audience – who they are, where they’re from, and what they’re into – so you can tailor your content to keep them coming back for more.
Link in Bio Feature
With a TikTok Business Account, users gain access to the “Link in Bio” feature, allowing them to include a clickable link in their profile. This feature is powerful for directing users to specific landing pages, products, or promotions, enhancing traffic to external websites, and boosting conversions.
Moreover, by utilizing this feature effectively, businesses can drive engagement and increase sales through their TikTok profile.
Advertising Opportunities
With the ad manager, you can create, launch, and track the performance of your ads on TikTok, even if you’re a newbie. It’s like having a virtual billboard that you can customize to target specific demographics and interests.
Thus, from driving website traffic to increasing brand awareness, businesses can create tailored ads that resonate with their target audience.
Furthermore, you also gain access to a variety of ad formats available, such as in-feed ads, sponsored hashtags, and branded effects. These provide creative freedom to craft engaging campaigns that align with your brand goals.
Access to TikTok for Business Resources
Upon switching to a Business Account, users can access the TikTok Business Centre, which provides resources, guides, case studies, and tools to maximize ad spend and content creation.
For instance, the Web Business Suite offers analytics, ad management, and additional business features. The Business Creative Hub within the app provides tips on content strategy and video creation and showcases trending content from the platform.
Nevertheless, these resources empower businesses to enhance their marketing efforts and grow their brand influence on TikTok.
Commercial Music Library Access
Business Accounts enjoy exclusive access to TikTok’s Commercial Music Library (CML). This features over 1,000,000 songs and sounds pre-cleared for commercial use.
Furthermore, the collection of royalty-free and commercial sound clips enables businesses to leverage trending music and sounds in their content, aligning with current trends and enhancing engagement with their audience.
However, it’s important to note that the use of commercial audio may limit duet and stitching options for businesses.
E-commerce Storefront Integration
TikTok Business Accounts offer the functionality to set up a TikTok shop, allowing businesses to showcase products, facilitate purchases, and streamline the checkout process.
Nevertheless, setting up a TikTok shop enables businesses to engage in social shopping, promote products effectively, and drive sales directly through their TikTok profile. Furthermore, this helps in enhancing the overall shopping experience for their audience.
TikTok Creator Marketplace
Imagine having access to top-tier influencers at your fingertips, ready to collaborate and spread the word about your brand. TikTok Creator Marketplace is that, except it’s a matchmaking service for brands and influencers, helping you find the perfect partners to reach new audiences or a wider demographic.
Plus, you can negotiate deals and manage campaigns right from the platform, making it super easy to stay on top of your influencer marketing game.
Besides, since all this is happening directly on the platform, both parties know the deal is secure and legit.
Drawbacks of TikTok Business Account
TikTok Business Account includes limitations that businesses should consider before making the switch:
Inability to Run Ads
One significant drawback of a TikTok Business Account is the inability to run ads directly from the account. Unlike personal accounts, business accounts cannot create and publish advertising campaigns within the platform.
This limitation hinders businesses from leveraging paid advertising to reach a wider audience and promote their products or services effectively.
Restricted Access to Sounds
TikTok Business Accounts have restricted access to sounds compared to personal accounts. Business accounts can only use songs that are pre-approved for commercial use, limiting the variety of music available for content creation.
This may hinder creativity and engagement with the TikTok community, especially in challenges or trends that involve specific audio clips not approved for commercial use.
Exclusion from Development Programs
TikTok Business Accounts are excluded from programs like Creator Next and Creator Fund, which are designed to support and monetize individual creators on the platform.
These programs offer opportunities for creators to earn money and grow their communities, but not for individuals using TikTok Business Accounts.
Minimum Follower Requirement for E-commerce Features
To utilize e-commerce features such as setting up a TikTok store and including a bio profile link for direct sales, TikTok Business Accounts must have at least 1,000 followers.
This minimum follower requirement can be a barrier for new businesses or those with a smaller following, limiting their ability to leverage the platform’s e-commerce capabilities fully.
Now, you may be wondering, “does TikTok Business account get less views?” The answer is that TikTok views are primarily influenced by the platform’s algorithm rather than the type of account.
What’s a TikTok Creator Account?
Previously known as a Personal Account, a Creator Account is designed for individuals who aim to create and share content on the platform.
Unlike Business Accounts that cater to brands and businesses, Creator Accounts are tailored for influencers, and content creators who want to engage with their audience in a more personal and expressive manner.
Moreover, it has its own list of strengths, that overshadow the benefits of a business account in some places. Let’s see some of them right here:
Monetization Opportunities
Wouldn’t it be great to generate not only product sales but also earn revenue from the content, itself? Two birds with one stone. Nevertheless, TikTok Creator Accounts offer creators access to the TikTok Creator Fund and programs like Creator Next. This facilitates providing avenues for monetizing their content as they build their follower base.
Nonetheless, this financial support incentivizes creators to continue producing engaging content and rewards their creativity and efforts on the platform.
Monitor Analytics
Creator Accounts provide more basic analytics compared to Business Accounts. However, they offer valuable insights into video performance, audience demographics, and content engagement.
