In today’s world, Instagram isn’t just a place for sharing photos with friends – it’s also a powerful tool for businesses. With millions of people using the platform daily, it’s a great way to reach new customers and grow your brand.
But if you’re new to Instagram or unsure how to make the most of it for your business, don’t worry! This blog will explain everything you need to know in simple, easy-to-understand terms. From creating an Instagram business account and creating an eye-catching business profile to running targeted ads, we’ll guide you on how to use Instagram for business and optimize it effectively.
So, whether you’re a small local business or a global company, let’s dive in and discover how to have a successful business account on Instagram
and take your business to the next level!
What is an Instagram business account?
An Instagram business account is a specialized format tailored for brands and organizations to enhance their online presence. With this account, you’ll access unique features, including Instagram Insights, which offers detailed analytics on follower demographics, post reach, impressions, and engagement rates. This advantage is important in orienting your marketing campaign on Instagram to suit your purposes.
How to set up an Instagram business account 2024
First, you’ll need to set up an Instagram account. Once that’s done, you can easily convert it into a business account. If you already have a personal or creator account, you can simply switch it over. Here are the steps to build an Instagram business account:
Change to a Business account.
Here’s how to do it:
- Step 1: From your profile, tap the three-line menu icon in the top right corner.
- Step 2: Tap “Settings.” Depending on your account, you might see “Switch to professional account” here. If not, tap “Account,” then “Switch to a professional account.”
- Step 3: Tap “Continue” and follow the prompts. You might need to tap it a few times as Instagram shows you the features available for professional accounts.
- Step 4: Choose a category that fits your business and decide whether to display it on your profile.
- Step 5: Select “Business” (or “Creator” if it’s a better fit) and tap “Next.”
- Step 6: Decide if you want to get promotional emails from Instagram and tap “Next.”
- Step 7: Add or update your contact details and choose if you want to show them on your profile. If you’re linking your Instagram business account with a Facebook business page, follow the steps to do so. This step is essential for using features like Instagram shopping or running ads.
- Final Step: That’s it! Tap the X in the top left corner to close the window and return to your profile. Now, you’re all set up with a Business Account on Instagram.
Add your business information and optimize your profile.
In 150 characters or less, our Instagram bio is like a mini introduction to your brand, so it’s important to make it catchy and informative. Beyond your bio, there are other key components of your Instagram business profile that you should optimize:
- Profile picture: Most businesses use their logo for easy recognition. Remember that the profile photo appears as a circle and is displayed at 110 x 110 pixels, but it’s stored at 320 x 320 pixels, so upload it in that size for the best results.
- Link in Bio: This is your chance to drive traffic to your website, promote your latest blog post, showcase a current campaign, or utilize a tool like Link Tree to share multiple links. Make sure to update this link regularly to keep your audience engaged.
- Contact information: If you didn’t add contact info when setting up your business account, you can do so anytime by tapping “Edit Profile.” Once added, Instagram will include a “Contact” button on your profile, making it easy for potential customers to reach out.
- Action buttons: Depending on your business, you may want to add action buttons that allow customers to book appointments, make reservations, or order food directly from your profile. You’ll need an account with one of Instagram’s partners to use this feature. Simply tap “Edit Profile” and scroll down to add these buttons.
- Story highlights and covers: Instagram Story highlights offer another opportunity to showcase your brand or products. You can organize your Stories into saved collections and add custom covers to give your profile a polished look.
By optimizing these elements of your Instagram business profile, you can make a strong impression on potential customers and drive engagement with your brand.
Set up your Product Catalog
You’ll first need to create a product catalog to tag products in your Instagram posts or run specific types of Instagram ads. This can be easily done through Meta’s Commerce Manager.
Here’s how:
- Visit Commerce Manager and choose “Get Started.”
- Choose “Create a Catalog” and click “Get Started” again.
- Choose “Ecommerce” and click “Next.”
- If you have an online shop on platforms like Shopify or Big Commerce, select “Connect a Partner Platform” and follow the instructions to set up your catalog. If not, select “Upload Product Info,” name your catalog, and click “Next.”
- Click “View Catalog” to open it, and then click ” Add Items ” to start adding your products.
Activate Instagram Shopping
After filling your catalog with products, it’s time to enable Instagram’s shopping features.
Here’s what to do:
- Visit your profile and tap the three-line menu icon located in the top right corner.
- Tap “Settings,” then “Business,” and finally, “Set up a Shop.”
- Tap “Get Started” and follow the instructions to submit your shop for review.
- Wait for approval. You can track the status of your shop by going to Settings > Business > Shopping.
- Once approved, go to Settings > Business > Shopping again, choose your product catalog, and tap “Done.”
Top tips 2024 for using Instagram for business
Identifying your target audience
Defining your target audience is essential for effective marketing on Instagram. Start by examining your existing customer persona, then research on Instagram to identify profiles that match that persona.
Follow these profiles and analyze the content they share and the brands they follow. Use these insights to inform your Instagram content strategy, focusing on creating content that resonates with your target audience. Pay attention to the performance of your posts, Stories, and Reels to refine your strategy further and create more engaging content.
Creating engaging content
Once you’ve identified your audience, it’s time to plan what content to share with them. Instead of posting randomly, develop a content strategy that resonates with your audience and aligns with your business objectives.
While promotional posts are important for driving sales, it’s equally vital to create content that fosters community engagement and connection. Balancing promotional content with community-building posts ensures sustained audience interest and participation.
