How You Can Use the Instagram Local Business Profile to Attract More Customers
It’s no secret that social media plays a significant role in your business’s online presence… Platforms like Instagram are business tools that allow you to reach, attract, and connect with new customers.
The truth is that everything is on social media. It’s estimated that by the end of 2019, 2.77 billion people will be on social media. 2.77 billion! Now tell me that you don’t need social media?
Let’s unpack why people love social media so much – trust me, there’s a point to this!! Is it the way that it connects you with your old high school friends? Is it because you can stalk your ex who’s now dating that girl you hated from college? Or perhaps it’s because these platforms give people the chance to show off that they’re living their best lives. While these points may be true, it’s not all that matters. Especially when it comes to your business profiles.
You see, social media is an incredible business tool that bridges the gap between the customer and the business. What do I mean by this? Before the days of social media, people were only being exposed to brands through word-of-mouth, ad campaigns, and the occasional door-to-door salesman. While these impersonal communications may have worked then, the business communication landscape has changed.
Thanks to social media, businesses are now able to communicate directly with their target market. Those that have embraced the opportunities offered by social media are reaping the rewards – increased engagement, reach, and brand loyalty. These businesses are changing the game for everyone because consumers have now come to expect businesses to be active and connect with them on social media.
By embracing the power of social media, you can engage your customers and ensure that you remain top of mind. Make them feel like they are part of your brand story, and they will remain a customer for life!
Running a business is tough and it requires a lot of energy. It’s completely understandable that you may not have as much time available to dedicate to your social media as you’d like. However, the moment that you make the shift from viewing social media as another marketing tactic to the foundation of your sales strategy, that’s when it gets exciting! Building your online presence comes with a multitude of benefits, it’s time to give it the attention it deserves.
Why have I gone on this tangent? Before you get started on your social media channel, you have to understand how people are interacting on these platforms. When you start looking at the type of content that your audience is looking for, that’s when you can start creating an appropriate communication strategy. As people are looking for ways to get to know businesses, you should be giving them as many opportunities as possible for them to do so. That’s why we’re loving the Instagram local business profile page! This tool provides you with yet another method to attract new customers.
Look, I’m not going to lecture you on the importance of social media but what I am going to do is tell you how you can leverage Instagram’s newest tool. Who doesn’t like learning about the latest aids that help you reach new audiences and increase your number of sales?!
Let’s cut to the chase – you’re here to learn about Instagram business profile pages and not to read my passionate social media ramblings.
What is an Instagram Local Business Profile Page?
Just like Facebook has its business pages, Instagram has brought a whole new level of business optimizations to the game with their business profile feature. You can think of Instagram local business profile pages as a mini Google My Business profile, if you will. 
You know, Google My Business? The information that pops up after googling a business in the knowledge panels?
That’s the one!
Well, instead of taking to Google to do your online searches, you can now turn to Instagram. Try it for yourself! Here’s how:
- Go to Your Search Bar
- Enter Your Keyword Under the “Places” Tab
3. Click on the Most Relevant Option
4. Select “View Information” 
5. Take in the Wonders of Instagram 
This type of local searching works wonders in getting a new user to visit your account. By utilizing the local business search, you are practically giving users all the information they’d need to know more about your brand. In this block of information, users will have access to your business address, opening hours, website, and relevant contact information.
Pretty nifty, right? It’s becoming easier and easier for new users to come into contact with your brand, therefore increasing your reach of potential customers! With all of the attention your page could potentially be getting, you have to make sure that your content is ready to delight them upon arrival.
Think of it this way – if you’re putting out an ad online to bring traffic to your website, what’s going to help seal the deal? Your ad’s copy might be the factor that draws them in but it’s your website’s content that will make them stay.
This is why you have to ensure that everything on your Instagram profile is completely optimized to please your audience. We’re talking attractive imagery, clear call-to-actions, correct contact information, and most importantly, frequent updates. After all, landing on your Instagram page might be the first interaction a user has with your brand and you have to ensure that you’re giving them everything your brand has to offer!
How Do You Claim Your Instagram Local Business Page?
Now that we’ve covered what the Instagram Local Business Profile pages can do for you, let’s look at how you can make use of this new feature for yourself.
