How to Use Instagram for Business 2026: Everything You Need To Know

With social media platforms shifting toward visual content, businesses are finding great success on Instagram. As a highly visual platform, it’s ideal for sharing branded content that engages audiences and drives growth.

Using Instagram for business can be a powerful way to connect with audiences through visual storytelling. Let’s look into the details of how to use Instagram for business.

How To Set Up An Instagram Business Account

You need an Instagram business account before you can start using Instagram for business. Simply follow these steps to set up an Instagram business account.

1. Create An Instagram Business Account

You need to create an Instagram business profile to get started and the best part is that it is free of cost and anyone can create a business account.

There are two options to create an Instagram business account:

• Sign up for a new account by filling out the basic details, it’s super simple.
• Switch an existing account to a business account.

Here is how to switch an existing account to a business account:

From your profile page, select the menu icon (three lines) in the upper-right corner.

Scroll down to find the “Account type and tools” option and open it.

Click “Switch to professional account” to change your personal account to a business account.

Click Continue for all available feature previews and select the relevant Category for your business.

Add relevant contact information and click Next. You can skip this step by choosing the option: “Don’t use my contact info”.

Connect your Instagram to a Facebook Business Page following the prompts; this is optional but required for features like Instagram shopping and ads.

Follow prompts to add goals, portfolio details, and audience growth options, or click X from the top left to skip and return to your profile.

Congratulations you now have an Instagram business account.

2. Update Your Instagram Profile And Bio

You need to update your Instagram bio to describe your business; it reflects your brand voice. We recommend keeping the bio to less than 150 characters.

We also suggest setting up the following details on your business profile:

Profile Picture: Use your brand logo, ideally sized at 320 x 320 pixels for best quality.

Instagram Bio Link: Add a link to your website, recent blog, campaign, or a Link Tree for easy navigation.

Contact Details: Go to Edit Profile to add contact information Icon to your profile.

Story Highlights: Save important Stories into highlights and organize them by theme, and design covers for an aesthetic look.

Action Buttons: Enable options like booking or ordering under Edit Profile > Action Buttons. This requires an account with Instagram’s partners.

3. Create A Product Catalog

To run Instagram ads and tag products in your business account you need to create a product catalog from the Meta Commerce Manager. Here is how to do it:

1. Open Meta Commerce Manager and select  “Start Now”.
2. Choose the “Create a catalog” option and select “Get started” and click on “e-commerce” to proceed.
3. Select “Connect to an e-commerce platform” if you already have an e-commerce catalog on Shopify or other such platforms. If not, select “Upload product info”.
4. Select a name for your catalog and click Next; select “View catalog” and open the “Add Item” option to add products. 

4. Create An Instagram Shop

When you have the catalog set up on your Instagram business account you should turn on the Instagram shopping features following these simple steps:

• Open the Instagram shop Get Started page and click “Get Started”.
• Select “Create a shop” and click Next.
• Check the sales channels and add or remove accounts as you see fit.
• Select the account and sales channel you want to connect to your Instagram shop. If you’re selling on Shopify or another partner platform, update your Checkout method accordingly.
• Select the country (available) where your products will be shipped from the drop-down menu.
• Update your business account email address for Instagram Shop and choose a business portfolio. You can also create a new one, and select Next to proceed.
• Next, select your catalog for the Instagram shop. Make sure the catalog meets the eligibility criteria of the Instagram shop, as it cannot be changed later. If you don’t have a catalog, this step will be skipped.
• Review your shop details, agree to the Seller Agreement, and click “Finish Setup”.

How To Use Instagram For Business: 9 Tips

#1: Build Trust With Your Target Audience

There’s no doubt that social networks today favor consumers and want to serve them in the best possible way.

These platforms clearly understand that making their core users happy (aka the consumers) will help them grow consistently while retaining existing users.

The question is, what should your business’ marketing strategy do in such a scenario?

How does a brand take advantage of Instagram while keeping the consumers happy? How do you create the much-needed balance?

Using Instagram strategy starts with building a targeted community for your Instagram business profile that you can interact with regularly.

Focusing on the “community aspect” is crucial for positioning yourself as a worthy brand on Instagram.

One good thing about Instagram is that it works well with all “branded” content when engaging with your audience.

By generating positive engagement, your brand can build a trusting bond with your current and new followers.

When people interact positively with your visual content on Instagram, creating an emotional connection with them becomes easy.

This makes your brand more human and helps you achieve more sales.

When you have a business account, you can use Instagram to share a side of your company that your followers are not used to seeing.

This can be done in many ways, from sharing your thoughts to your day-to-day experiences at the workplace.

What’s more, you can do this in a warm and casual manner, giving your business an authentic and personal feel.

