Should You Switch to a Business or Creator Profile on Instagram?

More brands and creators are using Instagram for business. And it's wise to do so because there are billions of users to tap on the app.

With the right strategy, you can use Instagram to grow your brand and drive engagement and sales. If you want even more success on the platform, you should switch from a personal account to a Business or Creator profile.

If you don't know how to get started, here's a guide to help you. Learn about the benefits of switching accounts and how you can do so.

What Is an Instagram Business Profile, and Why Should You Switch to One?

Business profiles are one of the most capable account types on Instagram. Designed for organizations, brands, and local businesses, it provides a robust set of tools and analytics to help you reach your targets and grow your audience. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy with a Business profile:

• You Can Analyze Your Performance and Improve Your Strategy

  With a regular account, it's hard to tell if your posts are doing well. You only have likes and comments to gauge audience engagement. But with a Business Profile, you get access to Instagram Insights, where you can find a wealth of information about your posts' performance and your audience's likes and dislikes.

  You can track various metrics on Instagram Insights, including impressions, reach, and follower growth. You can also learn about your audience's demographics, like their gender, where they're from, and how old they are. You can even see their most active days and times on the platform. With so much accessible knowledge, you can make informed decisions and keep improving your strategy.

• You Can Use Instagram's Shop Features

  Once you have a Business profile, you can also set up an Instagram shop. This feature lets you upload your product catalog and tag your items in your in-feed posts, Stories, and Lives. A customer can conveniently check an item's price by tapping the product tag. They can also learn more about your products through the description pages on your shop and purchase directly on Instagram.

  Instagram shops aren't just great for e-commerce. It also provides valuable insights to your customers. You can see the number of times people tapped on your product tags on your posts and the purchase button on your product pages.

• You Can Run Ads

  One of the best advantages of switching to a Business profile is being able to run ads. Compared to organic strategies, ads are better at putting your content in front of the right people who aren't already following you. Ad campaigns are great for brand exposure, growing your audience base, and boosting conversion.

  You can use various ad formats on Instagram, including images, videos, Stories, and Reels. You can also take advantage of Shopping and Collection ads to make it easier for your audience to find and learn about your products. Choose the format that best supports your marketing goals.

What's an Instagram Creator Profile, and Why Should You Switch to One?

Business and Creator profiles may look the same at first glance, but there are significant differences between the two. Creator profiles are specifically for influencers and other creatives on Instagram. The tools and features that come with it are for brand building, partnerships, and making engaging content on the app.

Anyone trying to grow their presence and influence on Instagram can benefit from switching this account type. While Business profiles are more for monetization, Creator profiles are for fostering communities, strengthening partnerships, and creating brand awareness.

Like Business profiles, Creator profiles also give you access to analytics and let you set up an Instagram shop. But there are several other features you can take advantage of, including the following:

• You Have Access to Instagram's Complete Music Library

  Because of copyright issues, Business profiles have limited access to Instagram's music library. On the other hand, creator profiles can enjoy it with no holds barred, able to pick any track they want for their Reels. They can use trending music to increase their chances of going viral.

• It's Easier to Manage Messages

  Influencers deal with hundreds of messages daily, with brands wanting to collaborate and people asking about the products they use. With a creator profile, you'll feel less overwhelmed because you can categorize your DMs and prioritize the most important ones.

  You'll find three filtering tabs in your inbox. You can put your high-priority messages in the Primary tab. You'll get notified whenever there are updates in those threads. You can leave the other DMs in the general tab to automatically mute them. Messages from people you don't follow will fall under the Request tab. You can either accept or delete them.

• You Can Control How People Contact You

  Aside from filtering your messages, you can also choose how you want people to reach you. You can display or hide certain contact buttons on your profile, depending on whether you want your followers to call, text, or email you. You can keep your information private if you don't wish anyone to cold contact you. That way, you can focus on the brands you love and want as your partners.

How to Switch to a Business or Creator Profile on Instagram

You can follow these simple steps if you want to switch from a regular account to a Business or Creator profile:

• 1. On your profile, tap the hamburger menu icon at the top right corner.
• 2. Select "Settings" then "Account."
• 3. Select "Switch to a professional account."
• 4. Swipe through the instructions and tap "Continue."
• 5. Select the category that best describes your business, brand, or niche.
• 6. Choose "Creator" or "Business" and tap "Next."
• 7. Instagram will give you a tour of the tools you can use within your new profile.

The Bottom Line

If you haven't already, it's time to switch to a Business or Creator profile. There's nothing to lose and everything to gain. With access to robust tools and analytics, you can find more success on Instagram.