The Ultimate Guide to Optimising Your Instagram Bio
Your bio is the first thing a potential customer sees when they view your Instagram profile, so it’s essential that it includes the information they need. Follow my simple step-by-step guide to getting the most out of this prime real estate.
#1 How to Set Up an Instagram Business Account
Switching to an Instagram Business account not only gives your profile a more professional look, but also gives you access to a range of exclusive features.
It enables you to include more information in your bio, and to insert a quick Contact button to make it easy for customers to get in touch.
In addition to these aesthetic differences, you also gain access to Instagram Insights – this is a big one. An Instagram business account gives you access to built-in insights about your account and its performance. You can analyse post performance, follower activity and audience demographics, giving you a basic understanding of what is working and what isn’t.
What’s more, only Business profiles have access to Instagram advertising and Instagram shopping, which may help you to generate leads and increase sales.
Ok, now you know the benefits, let’s switch your account over to an Instagram Business profile.
Step 1) Go to your Instagram account settings
Go to your profile, then tap the hamburger menu in the top right corner of the app. Tap Settings and then tap Account to get started.
Step 2) Switch to Instagram professional account
Once in the account settings, you’ll see a blue call-to-action at the bottom of the page for you to Switch to Professional Account. Click it!
Step 3) Choose a Business account
You will be asked “Which Best Describes You?”, and presented with two options, Creator or Business. Choose Business.
Step 4) Connect your Facebook page
Your next step is to connect your Facebook Page. You must have admin access to your business Facebook Page to take this action.
Once you confirm which Facebook Page you want to connect, your business profile is ready to go!
#2 Optimise Your Instagram Profile Picture
Now that your Instagram Business account is up and running, it’s time to optimise your profile – starting with your profile picture.
Choosing your Instagram profile picture seems like a very simple task, yet so many businesses get it wrong.
Your brand logo should fit comfortably inside the Instagram profile picture circle. Users should be able to recognise it without needing to squint – so, if you have a long business name that must be reduced to half its size to fit, you need to modify your logo for social media.
For example, if your business name is Buzzy Consulting, you might shorten it to “Buzzy” or “BC” for your Instagram logo.
Or, even better, scrap the wordmark and use your brand icon instead. Clean, simple, and easily recognisable is key.
If, like me, you run a one-person business where building relationships is key, I suggest using a professional image of yourself. Showing the person behind the brand is an effective way to build a stronger rapport with your audience. Ensure the image is taken in good lighting, and don’t forget to smile!
#3 Optimise Your Instagram Profile Name
Navigate to your profile and select Edit Profile. Here, you can optimise your Instagram profile name to improve searchability.
As shown in the image above, my Instagram profile name is Sarah | Marketing & Web Design.
Because Nugget Creatives is a one-woman show, I opted to lead with my first name. This helps potential customers to know who they’re speaking to when they message me, and supports the concept of a personalised approach.
If you are a larger business, start with your company name.
Next, you’ll add keywords relevant to your business. Including keywords in your Instagram profile name is a great tactic for two reasons: 1) it helps your business get found by users searching for what you offer, and 2) it tells visitors to your page what your business is about straight away.
Taking @nuggetcreatives as an example, I added “Marketing & Web Design”.
For my Instagram food blog, @thehungrynugget, I included “Food Blog” after my name.
This increases the likelihood of my profile ranking in search results when a user searches for these terms on Instagram.
A peanut butter company should include “Peanut Butter”, an Indian restaurant should include “Indian Restaurant”, and a pizzeria should – you guessed it – include “Pizza”. Of course, if you already have the keyword in your business name, you can skip this step.
#4 Add a Link to Your Website
Having a link to your website on your Instagram profile gives interested users the opportunity to learn more about your business.
To add a link, navigate to your profile and select Edit Profile. Fourth from the top, you will see an option to add your website URL.
If your business does not yet have a website, get in touch.
#5 Write an Enticing Instagram Bio
This is the section under your name, where you get to express your brand personality. You have 150 characters to tell people what your Instagram profile is about, what your brand offers and why they should follow you.
You can use it to pitch your business, convey personality, promote sales and recent products, or to express your brand mission.
Whatever you write, be sure to finish with a strong call-to-action, telling Instagram users exactly what you want them to do.
You could invite them to visit your website, shop your feed, check out your latest blog post, download your new guide or even share their own photos using your branded hashtag.
Using a down arrow ⬇️ or pointer finger 👇 for your call to action can drive more clicks to your website.
#6 Add Your Instagram Business Industry/Category
Your business industry or category reinforces what you’re all about.
Within Edit Profile, scroll down to Public business information and find “Category”. Search to find what best describes your business.
#7 Add Your Business Contact Information
Finally, adding a Contact button to your Instagram bio will allow visitors to your Instagram profile to contact you with ease.
Under Category within your Edit Profile settings, you will find Contact options.
Here, you can add your business email address, phone number, address and WhatsApp Business phone number.
Get In Touch
Whether you need more help with social media, or simply have a question for me, pop your details in the form below and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.