For instance, start by sharing behind-the-scenes visuals from your office like live videos, and have your employee share informal images.

Adding such photos on a regular basis can make your business appear more trustworthy and approachable.

In the long run, this can help you win more customers who are happy to do business with you.

Here’s how we share content with our followers…

#2: Generate More Engagement

Let’s face it, Instagram is known for helping brands generate more engagement.

It’s a platform that has proven time and again that high levels of engagement with the right content are not only possible, but it’s also commonly achievable.

Although engagement as a metric is not easy to measure, businesses have seen better results on Instagram.

And this is due to its potent ability to help you connect with your audience.

Adweek surveyed 2,500+ micro-influencers and 60% of them found Instagram as the most valuable platform for generating positive engagement.

In another study conducted by Forrester, it was found that Instagram engagement is 58 times higher (per follower) when compared to Facebook.

And, it has also 120 times more engagement than what you would generate on Twitter.

It’s also important to note that organic reach on Facebook is declining each day (can be as low as 2% to 3%). Businesses using Facebook (for organic reach) are not happy with this minuscule reach.

Therefore, entices them to shift their focus to Instagram, which has a better reach. Brands know their content will reach most of the followers, which leads to a higher engagement rate.

This is mainly because Instagram doesn’t prioritize personal accounts over brand accounts. Instead, it displays content the user likes most.

For the same kind of exposure on Facebook, you’ll have to shell out advertising dollars to display your own content to your followers.

#3: Leverage User-Generated Content

UGC or user-generated content is nothing but a form of content that is exclusively created by like-minded consumers about a product or a brand.

Companies do not pay for user-generated content, which makes it authentic in others’ eyes. This same authenticity also makes the user an indirect advertiser for the brand or product.

According to a study conducted by Crowdtap:

Millennials (people reaching young adulthood in the early 21st century) are 50% less likely to trust content from a traditional source.

That is when compared to how they view UGC or user-generated content.

The same Crowdtap study also points out that youngsters are spending more than five hours a day consuming content created by other users.

In other words, user-generated content is more trusted in the eyes of young people, who make up most of the Internet.

If you’ve been on Instagram, you will find that UGC is commonly found on the platform, with many brands leveraging it to the maximum.

You’ll find popular companies like Netflix, UPS, and Starbucks reposting user-generated content from their followers’ accounts.

Given the versatility of the platform, UGC works extremely well on Instagram.

It not only helps you achieve a higher engagement in the form of likes and comments but also makes you appear more trustworthy to your audience.

This type of engagement can get your company in the good books of Instagram and help your “engaged” content stand out from the other posts in the main feed.

It also helps new users discover your posts via the “Explore” tab.

#4: Take Advantage of “Low Competition”

Do you have a local or a small business that you want to market online? If yes, then you’re in luck.

Even though Instagram happens to be one of the most visited and used social networking websites in the world, it doesn’t have many local and small businesses using it. This means you don’t have a ton of competition to deal with, at least for now.

When compared to the two other social media giants, Twitter and Facebook, fewer small businesses are competing with each other on Instagram.

A survey done by American Express showed that a meager 2% of small businesses are active on Instagram. This automatically gives them an edge over the competition in terms of brand exposure and new business generated.

Your local business may have many business goals that are hard to achieve on a highly competitive social media platform such as Facebook or LinkedIn.

But with the competition being so low on Instagram, things get easier. And the chances of getting a higher return on investment manifolds.

By sharing the right visuals on the Instagram platform, you will get noticed by your target audience and also bring in more business. No matter what type of small business you run, the likelihood of your audience being on Instagram is high.

You could potentially reach out to the same audience that you would on Facebook or Twitter, but at a cheaper cost.

So if you haven’t jumped on the Instagram bandwagon, you need to do it now and make hay while the sun shines.

#5: Create Real Brand Awareness

Using Instagram for business is an uber-smart move.

Why? Because the platform has over 800 million active users, waiting to interact and build relationships with the right brands.

Pew Research found almost 35% of Instagram users were active throughout the day, logging in multiple times and more than 50% of them made sure they checked their news feed at least once in 24 hours.

Instagram is your opportunity to create real brand awareness. As a business, you may find the limitation of not being able to insert links in your Instagram posts a drawback.

But this particular limitation can work in your favor as none of your competition is going to beat you at traffic generation by gaming the system. So no, it’s not a disadvantage for genuine companies that want to build a real brand.

For any business looking to make its presence felt and grow via social media, the Instagram app is the perfect tool to build brand awareness.

Most businesses killing it on Instagram know for a fact that they cannot sell or promote their products/services directly.

This means they’re focused on producing visuals that are exciting, unique, and most importantly relevant to the audience. This allows them to connect to users in an unbiased manner while creating a meaningful persona.

