As a small business owner trying to grow your brand, linking your Instagram and Facebook accounts can be a game-changing move for reaching more potential customers.
Why Every Small Business Should Connect Instagram and Facebook
Linking your Instagram and Facebook accounts creates a seamless hub for your brand that makes it easier for current and prospective customers to engage. The data shows linking is well worth the effort:
- 72% of Instagram users say they have made a purchase decision based on Instagram content. (Source: Animoto)
- 60% of Instagram users say they discover new products on the platform. (Source: Animoto)
Connecting Instagram and Facebook enables you to maximize your reach, traffic, and sales potential across both platforms.
Key Benefits for Small Business Owners
🚀 Increase website traffic: Add Instagram posts to your Facebook Business Page to drive high volumes of referral traffic back to your website.
🎯 Reach broader audiences: Expand your brand exposure by sharing content to both existing and net-new audiences across each platform.
💰 Grow sales: Promote products more effectively with strategic cross-platform campaigns tailored to each platform‘s audience.
There has never been a better time to link your Instagram and Facebook presence seamlessly under one roof. Now let‘s get into the step-by-step process.
Step 1: Log Into Instagram and Facebook Accounts
First, ensure you are logged into both the Instagram and Facebook accounts you wish to link:
- Launch the Instagram mobile app.
- If not already logged in, enter your username and password.
- Tap "Log In."
- Access Facebook on mobile or desktop.
- If not already logged in, enter your email/phone and password.
- Click "Log In."
Step 2: Access Linked Accounts Menu on Instagram
From your Instagram profile:
- Tap the profile icon in the bottom right.
- Tap the "hamburger" menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and select “Settings” at the very bottom.
- Tap “Account”.
- Tap “Linked Accounts".
- Select "Facebook" from the available options.
By connecting to the Linked Accounts menu, you can now link your Instagram account to either your personal Facebook profile or business Facebook page.
Step 3: Link Your Facebook Profile or Page
From the Linked Accounts menu, choose whether you want to sync your Instagram account with your personal Facebook profile or your Facebook business page.
For business owners, we recommend linking your Instagram account to your established Facebook business page so that any cross-posted Instagram content displays to audiences who have already shown interest in your brand and products.
To link your Facebook business page:
- If not logged into the Facebook account associated with your business page, enter credentials when prompted.
- Select your Facebook business page from the list.
- Tap “OK” to confirm.
Once successfully linked, toggle “Share Posts” on for any Instagram content you wish to automatically share to your Facebook business page as well. Content will sync across both accounts.
Step 4: Manage Settings for Linked Accounts
Under the Instagram Linked Accounts menu, manage options for sharing Instagram posts and stories to connected Facebook profiles and pages.
Cross-Post Instagram Posts
The “Share Posts” option automatically pushes Instagram feed posts to connected Facebook accounts. Turn sharing on to cross-post or off to keep accounts separate.
Cross-Post Instagram Stories
Likewise, toggle “Share Story” on to automatically share Instagram stories to connected Facebook accounts. Configure sharing preferences for each content type.
[Include screenshots for location of post v. story sharing toggles.]Unlink Accounts
To disconnect your Instagram and Facebook accounts in the future, simply return to Linked Accounts settings and select “Unlink” next to the Facebook connection.
Reaping the Benefits of Linked Accounts
With your Instagram now linked to a key social media platform in Facebook, let’s look at some stellar benefits that often come for small business owners as a result of this integration:
More Website Traffic
A 2018 study by Social Media Today found that Instagram drives 67% more website traffic than Facebook. By linking Instagram to Facebook, you get the perfect combination of exposure on a high-traffic visual platform like Instagram plus built-in amplification of that content to loyal audiences on Facebook.
Increased Conversions
Simultaneously marketing your products across multiple platforms results in more conversions. In fact, 50% of Instagram users say they rely on recommendations they see on Instagram to inform purchase decisions. (Source: Iconosquare) With Instagram linked to Facebook, you maximize product recommendations customers encounter.
Deeper Audience Insights
Facebook Analytics offers rich behavioral and demographic data on engaging audiences. Syncing Instagram means the ability to glean those powerful insights to then inform and optimize your Instagram content strategy.
Consistent Branding
Linking Instagram and Facebook facilitates consistency in showcasing your branding, products, and offers across audiences who engage with you across both platforms.
[Include examples/client testimonials supporting the above benefits.]Let‘s Get Your Accounts Connected!
Linking your Instagram and Facebook accounts takes just minutes but pays dividends for small businesses when it comes to reaching wider audiences and driving website traffic and sales.
As a trusted marketing advisor helping small business owners optimize their digital presence, I guide all clients to link Instagram and Facebook accounts for seamless access to all the benefits outlined above.
Reach out anytime with questions about getting your accounts connected or implementing strategies designed to maximize cross-platform visibility and engagement!
