A Guide to the top Tiktok Tools

TikTok has rapidly evolved from a short-form video platform into one of the most powerful engines of social commerce. For brands and creators selling on TikTok Shop or driving growth through TikTok ads, success depends on more than just great content—it requires the right tools, systems, and workflows. This playbook provides standardized operating procedures (SOPs) for the essential TikTok tools that power every stage of the journey: from storefront setup and product analytics to content creation, ad optimization, influencer partnerships, scheduling, and customer engagement. By following these step-by-step guidelines, your team can work more efficiently, maintain consistency across functions, and scale TikTok operations with confidence.

1. TikTok Shop Seller Center

Purpose: Manage TikTok Shop storefront, products, orders, shipping, analytics.
Pre-Requisites: Approved TikTok Shop seller account; linked TikTok business account; bank details verified.
Steps:

  1. Log in at https://seller.tiktokglobalshop.com/ or your region’s URL.

  2. Add products: Products > Add New > Fill details > Upload images > Submit for review.

  3. Set up Shipping Templates under Logistics.

  4. Monitor Orders tab daily; print labels, dispatch within SLA (usually 48 hours).

  5. Use Marketing tab to create coupons/discounts.

  6. Review Data Compass for sales trends.
    Best Practices: Keep stock levels updated; respond to customer messages within 12 hours; participate in TikTok promotions.
    Maintenance: Daily order checks; weekly review of product analytics.

2. TikTok Ads Manager

Purpose: Create and optimize ad campaigns driving traffic and sales.
Pre-Requisites: TikTok Business account; payment method; product catalog synced.
Steps:

  1. Go to https://ads.tiktok.com/ and create a campaign.

  2. Choose objective (Conversions → Product Sales).

  3. Set targeting, budget, and placements.

  4. Upload creatives or select Spark Ads posts.

  5. Launch campaign, monitor CTR, CVR, ROAS.
    Best Practices: Use Spark Ads to boost organic posts; refresh creatives weekly to avoid fatigue.
    Maintenance: Monitor campaigns daily; optimize budgets weekly.

3. TikTok Business Center

Purpose: Manage users, assets, and permissions across Ads Manager, Shop, and accounts.
Pre-Requisites: Business account verified.
Steps:

  1. Log in at https://business.tiktok.com/.

  2. Add users with appropriate roles (Admin, Operator, Analyst).

  3. Link TikTok accounts, ad accounts, pixels.
    Best Practices: Maintain least-privilege access; review team permissions monthly.
    Maintenance: Quarterly user audit.

4. TikTok Creative Center

Purpose: Discover trending ads, sounds, hashtags, and creative ideas.
Pre-Requisites: None (free access).
Steps:

  1. Visit https://ads.tiktok.com/business/creativecenter/pc/en.

  2. Browse Top Ads or Trends sections.

  3. Save ideas into a shared content calendar.
    Best Practices: Check weekly for new sounds/hashtags.
    Maintenance: Weekly trend scan.

5. TikTok Creator Marketplace (TCM)

Purpose: Find and collaborate with TikTok influencers.
Pre-Requisites: TikTok Business account; approved TCM access.
Steps:

  1. Access via https://ads.tiktok.com/creative/creatormarketplace.

  2. Search by niche, audience demographics, engagement.

  3. Send collaboration briefs or invite to affiliate program.
    Best Practices: Track ROI per creator; favor micro-influencers with high engagement.
    Maintenance: Monthly creator outreach pipeline update.

6. CapCut

Purpose: Edit TikTok-optimized videos.
Pre-Requisites: CapCut account (free or Pro).
Steps:

  1. Import video clips.

  2. Apply templates, text captions, effects.

  3. Export directly to TikTok.
    Best Practices: Use trending CapCut templates tied to viral sounds.
    Maintenance: Update templates monthly.

7. Hootsuite

Purpose: Schedule and manage TikTok content alongside other socials.
Pre-Requisites: Hootsuite paid plan; TikTok account connected.
Steps:

  1. Log in to https://www.hootsuite.com/tiktok.

  2. Add TikTok as a channel.

  3. Upload video, schedule date/time.

  4. Use Inbox for comment monitoring.
    Best Practices: Schedule 1–2 weeks ahead; optimize timing using analytics.
    Maintenance: Weekly content queue check.

