How do you know I’m serious about sharing setup information? Instagram Business accounts? While I was writing this article, I was playing the game “Looking at Work” and never once complained.
Yes, it’s annoying that Canadian legends Bachman Turner Overdrive essentially lives in your brain.
Yes, some might call me a “hero” for tackling this distraction to bring you all the gritty details about Instagram Business profile management and maintenance.
But I don’t need your pity or your praise. I need my brothers using Instagram so you have the facts to make an informed decision about their Instagram business profile.
So my earworm pain is not in vain. Read on to find out Which type of Instagram account is best for youand whether you will be interested in a business account (every day, any way) in the near future.
10 benefits of an Instagram business profile
On the surface, an Instagram business profile looks like a private club, but in reality, anyone can join.
Having an Instagram business account is free and there are no special requirements in terms of followers or content.
But if you need 10 reasons to consider a whirlwind, good news: I just itching here to do a countdown.
1. Your Instagram bio gets an upgrade
Instagram Business profiles look a little different than a standard personal account.
Business accounts also have the option to add a descriptive industry tag (like “Clothing Brand” or “Hairdresser”) if they wish, rather than just a short description and URL.
Source: @BirdsofNa
Business profiles also include contact information. Include your email address, phone number, and business address to help followers connect with you outside of the app.
Finally, business profiles have a call-to-action button; this is a place that asks followers to “book” or “call us”. Want help brainstorming an engaging CTA for social media? Here is our helpful how-to guide.
2. You can schedule shipments
With the help of a third-party scheduling app like Moyens I/O, Instagram business accounts can schedule and schedule posts in advance. Get all the info on how to schedule posts for Instagram here.
A little planning goes a long way in creating a cohesive schedule that engages your audience – not to mention it will save your social media team some serious time. (Maybe they’ll finally get a chance to hone their recorder skills?)
3. Access to Instagram insights
They say knowledge is power. In this case, Business Profiles are the most powerful: they’re full of data, thanks to the Insights functionality.
With Insights, you get a detailed breakdown of demographic and activity information about your audience, along with profile views, reach, impressions, and clicks.
For example, looking at my reach last week, I can see that my “fans” (aka my mom) were extremely active on Instagram on Wednesday. Good to know for future mom centered content!
But in all seriousness, these metrics offer an incredible opportunity to analyze the performance and success of your profile. For more on how Insights can work for you, check out our Instagram analytics guide here.
4. Set up an Instagram Store
Instagram Stores is a newer offering than Instagram and only Business or Creator accounts can access this feature. Ooh LaLa!
With Stores, you can upload a product catalog, tag your goods, and even (in some cases) process sales directly in the app.
Take a cue from this vintage boutique and finally make your credenzas internet famous.
Source: @fabpadvintage
More information on how to set up your Instagram store and get this product off the digital shelves can be found here.
5. Access advertising options
Want to give your message a little boost? Business accounts have access to Instagram’s advertising options. (Check out our in-depth guide to Instagram ads here.)
Plan a post or story campaign to increase traffic or conversions, build your followers or increase your brand awareness…just like this company that constantly encouraged me to buy its anti-odor cream. (What do you mean?!)
Source: @nuud.care
6. Create quick replies
Business accounts have access to a feature called “Quick Replies”. Essentially, this allows you to create standardized responses and link them to a shortcut word.
With this tool, customer service can help users with frequently asked questions more efficiently. Just type the shortcut word and your automatic reply will pop up.
This trick will save you time to work on your main job, such as making ham sculptures, as seen in the very realistic and inspiring example below.
7. Approve branded ingredient tags
Users with business accounts can restrict outsiders from tagging your account as “branded content”. This is a way to shut down any false support or anyone who might use your name inappropriately, without permission.
To set up branded content approvals, simply open your profile. Tap the menu button, then settings, then business, then “branded content endorsements.” Here, you can turn the “Request Confirmation” option on or off.
You can also create a “Verified Accounts” list here; these are partners who can tag your account without explicit approval each time.
