If you run a visual business — think bakery, coffee shop, clothing line, etc. — and don't have an Instagram business profile, you could be missing out on a large, interested audience. Whether you're using Instagram for social advertising or just organic reach, it's a platform you can't afford to ignore. Instagram introduced business profiles in 2016, and Constant Contact was one of the first companies to test the new features. A business profile grants you access to various tools and functionality, such as analytics on your posts and stories, additional calls-to-action and buttons that you can add to your profile, and third-party integrations that are constantly being developed. Let's go over how to create an Instagram business account and discuss the need to create an Instagram account for your business.
What is an Instagram Business Account?
Instagram business accounts are one of two free professional profile options available to users on the platform. A business profile includes a few more social media marketing tools and services than a personal account, including
- Reach, impressions, and follower demographics on Instagram
- Possibility of promoting posts and running Instagram ads
- Multiple contact options for your business, including a phone number, email address, and a physical address
If you own a brand and have an Instagram strategy for selling products, marketing your business, or simply increasing brand awareness through engagement, you should set up Instagram business account!
Benefits of having an Instagram Business Account?
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
Instagram business account tools make it much easier to market your brand. Here are five compelling reasons why to create an Instagram business account.
1. You Gain Insights and Useful Analytics
In 2016, Instagram announced this helpful business tool.
Insights allow you to see how your posts are performing daily, weekly, and monthly. This is useful when creating content that your target audience will enjoy. Analytics provides information about your followers' demographics, such as age, gender, and location. Button taps, story views, and profile visits are among the other features. These analytics assist you in optimizing your content in the future to better suit your audience.
2. You can Advertise on Your Business Page
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
You can create an Instagram business account and advertise on it. A "Boost Post" button will appear next to your posts, allowing you to show your post to a larger audience. Boosting posts is helpful if you want more engagement on your posts — rather than having it happen naturally. Furthermore, because Facebook owns Instagram, you can advertise through the Facebook Ad platform in greater detail.
3. It is Simple for Leads to Contact You
Simplicity is essential. How often have you tried to contact a company and found it as difficult as pulling teeth? Instagram Business profiles include a handy "email" or "call" button that allows followers to contact you with questions. Email button is preferable to a direct message because you are more likely to check your calls and emails than your direct messages. Call buttons shorten customer response times, enhancing the professionalism of your brand. How? 88 percent of leads expect businesses to respond to emails and other forms of communication within 60 minutes of receipt.
4. Your Brand's Reputation Improves
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
Having a well-designed Instagram business page fosters greater trust.
Why? If you create an Instagram Business account, your audience will perceive you as a more established brand than if you only have a personal profile. Furthermore, as your business page grows, you will receive more engagement, providing your brand with more social proof.
5. You Broaden Your Organic Reach
Finally, if you create an Instagram account for your business, it is excellent for organically reaching your target audience. The number of people you reach organically is the number of people you reach without spending money on advertising (Although you could still run ads if you choose to). In the last six years, hashtags and post tagging have played a significant role in Instagram growth strategies (More on this later). This makes sense given that there are 1.074 billion Instagram users worldwide, with 63 percent using the app at least once per day. This makes sense given that there are 1.074 billion Instagram users worldwide, with 63 percent using the app at least once per day.
How to Create an Instagram Business Account?
Before we begin, if you don't already have a business Facebook account, you won't be able to complete the steps below on how to set up an Instagram account for business. You can create an Instagram business account once you have a business Facebook page. Is your company already on Facebook? Then let's get this party started. It is easy to set up Instagram business account with this step-by-step guide.
∙ Get the Instagram App
To begin on how to set up an Instagram account for business, download the Instagram app for your phone or visit the Instagram website. Suppose you don't already have an Instagram account. In that case, you can create one by downloading the app and clicking "Create New Account," or by opening the desktop version (www.Instagram.com) and following the same steps:
∙ Register
This is the first major step to create an Instagram business account. The form will then be filled out with your email address (make sure it's a business email address), company name, username, and password. To register, you can use your Facebook account. This could be a good option if you already have a business Facebook account. It is critical to remember that your username should most likely be your company name, and your password should adhere to all recommended guidelines (include a number, special characters, etc.).
∙ Toggle between a Personal and a Business Account
Image is taken from Instagram
Image is taken from Instagram
Now that you've created a profile, it's time to convert it to a business account. Go to your profile and select the three lines on the upper right side to do the same. Then, in the resulting navigation menu, select "Settings": Now, from the Settings page, select "Account": Finally, switch to a professional account by pressing the "Switch to Professional Account" button. You'll see an additional option to switch to a "Creator" account when you reach this point.
Influencers, public figures, and content creators should use creator accounts. If you own a company that sells a product or service, a business account is the best option.
∙ Finish and Personalize Your Profile
Even after you create an Instagram business account, you're not done yet. You must first complete your profile before promoting your social media: Select a profile photo to begin. Typically, your profile image will be a variation of your logo so that your audience can easily recognize it. Following that, you'll need to write your bio and fill out your company information. This will include your store's website, hours of operation, and contact information. Prospects will be looking for this information, so make sure it's clearly — and correctly — displayed on your profile.
∙ Share Some Content
Before promoting your account, you must first post a few images. Perhaps you could write an introduction or a greeting post. People will likely visit your account once you begin interacting with them and following them. You want something visible that explains who you are as a company.
∙ Connect Your Company's Facebook Page
If you did not sign up with your business Facebook account, now is the time to connect your accounts. This is an important step while you create an Instagram business account because some of Instagram's business tools require you to have a Facebook business page. Click the three lines in the top right corner to link your accounts (like you did for step one). Then, select "Settings" and then "Business." You can now connect a Facebook page by clicking "Connect a Facebook Page": It's important to note that you must be logged in to Facebook to do this.
∙ Begin Following Others
Your profile is essentially complete. Invite your Facebook followers to follow you on Instagram to get started. You should also start following people to get things started.
Make sure, however, that you are strategic. Follow pages relevant to your brands, such as
- Relevant companies in your city or state
- Informational pages that provide industry news
- Influencers in your industry can be approached for influencer promotional strategies
Presenting Strikingly
Image is taken from Strikingly
Now that you've discovered a plethora of Instagram ideas to investigate, you can create an exceptional feed for your business account on Instagram. Strikingly can assist you in developing a business website that utilizes all of Instagram's features. Sign up for a Strikingly account and start sharing your Instagram ideas if you're interested.
Strategy to Create an Instagram Business Account
After you create an Instagram business account, take advantage of the new opportunities to interact with friends and clients while building your brand. Once you've mastered posting and interacting on Instagram, it's time to think about how Instagram can help you grow your business. Instagram ads can put you in front of the people you want to reach, whether or not they are in your network. If you have a shaky start, don't give up. Make sure to give it some time. Solid Instagram followings do not develop over time. Continue to post and interact with your customers. Respond to their comments, leave comments on their images, and like photos relevant to your brand, image, and interests. Also, broaden your network. Don't be afraid to approach other brands about possible collaborations or partnerships. It's a big world out there, but it shrinks if you make the right social connections.
