How to Use Instagram for Business: Is It Really Worth It in 2025?

If you’re wondering whether Instagram is still a valuable platform for businesses in 2025, the answer is a clear yes but only if you know how to use it strategically.

With over 2 billion monthly active users and a growing number of features tailored specifically for business accounts, Instagram has transformed far beyond a photo-sharing app. Today, it’s a powerful tool for building brand awareness, driving sales, and fostering customer loyalty.

But let’s address the real question:

Can Instagram really make a difference for your business?

Whether you’re a local bakery or a SaaS startup, if your audience is spending time on Instagram and odds are they are then yes, it can. The key lies in understanding how to use Instagram for business in a way that’s aligned with your goals.

Let’s break it down:

Instagram is not just about posting pretty photos it’s about narrative, interaction, and strategy.
Unlike Facebook or LinkedIn, Instagram gives your business a chance to feel human, personal, and visual.
With tools like Stories, Reels, product tagging, and in-app shopping, you can drive direct conversions no need for followers to leave the app.

Still not sure? Consider this:

70% of Instagram users look to the platform before making a purchase.

That means if you’re not showing up with a clear strategy, you’re missing out on a motivated audience already in a buyer mindset.

In the next section, we’ll look at some compelling statistics that prove just how influential Instagram has become in the business world.

Why Instagram for Business? Surprising Stats You Can’t Ignore

Still questioning whether Instagram deserves a place in your business strategy? Let’s cut through the hype and look at the numbers — because data doesn’t lie.

Here are the stats that might just change your mind:

2 Billion+ Monthly Active Users

Instagram isn’t just popular — it’s massive. With over 2 billion people logging in every month, it ranks as one of the top social media platforms globally. That’s a huge potential audience at your fingertips.

70% of Shoppers Use Instagram for Purchase Decisions

This stat is a game-changer: 70% of users use Instagram to research products or services before buying. If your business isn’t present, you’re essentially invisible to a huge pool of motivated buyers.

50% of Instagram Users Visit a Website After Seeing a Product or Service in Stories

That means Stories aren’t just for fun — they drive real traffic and intent. If you’re not using them, you’re missing a direct line to action.

Engagement Rates on Instagram Are Higher Than Facebook and Twitter

According to multiple benchmarks, Instagram engagement per post is up to 10x higher than Facebook, and even more when compared to X (formerly Twitter). This means more meaningful interactions, more brand visibility, and ultimately, more business.

90% of Instagram Users Follow At Least One Business

Instagram is not just a social tool — it’s an active marketplace. In fact, users expect to find and interact with brands. If you’re not there, your competitors likely are.

What Type of Business Should Be on Instagram? [Use Cases & Exceptions]

Instagram isn’t a one size fits all platform but it does work for most businesses when used correctly. The key is knowing how your audience uses Instagram and whether your brand can tell a visual, engaging story.

Businesses That Thrive on Instagram

Retail and eCommerce: Perfect for showcasing products with vibrant visuals and shoppable posts.
Food & Beverage: Instagram is where people go to discover their next meal.
Fashion & Beauty: From influencer marketing to behind-the-scenes content, this category owns the visual space.
Travel & Lifestyle: Ideal for aspirational content, storytelling, and user-generated content.
Coaches, Consultants & Personal Brands: Reels and Stories give solopreneurs a stage to connect directly with their audience.

But What About B2B or Niche Brands?

B2B companies can still find success on Instagram by focusing on:

Humanizing the brand through culture and team content
Educating through short-form content like infographics and carousels
Generating leads through well-placed CTAs and profile optimization

Who Might Not Need Instagram?

While rare, some hyper-local or low-visual businesses might find Instagram less effective especially if their target audience isn’t active there. In such cases, a business may decide to turn off business account on Instagram and focus their energy on platforms better suited to their goals, such as LinkedIn or Google Business.

How to Set Up an Instagram Business Account the Right Way

Getting started on Instagram for business is surprisingly simple but doing it right can make all the difference between attracting your ideal audience and getting lost in the crowd.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to set up your Instagram Business account the right way, with strategy baked in from the beginning:

Step 1: Create a Personal Instagram Account (or Use an Existing One)

You’ll need a standard Instagram account to start. If you’re already using Instagram personally for your brand, no need to create a new one just be ready to convert it.

