Last Updated on August 27, 2024 by Val Razo
Creating custom Instagram Story Highlights Covers is an essential step in curating a visually appealing Instagram profile that not only reflects your brand’s identity but also enhances your overall Instagram aesthetic. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or new to Instagram marketing, knowing how to create Instagram highlights with custom covers can make your profile stand out. In this quick and easy tutorial, you’ll learn how to make custom Instagram Highlights Covers using popular tools like Canva and highlight cover templates. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to design and customize your Instagram highlight covers to align with your brand, attract followers, and grow your business in 2024.
Why Instagram Story Highlights Covers Matter in 2024
Instagram Story Highlights have become a staple for businesses, influencers, and personal brands looking to enhance their Instagram profile. In 2024, the emphasis on a cohesive and visually appealing Instagram aesthetic is more critical than ever. Custom IG Highlight Covers play a pivotal role in creating a polished look that resonates with your audience. They serve as the first impression when someone visits your profile, offering a glimpse into your brand’s personality and the type of Instagram content you produce.
The Importance of Instagram Aesthetic
A well-crafted Instagram aesthetic is not just about pleasing visuals; it’s about creating a consistent and recognizable brand image. Highlight covers contribute to this by providing a uniform look across your Instagram highlights. Whether you’re using free icons, highlight cover templates, or creating your own custom highlight covers, these visuals should align with the overall theme of your profile. By maintaining a consistent Instagram aesthetic, you make it easier for followers to identify with your brand, which is crucial for retaining and growing your audience.
How Custom Instagram Highlight Covers Can Grow Your Business
Custom Instagram Highlight Covers are more than just a decorative element; they are a strategic tool in Instagram marketing. These covers help organize and present your Instagram Stories in a way that is both appealing and informative. For businesses, custom covers can be used to highlight products, services, or promotions, making it easier for potential customers to find what they’re looking for. By creating custom highlight covers that reflect your brand’s identity, you can increase engagement, attract new followers, and ultimately grow your business.
According to a 2023 report from Social Media Examiner, 58% of businesses using Instagram stated that their Instagram Stories and highlights played a crucial role in their overall social media strategy, leading to a 40% increase in follower growth.
Tools and Resources for Creating Instagram Highlight Covers
Creating eye-catching Instagram Highlight Covers doesn’t require you to be a professional designer. With the right tools and resources, anyone can design stunning custom Instagram highlight covers that elevate their profile’s look.
Using Canva for Custom Instagram Highlight Covers
One of the most popular tools for creating Instagram Highlight Covers is Canva. This user-friendly platform offers a wide range of features that allow you to create custom highlight covers with ease. Canva provides a variety of templates specifically designed for Instagram highlights, making it simple to start even if you’re new to graphic design. You can customize everything from the background color to the icons used on your covers, ensuring they align perfectly with your Instagram aesthetic. Additionally, Canva offers a ton of free icons and images, so you can create a unique look without spending a dime.
A small fashion brand, Luna Wear, leveraged Instagram highlight covers to showcase their latest collections, customer testimonials, and promotional events. By using well-designed, on-brand highlight covers, they were able to create a more cohesive and professional-looking profile. Over the course of 2023, Luna Wear reported a 50% increase in website traffic originating from Instagram and a 35% boost in sales directly attributed to their enhanced Instagram profile.
Popular Instagram Highlight Cover Templates in 2024
In 2024, Instagram highlight cover templates will continue to be a popular resource for those looking to quickly create professional-looking covers. These templates come in a variety of styles, from minimalist designs to vibrant and colorful options, catering to all types of Instagram profiles. Whether you’re using a mobile app like Canva or downloading free templates from the web, these resources allow you to easily customize and create Instagram highlight covers that match your brand. By leveraging these cover templates, you can save time while still producing high-quality visuals that attract and engage your audience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make Custom Instagram Highlights Covers
Creating custom Instagram highlight covers is a straightforward process that allows you to showcase your Instagram Stories in a way that aligns with your brand’s identity. Follow these steps to make your own custom highlight covers and give your Instagram profile a polished, professional look.
How to Create Instagram Highlight Icons
To start, you’ll want to decide on the icons that will represent each of your Instagram highlights. These icons are the focal point of your highlight covers, so they should be both visually appealing and relevant to the content. Here’s how you can create your Instagram highlight icons:
- Choose a Design Tool: Platforms like Canva are ideal for creating custom icons. You can either design your icons from scratch or use one of the many free icons available within the tool.