Keep in mind that creating a firm Instagram branding strategy is the key to building unshakable trust with your existing followers.

It helps you create a strong impression on them by showcasing your creativity and branding of your product/service with appealing visuals. While the whole “trust-building” process takes time and effort, it’s totally worth it.

Even if you run a B2B business in a boring niche, you can use relevant and valuable images to give better insights into your business side of things.

By making the most of images/videos on Instagram, you can display the real essence of your products and share them with your target audience. Enhancing and growing your brand on Instagram isn’t rocket science.

As long as you are patient and careful enough to keep your audience happy with the right material, they will be happy to give you more business.

Summary For any business looking out to make its presence felt and grow via social media, the Instagram app is the perfect tool to build brand awareness.

#6: Funnel in Targeted Traffic

Ask any reputed Instagram marketer, and he will tell you that Instagram is not a direct traffic generation tool. Using Instagram for business is more about having a “long-term” vision and creating a social presence.

It’s about improving your product’s brand visibility and building a thriving community that truly follows you. Does that mean you should completely ignore the traffic generation part? Of course not. But you need to do it smartly.

You cannot blatantly spam the site in the hopes of getting more visitors and being on the trending list. Nor, can you use it only for the sole purpose of getting traffic.

It will not only get you poor results but will also make you appear less credible. Your aim with this social platform is to build your Instagram presence and become more visible to your target audience without insulting their intelligence.

1. Add a URL to Your Bio

You are allowed to insert a clickable link in your Instagram bio, which allows you to drive some laser-targeted traffic back to your website.

Since your bio is the first thing visitors to your profile will notice, you need to ensure that you leverage this prime location to the best of your advantage.

But since you don’t get much space to write, you need to limit your bio with a few lines of creative description followed by a call to action towards your link.

Instead of sending visitors to your site’s homepage, send them to an opt-in form where they can download a free eBook or sign up for your newsletter.

The more conversion-focused your bio URL is, the better results you will see.

2. Add a Meaningful Bio Description

Make sure your bio description is extremely clear about what you do and doesn’t beat around the bush. Keep it simple and to the point.

Instead of overthinking the bio or ignoring it completely, add a message to it that helps you connect to your customers. A bio that gives them exactly what they’re looking for.

The Instagram biofield only has 150 characters but ironically, it has a big impact on your audience. For those who are not familiar with your brand, your bio is their way to get to know what your business is all about and what they can get from you.

So how do you introduce your brand using only 150 characters? Here are some tips on how to set up and utilize your Instagram bio:

• Show your personality by using your brand voice.
• Include hashtags on your Instagram captions, it’ll be better if you have a branded hashtag.
• Try to use emojis, much better if they are related or somehow represent your brand.
• Have line breaks and spaces to make your bio more readable.
• Include your contact information such as phone number, location, and website.

3. Watermark Your Images

Sometimes you may want to watermark your images with your name/logo. That’s because if one of them goes viral, you should be able to take credit for your copyrighted work.

Plus, you may end up attracting new clients as you stop people from stealing your images.

Summary Using Instagram for business is more about having a “long-term” vision and creating a social presence.

#7: Advertise with Much Better Results

Instagram is free but also has paid advertising options for small and big businesses that want more exposure on the platform and grow their following. With a little effort and planning, you can advertise on Instagram and achieve a positive return on investment.

Since Facebook and Instagram are connected, you can do everything easily through Facebook. Right from budgeting to creating your ads. Which makes using Instagram for business a breeze.

Do you want to run an Instagram contest or offer a giveaway to new followers?

The best thing about Instagram ads is the fact that users don’t find them intrusive. This means your audience will be happy to see your ads, as long as you get them right.

How does Instagram measure the success or failure of an ad campaign? It focuses on awareness, reach, and recall. Other vanity metrics such as likes and comments are not taken into consideration.

Last but not least, Instagram offers some of the best returns on investment in comparison to other popular marketing methods.

The platform is fun to work with and it doesn’t take much time to understand and execute your own Instagram advertising campaign.

#8: Increase Number of Sales

Instagram makes it easy and affordable to share/leverage professional images to promote your products/services.

With hundreds of millions of active users in every possible niche, using Instagram for business is one of the best ways to find prospects that turn into sales.

According to a report published by Shopify, an e-commerce platform:

Instagram beats both Facebook and Twitter in terms of average price for sale for a service referred.

Here are three ways to improve your sales numbers on Instagram.

1. Sell Without Fear:

According to a study done by Simply Measured, Instagram users are used to following brands exclusively for the purpose of looking and analyzing products. So it’s always a good idea to add relevant product shots to your Instagram account.

While you should give value to people following you, you should also let them know that you are actively looking for more business.