By analyzing these analytics, creators can gain a deeper understanding of what resonates with their audience. Nevertheless, this allows them to refine their content strategy and edit their videos for better engagement and more views.
Trends and Sounds
Trends spread like wildfire on TikTok faster than on any other platform. Thus, with a Creator Account, you’re less likely to get your content flagged down with copyright issues.
This is because you have access to a wider, non-commercial ‘sound bank’, including chart-topping hits.
Content Creation Tools
TikTok Creator Accounts provide a diverse range of creative tools, effects, templates, and features that enhance content creation. These tools enable creators to produce visually appealing and engaging videos.
Perfect for those who want to that help them to stand out in the competitive landscape of TikTok content. Besides, Creator Accounts empower creators to engage directly with their followers and respond to comments.
Moreover, this direct interaction not only strengthens the bond between creators and their audience, but also enhances engagement levels and encourages a more interactive and personal connection with followers.
Link in Bio
Once a TikTok Creator Account reaches a specific follower threshold, typically around 1,000 followers, creators can add a clickable link to their bio. This feature is essential in driving traffic to external websites and promoting other social media platforms.
Additionally, it also directs followers to specific content or products, enhancing the creator’s online presence and visibility.
Creator Community
Being part of the TikTok creator community offers creators opportunities to collaborate. They can also participate in challenges, and gain exposure through trending content.
Besides, this involvement not only fosters growth and visibility on the platform but also allows creators to network, and expand their reach within the TikTok community, ultimately enhancing their presence and influence on the platform.
Drawbacks of TikTok Creator Account
Listed below are some of the key drawbacks:
Limited Monetization Opportunities for Small Creators
One significant drawback of a TikTok Creator Account is the limited monetization opportunities available, especially for small creators. Moreover, these accounts provide access to programs like the Creator Fund for monetization as creators grow their following.
However, the earnings potential may be restricted compared to Business Accounts. This limitation can hinder the financial growth and sustainability of small creators on the platform
Algorithm Dependency for Visibility
Another drawback of a TikTok Creator Account is the reliance on the platform’s algorithm for visibility. Unlike Business Accounts that offer more advanced features and analytics, Creator Accounts are more dependent on the algorithm to reach a wider audience.
This dependency can pose challenges in gaining visibility and exposure for creators. This consequently impacts their ability to grow their following and engagement levels effectively
Vulnerability to Limited Features
TikTok Creator Accounts, particularly Personal Accounts, lack certain features available to Business Accounts. For instance, the inability to add a link in the bio until reaching a specific follower threshold, usually 1,000 followers, can restrict creators from directing traffic to external websites or other social media platforms.
Additionally, the limitation of not being able to integrate with third-party social media management apps like SocialBu can hinder creators from optimizing their content planning and scheduling efficiently
Switching From TikTok Business vs Personal Account
Switching from a TikTok Business Account and a TikTok Creator Account, and vise versa is possible. However, it’s essential to consider the implications associated with each account type.
While TikTok allows users to switch back and forth between these accounts, it is not advisable. Instead, choose the account type that aligns best with your goals and needs on the platform and stick with it for consistency.
Moreover, before making the switch, carefully evaluate the features, benefits, and restrictions of both account types. This is to ensure that the transition aligns with your marketing strategy, content creation objectives, and overall brand presence on TikTok.
Admittedly, both of the account topics have their own entice. This is why TikTok allows you to switch between accounts, seamlessly. This helps you figure out which one’s best suited to your business needs.
Besides, some businesses thrive off of creating content backed with audio-based trends. However, if your goal is to enhance your sales figures, opting for a business account is the smart move.
Conclusion
All in all, choosing between TikTok business vs personal account depends on your goals. Remember, it’s not just about posting fun videos anymore; it’s about turning heads and making waves in the TikTok world. The exposure is wild.
Moreover, while TikTok Business Accounts offer a range of powerful tools and features to enhance marketing efforts and drive brand visibility on the platform, businesses must weigh the drawbacks alongside the benefits.
So, what’s your choice when it comes to Tiktok business vs personal account?
FAQs
Is it better to have a business or personal TikTok account?
The choice between a business and a personal TikTok account depends on your goals. A business account offers advanced analytics, ad tools, and e-commerce integrations, ideal for brands. Personal accounts are more suited for organic growth, creativity, and potential monetization through the Creator Fund
Do business accounts get more views on TikTok?
Business accounts on TikTok can leverage advertising tools, targeted campaigns, and analytics to potentially reach a larger audience. However, the success of views also depends on content quality, relevance, and engagement strategies
What are the disadvantages of TikTok for business?
Some disadvantages of TikTok for business include limited access to trending sounds potential scrutiny. You might also face challenges in keeping up with rapidly evolving trends. Additionally, business accounts may lack the organic feel of personal accounts and face restrictions on direct monetization
Is TikTok business account free?
Yes, both TikTok business and personal accounts are free to create and use. Businesses can access a range of marketing tools, analytics, and advertising features without any cost associated with the account type.
