What are the benefits of an Instagram business account?
- See insights on your followers, reach, profile views, website clicks and more!
- Be able to promote posts to expand your audience outside of your followers.
- Add a contact button to your bio and your industry to your profile.
- For business and verified accounts with more than 10,000 followers, you’ll have the option to add ‘swipe up to view’ links to your Instagram stories.
These are just some of the current benefits! Instagram is always improving and adding features, making it easier for businesses to engage with their audience, find new leads and measure their return on engagement (ROI).
More Benefits of an Instagram Business Account from our Head of Search Strategy
Now, how do you create an Instagram business account? Follow our guide below, and you’ll have yours set up in no time!
How to set up a Business Instagram Account
Step 1: Get Organised
Before you start, there’s a few things you’ll need:
- Download the Instagram app on your phone.
- Follow the prompts to create a normal Instagram account for your business.
- The logo used on your other social platforms.
- Decide on a username (preferably your business name).
- Create a Facebook business page (find out how to here).
You’ll also want to prepare your soon-to-be Instagram bio in the notes app on your phone. This will make it easier for you to copy and paste into the Instagram app when you’re ready. You only have 150 characters (including spaces and emojis), so choose wisely!
Step 2: Switch to a professional account.
On your Instagram profile page (not the feed), select the 3 lines in the top right-hand corner. This will open a drop down. At the top of the list, you’ll see Settings—give it a click.
Towards the middle of your screen you’ll see Account, tap it. From here you’ll be taken to a screen of option, scroll to the bottom and you’ll see Switch to a Professional Account, select this option. Now you’ll prompted to select either a Business or Creator account, be sure to pick the correct one as they have very different capabilities.
What is the difference between and Creator and Business Instagram account?
Instagram suggests a creator account is best suited for influencers, content creator, photographers and similar creative ventures. Where as a business account is suited to those looking to promote their business and sell products and services. While insights, messaging and reporting tools and basically interchangeable between the account type there are a few difference when it comes to other features.
Naturally, the biggest difference between the two account types are the profile categories. Creator accounts can choose professions such as chef, gamer and write whereas a business account has categories like agency, jewellery store and hotel. Business accounts also have the option to add a location to your bio, whether it be a head office or general suburb tag. The final major difference is the call-to-action (CTA) buttons available to the account, business accounts have slightly more options.
Step 3: Review your profile.
Instagram will ask you to add your business email address and your phone number. You can later choose not to display either your email or your phone number, however it’s good to have both, if possible.
Step 4: Connect your account to a Facebook Business Page.
Now it’s time to connect your new Instagram account to a Facebook Business Page. Don’t have one? Here’s how to set one up for your business.
Connect to your Facebook Business page has many benefits including the ability to post and schedule to both platform, easy connection to paid Ads and so much more. Connecting is easy, Instagram should prompt you after reviewing your details.
Step 5: Start posting.
Your account and is now up and running and you can starting posting as your business — how exciting! If you’re running an E-Commerce store, it’s may be a good idea to set up Instagram Shopping.
How to set up Instagram Shopping .
Instagram shopping is a game changer for small Aussies businesses, allowing them to sell their products directly from their Instagram page — you can even set the checkout destination as your own website, driving more traffic to it.
To apply for Instagram shopping select the top right hand menu. Then click on settings, followed by business then you should come to a screen with the option Set up Instagram Shopping — click this. From there you can follow the prompts to set up your shop.
Before you open your store Instagram has a small set of guidelines you must also meet.
Some Helpful Tips
To view your insights (profile statistics), click on the 3 horizontal lines in the top right-hand corner. Then select Insights.
Select the middle + sign at the bottom of the page to add an image.
To view your private messages, click on the home page/feed and select the symbol that looks like a paper plane in the top right-hand corner.
You can find your notifications for new followers, comments and likes by clicking on the heart symbol at the bottom of the page.
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