If you're running an online business or planning to, upgrading your Instagram account from personal to business is one of the smartest moves you can make. As you gear up to sell kurtis or any other product online, the Instagram business account offers a range of powerful features that can help you grow your brand, engage your audience, and increase sales. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to make the switch and the benefits of upgrading to a business account.
Why Switch to a Business Account?
A personal Instagram account is great for individual use, but when you’re looking to grow a brand or run a business, a Business Account offers a variety of features designed to help businesses succeed. Let’s dive into the process of upgrading, the benefits, and some additional considerations.
How to Upgrade to a Business Account
Follow these simple steps to upgrade your Instagram account from personal to business:
Step 1: Open Instagram and Go to Your Profile
- Launch the Instagram app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
Step 2: Access Account Settings
- In your profile, tap the three horizontal lines (also known as the hamburger menu) in the top-right corner.
- From the menu, tap Settings.
Step 3: Navigate to Account Settings
- Scroll down to Account in the settings menu and tap it.
Step 4: Switch to Professional Account
- At the bottom, select Switch to Professional Account. You’ll then be prompted to choose between a Creator or Business account.
Step 5: Choose Business
- Since you're running a business, select Business. (The Creator option is typically for influencers, artists, and public figures.)
Step 6: Link to a Facebook Page (Optional but Recommended)
- If you haven’t already, Instagram will prompt you to connect to a Facebook Page. This is optional but allows you to run Instagram ads through Facebook Ads Manager, access more detailed insights, and use features like Instagram Shopping.
Step 7: Set Up Business Information
- Fill out important business details like your email, phone number, and business address. These will be visible on your profile and allow customers to contact you directly.
Step 8: Start Using Your Business Account
- Once you’ve completed the setup, you’ll have access to a range of business tools, including Insights and Promotions.
Benefits of Switching to a Business Account
1. Access to Instagram Insights
One of the biggest advantages of a business account is the ability to see detailed analytics about how your posts, stories, and account are performing. This data helps you understand your audience, track engagement, and adjust your content strategy to maximize results.
- Follower Insights: Understand the demographics of your audience, such as age, location, and gender.
- Post and Story Performance: See how many people viewed, liked, commented, or shared your posts and stories.
2. Ability to Run Ads
A business account allows you to promote posts directly or create detailed ad campaigns through Facebook Ads Manager. Instagram ads can drive traffic to your website, increase sales, or boost brand awareness.
- Target Specific Audiences: Use advanced targeting options, such as location, age, interests, and behaviors.
- Different Ad Formats: Create carousel ads, stories ads, and more.
3. Instagram Shopping
If you're selling products like kurtis, Instagram Shopping lets you tag products in your posts, allowing users to shop directly from your Instagram profile. This creates a seamless shopping experience that can drive more sales.
- Shoppable Posts: Tag products in your posts and stories for easy purchasing.
- Shop Tab: Users can browse your products directly from your profile.
4. Contact Information
With a business account, you can add a Contact button to your profile, allowing followers to easily get in touch via email, phone, or directions to your store.
5. Profile Buttons
You can add action buttons like "Book Now" or "Reserve" (great for businesses offering services), helping your followers take direct actions like making appointments or placing orders.
6. Post Scheduling
With a business account, you can use third-party tools (like Hootsuite or Buffer) to schedule posts in advance, ensuring a consistent posting schedule that keeps your audience engaged.
Cons of Upgrading to a Business Account
While a business account has numerous benefits, there are a few minor considerations to be aware of:
1. No Automatic Privacy Settings
- Business accounts are public by default, so if you prefer a private profile, this won’t be possible.
2. Less Personal Feel
- If your brand is highly personal or driven by an individual's personality (like an influencer), some followers might perceive the shift to a business account as more "commercial."
3. Pressure to Keep Posting
- To make the most of a business account, you’ll need to maintain a consistent posting schedule and engage regularly with your followers.
Bonus Tips for Growing Your Business on Instagram
1. Use Relevant Hashtags
- Using hashtags like #Kurtis, #EthnicWear, or #IndianFashion can help new audiences discover your posts. Research popular and niche hashtags that resonate with your target market.
2. Engage with Your Audience
- Regularly respond to comments, answer direct messages, and interact with your followers. This will help build a community around your brand and create loyal customers.
3. Leverage Instagram Stories
- Use stories to showcase behind-the-scenes looks, new kurtis collections, customer reviews, and more. Stories can be a more informal and engaging way to connect with your audience.
4. Run Promotions and Giveaways
- Instagram is a great platform for running promotions or giveaways. You can increase engagement by asking people to like, comment, or tag friends to participate.
Conclusion
Switching to an Instagram business account opens up a world of possibilities for brands, including access to powerful marketing tools, detailed insights, and seamless e-commerce integration. Whether you’re just starting your kurtis business or looking to grow your online presence, upgrading your account is a simple yet effective step toward reaching your goals.
Remember, success on Instagram comes not just from the switch to a business account but also from creating valuable content and engaging consistently with your audience.