How to Create An Instagram Business Account

If you want to use Instagram as a promotional platform then it's a good idea to set yourself up with a Business Account by linking your Instagram account to a Facebook Business Page.

If you’re a small business, a Business Account provides affordable tools to grow your reach and customer base.

In this guide we'll take you through the steps (and also the benefits) of setting up a Business Account on Instagram.

The first thing you'll need to do before you can create your Instagram Business Account is make sure you have a personal Instagram account for your brand, and a Facebook Business Page.

If you already have an Instagram account set up then you can easily switch to a Business Account by connecting your profile with a Facebook Business Page. If you're starting on Instagram from scratch then the first thing you'll need to do is create an account for your business or brand.

This involves giving your account a name, a username, a profile image, a brief description and a link you can use to drive traffic to your website, a special deal, or anywhere else you want to send users.

If you don't already have a Facebook Business Page you will need to make one in order to create an Instagram Business Account.

Just remember, Facebook requires all Business Pages to be connected to at least one personal account.

Once your Instagram profile and Facebook Business Pages are ready to go you will need to add your Instagram profile to your Facebook Page and create your very own Instagram Business Account.

To do this you'll need to navigate to your Facebook Page > Settings > Instagram.

This will provide you with a prompt to Login With Instagram:

Once you fill out some basic details and contact information your setup will be complete.

You'll then see a summary of your details which you can edit at any time.

Your Instagram account will now be converted into a Business account and you'll get access to a wide range of extra privileges.

Once active, your account will display as an Instagram Business Profile, complete with enhanced features like insights and contact options.

If your account already exists, you can switch it in the app. Tap your profile picture, tap More to open Settings and activity, then tap Account type and tools under For professionals and choose Switch to professional account. Choose Business, not Creator, then connect your Facebook Page and add your contact details and business category.

Setting up an Instagram Business Account for your brand will give you access to a wide range of valuable benefits.

Instagram's Graph API requires you to have an Instagram Business Account if you use any 3rd party apps that:

• Find and import user generated content from #hashtags
• Schedule and post content on Instagram
• Find and reply to Comment and Caption Mentions
• Moderate and reply to comments on your posts

Another benefit of creating an Instagram Business Account is that you can edit and update your profile details on Facebook, and manage Instagram comments and messages directly through the Meta Business Suite.

When you switch to a Business Account on Instagram you will gain access to advanced insights through Instagram Insights, which you can use to gain a greater understanding of your activity, content, and audience.

You’ll also uncover insights about your target audience, including when they’re most active and what content drives engagement.

You'll just need to make a few posts before you start gaining valuable insights.

Instagram profiles with Business Accounts have the ability to attach contact information such as their email, phone number and address to their profile. This makes it easier for potential customers to get in touch, especially if you're running a brick and mortar store or a business which takes bookings over the phone.

As well as adding contact information to your profile, you will also be able to put the type of business you are on full display which makes it easy for users to quickly identify exactly what you do.

Use your profile to clearly showcase the products or services you offer so customers know exactly what you provide. You can also get verified on Instagram to build credibility.

When you switch to an Instagram Business Account you also gain the ability to promote your Instagram posts, or run your Facebook Ads on Instagram as well.

You can also run ads directly from the Instagram app or through Facebook Ads Manager to drive traffic, awareness or sales.

These ads let you target specific demographics, behaviours, or interests to maximise return. If eligible, you can enable Instagram Shopping to tag products directly in your feed and stories.

A Business Account also opens up Gleam's Instagram features. Gleam's free Instagram Comment Picker needs a Business or Creator account connected through Facebook. Importing Instagram comments, mentions and hashtags into a Gleam contest is available on the Business Plan and above, and hashtag entries come in anonymous. Beyond contests, you can collect reviews and set up referral incentives for your followers.