Why Highlights convert visitors to bookings
When someone discovers your Instagram through a Reel, a tag, or a search, they visit your profile for about 30 seconds. They look at your bio, scan a few posts, and — if they're seriously considering booking — they tap on your Highlights. Highlights answer the questions every potential client has before they commit: What does your work look like? How much does it cost? How do I book? What are the rules?
A nail tech with clear, well-organised Highlights removes friction from the decision to book. A nail tech with no Highlights (or outdated ones) pushes clients toward the DMs with questions that could have been answered immediately.
Essential Highlights for nail techs
| Highlight name | Purpose | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Work / Portfolio | Show your best work — the range of styles, colours, and techniques you offer | Must-have |
| Prices / Menu | Service list and prices — stops price enquiry DMs and pre-qualifies clients | Must-have |
| How to Book | Step-by-step booking instructions, link to your booking page | Must-have |
| Policies | Deposit, cancellation, late policy — sets expectations before booking | Strongly recommended |
| Reviews | Client messages, before/afters with captions, 5-star feedback | Strongly recommended |
| About / Meet Me | Who you are, your training, your style, your location | Recommended |
| FAQ | Answers to your most common DM questions | Optional |
What to put in each Highlight
Work / Portfolio
- Your 10–20 best photos, rotated with recent work
- Show range: short/long, simple/detailed, different colour families
- Lead with your strongest piece — it's the first slide people see
- Add a slide occasionally: "DM 'BOOK' to get a slot" or "Link in bio to book"
Prices / Menu
- One slide per service or per category (gel nails / nail art / removal)
- Include time as well as price: "Gel manicure — 45 min — £35"
- End with your booking link slide: "Ready to book? Link in bio"
- Update when prices change
How to Book
- Slide 1: "Ready to book?"
- Slide 2: "Click the link in my bio"
- Slide 3: "Choose your service and date"
- Slide 4: "Pay your deposit to confirm — see you there!"
- Optional: add a slide showing a screenshot of your booking page
Policies
- Keep it brief: one slide per policy section (deposits, cancellations, lateness)
- Don't use legal language — write it the way you'd explain it to a friend
- End with: "These policies help me give every client the best possible service"
Reviews
- Screenshots of DM feedback, text message reviews, Google reviews
- Before/after photos with a caption about the client's experience
- Keep recent — add new reviews as they arrive
- A mix of short ("she's amazinggg") and detailed reviews works well
Optional Highlights to consider
| Highlight | What's in it | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Inspo / Trends | Nail designs you offer or love — client mood board input | Nail techs who do lots of bespoke art |
| Products | Brands and products you use — builds trust and transparency | Premium-positioned nail techs |
| Training / Certs | Your qualifications, courses, accreditations | Newer nail techs building credibility |
| Availability | Current slots / waitlist info | Very booked nail techs; update frequently or remove |
| Behind the Scenes | Prep, product unboxing, day-in-the-life clips | Personality-led brands |
Highlight covers: what actually works
At 55px diameter, Highlight covers are tiny. What reads at thumbnail size:
- Single word labels in a readable font (Work, Book, Prices, FAQ)
- Simple icons (calendar, star, speech bubble, price tag)
- Initials of the Highlight name (W for Work, P for Prices)
- Consistent background colour from your brand palette — the consistency matters more than any individual design
Detailed illustrations, complex graphics, and multi-colour designs are invisible at this size. Create covers in Canva using the "Instagram Story" format (1080×1920), design centrally, then the small circle crop will catch the right part. For more Instagram bio and profile advice: best Instagram bio ideas for nail techs.
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Start free →Frequently asked questions
How many Instagram Highlights should a nail tech have?
4–6 is the sweet spot. Fewer than 4 and you're leaving useful client information out; more than 8 and the row looks overwhelming and most get ignored. Prioritise the ones a potential client needs before deciding to book.
Do Instagram Highlights need to be updated regularly?
The "Work" and "Reviews" Highlights benefit from regular refreshes with recent content. The "Booking Info" and "Prices" Highlights need updating only when those things change. "FAQ" and "About" rarely need updates. At minimum, check everything quarterly.
What should nail tech Highlight covers look like?
Simple, readable icons or initials in your brand colours on a consistent background. Avoid highly detailed graphics — they're hard to read at the small Highlight circle size. Canva has ready-made Highlight cover templates. Matching covers make your profile look more polished than a random mix of story screenshots.
