LinkedIn’s platform is designed to work well for all users, regardless of which account membership option you choose you are still able to connect with businesses and fellow professionals the world over. However, finding the right profile type for your LinkedIn account can be a difficult process. To determine which of the three main available options; Free, Premium Business or Sales Navigator will best serve your business means taking into consideration all that they offer.
Every business has different needs that will influence the profile type needed. Which is why we have created an easy rundown of the benefits of each of the top 3 to help you decide which one to opt for.
LinkedIn’s Free Membership
First up is LinkedIn’s free membership. This is the most commonly chosen account type as it offers a great range of features that allow you to navigate and connect with fellow business professionals. You can also:
- Receive unlimited InMail messages that allow you to communicate with a wide range of people. This is however restricted to those in your network and accounts outside of this will need credits.
- Search and view profiles of fellow LinkedIn members that you can add to your network, with the Free Membership you will only be able to view the last 5 accounts to look at your profile.
- You can save up to three searches and set up alerts for them, this is a great way to stay up to date with relevant topics, connections, and jobs but is limited to 100 results.
It is important to remember that this account type is not without limitations. But it is a great way to begin your LinkedIn journey and familiarise yourself with all that the platform has to offer.
LinkedIn Premium Business
You might find yourself feeling the restrictions of your Free LinkedIn account and begin to want more from your experience. For a monthly subscription starting from £39.99 per month, you have access to all the features available with the Premium Business account. This account type can help you to get detailed business insights. Helping you further expand your business, as well as this:
- You are given 15 InMail credits each month that allows you to communicate with people outside of your network. This can be a great way to reach out and connect with a wider range of professionals and businesses.
- You have unlimited insight into who’s viewed your profile as well as insights into your job and salary expectations for your industry. This can be a great way to keep tabs on competitors too!
- You can have up to 1000 results for your advanced searches, which is another great way to expand your network further.
But, if you’re still unsure you have the option to start a free 30-day trial. Where you can familiarise yourself with the new benefits and ensure it’s the right account option for you, before committing to a monthly subscription.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator
The LinkedIn Sales Navigator account type builds on top of the premium features. It is ideal for sales professionals looking to generate leads and build pipelines. A monthly subscription from £49.99 offers:
- Sales spotlight that allows you to see when people have changed jobs, follow your company, or get mentioned in the news. This is a great way to stay in the loop and see who is interacting with your business.
- The advanced search filter allows you to sort potential leads by location, job title, company as well as countless other categories. This is a great way to connect with industry-specific professionals who are likely to interact with your business. You also can refine your search further by excluding keywords.
- The Sales Navigator account means you can save up to 15 searches. You can access these at any time, as well as being able to save up to a staggering 1500 leads. This is an easy way to organise your lead generation and will help your business grow.
There’s no doubt all 3 options have benefits and that one will work for your business. But, like many social media platforms, each user interacts and gains from it differently. Before investing in monthly subscriptions it’s important to trial the other account types. Weigh up the pros and cons of each, to ensure you utilise the features and gain from the experience.
You have to ask yourself; which LinkedIn account type would work best for your business and if you’re still unsure why not get in contact with us today. We can offer guidance, support and help you to grow your network.
