In short
- 01A business (professional) account is free and you can switch at any time.
- 02Connect it to your Facebook Page to get scheduling and ads.
- 03Your profile should say within seconds what you sell and where to buy it.
- 04Before you start promoting, have at least 6 to 9 posts on the profile.
1Create an account or switch an existing one
In the Instagram app, create a new account with your business email, or use an existing one.
Open the menu and settings from your profile.
Find the account type section and choose to switch to a professional account.
Pick the category that describes you and the Business type.
Instagram renames settings from time to time, but switching to a professional account is always in account settings. Switching is free and can be undone.
2Connect the account to Facebook
Connecting to your company’s Facebook Page opens up Meta Business Suite: one place for scheduling posts, insights and messages from both networks. Without it you cannot run ads through Meta either. You will find the connection in Instagram settings or in Meta Business Suite.
3Set up your profile
The same as your shop name, without unnecessary dots and numbers.
A logo that is readable even in a small circle.
One sentence on what you sell and to whom. For example “Specialty coffee from small farms, roasted every week in Bristol.”
To your shop, or a page with new arrivals.
Email or phone, so customers can reach you.
4What to post first
Before you promote the profile, add a few posts so visitors immediately understand what it is about:
Who you are and what you sell.
Your best-selling product in use.
A tip or how-to from your field.
Behind the scenes: where and how you prepare orders.
A customer review or experience (with consent).
A current offer or new arrival.
How to create each post is covered in How to create Instagram posts for an online shop.
5Story highlights and consistency
Stories disappear after 24 hours, but you can save them to highlights on your profile. Use them for delivery, reviews, frequent questions or a size guide.
And above all, consistency. A profile whose latest post is six months old looks like a closed shop. Plan content ahead, see content plan.
Frequently asked questions
- Is an Instagram business account free?
- Yes. Switching to a professional account is free. You only pay for ads if you decide to run them.
- Business or creator?
- For an online shop or company, choose Business. Creator accounts are mainly for individuals such as influencers and content authors.
- Can I keep separate personal and business accounts?
- Yes, the Instagram app lets you switch between several accounts. For a business, a separate account is better than a switched personal profile.