Step 2: Switch to a Business Account

Go to your profile → tap the three lines at the top → Settings & privacy → Account type and tools → Switch to professional account.

Choose “Business”, not “Creator,” for access to the full suite of tools like insights, contact buttons, and ads.

Step 3: Select Your Business Category

This helps Instagram understand what kind of business you are and suggests relevant tools. Choose accurately (e.g., “Retail,” “Health & Wellness,” “Consulting”) — this will be publicly visible unless you opt to hide it.

Step 4: Add Contact Info and Location

Make sure customers can reach you. Include:

Business email
Phone number
Physical location (if relevant)

This unlocks Instagram’s contact buttons on your profile.

Step 5: Connect to Your Facebook Business Page (Optional but Smart)

Doing this gives you access to Meta’s ad tools, lets you schedule posts via Business Suite, and helps with unified messaging.

Step 6: Optimize Your Profile

Here’s where many businesses fall short. Don’t just “fill in the blanks” optimize strategically:

Profile photo: Use a recognizable logo or brand mark
Username & Name: Make them searchable and consistent with other platforms
Bio: Include your value proposition + a call to action
Link in Bio: Either your website or a multi-link tool (like Linktree or Later)
Story Highlights: Group key content (FAQs, Reviews, Products, etc.)

What to Post on Instagram for Business? [Content Ideas + Examples]

You’ve set up your Instagram Business account now comes the million-dollar question:

Posting randomly is a recipe for inconsistency and low engagement. To succeed, you need a mix of content types that align with your brand, attract attention, and drive action.

1. Educational Content

Teach your audience something they care about. This builds authority and trust.

Tips & Tricks: “3 Ways to Use Instagram Stories for Product Launches”
Myth Busting: “No, You Don’t Need 10K Followers to Sell on Instagram”
Step-by-step Guides: Use carousels to explain how your product or service works

2. Behind-the-Scenes

People love to see what happens behind the curtain. Show your:

Daily operations
Team in action
Product creation process
This helps humanize your business especially powerful for small businesses.

3. User-Generated Content (UGC)

Encourage happy customers to share their experiences and repost them (with permission). It’s social proof and marketing in one.

Reposts of customer reviews
Unboxing videos
Before/after photos

4. Product/Service Showcases

But make it creative avoid hard selling in every post.

Use natural lifestyle shots instead of studio images
Add product tags to enable in-app shopping
Create 15–30 second Reels with upbeat music and CTAs

5. Engaging Interactive Content

Instagram’s built-in tools can help spark conversation and increase engagement.

Polls, quizzes, and question stickers in Stories
“This or That” choices related to your brand
Ask your audience to vote or comment

6. Repurpose Long-Form Content

Turn blog posts, YouTube videos, or webinars into bite-sized Instagram content:

Infographic-style carousels
Quick video summaries
Quotes or takeaways as Reels

Example Content Calendar (Week View):

Day	Content Type	Post Idea
Monday	Educational Carousel	“How to use Instagram for small business in 3 steps”
Tuesday	Product Reel	“Watch this 20-second demo of our new feature”
Wednesday	Behind-the-Scenes Story	“Packing orders at our HQ — come with us!”
Thursday	UGC Repost	“Thanks @jane_doe for this amazing photo!”
Friday	Poll in Stories	“What’s your biggest Instagram challenge?”
Saturday	Quick Tip Post	“How to write better captions in 10 seconds”
Sunday	Relaxed/Brand Personality	“Team dog photos, because… why not?”

How to Use Instagram Stories and Reels for Maximum Business Growth

Instagram Stories and Reels aren’t just trendy features they’re growth accelerators for businesses that know how to use them. Building a loyal base of Instagram followers through Stories and Reels can drive lasting engagement and create real customer relationships without spending a dime.

Feature	Reels	Stories
Visibility	Shown to non-followers	Shown to followers only
Lifespan	Permanent (unless deleted)	24 hours (unless saved to Highlights)
Purpose	Reach new audiences	Build loyalty + drive action
Style	Edited, entertaining	Raw, personal