How to Sign Up for TikTok

Getting your brand or personal profile started on TikTok is one of the single best moves you can make for organic growth, but the first step is simply creating your account. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from downloading the app and choosing a username to optimizing your profile so you can hit the ground running. We'll cover every step needed not just to sign up, but to set yourself up for success from day one.

First Things First: Why Your Brand Needs a TikTok Account

Before we get into the step-by-step, let's quickly cover why this matters. TikTok isn't just for viral dances anymore, it's a powerful search engine and a major discovery platform for brands, products, and creators. With over a billion active users, the platform offers unparalleled organic reach, something that has become increasingly difficult to achieve on older platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

By having a presence on TikTok, you can:

• Connect with a highly engaged audience: Users spend an average of over 95 minutes per day on the app.
• Humanize your brand: The platform rewards authenticity and behind-the-scenes content, allowing you to build a genuine connection with potential customers.
• Drive traffic and sales: With features like in-bio links and TikTok Shop, the platform is becoming an essential part of the modern sales funnel.

Setting up your account correctly is the foundation for all of that. Let's get it right.

How to Sign Up for TikTok: A Step-by-Step Guide

The signup process is straightforward, but a few key decisions along the way can make a big difference. We'll walk through it screen by screen.

Step 1: Download the App and Create Your Account

First, you need the app. Head to the Apple App Store (for iOS) or the Google Play Store (for Android) and search for "TikTok." Once it's downloaded and installed, open it up.

You'll land on the For You Page (FYP), TikTok’s endless stream of algorithmically chosen content. Tap the Profile icon in the bottom-right corner, and then tap the "Sign up" button. TikTok gives you several ways to create an account:

• Use phone or email
• Continue with Facebook
• Continue with Apple
• Continue with Google
• Continue with X (formerly Twitter)

Our Recommendation: While signing up with Google or Apple is quick, we suggest using the "Use phone or email" option. This gives you direct control over your account and doesn't tie it to another social profile. If you ever lose access to your Google or Facebook account, you won't be locked out of your TikTok, too. Using a dedicated business email is the best practice for brands.

Step 2: Enter Your Birthday

TikTok will ask for your birthday. This is not for public display, it’s used to verify your age and make sure you're getting an age-appropriate experience. According to TikTok's rules, you must be at least 13 years old to use the app. Be honest here, as entering a false birthday can lead to account restrictions or deletion down the line.

Step 3: Add Your Phone Number or Email and Create a Password

If you chose the recommended sign-up route, you'll now enter your phone number or email address. TikTok will send a verification code to confirm you own it. After that, you'll be prompted to create a password. Make sure it's strong and unique - a mix of 8-20 letters, numbers, and special characters is ideal. Avoid using common passwords or reusing one from another service.

Step 4: Choose Your Username

This is arguably one of the most important steps in the sign-up process. Your username (also known as your handle) is how people will find, tag, and remember you. It appears with an "@" symbol, like @yourbrandname.

Tips for a Great TikTok Username:

• Keep it consistent: If you can, use the same username you have on other social media platforms like Instagram or X. This makes it easy for your existing followers to find you.
• Make it memorable and easy to spell: Avoid long strings of numbers, irrelevant words, or complicated spellings. If someone hears your username in a video, they should be able to search for it easily.
• Reflect your brand or niche: If your brand name is taken, try adding a simple keyword related to your industry. For example, if "@cleanhome" is taken, you could try "@cleanhomeco" or "@cleanhomeproducts."
• Don't use underscores or periods if you can help it: Simpler is almost always better. @brewhouse is better than @brew_house.nyc.

Don't panic if your first choice is taken. And don't worry - you can change your username later if you need to (once every 30 days).

Once you've chosen an available username and confirmed, congratulations! Your TikTok account is officially created.

Setting Up Your TikTok Profile for Success

Just having an account isn't enough. A bare-bones profile won't inspire anyone to follow you. The next step is to optimize it to make a great first impression and signal to the algorithm what your content is about.

1. Switch to a Business or Creator Account

By default, your new account is a "Personal" account. This is fine for casually browsing, but for brands, creators, or anyone looking to grow an audience, you need to switch. You have two options: a Creator Account or a Business Account.

