5 Things You Can Do With an Instagram Business Account (Plus How to Switch to One)

12 min read

Thinking about switching to an Instagram business account but still hanging on to your old personal profile like it’s 2017? We get it. Change is hard, and those sunset pics deserve a home. But if you’re trying to grow your brand, sell stuff, or just make Instagram work for you (instead of the other way around), switching to a business account is a no-brainer.

Why? Simply by showing up on Instagram, your brand already scores points. A Meta study found that people see brands on Instagram as popular (78%), creative (77%), entertaining (76%), and relevant (74%).

Even better: 54% said they made a purchase either in the moment or shortly after seeing a product or service on Instagram.

Here’s what we’re getting at: Instagram users are actively looking for cool brands and creators to follow, and you want to be ready to capture their attention when they land on your page.

Business accounts give you tools that personal accounts just don’t. We’re talking analytics, contact buttons, DM automation, shoppable posts, ads — all the good stuff. So, whether you’re trying to monetize your Reels, make sales, or finally get paid for all that content you’re posting, this is your sign to switch to a business account.

Personal vs. Creator vs. Business: What’s The Actual Difference?

Before we dive in, here’s a quick look at the three types of Instagram accounts. Think of it as your cheat sheet for deciding what fits you best:

	Personal	Creator	Business
Analytics/Insights	❌	✔️	✔️
Ad/Promotion Tools	❌	✔️	✔️
Contact Buttons (Call/Email)	❌	✔️	✔️
Story Link Stickers	✔️	✔️	✔️
Instagram Shop Features	❌	✔️(Limited)	✔️
Branded Content / Partnerships	❌	✔️	✔️
Automation (e.g., Manychat)	❌	✔️	✔️
Best for	Casual users	Influencers and creators	Brands, businesses, and service pros

Still on the fence? Check out Instagram Creator vs Business Account: Which is Best for You?

1. Gain a Deeper Understanding of Your Audience

One of the biggest perks of switching to a business or creator account is access to Instagram Insights: a built-in analytics dashboard that tells you what’s working, what’s flopping, and what your audience cares about.

You’ll get data on who’s viewing your content, when they’re online, how they interact with your posts, and more, right in the Instagram app.

How to access Insights and take action

Open your profile and tap the ☰ menu in the top right.
Tap Insights (this will only show up for business or creator accounts). Then, explore the three main sections:

Content: See how your posts, Reels, or Stories are performing, including reach, saves, likes, comments, and shares.
Activity: Track profile visits, website clicks, and how far your content is traveling (aka Discovery).
Audience: Get a breakdown of your followers by age, gender, location, and when they’re online.

Once you’re in, here’s how to put that data to work:

Use the Audience → Most Active Times tab to figure out when to post (and then, y’know, actually post at those times).
Drill into each post’s sends per reach (a huge signal in Instagram’s algorithm). If people are sharing your post, that means it’s resonating.
See which content got saved, then repurpose it into carousels, Reels, or Stories.
Post a poll in Stories to test content ideas, then use follow-up DMs or comments to build engagement.

And if you’re wondering what metrics Instagram cares about most, CEO Adam Mosseri recently said this:

“The top three signals that matter most for ranking are watch time, likes, and sends. One of the most important things to look at is definitely the sends per reach, because that tends to be the content that does the best.”

Translation? If people are sharing your stuff, the algorithm will notice and reward you. So instead of guessing what your audience wants, let the data tell you. Then double down on what’s working, cut what’s not, rinse and repeat.

2. Boost Your Reach with Paid Promotions

Let’s say you just finished crafting an amazing Instagram post. The caption is funny, the visuals are 🔥, and you even remembered to tag your product. You hit post, and then…crickets.

Here’s the harsh reality: In 2025, the average Instagram post reaches just 3.5% of your followers. That means over 96% of your audience might not even see your content unless you put a little money behind it.

That’s where paid promotions come in. When you switch to a business or creator account, you unlock Instagram’s native ad tools.

You can boost a post directly from your feed, and target by:

Location (e.g., “people in Austin”)
Demographics (age, gender, interests)
Behavior (engaged shoppers, frequent Story viewers, etc.)
Custom audiences (such as people who’ve visited your website or messaged you before)

Wondering what kind of content is worthy of boosting? Here’s our take:

Posts that are already performing well (high sends or saves).
Product launches or time-sensitive offers.
Lead magnets or other content are designed to drive traffic to your website or shop.
Test content for exploring a new audience before committing to a whole ad campaign.

3. Upgrade Your Profile with Pro Features

Want an easy win? Add a contact button to your profile. It’s one of those features you unlock the second you switch to a business or creator account, and it’s a small change that makes a big difference. A contact button allows users to email, call you, or get directions to your business (if you have a physical location).

Switching to a business account also lets you customize your profile with features that show people exactly who you are and how to work with you, including:

Category labels (like “Blogger,” “Digital Creator, or “Artist”).
A Professional Dashboard where you can track how your content’s performing, manage branded content, and access monetization tools.
Automation tools that let you greet new followers or answer FAQs automatically right from your DMs (more on that later).

Whether someone wants to hire you, buy from you, or slide into your inbox with a collab idea, these features make it easier for them to take the next step.

