Home > Articles > Shopify TikTok Ads | How To Start Your TikTok Advertising Business

Shopify TikTok Ads | How To Start Your TikTok Advertising Business

December 22, 2023
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

shopify tiktok ads


This article will guide you through the process of starting your TikTok advertising business with Shopify. By unlocking the immense potential to reach a vast and dynamic audience, you can drive sales and elevate your e-commerce venture to new heights. Join us on this exciting journey to harness the power of Shopify TikTok Ads and propel your business towards unprecedented success.

Overview

In October 2020, Shopify teamed up with TikTok For Business, supporting the #Shopblack Hashtag Challenge to boost black-owned startups. This partnership allows Shopify merchants to integrate TikTok Pixel, helping them track their ad performance on TikTok. 

Moreover, TikTok has made content creation user-friendly, offering tools like short video templates. As an added incentive, TikTok offers merchants trial TikTok Shopify ad credits to test out their ad campaigns before making a full investment. 

8 simple steps on how to run Tiktok ads for Shopify

On TikTok Ads Manager, you can create campaigns using either a straightforward, simplified version or a more detailed custom version. Let’s focus on the simplified version of creating your very first Shopify TikTok Ad:

Step 1: Create a business account to access TikTok Ads Manager

To access TikTok Ads Manager, you need a business account. Follow these instructions for details on how to create a TikTok business account:

  • Access this link to create your TikTok business account.
shopify tiktok ads
  • Fill in the box with your registered email and password.
shopify tiktok ads
  • Once the registration process is finished, you will receive a notification email with the code to confirm the process. Proceed to your email, take the code, and enter the code to confirm your account registration.
shopify tiktok ads
  • As soon as having the TikTok business account, you should fill in all of the necessary information about your business.
shopify tiktok ads
  • Don’t forget to set up the billing information: you can choose either automatic billing or manual billing
shopify tiktok ads
  • Now you are ready to create your first TikTok ads using the TikTok business account.
shopify tiktok ads

Step 2: Activate TikTok integration on Shopify

You can search for “Tiktok” on your Shopify Admin Dashboard like below:

shopify tiktok ads

Once installed, the TikTok channel will be visible on Shopify’s Admin Dashboard’s left sidebar. From here, connect your TikTok For Business account to your Shopify store by clicking the “Connect” button

shopify tiktok ads

On the subsequent page, you can either use your existing account or switch users via the “Switching User” option. Click “Connect” to link your Shopify store with the TikTok app.

shopify tiktok ads

After a successful connection, the TikTok Business Dashboard will display, allowing you to manage your TikTok business account and finalize the channel’s setup on your store.

shopify tiktok ads

TikTok’s Ad Manager lets you showcase your ads across its suite of apps. The specific spot and style where your ad appears is known as “placement.”

Step 3: Open TikTok’s Ads Manager

shopify tiktok ads

While TikTok is mobile-focused, managing ads on a desktop is best. Simply visit ads.tiktok.com and log in with your TikTok business account you have just created to use the Shopify TikTok’s Ads Manager.

Step 4: Define your advertising objective

shopify tiktok ads

In TikTok’s ads manager, choosing Simplified Mode presents four campaign objectives:

  • Increase traffic: Ideal for directing potential customers to your store or capturing soft leads like email addresses.
  • Drive community interaction: Best for enhancing your TikTok presence, especially before a product launch.
  • Generate customer leads: Captures viewer details through a contact form, aiding in retargeting and engaging with fans.
  • Get website conversions: Optimized to increase conversions on your store’s webpage.

Step 5: Choose your target audience

In the TikTok ads manager, you’ll have the option to define your ad audience. While the “Automatic audience” lets TikTok choose for you, the “custom audience” option allows more control. You can target TikTok users based on criteria like gender, age, language, and location. As you select, a slider on the page’s top right will indicate the potential audience size.

shopify tiktok ads

In TikTok ads manager, you can refine your audience based on specific interests like clothing, cooking, or pets. For instance, if you’re selling coffee, you can target users interested in “coffee.” If your focus is skincare, “beauty” would be an apt target. This lets you reach users who frequently engage with related TikTok content through likes or comments.

Next, TikTok offers a choice: display your ads solely on TikTok or extend them to Pangle, described by the ads manager as a “Premium global publisher network.”

shopify tiktok ads

Step 6: Determine your budget and set a schedule

Setting up the TikTok Shopify ads budget is a crucial step for all merchants. The daily minimum is $5; you can allocate $70 for the entire campaign duration. Choose how long your campaign runs, or opt for “No end date” to let it run continuously, stopping it whenever you see fit.

shopify tiktok ads

Step 7: Design your advertisement

Shopify TikTok Ads: Design your advertisement
Shopify TikTok Ads: Design your advertisement

In the TikTok ads manager, you can choose an existing video or upload a new one for your ad. Then add a caption and a call-to-action button, like “Shop Now,” linking to your site.

For an effective ad, here are a few crucial things to keep in mind:

  • Follow TikTok’s guidelines for vertical videos.
  • Avoid text placements that get hidden by the caption.
  • Ensure your ad mirrors the authentic feel of typical TikToks.

Familiarize yourself with TikTok’s culture and trends. Viewing the ‘For You’ page can also offer insights on how brands craft their ads.

Step 8: Submit your Shopify TikTok Ads

After clicking “Submit,” your TikTok ad undergoes a review before going live. Once approved, you’ve successfully launched your first TikTok ad! Monitor its performance to understand what’s effective and refine strategies for future campaigns.

How Much Do TikTok Ads Cost?

TikTok’s in-feed ads are user-friendly, allowing you to set a daily budget starting at just $5. While higher spending can increase your reach, the platform offers flexibility to suit various budgets. 

Advanced marketers have additional customizable features, but newcomers can stick to the basics. How much Shopify ads cost is an important consideration, as it impacts your decision-making. Ultimately, your budget will depend on your overall marketing allocation and the platforms you aim to target.

To sum up

Shopify’s integration with TikTok offers businesses a streamlined approach to reach a broader audience on one of the fastest-growing social platforms. Through easy ad creation, targeting, and monitoring capabilities, Shopify store owners can effectively leverage TikTok’s vast user base, driving traffic and conversions. Embracing this partnership can significantly enhance a brand’s online presence and sales potential.


Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.