8. Later

Purpose: Auto-publish TikTok posts and analyze performance.
Steps:

  1. Go to https://later.com/tiktok-scheduler/.

  2. Connect TikTok account.

  3. Drag-and-drop content into calendar.

  4. Monitor Later analytics dashboard.
    Best Practices: Use “Best Time to Post” insights.
    Maintenance: Refresh posting schedule weekly.

9. Buffer

Purpose: Lightweight TikTok scheduling & multi-channel posting.
Steps:

  1. Access https://buffer.com/tiktok.

  2. Connect TikTok channel.

  3. Queue posts with captions & hashtags.
    Best Practices: Use Buffer analytics for experiments (e.g., video length).
    Maintenance: Review queue bi-weekly.

10. Sprout Social

Purpose: Enterprise-grade TikTok publishing, monitoring, reporting.
Steps:

  1. Go to https://sproutsocial.com/.

  2. Connect TikTok account.

  3. Use Smart Inbox to engage.

  4. Export custom reports.
    Best Practices: Align TikTok metrics with other channels for executive reporting.
    Maintenance: Monthly reporting cycles.

11. Metricool

Purpose: Content planning & analytics with TikTok integration.
Steps:

  1. Visit https://metricool.com/.

  2. Add TikTok as a channel.

  3. Plan posts and track analytics (views, engagement).
    Best Practices: Use competitor benchmarking features.
    Maintenance: Weekly analytics review.

12. Analisa.io

Purpose: Advanced analytics for TikTok profiles/hashtags.
Steps:

  1. Go to https://analisa.io/.

  2. Input TikTok profile/hashtag.

  3. Export engagement/demographic reports.
    Best Practices: Use to vet influencer partners.
    Maintenance: Monthly performance deep dives.

13. Exolyt

Purpose: Competitive & trend analysis.
Steps:

  1. Log in at https://exolyt.com/.

  2. Search for competitors or hashtags.

  3. Export trend data.
    Best Practices: Benchmark your account monthly.
    Maintenance: Monthly competitor report.

14. Pentos

Purpose: Monitor TikTok trends, sounds, and accounts.
Steps:

  1. Visit https://pentos.co/.

  2. Track target accounts or audio.

  3. Export CSV reports.
    Best Practices: Use sound trend data to inform ad creative.
    Maintenance: Weekly sound trend check.

15. Shoplus

Purpose: TikTok Shop analytics – products, shops, influencers.
Steps:

  1. Go to https://www.shoplus.net/.

  2. Search by keyword/product category.

  3. Review trending products or influencer data.
    Best Practices: Use before adding new products.
    Maintenance: Weekly product scouting.

16. Linktree

Purpose: Centralize links (Shop, TikTok, other socials).
Steps:

  1. Go to https://linktr.ee/.

  2. Create bio page; add TikTok Shop/storefront link.

  3. Customize branding.
    Best Practices: Track Linktree analytics for conversions.
    Maintenance: Update links monthly.

17. Beacons

Purpose: Link-in-bio + creator tools (email, mini-store).
Steps:

  1. Visit https://beacons.ai/.

  2. Build page with TikTok links, shop products.

  3. Sync email capture or media kit.
    Best Practices: Use to collect customer emails.
    Maintenance: Quarterly review/update.

18. TikTok for Shopify

Purpose: Sync Shopify with TikTok Shop for ads & order management.
Steps:

  1. Install app from https://apps.shopify.com/tiktok.

  2. Connect TikTok Business account.

  3. Sync product catalog & pixel.

  4. Manage TikTok Shop orders inside Shopify.
    Best Practices: Use Shopify analytics to cross-check TikTok sales.
    Maintenance: Monthly sync check.


Mastering TikTok as a sales and marketing channel requires more than creativity—it demands structure, consistency, and the right mix of tools to support every stage of growth. From setting up your TikTok Shop and running data-driven ad campaigns to collaborating with creators, scheduling content, and monitoring performance, each SOP in this playbook is designed to provide clarity and repeatable processes for your team. As TikTok continues to evolve, so should your workflows: review these SOPs regularly, adapt them to new platform features, and refine your approach based on performance data. By embedding these practices into daily operations, you’ll not only stay ahead of the algorithm but also build a scalable foundation for long-term success in TikTok commerce.

TiktokFrancesca Tabor