Instagram for Small Business: Complete Guide to Getting Customers
Instagram Is a Customer Engine
With 2 billion monthly active users, Instagram is the #1 platform for visual businesses. Restaurants, salons, retail shops, and home services are all finding customers here.
Why Instagram Works for Local Business
- 90% of Instagram users follow at least one business
- 50% of users are more interested in a brand after seeing it on Instagram
- 70% of shoppers turn to Instagram for product discovery
5 Steps to Turn Followers Into Customers
1. Optimize your bio. Your bio is the only place you can put a clickable link. Use it wisely. Include: what you do, where you are, and a link to your website or booking page.
2. Post consistently. Aim for 3-5 posts per week. Mix product photos, behind-the-scenes content, customer testimonials, and educational content.
3. Use local hashtags. Don't just use #smallbusiness — use #AustinEats, #PortlandSalon, #DenverPlumber. Local hashtags help you get discovered by people in your area.
4. Engage with your community. Reply to comments, like posts from local accounts, and engage with your followers' content. Instagram rewards engagement.
5. Use Stories and Reels. Reels get 2x more reach than regular posts. Stories keep you top-of-mind. Post 2-3 Stories per day and 1-2 Reels per week.
How Goodly Helps
Our social media audit scans your Instagram profile, analyzes your hashtag strategy, and gives you AI-powered suggestions for better captions and engagement. Run a free audit at https://searchgoodly.com/audit.