After a two-month buildup, Instagram has officially rolled out Instagram Business Tools, which were designed to help Instagram users easily set up business profiles, use the platform's analytics offering and promote posts, all within the app. For Instagram, the payoff is more advertising dollars. For businesses of all sizes, the payoff is enabling Instagram users to contact a business directly through the Instagram app.
According to Facebook-owned Instagram, the new tools provide an easy—and free—way to get recognized as a business on Instagram and, most importantly, to get insights about customers. Audience insights can be gleaned without leaving the app. Well-performing posts can then be promoted as ads, again, within the app.
Here are Facebook's four steps to converting your personal Instagram profile into a business profile and accessing Instagram Business Tools:
- Go to your profile and tap
. - Tap Switch to Business Profile.
- On the Connect Your Facebook Page screen, you'll see all of the Facebook Pages you're currently an admin on. Select the Page you'd like to associate with your Business Profile on Instagram. Learn more about Page roles. (A business profile on Instagram can only be connected to a single Facebook page.)
- On the Set Up Your Business Profile page, review your business's contact information, make any changes and tap Done.