So you're thinking about making the transition to an Instagram business profile but aren't sure how or why you should? We've got your back.

The best strategy to advertise your business on Instagram is to create an Instagram business profile. An Instagram business account not only presents your brand in a more professional light but also has capabilities that will help you assess and optimize your Instagram marketing efforts.

How to switch to an Instagram business profile

Don't worry if you already have a personal account; switching is simple. The steps are as follows:

• Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner of your profile page.
• Choose “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
• Choose "Account."
• “Switch to Professional Account” is the option to choose.

You'll be asked to select a category or industry at this stage. You may be asked to pick between an Instagram business profile and a creator account, depending on what you select. In the next part, we'll discuss creator accounts.

Select "Business" to complete your Instagram business profile setup, and then follow the steps to fill in your business information. You can also connect your Instagram account with a Facebook company page.

What distinguishes an Instagram business account from a personal or creative account?

Instagram profiles are divided into three categories: personal, business, and creator. Personal accounts are open to anybody and lack advanced features such as Instagram analytics and the ability to use third-party scheduling apps. A personal account contains all you need if you're on Instagram to share your life and hype up your bestie's recent pic.

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An Instagram business profile or creator account, on the other hand, is a preferable alternative if you want to use Instagram to advertise yourself or a business. While both account types have many of the same features, the former caters to companies, while the latter caters to celebrities and influencers.

Benefits of an Instagram business profile

For stores, local companies, brands, organizations, and service providers, Instagram suggests business accounts. Unless you're a star influencer, you're better off with an Instagram business profile because it comes with a slew of features that personal and creator accounts lack.

Ability to include additional information in your bio

It can be difficult to fit all of your company's information into a 150-character Instagram bio. When you switch to an Instagram business profile, you get a few more bio items that don't count towards your character limit.

Instagram business accounts can provide the following information in addition to the usual bio:

• Information about how to contact us (business address, phone number, and email)
• Category/industry
• a button that says "View Shop"
• Buttons for taking action (Order Food, Gift Cards, Book Now, Reserve)

You can make the most of the limited space on your Instagram company profile by using these extra options. Businesses with a physical location can post their address, and brands can use the contact button to allow potential customers to send a direct message or reach them by phone or email. View Shop and Book Now in-app buttons encourage people to interact with the business without having to leave the Instagram app.

Option to create Shoppable Posts

You can cease putting "go to our website to purchase!" after you move to an Instagram business profile. Instead of using ” in your descriptions, start using Shoppable Posts in your feed and on Instagram Stories. Check out our article on How to Sell on Instagram as a Small Business for more information on how to set up your product catalog on Instagram.

Instagram Shoppable Posts allow users to buy things without ever leaving the app, reducing the number of steps in the sales process. And as everyone who has purchased something online knows, the easier it is to move from "add to cart" to "complete purchase," the better.

Another advantage of Shoppable Posts is the ability to create a catalog-like experience. Take a look at how Six Vintage Rugs creates a full look with only one rug. Take a look at the product photo vs. the Instagram Shoppable Post - which one makes you want to buy the item more? Shoppable Posts allow you to display your things in the same way that you would in a real store, allowing you to create eye-catching appearances that entice customers to buy.

Access to third-party scheduling tools

Personal Instagram accounts are unable to schedule posts in advance, while creator accounts are limited to using Facebook's Creator Studio to do so. Instagram business profiles, on the other hand, can use their preferred third-party scheduling service.

This is a significant benefit because it allows you to have greater control over your Instagram marketing plan. You can establish a content calendar and schedule articles in advance using social media scheduling tools, which keeps your online presence consistent and saves you time. Furthermore, third-party apps allow you to manage all of your social media accounts across networks from a single location.

Many third-party scheduling solutions also come with built-in analytics.

Ability to use Instagram Ads

Instagram Ads are a terrific way to meet your target audience where they are currently - reading through their feed on Instagram.

76 percent of millennials and Gen Zers have purchased anything after discovering a brand on Instagram, according to our survey. While Instagram creator accounts offer certain promotional opportunities, only Instagram business profiles have access to Instagram Ads manager, which includes built-in targeting choices and analytics so you can zero in on what works.

Business accounts can also promote posts rapidly by pressing the promote button beneath any post in their feed. The Instagram app will walk you through a series of instructions to set up your ad once you click to advertise.

Opportunity to add links to Instagram Stories

This significant benefit comes with one caveat: to acquire access, you must either have your account verified or have at least 10,000 followers. However, if you've built up a following, you may include swipe-up links in your Instagram Stories to bring visitors to your website.

On Instagram Stories, viewers will see a small arrow and the words "See More" with a swipe-up link. You can also add swipe-up visuals to Instagram Stickers to draw people's attention to the link.

In Instagram Stories, links are extremely important. In-store connections, like Shoppable Posts, lessen the number of steps potential shoppers must take to reach your products.

Step up your marketing with an Instagram business profile

It's time to make the transition if you want to increase brand awareness and develop your business. You can unleash the full potential of Instagram with an Instagram business profile, which includes access to Instagram Insights, the opportunity to sell things directly through the app, and the capacity to schedule posts ahead of time.