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Is your company using Instagram, but you can’t help but notice that other company pages are getting a lot more interaction and seem to be more successful? It’s most likely because their pages are properly optimized.

So, what can you do to optimize your company’s Instagram profile and find success like your competitors? Don’t worry, we have the how-to in our latest blog.

Convert to a Business Account

Believe it or not, you will see more success on your Instagram page if you convert it to a business account. This should be your very first step before you do any other optimizing. Once you convert to a business profile, you’ll have access to analytics, including post performance and follower growth.

Also, with a business account, you will be able to add your company’s location, website, phone number and email address, which you cannot do with a personal profile (unless you put it on your bio, which I don’t suggest). Think of it like this: if you want people to look for your company on Instagram, wouldn’t you want it to show up as a business profile and as professional as possible?

When in doubt, if your company is on Instagram, it’s best to convert it to a business account as part of your optimization. The best thing about converting your page is how easy it is; just follow these steps.

Choose a Handle Best Suited for Your Company

This one may seem a little obvious, but I’ve seen a lot of company Instagram handles that have nothing to do with their business. You have 30 characters to create your Instagram handle, but keep in mind that you don’t want it to be too long; you’ll want your followers to easily remember it!

If you haven’t created your Instagram profile yet, it’s best to create a handle that’s on-brand and relevant to your company. That being said, if you already have an Instagram account created and you need to change your handle (for whatever reason), don’t make a drastic change! This may confuse your followers if they’re trying to search for your page or tag you in a post.

Optimize Your Instagram Business Profile Across Devices

Although Instagram is owned by Facebook, it was created specifically for mobile devices. The Instagram app was first released for iPhone users and an Android version was created later.

Because the Instagram app works differently for various devices, it’s essential that you make sure your business profile is properly optimized across the board. I suggest checking the app on at least four different devices, including a desktop (remember, you can’t post directly from your desktop, but you can view Instagram profiles, stories and highlights).

Making this optimization allows you to create a positive experience for users regardless of what device they’re on.

What Else Should You Optimize? 

The previously mentioned optimizations are the three most important ones (in my opinion), but there are some other things you can do to optimize your company’s Instagram business profile:

• Add links to your bio (this allows your followers to go directly to your website)
• Customize your posts (filters, hashtags, etc.)
• Use high quality photos (don’t just post anything)
• Create a strategy (don’t post blindly, have a plan in place)
• Post consistently (this is an ongoing optimization that keeps your profile looking up to date)

You know that Instagram is an important marketing platform for your company’s social media, so don’t ignore the endless possibilities it can offer! Making sure your business profile is optimized is the first step toward success on Instagram.

About the author

Lauren Snyder

Content Marketing Coordinator at RevLocal

Lauren graduated from The Ohio State University in 2016 with her bachelor’s degree in English and minor in Professional Writing. Shortly after, she joined the RevLocal team as a Digital Content Specialist focusing on blogging and social media for clients. She recently transitioned to her current position and loves writing for RevLocal and small businesses throughout the United States. Lauren has always had a passion for writing and even completed National Novel Writing Month three times.