If you’re new to Instagram ads, consider hiring a reliable agency with expertise in Instagram advertising to maximize your reach. As Cambodia’s top-ranked agency, Influence Agency offers tailored Instagram ad services for businesses of all types. Contact us now to elevate your Instagram presence.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (+855) 67 74 00 00
Tagging products
Tagging products on Instagram simplifies the process for people interested in learning more about or purchasing your products. You can tag up to 20 products in a photo feed post.
To tag products, create your Instagram post or Reel as usual. Then, on the final screen, before posting, tap “Tag products.” You can tag products from your shop or someone else’s, which opens up opportunities for collaboration and cross-promotion.
You can tag products in Stories using the Product Link sticker.
Checking performance data
With an Instagram business profile, you can use the platform’s built-in analytics tools to see how well your content is doing. It’s important to regularly check these tools to learn what kind of content your audience likes best. This helps you understand what gets the most engagement and reaches beyond your current followers.
Identifying the best times to post
Analyzing when your audience is most active on Instagram is crucial for optimizing your posting schedule. By identifying the best times to post, you can ensure that your content reaches a larger audience when they are most likely to be online. Instagram Insights provides information about the days and times when your followers are most active, enabling you to schedule posts strategically for maximum impact.
Additional tip:
Research indicates that the best time to post on Instagram is typically between 18:00 PM and 21:00 PM or 12:00 PM to 15:00 PM on the weekend when people are more likely to be free and scrolling through their Instagram feeds.
Setting automated responses
As businesses grow, managing direct messages and comments manually can become overwhelming. Automation tools allow you to set up predefined responses and automate certain aspects of customer interaction. This not only ensures timely responses but also helps scale messaging efforts. However, it’s crucial to be careful in preparing content for automated responses, as it reflects your attitude towards customers. Thoughtful and well-crafted automated responses maintain a positive customer experience.
Benefits of creating an Instagram business account
Instagram Insights.
Instagram Insights provides detailed analytics about your audience, helping you understand your potential customers, how your content (both text and images) performs, and what resonates with them. This data is crucial for refining your advertising strategy and improving engagement in the future. In simple terms, if you know what interests your followers, you can find a way to grab their attention for your brand and products.
Create promotions and advertisements.
Another significant advantage of a business account on Instagram is turning regular posts into advertisements to reach a wider audience. As you can see, people usually click on promotional ads for shops because they are interested in discounted items or free gifts. Moreover, this feature includes options for targeting specific demographics, measuring the performance of ads, and boosting overall visibility. With it, you can determine and control your advertising costs better.
Detailed contact information.
Based on Instagram’s internal data, around 200 million Instagram users visit at least one business account daily. As a result, having a trustworthy profile on Instagram is crucial. Business accounts can prominently display contact details, fostering trust and enabling customers to reach out easily. This enhances the overall user experience and can lead to increased sales.
Instagram shopping.
This outstanding feature allows businesses to tag products in their posts, making it easier for users to explore and purchase items directly from the Instagram platform or access your website. It’s especially beneficial for e-commerce businesses, as purchases can be made with just a few clicks. Let’s imagine you’re the viewer. You see a nice promotional post, and it suggests other interesting products. You will want to discover more, right?
Impressive appearance.
Your business account will look more professional than your personal profile; it’s quite evident. This is essential for creating a positive first impression and establishing credibility when visitors check out your page, a crucial factor for customer trust. After all, everyone prefers to buy from a reputable and professional shop, and I’m sure you do too. So, from the perspective of customer psychology, maintaining a professional profile is imperative.
Category and industry recognition.
Presenting your business category helps users quickly understand if they align with your offerings. This categorization enhances visibility, making it easier for potential customers to find you when searching for relevant content. As I mentioned above, providing detailed information is key.
Manage primary and secondary messaging inboxes.
Business accounts always have two separate inboxes for primary and secondary messages. This organization makes managing and prioritizing communication easier, particularly for businesses receiving a high volume of messages. It lets you check messages more efficiently and avoid missing important ones, especially on busy sale days.
Can be integrated with Facebook.
As you may be aware, Instagram Business Accounts can seamlessly connect with Facebook business tools, managing both platforms through just one Meta account. This integration ensures a cohesive social media strategy, helping you control a multimedia marketing approach more efficiently.
Increased visibility.
Running advertisements means business accounts are more likely to appear in search results, increasing the chances of users discovering and following your business. This enhanced visibility is beneficial for growing your audience on Instagram.
Instagram Ads creation.
Your business accounts can create and run ads directly from the Instagram app. This simplifies the advertising process, making it more accessible for businesses to reach a broader audience and achieve their marketing goals. It’s important to note that personal accounts also can create Instagram ads. You can run ads with a regular account, but the process is more complex than a business account.
In conclusion
Mastering Instagram for business involves optimizing your profile, creating engaging content, using Instagram Shopping, and leveraging advertising opportunities. By staying consistent and adapting as needed, Instagram can become a powerful tool for growth and engagement with your audience.
FAQ for an Instagram business account
Is an Instagram business account free?
What are the disadvantages of using an Instagram business account?
While the advantages of using Instagram for business are significant, there’s one notable drawback, particularly concerning small businesses. Relying solely on Instagram as your primary business presence can pose risks, such as the potential for account issues like hacking or being blocked. Micro-businesses should maintain a separate website to ensure sales and audience growth continuity, even if issues arise with their Instagram business account.
