How to set up an Instagram business account

Like many social media platforms, Instagram started as a humble way to connect virtually. But as its popularity steadily increased over the years — becoming one of the most used social networks globally today — people realized that their businesses and professions could benefit from some online exposure. Thus, in 2016, the Instagram business account was born. 

Contrary to popular belief, Instagram business accounts are quite similar to personal accounts — and a brick and mortar shop isn’t a prerequisite for using all the features. Gig-economy workers like photographers and videographers have found a lot of success by using these accounts. Read on to learn more about business Instagram accounts and how to create an Instagram business account to grow your business. 

Instagram business accounts and how they work

If you want Instagram to recognize your profile as a business — meaning you use Instagram to reach new customers, showcase your work, or even make money — you have to switch your personal account to a business account. 

Doing so will give you even more tools to promote your photography. Not only is the switch easy to do, but setting up a business account is also free. 

What’s the difference between a personal account and a business one?

An Instagram business account is the same as a personal account except for a few key differences. While the purpose of personal accounts is to engage with an online community, connect with friends, and document moments, the primary function of business accounts is to help businesses grow. One of the ways they do that is by offering the following tools: 

• Instagram Insights. This free analytics feature collects data about your content performance, engagement rate, and follower demographics
• Ads. This is a paid feature that allows you to promote a post or Story to reach people who don’t yet follow you.
• Contact info. Having a business account gives you a space on your Instagram profile page to include a phone number, email address, and physical address for people to contact you if you wish.
• Swipe Up. Business accounts have a feature within Instagram Stories that allows users to swipe up to redirect them to a URL (you must have at least 10,000 followers or be verified to have this feature).

Other than ads — which you pay for based on how long you want to run an ad and how many people you’d like to reach — the other tools are free. You do, however, need to have a business account to access them, as they’re not available to personal accounts. 

Another difference between personal and business accounts is that personal accounts can link to multiple Facebook pages and profiles. By contrast, business accounts are only allowed to link to one (ideally, the business’s Facebook page). It’s also important to note that business profiles can’t go private, as personal profiles can. 

How an Instagram business account helps promote your work

Considering all of these additional tools and features available for businesses, you’re probably wondering exactly how they can help you grow your account. 

If your business’s primary service is visual content (e.g., photographers, videographers, graphic design artists), then it makes sense to promote your work through your Stories and posts. Besides simply sharing your best work, here are some other ways you can use a business account to grow your following: 

• Link to your business’s website in your Instagram bio to increase its traffic.
• Use the Audience tool within Instagram Insights to determine your account’s audience so you can promote to them specifically.
• Use the Content tool within Instagram Insights to identify your highest-performing content.
• Include a relatable hashtag within your Instagram bio to increase your reach.
• Use the Category feature to display what your business is and what you do.
• Use the Contact feature on your profile (such as an email address or phone number) to provide an easy way for people to inquire about your services.

How to create an Instagram business account

An Instagram business account can help you grow and solidify your business in the virtual marketplace thanks to the additional analytic tools and promotional features. If you want to create a business Instagram account from scratch, follow the instructions below.

Please note that if you’re creating an account for the first time, it will automatically be a personal account, so you still have to take steps to switch it to a business profile. 

Here’s how to create an Instagram business account: 

1. Download the Instagram app if you haven’t already.
2. Open the app.
3. Press Sign Up.
4. Enter your email address.
5. Press Next or log in with your Facebook account.
6. Go to your profile by clicking on the icon at the bottom-right of the screen.
7. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top-right of the screen.
8. Press Settings > Account > Switch to Business Account.
9. Add in all of your business account information.
10. Press Done.

How to convert your Instagram into a business account

If you already have a personal account that you’ve been using to share your photography, videography, or other visual content, you might want to switch your current account to a business account. 

The instructions are similar to creating a business account from scratch. Just do the following to switch your personal account to a business account: 

1. Open Instagram.
2. Go to your profile by tapping the icon at the bottom-right of the screen.
3. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top-right of the screen.
4. Go to Settings > Account.
5. Press Switch to Business Account.
6. Add in all of your business account information.
7. Press Done.

How to make a separate business account on Instagram

Another option is to create an entire Instagram account separate from your personal account. Again, every new account will automatically be a personal account, so after you create your new account, you’ll have to switch it to a business account. 

Here’s how to do it: 

1. Open Instagram.
2. Go to your profile by clicking on the icon at the bottom-right of the screen.
3. Tap the three horizontal lines at the top-right of the screen.
4. Go to Settings > Add Account > Create New Account.
5. Add your new username.
6. Choose to log in with your existing username or add a new email or phone number.
7. Press Complete Sign Up
8. Go to your profile by tapping the icon at the bottom-right of the screen.
9. Next, press the three horizontal lines at the top-right of the screen.
10. Tap Settings > Account > Switch to Business Account.
11. Add in all of your business account information.
12. Press Done.

You can easily have multiple Instagram accounts, both a personal account for your friends and a business account for your creative projects, and switch between them with a double tap.

While it’s certainly not necessary to have a business account to enjoy Instagram, it may be a good idea if you’re serious about growing your following. Photography and videography businesses, in particular, can reap serious benefits from promoting their work and finding new clients on Instagram.