Instagram has become a powerful tool for online businesses as well as offline businesses. If you are yet to use it to bring awareness to the products and services, then you should try it.

However, if you have an offline business, you may have to put in a lot of work to be able to showcase it in a fancy way that will capture the attention of customers. You will also have to improve your social media presence to build a reputation and establish yourself as an authority.

Let’s take a look at some tips that will help make your local business Instagram friendly and get people using photos of your business space on their post

Think aesthetics

Instagram is mainly known for it’s bright and colourful designs, which is what makes it appealing and unique. So, if you are going to bring your offline business on board, you might want to do it right..

• Package your products well

Your product’s package needs to look classy and chic to get the attention of Instagram users. Some quality products got ignored in the past due to inadequate packaging.

Attention to even the tiniest detail in packaging is essential to get people going through your pictures. Every business has a packaging feature that would make them stand out from competitors. You will need to figure yours out.

• Create your background

If it is possible to take pictures of your business using a background filled with flowers or even everyday green plants, go for it. Most people are attracted to natural environments and would often want to stop and check it out, which will mean them checking out your business.

Get some flowers or plants and place them at the strategic points for a shot. If you can’t get natural plants or you are scared they might wither quickly, you can always opt for a fake plant, and no one will notice the difference.

If you can’t get a natural background, you can showcase your business using an accent wall. Only ensure you use a well-lit area and a wallpaper with bright designs and colours as well. Another thing you can add to your background are neon signs; they will stand out in the feed of your followers or those searching for words related to your business.

There are many options of backgrounds to choose from to make your offline business look appealing to Instagram. Please select the best that suits your business and will make it stand out.

• Use a patterned floor

Dull floors are what they are -plain, and they won’t fly on Instagram. You’ll have to choose something complex and intriguing like patterned floor to grab attention. You can also try writing on the patterned floor for a more exotic look. Whatever you do, ensure it’s within your budget. If you are not able to change your tiles, then get something like an area carpet or rug and ask a photographer to take shots of the best angle.

• Ensure the interior is well lit up

If you are going to take pictures of the interior of your business location, make use of natural light for clarity. The image needs to carry every detail of the interior, so if you have any product or curtain casting shadows around, you’ll need to keep them out of the way. Keep the windows open to allow more light.

However, if it’s challenging to get enough natural light due to your business location, you can use soft artificial lights. Also, if you are using artificial lighting, you will need to find the best spot to set it to bring out the beauty of the interior.

Geotag your posts

Since you are operating an offline business, you will need to add the location to your bio and to every post you make. Doing this will help your followers know where to find you outside Instagram.

You can decide to add your exact location to some of the posts and then using a popular landmark close to your site will do too. That way, people around your precise location can find you, and those within the landmark can also reach out to you as well.

Let Instagram feel your presence

Setting up an Instagram business account and posting pictures or videos of your offline is not enough to earn followers. It would be best if you were all over Instagram following and commenting on posts of people in your line of business and influencers. Get people’s attention and direct them to your page, they will surely click on your profile.

You also need to be active on your page. Always reply comments and genuinely enjoy and contribute to conversations.

Put out quality contents

You need to ensure you are keeping your followers interested by putting out quality contents. Avoid the mistake of using blurry images. People could think that’s the way your products look in real life and would not even spare a second glance at your page.

If you are going to put your offline business on Instagram, you might need to consider getting a high-quality camera if your smartphone is not doing justice to your pictures. If you are not getting the right angle, think about getting a professional photographer.

Instagram is all about visual perception, and if what you are presenting to your users doesn’t appeal to their visual senses, you might not be able to make customers. Think about your Instagram business account as your online store, and just like you’ve invested offline, start doing the same online.

Use videos

Instagram is not only about images. You will need to put up videos of your products in action. For example, if you sell wigs, you will need to show a video of your model wearing and brushing it. With this method, you can tap into the subconscious of your followers and allow them to imagine wearing it.

You can also do a tour around your business showing them products or services you have to offer. For example, if you are a real estate agency, it will make sense to do a video showing off the current houses on sale.

Every offline business should consider taking advantage of Instagram to bring in more customers. It is rewarding, especially when you play your cards right.

After you have your Instagram business account set up, enjoy the new interactions with friends and clients as you build your brand. Once you’ve got a hang on posting and interacting, it’s time to consider how Instagram can help you grow your business. Instagram ads can get you in front of any category of people you want to, even if they are not in your network.