The ever-popular Instagram picture-sharing and social media platform continues to adapt to become more attractive to businesses.
Using Facebook for Business for Instagram
In yet another example of how Instagram is able to enjoy the wealth of resources and data offered by its parent company, Facebook, it is now possible for businesses to ad their Instagram accounts to their Business Managers in Facebook for Business. In fact, you can even advertise on Instagram if you do not have an Instagram account but as long as you have a Facebook Business Page. Those who decide to advertise without creating Instagram accounts will have ads that feature the names of their Business Pages and their Business Page profile images. These advertisers may monitor all engagement, however, they are unable to respond to comments.
Business Profiles: Coming Soon
Instagram is currently testing new Business Profiles in a very small segment of the Instagram population. These Business Profiles are expected to rollout throughout all of Instagram within the next few months and they may be compared to Business Pages on Facebook. Business Profiles feature “Contact” buttons in bold white that appear at the top of the profiles next to the “Follow” buttons. The “Contact” button leads to company directions, a map and/or a link to the company email address. The direction and map features are particularly important for local establishments and small businesses wanting to emphasize their whereabouts to users on the platform.
Instagram has announced that a number of additional business features are expected to launch soon. These featured include the ability for brands to track the progress of specific posts and the unveiling of a new ad manager to be used on mobile devices.
Support and Resources
Business owners, management and marketers must truly understand the potential of Instagram marketing before they decide to pay for Instagram advertising so Instagram has come up with a brilliant move to offer statistics, resources and support via Business.Instagram.com. The website offers case studies from business large and small and in industries ranging from food and beverage to luxury goods. It shares the ABC’s with getting started with Instagram for Business, information on advertising, brand resources and more. You can even find links to inspiring businesses to follow, information on how you can feature Instagram in your marketing and details on the importance of incorporating storytelling into your Instagram marketing and your overall marketing strategy.