4. Start Selling with Instagram Shopping

If you’re looking to turn your Instagram presence into a revenue stream, the best way to do that is by setting up a shop. With a professional account (i.e., a business or creator account), you can access tools that make it easier for people to browse, tap, and buy from you.

Here’s a little taste of what’s available:

Instagram Shop: A customizable storefront built right into your profile. Showcase your products/services, your brand vibe, and your latest drops — all in one place.
Shopping Tags: Tag up to 20 products per post (yes, 20!), and make every piece of content a shoppable moment.
Instagram Checkout (being phased out): Previously, this feature let customers complete purchases without leaving the app. Now, most Shops are being updated to use website checkout instead.

But let’s be real: Product tags alone won’t build a thriving business. You still need a strategy (attract the right followers, create content that converts, and use features like automation to follow up and stay connected). For more on that, check out The Only Instagram E-Commerce Guide You’ll Ever Need.

⚠️FYI: Instagram checkout is changing

Instagram Shops are still a powerful tool for selling, but the way customers complete purchases is shifting.

As of June 2025, Meta is transitioning all Shops to website checkout — meaning, instead of buying directly within Instagram or Facebook, your customers will now finish their purchase on your website. You’ll still have access to discovery tools like product tagging, storefronts, and Shops ads, but checkout is moving off-platform. Meta expects most Shops to transition by August 2025.

According to Meta:

“Your shop will still have rich discovery and consideration surfaces like the home page, collections, and product pages, but customers will now be directed to your own website to complete the purchase.”

This shift gives you more control over the checkout and post-purchase experience. It also makes features like Story link stickers, “link in bio” tools, and DMs with clickable links more important than ever.

What you can do:

Set up a website checkout via Shopify or your own store.
Tag products in your Instagram content as usual.
Use automation tools (Manychat!) to guide shoppers toward external checkout links.
Keep your Shop visible; Meta will continue surfacing product pages and collections.

And yes, Shops ads still work: Meta will direct users to the destination most likely to convert, whether that’s your Instagram Shop page or your external site.

5. Automate (‘Nough Said)

Replying to every DM, Story reply, or product question one by one? That’s not sustainable, especially as your audience starts to grow. With a business or creator account (and a little help from Manychat), you can automate those convos without losing the personal touch.

Here’s what you can do with automation ✨

Send auto-replies to DMs so you never miss a message, even when you’re sleeping.
Trigger responses based on keywords in Story replies, comments, or DMs (think “discount” or “order info”).
Collect leads by capturing emails, phone numbers, or other info.
Guide followers through personalized conversation paths so they can choose what they need (support, product recommendations, booking links for services, etc.).

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what’s possible.

How to Switch to An Instagram Business Account

Ready to make the switch? Great. It’s super simple, especially from your phone.

Here’s how to do it in just a few taps:

Go to your profile and tap the ☰ menu in the top right.
Tap Settings and Activity.
Scroll down and tap Account type and tools.
Tap Switch to professional account.
Choose Business (or Creator, if that fits you better).
Pick your business category (like “Retail,” “Photographer,” or “Health & Wellness”).
Add your contact info (optional but recommended).
Tap Done — and you’re in!

⚠️ Important reminder:

You’ll need to set your profile to public to switch to a business or creator account. Instagram doesn’t allow private professional accounts, which makes sense, since the whole point is visibility.

Make the Switch, Reap the Clicks

Switching to a business or creator account is the first step toward monetizing your Instagram. If you really want to get to business, automation is the move. With Manychat’s free plan, you can start capturing leads, sending auto-replies, and turning followers into customers — all without spending a dime.

Give it a try and see what happens.

✋Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. I switched to a business account… now what?

Great move, but switching alone doesn’t drive growth. Think of your new tools (analytics, contact buttons, automation) like ingredients. You still need a recipe. Start by checking your Insights to see what’s working, set up your contact options, and use automation to handle repetitive DMs. These tools will save time and help you sell more if you use them intentionally.

2. What’s the real ROI of switching if I’m not running ads yet?

Even if you never boost a post, switching gives you access to insights and automations that make organic content stronger. You’ll know when to post, who your content is reaching, and how people are interacting with it. That means smarter decisions and faster growth, whether you choose to boost or not.

3. I don’t sell physical products — is Instagram Shopping still worth it?

If you sell anything (digital downloads, services, courses, templates, coaching), Instagram Shopping is worth looking into. You can still tag products that lead to your site or use DMs to guide followers toward checkout. The key is making content that clicks, then using tools like Manychat to convert interest into income.

4. Do I really need automation if I don’t get “that many” DMs?

Automating before the “flood” will now help you stay consistent as you grow (and avoid getting overwhelmed). Plus, even a handful of DMs can turn into leads, sales, or content ideas when you’re ready to capture them properly.

5. What’s one thing most creators forget after switching to a business account?

Not setting up their contact buttons or bio links. These seem like small steps, but they’re conversion moments. If someone wants to email you, book you, or shop — and your profile doesn’t make that obvious — you’re probably losing opportunities without realizing it.

6. I’m not “data-savvy.” Should I still check my Insights?

Yes, but start simple: Check which posts got shared the most and what time your followers are online. That alone can help you double your reach without changing your content. You don’t need to be a numbers nut; just look for patterns and lean into what works.