2. Choose Appropriate Photos:

Instagram is a real-time network for sharing visual content, which makes it very different from other similar social media giants. If you want more sales through the platform, start by choosing an attractive image carefully instead of rushing and choosing a low-quality one.

Aside from posting high-quality photos, don’t forget to use hashtags. Popular hashtags are good, however, consider using branded or relevant hashtags to reach your target audience more.

These specific hashtags allow you to stand out from the competition.

3. Cross-Promote the Right Way:

Do you want to keep your Instagram sales low? Obviously not. Who does, right?

But by not cross-promoting your product on Instagram, you’re doing exactly that and leaving money on the table. Let your followers on other social networks such as Twitter and Facebook know of your Instagram content.

This content strategy will lead to better results on both sides plus help you add more Instagram followers.

Summary: Instagram beats both Facebook and Twitter in the average price for sale for a service referred.

#9: Tap Into the Power of Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories is a unique feature that lets you post pictures/videos to your album, which vanishes after 24 hours.

So how do Instagram Stories help a business?

They help to

A. Improve engagement rate.

B. Get more visibility for your products/services.

C. Enhance the overall content.

Here’s how the social media management platform Buffer uses Instagram Stories to generate more engagement from their followers:

By using Stories, you can reap the benefits of Instagram in a better, much more productive manner because:

Instagram is okay with a brand like yours using any posting schedule or posting frequently to increase engagement with followers.

You can re-purpose and diversify your content with existing resources from your Instagram account.

Use real-time marketing with Stories and connect to your target audience at the right time such as during a live event.

Your Story disappears in 24 hours, so you don’t have to hunt for professional photos and instead use informal visuals that help you humanize your brand. No wonder influencers post more stories on Instagram than they do on Snapchat.

Should You Start Using Instagram For Business?

Yes, you should definitely start using Instagram for your business because marketing with Instagram is easier (and more profitable) when you realize the true potential it offers.

Here are some solid, real-world stats that should convince you, as a business, to invest your time and your marketing dollars in Instagram.

• More than 100 million photographs are actively shared by users on their Instagram feed every single day.
• 7 out of 10 hashtags on Instagram happen to be branded.
• As of 2022, there were 25 million Instagram business profiles registered.
• One-third of Instagram users are known to buy a product they find on Instagram using their smartphones.
• Instagram raked in a massive $13.86 billion in global advertising revenue in 2022.
• The Instagram Stories feature hit 500 million active users, nearly 2 times that of Snapchat.
• Instagram influencer marketing is one of the top reasons why marketers utilize this platform.

If using an Instagram business account still feels confusing or risky, our social media marketing experts can handle it for you at an affordable cost.

Check out our home page to see all the services we offer as a social media marketing agency and how you can work with us. Also, feel free to contact us any time to discuss your Instagram business profile needs.

Benefits Of Creating An Instagram Business Account

Let’s discuss a few benefits of having an Instagram business account to market your brand.

Helps Build Credibility

Instagram business profiles offer added features like an email button, shop link, and industry information under the business name on your profile page.

These details help your business appear more professional and credible, providing users with more ways to connect and engage with your brand. This builds trust and enhances your brand’s credibility on Instagram.

Provides Instagram Analytics

Instagram analytics are available with Instagram business accounts and offer valuable tools for tracking profile performance, reach, engagement, and follower demographics over time.

Insights show post-specific data and follower growth trends, helping you understand what content engages your audience effectively and optimize future posts based on this feedback.

Increased Brand Visibility With Instagram Advertising

Instagram ads can increase your brand visibility and drive engagement with targeted campaigns. With an Instagram business account connected to Meta Ads Manager, you can create ads in various formats, reach specific audiences, and optimize ads using features like dynamic creative and A/B testing.

Real-time analytics help you track performance, fine-tune ad strategies, and maximize your advertising impact.

How To Use Instagram For Business Frequently Asked Questions

What is the downside of Instagram for business?

A downside of using Instagram for business is the risk of appearing overly promotional, which can lead to decreased engagement if posts focus only on sales. So, you should focus on customer-oriented, engaging content on Instagram.

How much does it cost to use Instagram for business?

Using an Instagram business account is completely free. You’ll only have to pay if you choose to run ads to promote your posts or business on the platform.

Is Instagram worth it for business?

Yes, an Instagram business profile is worth it because it not only lets you reach your millions of people within your target audience to drive sales. If done right, Instagram can help your business grow fast.

How to use Instagram for small business?

Here are 9 effective tips for using Instagram business accounts for small businesses:

• Build Trust With Your Target Audience
• Generate More Engagement
• Leverage User-Generated Content
• Take Advantage of Low Competition
• Create Real Brand Awareness
• Funnel in Targeted Traffic
• Advertise with Much Better Results
• Increase Number of Sales
• Tap Into the Power of Instagram Stories