Instagram for Business – They say “don’t judge a book by a cover,” and this is completely inapplicable to your Instagram profile. Your profile is the first thing people will see that allows them to determine whether you’re a legitimate, and therefore trustworthy business, or not.
Focus on the profile
The first step in using Instagram for Business is having a professional-looking profile. You can do this by making sure your profile is filled out completely. Provide relevant information about your business by using an appropriate name, username, and a short bio about who you do. Add a link to your business website, your business phone number, or email address.
Additionally, using the Story Highlights feature is a great way to inform your profile visitors. Add a FAQs section, How-To-Purchase, Contact Us, and any other information a prospect might need.
Here’s how to not get banned
If you’ve successfully set up your Instagram profile, it’s best to actually stay on the platform than getting banned. You can do so by knowing what Instagram allows and what they prohibit. There’s a full list under the Terms of Use statement, but here are some of the most common violations businesses are committing.
- You can’t create multiple accounts to collect information from people in an authorized way
- You can’t solicit, collect or use login credentials or badges of other users
- You can’t buy, sell, or transfer any aspect of your account
- You can’t use a domain name or URL in your username without Instagram’s written consent
- You can’t post someone else’s private or confidential information
Who’s doing it right?
Another key thing you should be considering is looking for other businesses that you think have successful Instagram profiles. Be sure not to judge or compare your own profile to theirs. Instead, learn what you can and adapt it to your own business. Create a list of ideas that you liked from the other profile, as well as things you think they’re doing wrong so that you avoid them on your profile.
Prioritize great content
As far as Instagram for business profiles go, audience retainment all boils down to a well-envisioned content plan. Without engaging content, your followers might think twice whether you’re worth a follow or not.
In order to really hook your audience, post great content constantly. These include Instagram feed posts, IG stories, HGTV, Highlights, and just making the most out of Instagram’s features!
Find out more about posting great content here.
It’s all about functionality
Speaking of features, Instagram has a ton that you can use to your advantage. Before executing your content plan, be sure to familiarize yourself with all of Instagram’s tools – from basic to pro. Know the basic layout like the Home Tab, Profile tab, Explore tab, Camera tab, and Activity tab. And of course the settings you can tinker with on each tab.
Instagram for business is one of the most powerful tools, and you shouldn’t be missing out. With great content management and perseverance to the visual platform, you can turn followers into customers in no time. Digital Offsider has helped many businesses create and manage successful, active Instagram profiles. We’d be happy to help you with yours, give us a message now!