I approved Kettle Chips to tag me whenever they wanted, as an example for this article…but also as a way to spread my dream of being a chip influencer to the universe. This could be the start of a nice partnership, but at this point I realize that they don’t “know” or “care” who I am. A girl can dream!
8. Add links to Instagram stories
Business accounts with 10,000 followers can access Instagram’s most sought-after feature: links! Glorious connections! (Although only in your Stories, let’s focus on the positive here.)
Once you reach the sweet spot of the audience, you’ll be able to add a single URL to any Instagram story. Users will have the option to swipe up to open the link.
Congratulations on this newfound Instagram superpower, you business boss, you!
9. Manage your messages better
With an Instagram business account, your DM inbox is divided into three different categories that can help you sort through the bulk of messages that may come your way.
You’ll find a section for “requests”, another section for “general” messages, and another section for “primary” messages.
I hope they add a category for “love connections” and “fan art” in the future, but for now, these distinctions should give your brand plenty of wiggle room to stay on top of your correspondence.
10. Gives some weight to your profile
Yes, anyone can create a business Instagram account – it’s free and you don’t even need to prove that you have an officially registered business.
However, having a business account helps your brand look serious and professional.
Source: @smashcomedyfest
Instagram business profile vs personal profile. against the creator profile
Here’s how personal, creator, and business Instagram profiles differ.
Personal profile: This is the default profile you get when you sign up for Instagram. You can set this type of profile to “private” and link it to multiple Facebook pages. Unfortunately, you don’t have access to analytics or advertising features with this account style.
Creator profile: A creator profile designed for influencers, creators, or public figures provides access to audience insights and Instagram’s Stores feature. Posts can be scheduled with Facebook’s Creator Studio (not third-party scheduling tools like Moyens I/O.) Creators can also add tags to their profiles to identify themselves as a blogger, athlete, musician, or other specific title.
Job profile: For all the reasons listed in the previous section, business profiles are the best option for brands or companies selling products or services: great ad options, opportunity to add links, ability to schedule posts, access to insights and analytics, and more. The biggest downside is that business profiles can’t be set to private… but you want the world to see what you have to say, right?
Instagram business profile vs personal profile. against the creator profile
| Ad access | Access to Analytics | Ability to schedule posts | Ability to publish shoppable content | More robust profile details | Links to multiple Facebook accounts | Can set account private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business | Yeah | Yeah | Yes, with Moyens I/O or Facebook’s Creator Studio | Yeah | Yeah | Number | Number |
| creative | Yeah | Yes a little) | Only with Facebook’s Creator Studio | Yeah | Yeah | Number | Number |
| Personal | Number | Number | Yes, with mobile notification workflow in Moyens I/O | Number | Number | Yeah | Yeah |
How to switch to Instagram business profile?
Ready to step into a business profile? Here is your step-by-step guide.
Important tip: Your profile must be set to “public” before you begin. Private accounts cannot be converted to business accounts.
1. Open your Instagram profile and select the menu in the upper right corner (three horizontal line icons).
2. Tap Settings
3. Tap Account.
4. Tap Switch to professional account.
5.Choose an identifier for your business – whether it’s a grocery store, an artist, a band, or a clothing brand. You will have the option to show it on your profile or not.
6. If you have selected a category that can be considered a business, you will be given the option to identify yourself as a business or creator. choose business.
7. Review your contact information, including your phone number, physical address, and email address. These will be public on your profile, but you can edit or remove them at any time.
8. Link your Instagram account to your business Facebook Page and click. Next. (Note that you will need admin access to the Facebook Page to do this.)
9. At this point you will be asked to complete your profile, invite your friends and share photos and videos. Your business account is ready to use.
Congratulations! Your Instagram account is now officially open for business. But the work does not end here. Now is the time to strategize for engagement, content, and promotion…or if you have a few minutes, it’s time to sing a few bars of “Taking Care of Business” with me.
Check out Moyens I/O’s guide to mastering the art of Instagram for work here, see you on the gram soon.
Manage your Instagram Business Profile along with all your other social media profiles using Moyens I/O. From a single dashboard, you can create and schedule posts, engage with followers, monitor relevant conversations, measure (and improve!) performance, and much more.