Which Should You Choose?

• Creator Account: Best for content creators, influencers, and public figures. It gives you access to detailed analytics, including follower growth, video views, and audience demographics. You also get access to the full, massive library of commercial music and trending sounds, which is a huge advantage for creating viral content.
• Business Account: Best for brands, retailers, and organizations. You get all the analytics of a Creator account, plus business-specific features like a link in your bio (once you reach 1,000 followers), a business category on your profile, and access to TikTok's Commercial Music Library. The commercial library has royalty-free music, but is much more limited than the one available to Creator accounts.

The bottom line: If you're a person building a brand, start with a Creator account for the music access. If you are a registered business primarily promoting products or services, a Business account is the professional choice.

How to make the switch:

1. Go to your Profile.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger" menu) in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Settings and privacy."
4. Tap "Account."
5. Choose "Switch to Business Account" or find the creator tools option. TikTok occasionally moves this, but it will be under the Account management section. Follow the prompts to select your category.

2. Craft an Eye-Catching Profile Picture

Your profile picture is the first visual element people see. Make it clear and high-quality.

• For brands: A clean, simple version of your logo is perfect. Make sure it's legible even as a small circle.
• For creators/personal brands: Use a bright, high-quality headshot where your face is clearly visible. A smile goes a long way in making your profile seem approachable.

3. Write a Bio That Hooks Followers

You have 80 characters to tell visitors who you are, what you do, and why they should follow you. Be clear and direct.

Good bio formulas:

• Describe who you help and how: "Helping small business owners master their marketing."
• State what you post about: "Daily recipes for busy families." Add an emoji for personality.
• Use a clear call to action (CTA): "Follow for tips on sustainable living!"

Once you reach 1,000 followers, TikTok unlocks the ability to add a clickable link in your bio. This is invaluable for driving traffic to your website, blog, or online store. Until then, you can direct people to your Instagram, where a link might already be present.

Your First Week on TikTok: Training the Algorithm

Your profile is set up. Now what? Your main goal in the first few days is to teach the TikTok algorithm what you're all about. This helps TikTok show your content to the right people and fill your For You Page with relevant videos.

1. Engage Intentionally

Spend some time scrolling your For You Page, but don't just browse passively. When you see a video that is relevant to your niche or that you genuinely enjoy, engage with it.

• Like videos you find inspiring.
• Comment with thoughtful replies or questions. This builds connections with other creators.
• Follow accounts in your niche - both big creators and your direct competitors. See what's working for them.
• Save videos with sounds you might want to use later or concepts you want to emulate.

Every action you take is a signal to the algorithm. The more intentional you are, the faster your FYP will become a source of inspiration instead of a random mix of content.

2. Find and Follow Relevant Accounts

Use the search bar to find keywords related to your industry. For example, if you're a real estate agent, search for terms like "first-time homebuyer," "real estate tips," or "mortgage advice." See which accounts and videos pop up. This is a great way to understand the content landscape in your niche and find relevant people to follow and engage with.

3. Plan Your First Few Videos

You don't have to post on day one, but it's a good idea to start planning. Based on your research, what kind of content performs well in your niche? Here are three easy ideas for a first video:

• An introduction video: Use a trending text and sound format to introduce yourself or your brand.
• A "common misconception" video: Address a common myth in your industry and provide the correct information. This immediately establishes your authority.
• A behind-the-scenes look: Show the process of how you make your product, pack an order, or prepare for a client call. Authenticity wins on TikTok.

Final Thoughts

Signing up for TikTok is a quick process, but turning that account into a powerful tool for growth requires thoughtful setup and optimization. By choosing the right account type, crafting a clear bio, and intentionally training the algorithm, you create a strong foundation for building an engaged community from your very first post.

Once you are active on TikTok, managing it alongside Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and everything else can become a handful. When we designed Postbase, we built it specifically for the new era of social media, where short-form video is king. With our visual calendar, you can plan and schedule your TikToks and Reels in one place, and with our unified inbox, you can manage all your comments without constantly switching apps. This streamlines your workflow so you can stay focused on what really matters: creating great content that your audience loves.