How to succeed with TikTok advertising (and turn views into conversions)

TikTok is no longer just a place for dance challenges or viral memes. It has become one of the most powerful platforms for businesses to get in front of new audiences, build awareness, and drive real sales.

With more than a billion active users, it gives brands of all sizes the chance to compete with creative and authentic content. TikTok is available in 150+ markets, 75 languages, and 1 in 4 TikTok users can’t be found on other platforms.

But here is the challenge. Getting traction on TikTok is not always as simple as posting a video and hoping it takes off. The algorithm can be unpredictable at times, organic reach can be inconsistent, and accounts, especially new ones, often face restrictions that limit visibility. That is why business owners who want to use TikTok for conversions need a strategy that goes beyond relying on luck.

In this article we will look at what it really takes to grow on TikTok, the common pitfalls that hold businesses back, and why running ads with a business account is typically the fastest path to results. Most importantly, we will show you how to connect your TikTok campaigns with GetResponse so you can capture leads, nurture them with automation, and turn those views into paying customers.

The Challenges of growing organically on TikTok

While TikTok gives everyone a chance to go viral, the reality is that many new or personal accounts run into roadblocks before they ever see meaningful growth. One common issue is the risk of being shadowbanned.

This can happen when videos on non-business accounts mention external links, URLs, or even certain words and topics that TikTok flags as sensitive. The result is content that gets little to no reach, even if it looks perfectly fine to the creator.

For instance, if you try to direct TikTok followers to visit your YouTube channel or follow you on other competing platforms, the algorithm might limit your reach. TikTok likes retaining its user base. And for businesses that ideally want to direct traffic to their site, it might become challenging to attain that through organic means only.

There is also what many creators call the “200 views prison.” This is when videos seem stuck at a very low number of views, no matter how good the content might be. Sometimes it is because the algorithm is still testing the account. Other times it is because the video triggers one of TikTok’s red flags, which can include copyrighted material, aggressive sales language, or repeated posting patterns that look spammy.

For business owners, this inconsistency can be frustrating. You might spend time and resources making creative videos only to see them stalled at a few hundred views. That is why relying solely on organic growth is risky if your goal is conversions.

To turn TikTok into a predictable marketing channel, you need a business account and a paid strategy that gives you control over who sees your content and how you drive traffic to your offers.

Why a business account gives you an edge

If your goal on TikTok is to get conversions and not just views, switching to a business account makes a big difference. A personal account limits what you can do, especially when it comes to linking out to your offers or analyzing performance. A business account, on the other hand, unlocks tools that help you run campaigns with real intent.

With a business account, you get access to TikTok Ads Manager, which allows you to create targeted campaigns, retarget viewers, and scale what works. You also gain better analytics so you can see exactly how your content is performing and make smarter decisions. Another important advantage is the ability to add links and use commercial sounds, which gives you more freedom to promote your brand without worrying about copyright restrictions.

For many creators, organic content will always be the main focus. But for business owners who need measurable results, a business account provides the structure and flexibility to actually drive conversions. It shifts TikTok from being a platform where you hope for reach into a channel where you can plan for predictable growth.

Here’s a summary table that explains the key differences between account types on TikTok and lists the key features of a Business account.

Feature / Capability	Personal / Creator Account	Business Account
Website link in bio	Only after 1,000 followers	Available immediately
Ads Manager access	Not available	Full access to TikTok Ads Manager
Analytics	Basic in-app analytics	Advanced analytics via Business Suite
Music library	Full trending/general sounds	Commercial Music Library (copyright-safe)
Contact info & action buttons	Limited	Email, call-to-action buttons, richer profile options
Lead generation tools	Not available	Available (lead forms, integrations)
E-commerce / TikTok Shop	Limited (affiliate only)	Full TikTok Shop integration (region-dependent)
Team collaboration (Business Center)	Not available	Available (multi-user access & permissions)

Running TikTok ads for conversions

Running ads on TikTok is one of the most effective ways to move beyond the limitations of organic reach. Instead of waiting for the algorithm to pick up your content, ads allow you to get in front of the right audience at the right time.

The best TikTok ads look and feel like native content. They are short, engaging, and authentic. Overly polished or corporate-style videos rarely perform well. Instead, aim for videos that capture attention in the first three seconds, use clear messaging, and encourage viewers to take the next step.

Testing is also critical. Try different versions of your ad with small variations in script, visuals, or calls to action. This helps you beat ad fatigue and find what resonates with your audience. TikTok’s targeting tools allow you to narrow in on demographics, interests, and behaviors, and retarget people who have already interacted with your content or visited your site.

Most importantly, TikTok ads create a predictable system. Rather than relying on going viral, you are paying for traffic that you can track and optimize. For businesses focused on conversions, this makes TikTok ads a faster and safer way to grow compared to hoping for organic reach.

Turning TikTok traffic into leads with GetResponse

Getting people to click from TikTok to your site or landing page is only half the battle. What matters is what happens next. If you do not have a system in place to capture those visitors, most of them will leave without taking action. That is where GetResponse comes in.

With GetResponse you can build dedicated landing pages designed for TikTok traffic. These pages load fast, look great on mobile, and focus on a single call to action such as signing up for a newsletter or grabbing a special offer. If someone decides not to register, you can still catch their attention with an exit intent popup that offers a discount code or bonus. This small step can often turn abandoning visitors into paying customers.

Once you collect their email address, automation takes over. You can set up email journeys that welcome new subscribers, deliver promo codes, remind them about products they viewed, or even send tailored offers. This transforms a one-time TikTok click into the start of a long-term relationship with your brand.

The key is that TikTok brings you the attention, while GetResponse ensures that attention turns into leads and sales. Together, they give you a full funnel from discovery to conversion.

TikTok + GetResponse: A complete marketing funnel

TikTok is one of the best platforms for grabbing attention and reaching new people, but attention alone does not build your business. To grow, you need a way to move those viewers into a system you control. That is where GetResponse comes in.

Think of it as a two-part funnel. TikTok drives awareness and traffic with short, engaging content and ads that attract your ideal audience. GetResponse then takes over by capturing those visitors on landing pages, turning them into subscribers, and guiding them through automated campaigns that nurture and convert.

This combination is powerful because it balances the speed of TikTok with the stability of email marketing. You get the best of both worlds: rapid visibility from a platform built for discovery and long-term growth from a tool built for relationship marketing.

If your goal is to do more than just get views, pairing TikTok with GetResponse gives you the structure and reliability to turn that traffic into measurable business results.

Key takeaways

TikTok is one of the most exciting platforms for businesses right now, but relying on organic reach alone is rarely enough if your goal is conversions. New accounts often face challenges like shadowbans, limited reach, or the so-called 200 views prison. That is why it is smarter for business owners to treat TikTok as both a creative space and a paid marketing channel.

Switching to a business account gives you the tools and data you need to run effective ad campaigns. TikTok Ads let you reach the right people faster and with more consistency than waiting for the algorithm to deliver results.

The final step is making sure that traffic does not go to waste. By connecting your TikTok campaigns with GetResponse, you can capture leads, engage them with automation, and turn one-time views into lasting customer relationships.

TikTok gets you discovered. GetResponse helps you convert. Together, they create a complete system for growing your business online.