Step One: Set Your Account to Business
The first thing that you will need to do is switch your Instagram account to a business account. Don’t worry it’s easy!. All that there is to it is to go to your account’s profile settings:
Select “get more tools”:
Once you’ve gotten to that step, all that’s left to do is connect your Facebook account.
From there, you will be required to enter your profile’s category. This will help tell Instagram what type of business you are and help them categorize your business correctly.
Step Two: Update All of Your Business’ Information
As I’ve already mentioned, you have to ensure that all of the information on your profile is correct. All of your links must be working and your call-to-action button has to be fully functioning. If a customer decides to take action on your Instagram profile, you have to make it as easy as possible for them to do so.
Step Three: Make Use of Geotags in Your Content
Geotags are Instagram’s way of locating your content. By including geotags into your posts, you are literally telling Instagram where your business is based and where your point of “local”extends to. This is a great way to present your content to users who are searching for posts tagged in their desired location.
Step Four: Test and Optimise Where Necessary
Like with most marketing strategies, you have to test the waters first and see which areas are needing improvement. With Instagram, this is no different. It’s essential that you test how your business profile information is displayed to your users and to see if it’s up to your standards. Once you have completed the 3 previous steps, I highly recommend that you take your local business profile for a spin and see where it needs edits.
To do this, go to your search bar and search for your business’ name under that location tab. Here you will see how your profile is being presented to users. It’s important to check and see if all of your information is correct. Keep your eye out on the images that the profile page uses too – naturally, Instagram will take the first 3 images from your profile. If you feel like your profile could do with some improvements, get editing!
How Can You Optimize Your Page for the Likes of Instagram Local Business Profile Pages?
With the basics well-covered, let’s start looking at ways for you to really make your business profile page stand out from the crowd. Did you know that Instagram has over 1 billion users on it? That’s 1 billion Instagram accounts. As this is such a condensed market, you should be doing everything you can to really attract your business’ ideal target audience.
Instagram is full of stunning imagery and is well-liked for its use of hashtags, but that’s not all that it is good for. Instagram can be used as an extension of your brand and another way for you to get in touch with your customer base. With that being said, you have to ensure that your profile is communicating the right message.
Here are our best tips to boost your Instagram business account:
- Make Your Business Name Searchable
Have you ever tried searching for a brand on Instagram in the hopes of learning more about their story to only be frustrated by the lack of results?
It could be because that brand has included a “.” to separate their name or they’ve added their location to their handle. To help users find your Instagram account with ease, it’s best to avoid these edits wherever possible. Your Instagram account’s name should be as close to your brand name as possible to avoid any confusion.
- Use an Easily Identifiable, Branded Profile Picture
What’s more identifiable than your logo, right? Your logo is your calling card and it’s the most recognizable feature of your brand. By putting your logo as your profile image, you’re actively helping users know that they’re in the right place.
- Develop an Attractive Bio
For a new user to stumble across your profile, it’s vital that your bio tells them exactly who and what your brand is. As this might be the first time a user’s heard of your brand, you have to capture their attention in seconds. So, how do you do this?
The best way to write your Instagram bio is by keeping it short and simple. You should stick to including the most important parts of your business information. If it’s on-brand for you, try adding some emojis into your copy. The extra aspect of creativity will show off your brand’s personality.
Just take a look at ASOS’s Instagram account below: 
Look at how appealing their bio is! It’s fun and tells people exactly who they are. Asos scores extra points in my book because their whole profile is fully optimized for great user experience. They have a matching handle to their brand name, they keep things simple in their bio, and they add a little bit of personality in their use of emojis.
- Include a Strong CTA
Lastly, tell people exactly what actions they should be taking on your Instagram account. Do you see how Asos included the “tag your looks” section to their profile? This is a great way to generate a buzz about your business and to extend your hashtag beyond your immediate target audience circle.
Call us biased, but at Dawning Digital, we’re huge fans of Instagram. Instagram is constantly releasing new features to help brand excel and to put them in contact with potential customers. The Local Business Profile Page is just one example of how you can start leveraging social media for your business’ success. Are you ready to take the opportunity and see your business flourish? We sure hope so!
If not, you are more than welcome to send us an email or schedule a call. We’ll gladly talk you through any questions you may have with regards to your social media strategy.