- Select a Background Color: The background color of your highlight covers should complement your overall Instagram aesthetic. Consider using a consistent color scheme across all your highlight icons to maintain a cohesive look.
- Add Your Icon: Once you’ve chosen your background color, add the icon that best represents the content of that Instagram highlight. Make sure the icon is centered and sized appropriately to ensure it looks good when displayed on your profile.
- Download Your Design: After finalizing your highlight icon, download the image in a high-resolution format. You’ll then be ready to upload it as your highlight cover.
Tips to Make an Instagram Highlight Cover
When creating your Instagram highlight covers, there are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure they stand out:
- Keep it Simple: Avoid overcrowding your cover with too many elements. A simple icon on a solid color background often works best.
- Stay Consistent: Use the same style and color palette for all your highlight covers. This consistency will create a uniform look across your profile, which is key to maintaining an attractive Instagram aesthetic.
- Use Readable Icons: Make sure the icons you choose are easily recognizable at a small size. This ensures that your highlight covers are clear and understandable to anyone viewing your profile.
By following these steps and tips, you can easily create Instagram highlight covers that not only look great but also effectively represent the content within each highlight.
A 2023 study by Hootsuite revealed that Instagram accounts with consistent visual elements, including custom highlight covers, saw a 30% higher engagement rate compared to those with inconsistent or no highlight covers.
Best Practices for Designing Instagram Story Highlight Covers
Designing IG Story Highlight Covers that resonate with your audience involves more than just selecting appealing images. It’s about creating a cohesive visual narrative that aligns with your overall Instagram aesthetic and the content you share.
Matching Your Instagram Stories with Your Highlight Covers
To create an effective Instagram profile, it’s important to ensure that your highlight covers match the content of your Instagram Stories. Each highlight cover should give a clear indication of what users can expect to find within that highlight. Here are a few tips for matching your stories with your covers:
- Choose Relevant Icons: The icons on your highlight covers should directly relate to the content of the stories within that highlight. For example, if you have a highlight dedicated to travel, consider using an icon like a suitcase or an airplane.
- Maintain Color Consistency: Use colors from your Instagram Stories as the background color for your highlight covers. This will create a seamless transition between your covers and the stories they represent.
- Reflect Your Brand’s Tone: If your brand is fun and playful, your highlight covers should reflect that with bright colors and whimsical icons. Conversely, if your brand is more serious or professional, opt for more muted tones and sleek designs.
As a small business owner, I needed a way to showcase my products and services more effectively on Instagram. I created custom highlight covers for different categories, such as ‘New Arrivals,’ ‘Customer Reviews,’ and ‘Special Offers.’ By doing so, I made it easier for potential customers to find the information they were looking for. After updating my highlights with these custom covers, I saw a 25% increase in story views and a noticeable uptick in direct messages from interested buyers.
Creating Consistent Instagram Highlight Icons
Consistency is key when designing Instagram Highlight Icons. This doesn’t just apply to color schemes but also to the style of the icons themselves. Here’s how to maintain consistency across your highlight icons:
- Use the Same Icon Style: Whether you prefer flat icons, outline icons, or something more detailed, make sure all your highlight icons follow the same design style. This will create a cohesive look on your profile.
- Stick to a Theme: If you’re using a specific theme for your highlight covers—such as a particular shape, symbol, or design—make sure this theme is carried across all your highlights.
- Consider Spacing and Size: Ensure that all your icons are similarly sized and evenly spaced on the highlight covers. This will prevent any one icon from looking out of place and will contribute to a more polished overall appearance.
By following these best practices, you can design Instagram Story Highlight Covers that not only look professional but also enhance the user experience by making your profile more navigable and visually appealing.
How Custom Instagram Highlight Covers Can Enhance Your Profile
Custom Instagram Highlight Covers are more than just a decorative touch—they are a powerful tool for enhancing your Instagram profile and making it more attractive to visitors. When used effectively, these covers can significantly improve the overall look of your profile, increase engagement, and even help you gain more followers.
How to Use Highlight Cover Templates Effectively
Using highlight cover templates is an excellent way to quickly create professional-looking Instagram highlight covers. However, it’s important to use these templates effectively to ensure they serve your profile’s needs:
- Customize the Templates: Even if you’re using a template, take the time to customize it to fit your brand’s identity. Adjust the background color, swap out the default icons for ones that better represent your content, and modify the text or any other elements as needed.
