Forward-thinking businesses should be working on expanding and diversifying their digital engagement across every channel possible. When it comes to showcasing products and services, connecting with audiences, and humanizing brands, Instagram is the social media platform of choice.

We all know the eye-watering figure about how many active monthly users there are on Instagram (over two billion), so a lack of presence on Instagram is a lost chance to connect with a huge part of your audience.

In this article, we will explore what Instagram for business can offer you, how to set up your account, and get you started with some great tips and ideas to keep your content fresh.

What is Instagram for business?

An Instagram business account works in the same way as a personal account, with the key difference being that it is public. You’ll have access to Instagram insights and the ability to boost posts so they’re more visible. You can auto-publish content so you can set up posts preemptively, & add ‘swipe up’ links on Instagram stories to move your audience to your website or online store. Instagram business accounts give you the opportunity to post eye-catching content, host live events, and provide customer support 24/7. With Instagram Shopping, people can even buy your products directly from the platform - a retailer’s dream!

Instagram is now the most popular platform for customers to follow and engage with brands. Businesses need to make themselves known on the platform to stay competitive. You can promote your business on IG in multiple ways, from organic posts, to ads, to influencer campaigns.

There is room for every business type on Instagram. Some of the fastest-growing and trending brands include fashion retailers such as Gucci (48.8 million followers) and Nike (234 million followers), sports clubs such as Manchester United F.C. (60.3 million followers), charities such as UNICEF (10.2 million followers), streaming services such as Netflix (31.2 million followers), and of course, Instagram itself (544 million followers).

How to set up your Instagram business account

Want to set up an Instagram business account? Follow these easy steps:

If you don’t have one already, start by setting up your Instagram account — if you do, skip this step.

Step 1: 

Create your Instagram business account:

1. Download the Instagram app for iOS, Android, or Windows
2. Open the app, and click on the option to sign up.
3. Input your email address. Using an admin email is best if multiple users will access the account. Alternatively, you can choose the option to log in with Facebook.
4. Choose your username and password. Use your company name. However, if this is already taken, you’ll have to pick an alternative that works for your business.
5. Fill in your profile information — you only have a few lines to capture the essence of what you are about and what you stand for.

Step 2:

Switch your profile to a business account:

1. Go to your personal profile and click the menu button.

2. Click the settings button, which looks like this. Choose the option to switch to a professional account
3. If you can’t see this, click ‘Account’ from the settings dropdown menu.
4. Select to switch to a professional account from there.
5. Click ‘Continue.’
6. Choose a business category for your business and click ‘Done.’
7. Click ‘OK.’
8. Click ‘Business.’
9. Click ‘Next.’
10. Add the contact details for your business. If you don’t want to add contact information, simply select the option ‘don't use my contact info’ to move on.

You can also connect your Facebook Page. Doing so will give you access to all of the features for businesses across the Facebook family of apps.
With a business account on Instagram, you can access a detailed analytics page. Audience insights will show you who is engaging with your business on Instagram and what they are saying about it.

 

Is an Instagram business account free?

Yes, Instagram for business is free. With all the tools and features available to help attract new customers and build a more substantial online presence, signing up for the platform is a no-brainer.

Tips and tricks to grow your audience on Instagram

Now that you’ve set up your Instagram for business account, you need to create a robust content and social media strategy to make the most of the platform.

Useful tips for successful posting on your Instagram business account:

Ideas for your Instagram business account posts

Here are some useful post ideas that can be incorporated into your content and social media strategy as well:

Lead geneartion is important but engaging with them and addressing their question in real-time is even more important to build your sales pipelines. To achieve this, your business requires a robust Customer Messaging Software that can use chatbots to help users with repeated queries, can transfer a chat to an agent when required and can also equip your agents with advanced tools and chat routing to help them be more productive.

Why use Freshchat to integrate your Instagram business accounts?

Want around-the-clock responsiveness without having to pay out for social media managers and more service reps? Freshchat can help.

The benefits of integrating Freshchat into your Instagram accounts include:

Instagram for business is for any company that wants to strengthen their digital presence, find new customers, keep old ones, and stay competitive in their industry. With Freshchat, keeping on top of managing your Instagram accounts has never been easier. We’re here to help you make the most of the platform, so learn more about connecting your Instagram account with Freshchat or get in touch with our customer service team today.

Frequently asked questions about Instagram for business FAQs

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