Which Type of Twitter Account Should You Create?

Which Type of Twitter Account Should You Create?   

Are you thinking of creating an account on the ever-popular social media platform Twitter? With such a massive platform, it’s important to know your options and what type of account best suits your needs.

Twitter provides a variety of different account types, including business, nonprofit, personal, and more. Depending on the type of account you choose, you’ll have access to different features, optimization advantages, and restrictions alongside different goals and branding. Read on to learn more about the different types of Twitter accounts and the benefits of each.

Personal Accounts  

A personal account is the default option for all new Twitter users. If a user does not choose a different type of account, this is the type of account that will be created.

Benefits:

1. Easy to Set Up -By default, all new Twitter users are launched with a personal account type. As a personal Twitter user, you don’t have to worry about account auditing or any other complex setup process.

2. Offers Good Visibility – With a personal account, you can post content that will have a chance of being seen by a larger audience. Your tweets will appear in other users’ feeds and be visible to people who don’t even follow you. You can also include hashtags to increase visibility of your posts.

3. Allow You to Embed Content –Personal Twitter accounts have the unique capability to embed Twitter cards on blogs or websites. These cards are sharable and clickable and are also part of the Twitter mobile experience.

Limitations:

1. Limited Analytics – With a personal Twitter account, you can view basic analytics that allow you to measure the success of a tweet, such as likes, replies, retweets, and views. Unfortunately, you should not expect more than the basic analyzation capabilities with a personal account.

2. Limited Branding Capability – With a personal account, you’re limited in how much you can brand your account. Your personal photo and username will be prominently displayed, but your options for customization are limited.

Business Accounts  

Business Twitter accounts are a great option for companies looking to build their presence on the platform. If you want to add extra benefits to your Twitter presence and promote your offer or brand in a more professional way, a business account is the way to go.

Benefits:

1. Access to Advanced Analytics – With a business Twitter account, you have access to the “Insights” tab which offers you advanced analytics, such as the ability to monitor post performance over time, track how often people are engaging with your tweets, and how many people are clicking on links in your tweets.

2. Access to Promoted Tweets – Business Twitter accounts get access to promoted tweets, which is a powerful marketing tool for companies looking to amplify their message and reach a larger audience. After you create promoted tweets, Twitter will display them at the top of a list of search results related to you choice keyword.

3. Easier Branding Capabilities – With a business Twitter account, you have access to unique customization options that allow you to create a more professional presence and showcase your brand. For example, you can customize your profile image and cover photo, customize your profile page color scheme, and add a short bio or hashtag.

Limitations:

1. More Complex Setup – Setting up a business Twitter account is more complex than creating a personal account. You will need to register it as a business with Twitter, which requires a series of steps and verifications.

2. More Rules and Restrictions – Business Twitter accounts also have to abide by certain rules and restrictions set by Twitter. For example, you cannot post sponsored tweets or sell products directly from your profile.

Nonprofit Organizations  

Twitter offers special accounts for nonprofit organizations, which provides the same benefits of a personal or business account without any charge whatsoever. Nonprofit accounts are especially beneficial for organizations working with a limited budget but looking to boost their reach.

Benefits:

1. No Charges – Perhaps the most compelling benefit of nonprofit Twitter accounts is that they’re free. Since such organizations typically don’t have large budget, this free service can prove to be invaluable in terms of raising awareness or finding support.

2. Access to Donate Button – Nonprofits also have access to the “Donate Now” button. This makes it easier for users to make donations directly from within Twitter, which can be a great tool for driving donations to the cause.

3. Verification – Just like with business accounts, nonprofits have access to verification on the platform. This is especially important for larger nonprofits where credibility and recognition can be a challenge.

Limitations:

1. Twitter Rules and Guidelines – Just like with business accounts, nonprofits must abide by certain rules and restrictions set by Twitter. In addition, nonprofit accounts must adhere to the internal policies of the specific nonprofit organization, which can add extra complexity to the setup.

2. Limited Advanced Features – While nonprofit accounts have access to some of the same features as business accounts, such as the “Donate Now” button, they don’t have access to the same advanced analytics or promoted tweets offered to businesses.

No matter the type of Twitter account you decide to create, it’s important to understand the benefits and limitations of each type. Taking a moment to consider the options is critical in order to ensure you are taking full advantage of the platform. Personal accounts offer ease of setup and good visibility, while business accounts provide access to advanced analytics and branding capabilities. Nonprofits are especially helped by having access to a free account and the “Donate Now” button.

Whether you’re using Twitter for marketing, reaching out to donors, simply staying connected with family and friends, or something else, choosing the right type of account will ensure you are taking full advantage of the platform. With the right plan in place, Twitter can be a valuable tool for reaching your goals.