How to Set Up a Brand New Instagram Account for Your Small Business
- Amanda Hughes
- Feb 9
- 4 min read
How to Set Up a Brand New Instagram Account for Your Small Business
Starting a brand new Instagram account for your small business is such an exciting stage. A blank page. A fresh start. A chance to do things properly from day one.
But it can also feel overwhelming.
What do you put in your bio?
How do people actually find you?
What should you post first?
In this episode of Small Business Growth Addicts Podcast, I’m walking you through exactly how I’d set up a brand new Instagram business account in 2026 without getting bogged down in techy button-clicks that will be outdated in six months.
Instead, this is about strategy. Visibility. And setting your account up to get seen and get sales.
Listen Now
🎧 Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page.
This Episode Is For You If…
You’re starting a brand new small business and want to set up an effective Instagram page
You’ve just created a new Instagram account and aren’t sure what to do next
You’re staring at a blank profile and overthinking everything
You want Instagram to support your business not just exist as another thing to manage
Why This Isn’t a Step-by-Step Tutorial
Instagram changes constantly.
Menus move. Features disappear. New ones roll out quietly overnight.
That’s why this episode doesn’t focus on “click here, tap that” Instead, I’m sharing the why behind each decision so no matter how Instagram evolves, you understand how to make smart choices that help people find you and trust you.
Choosing the Right Instagram Username
Your username matters more than you might think.
In this episode, I explain:
Why your username should be as close to your business name as possible
Why simple beats clever every time
Why using dots, underscores, zeros-for-O’s and random characters can hurt searchability
Your username should be:
✔ easy to remember
✔ easy to type
✔ easy to search
If someone sees your content once and tries to find you again later, they should be able to easily.
Listen Now
🎧 Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page
Your Profile Name: An overlooked SEO Opportunity
Your profile name (the bold text under your username) is searchable on Instagram and this is where so many small business owners miss a trick.
Instead of just your name or business name, this is where you should:
include keywords your ideal client would actually search for
think location + service where relevant
help Instagram understand who your account is for
This directly impacts whether you show up on the Explore page, Instagram search results and even Google. I have an eBook all about Getting Found on Google via Instagram if you'd like to go deeper on that subject.
Choosing the right Profile Photo for Instagram
You don’t need a fancy brand shoot, promise.
In this episode, I talk through:
when to use a photo of you vs a logo
why clear, well-cropped images matter
what instantly builds trust for service-based businesses
Whether it’s your face, your product, or your logo, clarity beats perfection every time.
Writing a Bio That Does the Heavy Lifting
Your Instagram bio has 150 characters to convince someone to follow you.
That’s it.
In this episode, I break down:
how bios are used for Instagram search (SEO)
why the first line should focus on what followers get
how to balance clarity with personality
why your call to action really matters
Your Instagram bio isn’t just about what you sell, it’s about setting expectations and guiding people to the next step.
Listen Now
🎧 Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page.
Links: Don’t Lose People at the Final Hurdle
Instagram gives you space for links which is a huge opportunity.
But broken links, unclear labels, or messy redirects can undo all your hard work.
We talk about:
how many links to include
how to label them clearly
why testing your links regularly is non-negotiable
Number one rule of business - never make it hard for your customer to buy.N
Instagram Highlights: What to Focus on First
Highlights can be powerful but only if used intentionally.
In this episode, I explain:
why only the first four really matter
which highlights to prioritise as a new business
why it’s okay not to have highlights immediately
This is one of those things you build as you go, not something to stress about on day one.
What to Post First on a Brand New Instagram Account
Once your profile is set up, it’s time to post and this is where strategy really kicks in.
I introduce my Attract, Nurture, Convert approach, which helps you:
attract new ideal followers
build trust and connection
turn followers into customers over time
This isn’t about going viral .It’s about building a business that lasts.
Listen Now
🎧 Hit play on the podcast player at the top of this page.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
🔗 Follow me on Instagram: @amandahughes.uk
🔗 Related episode: How to Define Your Ideal Client
Want Support While You Grow?
If you want help implementing everything from this episode with feedback, content ideas, and real support, come join my small business mentorship community Get Seen Get Sales here.
Inside, you’ll find:
weekly content pack
platform-specific social media guides
monthly masterclasses
a genuinely supportive small business community
No tie-ins. £40 per month.
Setting up Instagram for your small business doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With a bit of intention, clarity, and strategy, you can build an account that helps the right people find you and supports your business long-term.
If this episode helped you, come and say hi on Instagram from your new account. I’d love to follow along and watch you grow!
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