Users increasingly turn to Instagram and other social networks for product and brand discovery. Instagram is no longer a place to scroll idly past beautiful imagery—it’s a powerful tool for surfacing products to eager buyers.
Ahead, learn how to set up an Instagram business account, choose the right account type for your brand, and leverage features to help run your business.
Step 1: Download the Instagram App
If you don’t already have the Instagram app, download it from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Step 2: Sign Up or Log In
– If you already have a personal account:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Log in to your existing account.
– If you don’t have an account:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Tap “Sign Up.”
- Enter your email address or phone number, then tap “Next.”
- Create a username and password, fill out your profile information, then tap “Next.”
Step 3: Switch to a Business Account
- Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the three lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Select “Settings” at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap “Account.”
- Tap “Switch to Professional Account.”
- Choose “Business” (You can also choose “Creator” if that better fits your needs).
Step 4: Connect to a Facebook Page (Optional but Recommended)
- If you want to use Instagram’s advanced business features, you should connect your account to a Facebook Page (you must be an admin of the Page to do this).
- Select the Facebook Page you want to connect to Instagram. If you don’t have a Facebook Page, you can create one.
- Follow the prompts to log in to Facebook and authorize the connection.
Step 5: Complete Your Business Profile
- Add your business details, such as your contact information, business category, and other relevant information.
- Review your contact information (email, phone number, and physical address) and make any necessary changes.
- Tap “Done” to complete the setup.
Step 6: Optimize Your Profile
- Profile Picture: Use a high-quality image of your logo or brand symbol.
- Bio: Write a clear and concise bio that describes your business and includes a call-to-action or a link to your website.
- Story Highlights: Organize and highlight important stories to showcase products, services, or customer testimonials.
Step 7: Start Posting
- Begin posting content that aligns with your business goals. Use high-quality images and videos, engage with your followers, and make use of hashtags and geotags.
Step 8: Explore Instagram Business Tools
Insights: Access analytics to understand how your content is performing.
Ads: Create and manage Instagram ads.
Shopping: If applicable, set up Instagram Shopping to sell products directly through your posts and stories.
Additional Tips:
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages to build a community.
- Use Stories and Reels: Take advantage of these features to keep your audience engaged.
- Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers to reach a larger audience.
By following these steps, you can effectively set up and manage an Instagram Business Account to promote and grow your brand.