As a photo and video-based platform, social media users turn to the Facebook-owned platform, Instagram, for aesthetic feeds and quality video.
With over 800 million active users, and the majority of top performing brands having a large presence on the platform, it’s rapidly growing user base and ease-of-use make Instagram among the most effective channels for social media marketing. The platform’s in-app insights and recent compatibility with automated publishing platforms like Sprout Social simplify posting business-related content.
Each post presents the opportunity to connect with new users and build your business’s following by creating engaging content. Like Facebook, the platform features affecting advertising capabilities to boost brand awareness, drive online traffic, and generate leads.
Before jumping into social media marketing, we recommend optimizing your Instagram pages prior to posting or allocating an ad spend. Here are what we suggest:
STEP 1: CREATE A BUSINESS ACCOUNT
Unlike personal Instagram accounts, business accounts allow you to utilize helpful analytics, provide contact information, and have a business category that enhances the discoverability of your business. Creating a business account also enables your account for future advertising, allowing you to reach a larger and targeted audience.
Switching to a business account is also necessary for automated publishing through social media management software. Changing from a personal account to a business account can be done within your Facebook Page Settings, or within the Instagram app itself. You’ll want to link your Instagram account to your Facebook business page to ensure that the accounts are integrated correctly.
STEP 2: PROFILE PICTURE
You’ll want to have a consistent brand identity across all marketing channels. This allows customers to quickly identify your brand, and build brand awareness by maintaining a consistent brand image. What defines your brand or business best? Your logo. A high-quality logo as your profile picture will keep your brand image positive while spreading brand awareness in high resolution.
Instagram Profile Picture Dimensions: 180 x 180 px
The dimensions above are the dimensions that are displayed. Upon uploading, we recommend uploading a 1080 x 1080 px PNG file from your mobile device. This often provides the best results, displaying your logo in the highest resolution possible.
STEP 3: PAGE TITLE & USERNAME
As we mentioned in our last blog, it’s important that the title of your Instagram page
is an exact match, word-for-word, of your business’s name. This ensures ensure that your company’s name is consistent across search engines, and increases the likelihood of your business and its associated pages displaying in a direct search.
We recommend following the same principle for your username. If it’s already taken, add a keyword on the end that’s associated with your business’s products or services. Alternatively, it isn’t uncommon to pay for your handle if it’s taken. Just reach out to the user, and ask if they’re willing to part ways with it.
STEP 4: A CATCHY BIO
The company bio on the page gives your business the opportunity to provide more information about your business. We recommend filling it with keywords related to your products or services, so customers can quickly associate your business or brand with your offerings.
If you’re unsure about your company’s bio, consider it as a variable when analyzing your referral traffic to your link. You can check your website’s referral traffic if you’ve enabled Google Analytics on your website.
STEP 5: WEBSITE LINK
Adding a website link allows your page’s visitors to seek out more information about your business, learn more about your products, and enables them to convert on your website. Additionally, it acts as a backlink, increasing the likelihood that your business ranks higher in Google Search.
STEP 6: PLAN BEFORE YOU POST
It’s important to have a social media marketing strategy prior to posting on social media. Developing a content calendar will ensure that your content is organized, and is a cohesive method for what you wish to accomplish with social media. There are many categories of posts, allowing you to alter between styles that fit within your niche. No matter your style, create value with your posts by offering insightful information, promotions, and providing user-generated-content (UGC).
You’ll also want to be sure that you’re focusing on our page’s visual appeal to create consistent branding and a feed that will peak users’ interest on the platform.