Cellphone with Instagram
Instagram is a social media platform used to share photos with an online audience. Businesses have recently been able to grow through this medium by selling products and studying user analytics. But the question remains – is Instagram worth your business’ time?
Advantages of Using Instagram:
- Instagram’s new business profile setting allows users to schedule posts. This gives you more time to focus on other marketing strategies while planning your posts in advance can make consecutive posts more consistent.
- You may promote your products visually, allowing potential customers to view their purchasing options before they get to your website.
- Customers may purchase directly from your E-Commerce store by enabling Instagram’s new shopping feature.
- Instagram allows your business to create an intimacy and authenticity between your products and customers through using Instagram live stories. These stories allow you to share behind the scenes content in real-time.
- Since Instagram was purchased by Facebook, the social media ad program is as advanced as Facebook’s. This is important because the algorithms the business analytics provide include demographics and a targeted, customizable advertising platform.
Disadvantages of Using Instagram:
- You need to keep your brand and aesthetic current enough to continue bringing in new customers. This can be difficult if your business does not have a marketing department.
- For many potential customers, this may be the only time they see your business. The images/videos you use need to be of incredible quality and the profile you use should be in-line with your brand.
- In order to make Instagram profitable, you need to constantly be paying attention to other similar Instagram pages and reading through the Instagram analytics.
- Advertising is limited to organic content and followers unless you pay for advertising space. It may be hard to see a return on your investment without building your follower base first.
- Instagram, being an image-based platform, runs the risk of your images and brand being stolen without your permissions. You should be aware of this risk when making a decision on which platform to use.
With every online platform, there are pros and cons. Instagram is no different. Look closely at your products and business model before including Instagram in your social media strategy. Instagram is not an easy undertaking and can be time-consuming in order to be profitable. Be sure to devote time to Instagram analytics along with high-quality content in order to make your brand reputable and authentic.