- Maintain Branding: Make sure that the highlight cover templates you choose align with your existing branding. This includes using your brand’s color palette, fonts, and style. Consistency across your Instagram content is key to building a recognizable brand.
- Use Templates as a Base: Think of templates as a starting point. Don’t hesitate to add your own unique touches to make the highlight covers truly yours. This could include incorporating brand-specific icons, logos, or other graphic elements.
When I first started using custom highlight covers for my personal brand, I noticed a significant increase in profile visits. I decided to use a consistent color scheme and design that matched my overall Instagram aesthetic. By creating highlights for specific topics like ‘Travel,’ ‘Workshops,’ and ‘Behind the Scenes,’ I was able to organize my content better and make it more accessible to my followers. This not only made my profile look more professional, but it also helped me attract more followers interested in those specific topics.
Examples of Instagram Highlights That Attract Followers
Some of the most successful Instagram profiles use their highlight covers strategically to draw in new followers. Here are a few examples of how you can use Instagram highlights to attract more engagement:
- Showcase Your Best Content: Use highlights to feature your top-performing content, such as customer testimonials, product reviews, or behind-the-scenes footage. A well-designed highlight cover can draw attention to these key pieces of content, encouraging new visitors to explore further.
- Organize by Theme: Organize your Instagram highlights by theme or topic, such as “Travel,” “Recipes,” or “Tips & Tricks.” This makes it easier for visitors to find the content that interests them, increasing the chances of them following your account.
- Promote Current Offers: If you’re running a promotion or a special event, create a dedicated highlight with a compelling cover to promote it. This not only keeps your followers informed but also helps convert new visitors into customers.
By implementing these strategies and using custom Instagram highlight covers, you can create a profile that not only looks good but also actively works to grow your audience and enhance your brand’s presence on Instagram.
Conclusion
Creating custom IG highlight covers is an essential part of building a strong and cohesive Instagram profile in 2024. By using tools like Canva and highlight cover templates, you can easily design highlight covers that not only enhance your Instagram aesthetic but also help you grow your business. Whether you’re showcasing your best content, organizing stories by theme, or promoting special offers, well-designed Instagram highlight covers can make your profile more attractive and engaging to both current followers and potential new ones. Start designing your custom covers today to elevate your Instagram presence and make a lasting impression on your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a story to my Instagram Story Archive?
To add a story to your Instagram Story Archive, make sure the “Save to Archive” option is enabled in your settings. This automatically saves all your Instagram Stories to your archive after they expire. You can access your Story Archive by going to your profile, tapping on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, and selecting “Archive.” From there, you can view all your archived stories and create new highlights.
How do I create highlights on Instagram and select the stories you want to include?
To create highlights on Instagram, start by viewing your Instagram Stories. Select the story you want to highlight, then tap the heart icon labeled “Highlight” at the bottom of the screen. Choose an existing highlight or tap “New” to create a new one. Give your highlight a name, and choose a cover image either from the stories included or by uploading a custom design. Once you’ve selected the stories you want to include, your highlight will appear at the top of your profile.
How does the Instagram algorithm affect the visibility of my highlight covers?
The Instagram algorithm prioritizes content that receives high engagement, such as likes, comments, and shares. While highlight covers themselves don’t directly impact the algorithm, the stories within those highlights do. By creating engaging and relevant Instagram Stories and organizing them into well-designed highlights, you increase the likelihood of your content being favored by the algorithm, which can lead to higher visibility on your Instagram account.
Can I use free Instagram story templates to create highlight covers?
Yes, you can use free Instagram Story templates to create highlight covers. Tools like Canva offer a variety of free templates that are easy to customize. These templates often come with pre-designed elements such as icons and background images, which can be tailored to match your Instagram aesthetic. This is a great option if you want to create professional-looking highlight covers without investing in graphic design software.
What are some ways to showcase highlights on your Instagram profile effectively?
To showcase highlights effectively on your Instagram profile, make sure they are organized and relevant to your audience. Use descriptive names and eye-catching highlight cover icons to draw attention. Arrange your highlights in a logical order, placing the most important ones at the top of your profile. Additionally, regularly update your highlights with new stories to keep them fresh and engaging, which can encourage more users to view and interact with them.
Author Bio
Val Razo
Val Razo is a skilled professional in the field of Instagram Marketing. With over five years of experience as a freelance Social Media Marketing consultant, Val has assisted numerous small and medium-sized businesses in achieving their goals.
