How to make an Instagram Business account [2025]

Instagram can be a powerful tool to build your brand and promote your business. But to get the most from the platform, you really need an Instagram Business account.

Switching to a business (or professional) account unlocks a range of features and tools that can really take your sales and customer engagement to the next level.

Whether you’re already set up on Instagram with a creator account or personal profile (or are completely new to the platform), opening a professional account is easy – and the rewards can be huge.

Here, we show you how to open an Instagram Business account from scratch. We also cover how to make your existing Instagram account a Business account, so you can take advantage of the full sales and marketing potential of the platform.

You’ll also learn about some of the great resources we have on Whop that can help you take your business to the next level.

Overview of Instagram Business accounts

Before we show you how to make an Instagram Business account, we’ll highlight some reasons why you should open one.

One of the main advantages is credibility. A Business account looks professional, allowing you to create your brand and build trust with potential customers.

Even better, an Instagram Business account has features designed to help promote physical goods, digital products, and professional services. You can:

✅ Take advantage of paid Instagram Ads

✅ Host events with Instagram Live

✅ Sell products through Instagram Shopping

✅ Add important contact information

✅ Connect with your Facebook Business Page

In addition, you gain access to a range of useful metrics via Instagram Insights, so you can measure your performance on the platform. This includes data on reach, social media engagement, and follower data.

Whatever type and size of business you have, you can benefit from a professional account on Instagram. So, let’s look at how you open one.

Need a crash course on selling on Instagram? You’re in the right place. Read our guide on how to sell digital products on Instagram.

Creating a Business account on Instagram: Step-by-step

To open an Instagram Business account from scratch, here are the steps you need to take. 

Instagram is best on the app, so we’d recommend going that route. But we’ve also highlighted how to do it through a browser.

1. Open an Instagram account

To get started, you first need to open a personal account on Instagram.

Download the Instagram app and tap “Create a new account”. 

Choose to use a mobile number or email address and select a password:

Or open your Instagram account through a browser window on your desktop or laptop. If you prefer, you can open your Instagram account through your existing Facebook account.

👉 Good to know: Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp are all owned by Meta Platforms, so you’ll find lots of overlap between the platforms, as well as the opportunity to synch your accounts.

During the sign-up process, you’ll be asked to choose your username. Instagram will suggest some available options. You can change this later.

Other information it’ll ask for includes your date of birth – use your own, even if you’re only going to use Instagram to promote your business.

2. Go to the “Settings” menu

Once you’ve opened your account, you’ll be taken to the main page. Here, you can explore the content on Instagram and choose accounts to follow.

It’s also where you access your account settings and create your professional account.

On the app…

Tap your profile image on the bottom right of the screen to go to your profile page. 

You’ll see three horizontal lines at the top right of the screen. 

Tap on these to be taken to the “Settings and activity” section:

In the browser…

At the bottom on the left, click on the three horizontal lines next to “More” and choose “Settings” to be taken to the settings page:

3. Create your business account

On both the app and the browser, scroll down the settings until you find “Account types & tools”.

Click or tap on this and you’ll see the option to add a professional account.

You might get the option of opening either a “Creator” or “Business” professional account. 

What’s the difference? If your main use of Instagram is going to be creating your own professional content or showcasing yourself as an influencer, “Creator” might be the right option.

This type of account basically works like an enhanced personal profile, with the addition of metrics. However, it does not include the option to run paid ads or access to the other business tools.

Here, we’ll choose “Business”.

Click or tap “Next” to tailor your professional account.

4. Tailor your Business account

In the browser or app, you’ll be asked to pick a category for your business. This is one of the ways Instagram users find you, but you can opt to hide this from your publicly displayed profile.

As well as the categories listed in the image, options include things like:

• Digital creator
• Entrepreneur
• Writer
• Photographer
• Gamer

Choose one that best describes what you do. It can be changed later, so if you pivot to something else, you won’t need to open a new account.

👉 Good to know: Instagram lets you have up to five profiles under one account.

Click or tap on “Next” to continue setting up your account.

In the app…

You’ll be given the option to add or change your contact information and to link your Instagram Business account to your Facebook account. You can also skip this step or do it later.

In the browser…

Click “Done” and you’ll be taken to the contact details page. If you have a physical address for your store or want to add a business email, you can do it here. You can also make these details private or skip this step.

5. Set up your account

The next step is to finish setting up your account. There are several recommended stages to this. You can work through them in your own time.

The most important thing to do is tailor your professional profile. 

Editing your profile works better in the app. So, even if you opened your account in your browser, it’s a good idea to open it in the app to build your professional presence.

In the app…

Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right of the screen to be taken to your profile. Choose "Edit profile”. Here, you can change:

✅ Account name

✅ Username

✅ Bio

✅ Contact information

✅ Add external links

If you didn’t link your Facebook earlier, you can now scroll to “Public business information”. Under “Page”, you’ll see an option to connect or create a Facebook page:

In the browser…

Take some time with your profile settings to create a distinct, professional Instagram identity for your business. 

Here’s an example of what a finished one looks like:

Find inspiration for your Instagram Business bio.

6. Explore the business tools

Once you’ve set up your professional account, in the “Settings & activity” menu on the app, you can access the business tools.

Scroll to “For professionals”, where you can view the Insights, schedule content, and keep track of your ads. 

Tap on “Business tools and controls” to access a suite of additional controls and settings:

In the browser…

You can find “Business tools and controls” in the “Settings” menu:

How to make an Instagram account a Business account

Instagram makes it easy to open and switch between different profiles. So, you can keep your personal profile for sharing posts with your friends and personal followers and have a professional account for business.

If you’re already set up on Instagram with a personal profile or creator account, here’s how to switch to a professional account through a browser or the Instagram app.

1. Log in to your account

2. Access the settings menu

3. Choose “Account types and tools”

Once you click or tap on “Account types and tools”, you’ll see the option to add or switch to a professional account.

You can then go through the steps above to create and tailor your account and edit your profile.

If you want to switch back to your personal account, scroll to “Business tools and controls” in the settings menu. You’ll see the option to switch profiles.

Now you know how to make an Instagram Business account, it’s time to find out how to get the most out of the platform.

Grow your business with Whop

Whop makes it easy to start and grow your perfect online business, even if you’re a complete beginner.

How? Well, not only can you create your very own “whop” to sell all kinds of digital products, but you can also join other whops to learn all the secrets of social media entrepreneurs and content creators.

Within these whops, you can find a whole range of communities, courses, and resources to get you up to speed with building a presence on Instagram and beyond.

We’re here to support you every step of the way to financial freedom on your terms, so dive in and get the skills you need to succeed. Explore our social media communities and learn how to leverage Instagram and other major platforms to connect with customers and boost your revenue.

The creators who run these communities are experts in the social media space and can guide you to success – whether you want to build a brand, go viral, or turbocharge your revenue.

Instagram Business accounts FAQs

Do I have to open an Instagram Business account?

No, you don’t. However, if you want to leverage the platform to boost sales and customer engagement, it’s a good idea to open or switch to a business account.

Can I switch back to a personal account from a business account?

Yes, you can switch between your Instagram profiles at any time.

Is an Instagram Business account free?

The account itself is free but you can make use of the paid features, like Instagram Ads.

What types of businesses is Instagram best for?

Instagram is mostly a visual platform, so anything image-based works great. Niches that can really “pop” on Instagram include travel, health & fitness, beauty, art & photography, and fashion. It’s also a good place to promote your ebooks.