TikTok has quickly become one of the most powerful platforms for businesses and creators to reach millions of users worldwide. With short-form video dominating social media, TikTok offers an incredible opportunity for brands of all sizes. Whether you are a small business owner, an e-commerce entrepreneur, or a creator looking to monetize content, TikTok ads can help you achieve your goals.
The best part is that you don’t even need a computer to get started. You can run TikTok ads directly from your mobile phone using the TikTok mobile app. This makes the platform accessible for everyone, especially entrepreneurs who want to manage ads on the go.
In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to run TikTok ads, from setting up your account to creating ad campaigns, targeting the right audience, optimizing your creatives, and tracking performance.
How to Run TikTok Ads Using Your Mobile Phone: A Complete Guide for Beginners and Businesses
Why Run TikTok Ads on Mobile?
Before diving into the “how-to,” it’s important to understand why running TikTok ads from your phone is not only convenient but also effective:
- Accessibility – You can launch and monitor ads anytime, anywhere, without needing a laptop.
- Ease of Use – TikTok’s mobile app is user-friendly, making it easy for beginners.
- Speed – You can quickly adjust your campaigns or budgets when performance changes.
- Creative Freedom – TikTok is designed for mobile-first video creation, so making ads directly from your phone fits naturally into the platform.
For small businesses, startups, and creators who may not have advanced marketing tools, managing TikTok advertising on mobile offers flexibility without sacrificing results.
Step 1: Set Up a TikTok Ads Account on Mobile
You may want to first learn how to launch your business on TikTok here
To start running ads on TikTok, you first need a TikTok Ads Manager account. The process is simple on mobile:
- Download TikTok App – If you haven’t already, install TikTok from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Create a Business Account – Go to your profile, tap the three lines (☰), select Settings and Privacy, then switch to a Business Account.
- Sign Up for Ads Manager – Within the business account, tap TikTok Business Suite or Ads Manager.
- Enter Your Details – Provide your business name, industry, contact details, and payment method.
Once completed, you’ll have access to TikTok Ads Manager on your mobile device.
Step 2: Choose Your TikTok Ad Campaign Objective
Every successful ad campaign begins with a clear objective. TikTok offers several advertising goals, which fall under four main categories on mobile:
1. Boost Account
- More Video Views
- More Followers
- More Profile Visit
2. Get sales
- More Website Visits
3. Boost LIVE
- More Live Viewers
- More Followers
4. Get Leads
- More TikTok Messages
- More Phone Calls
- Other Messaging Apps
For example, if you are a small business trying to grow, “Lead Generation” might be the best choice. On the other hand, if you are new to TikTok ads, you may start with “Getting more followers” on the platform
Step 3: Select or Create TikTok Ad Creative(s)
The ad creative is what TikTok users actually see, so it needs to be engaging, authentic, and mobile-friendly. TikTok provides easy editing tools within the app.
Here are TikTok ad creative best practices:
- Keep It Short – Videos between 9–15 seconds perform best.
- Grab Attention Early – Use bold visuals and hooks in the first 3 seconds.
- Use Music and Captions – Add trending sounds and text overlays for clarity.
- Stay Authentic – Ads that look like regular TikTok content get higher engagement.
- Include a CTA – Use call-to-actions like “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Sign Up.”
Example: A small fashion brand could create a 12-second video showing an outfit transformation with upbeat music, ending with a “Shop Now” button.
Step 4: Define Your TikTok Ads Targeting Strategy
TikTok’s targeting options allow you to reach the right people.
On mobile you get to choose if you want Default Audience (Where TikTok chooses for you) then, Custom (Where you have more control). Here are the most common TikTok ads targeting strategies:
- Demographics: Target users by age, gender, and location.
- Interests & Behaviors: Show ads to people who engage with content similar to yours.
- Custom Audiences: Upload customer lists, website traffic, or app activity.
- Lookalike Audiences: Find new people who are similar to your best customers.
For example, if you sell beauty products, you can target women aged 18–34 who engage with skincare and makeup videos on TikTok.
Step 5: Set Your TikTok Ad Budget
Budgeting is a key part of running TikTok ads effectively. TikTok gives you two budget options:
- Daily Budget – Set a specific amount you’re willing to spend each day.
- Promotion Pack – Where you can select special and most popular ad bundles and duration
For beginners, it’s smart to start with a small daily budget (e.g., $10–$20) to test performance. Once you see results, you can scale your budget gradually.
Step 6: Optimize Your TikTok Ad Campaign
Once your campaign is running, optimization is critical. Here are a few tips:
- Test Multiple Ads – Run 2–3 variations to see what works best.
- Check Metrics Daily – Track impressions, clicks, CTR, and conversions.
- Adjust Audience – If results are poor, refine your targeting.
Optimization ensures you get the most out of your ad spend while improving results over time.
TikTok Ads for Beginners: Common Mistakes to Avoid
If you’re new to TikTok advertising for business, avoid these mistakes:
- Using Long Videos – TikTok is fast-paced; keep ads under 15 seconds.
- Ignoring Trends – TikTok thrives on trends; use trending hashtags and sounds.
- Targeting Too Broadly – Narrow your audience to increase engagement.
- Skipping Testing – Always test different creatives, headlines, and CTAs.
- Not Tracking Results – Without data, you can’t improve performance.
TikTok Ads for Small Business and E-commerce
Both small businesses and e-commerce brands can benefit greatly from TikTok advertising.
- Small Business Ads – If you run a local store, you can target customers within your city using location targeting. For example, a restaurant can run ads promoting new dishes to people nearby.
- E-commerce Ads – TikTok integrates with Shopify and WooCommerce, making it easy to sync your store and run product catalog ads. This is perfect for generating direct sales through TikTok.
Pro Tip: Use TikTok lead generation ads to capture customer emails directly inside the app without sending them elsewhere.
How to Buy TikTok Coins
Some TikTok ads and promotions may require TikTok coins. Here’s how to buy them:
- Watch this video to learn how to buy TikTok Coins directly on TikTok: https://youtu.be/rP7I1XYgqRg
- You can also buy TikTok coins on your web browser by watching this video: https://youtu.be/t_Gi9YlFnEE
Additional Tips for Running Ads on TikTok
- Use UGC (User-Generated Content) – Ads that feel like natural TikTok videos perform better.
- Leverage Influencers – Partner with TikTok creators to promote your brand.
- Retargeting – Show ads to people who visited your website but didn’t purchase.
- Track ROI – Use TikTok analytics and TikTok Pixel to measure performance.
Final Thoughts
Running ads on TikTok using your mobile phone is not only possible but also incredibly effective for businesses and creators alike. By understanding campaign objectives, targeting strategies, and ad creative best practices, you can reach the right audience and grow your brand.
Whether you’re a small business owner, an e-commerce brand, or just starting out with TikTok ads for beginners, this platform offers unmatched opportunities for growth. Remember to test different approaches, monitor your campaigns closely, and continuously optimize for better performance.
With the right strategy, TikTok can become one of the most profitable marketing channels for your business—all managed directly from the palm of your hand.