7 Extraordinary Instagram Features for Small Businesses

Despite being not obvious at all times, the Instagram features for small businesses can surely help you grow more sales online. No matter it is about building brand awareness or driving sales for eCommerce, these Instagram features will get the job done for you. 

Why should small businesses use Instagram?

Instagram is an undeniably powerful tool for anyone who wants to start their online business on this platform. Especially, the ones making the first step into eCommerce can feel easier when starting a business.

Additionally, brands can also showcase their products from their inventory in “Shops” and get them purchased within the app. If you have a small business or just start an Instagram shop, you should learn about the features from Instagram.

Slowly but surely, Instagram is becoming a new place for any online shoppable inspiration. And to bring more benefits to brands, there are Instagram features for any business to take advantage of this platform. 

7 Instagram features for small businesses to grow sales online 

Now then, if you are ready to start your online business on Instagram, we will show you the features to get started. 

Here are the 6 Instagram features that you should bring into practice.  

Instagram shopping, packed with more features

If you’re running a business based on selling products, this Instagram shopping feature will be perfect for you. Instagram also continues to roll out more eCommerce features to support brands and businesses within the app.  

At the moment, brands and businesses can make shoppable feed posts and tag products directly into those posts. Moreover, there is also an Instagram Shop for users to discover more products via the “View Shop” button on your Instagram profile. 

Instagram shoppable posts are one feature that any brand can make use of with full potential. You can also utilize this feature even better by adding product tags in these posts. These tags will help your viewers see that product much quicker without having to try finding it in your shop.

Another great feature for business is Instagram Stories stickers. These tappable stickers are usually used in your Instagram stories to make your story contents more shoppable. 

In 2019, Instagram released a new feature called Instagram Checkout, allowing users to complete the payment process directly within the app. With this, small businesses can inspire and convert audiences into customers. Since then, this Checkout feature has proven to increase conversion for any business. 

Along with the Checkout feature, there is another called Instagram Shopping for Creators to support small businesses. With this feature, influencers and content creators can add product tags from their brand partners to their Instagram posts and stories. 

Unfortunately, the Instagram Checkout and Shopping for creators is currently available for eligible brands and influencers in the US only. Still, we can expect these Instagram features for small businesses will be rolled out globally in the future. Stay tuned for it! 

IGTV, Instagram feature for businesses

IGTV is an incredible and effective channel to showcase the tutorial and products in your Instagram shop. This kind of content can easily reach your audiences and help build a long-term relationship with them. Although this feature is relatively new to many people, brands who have tried IGTV are experiencing huge success.

Instead of using static photos in your posts, IGTV videos approach your viewers and draw their attention to your products. As a result,  this can help you engage your audiences more and convert them into your customers. 

Besides, IGTV video descriptions can also contain clickable links. This helps users easily discover and shop the products featured in your videos, increasing the Instagram shopping experience. 

Instagram Live feature for business

This feature is one of the great Instagram features for small businesses wanting to connect with their community. Recently, Instagram Live usage has increased quickly and shown its effectiveness, especially with using live broadcasts. 

By using this way connecting people, businesses of all sizes can strengthen their community and show the authentic side of their brand. 

Another addition to this feature is the ability of Instagram Live Shopping. It allows businesses to share direct links to shoppable products while making Instagram Live broadcasts. These product links will locate at the bottom of the video stream, so audiences can tap to learn more or “Add to bag.” 

One thing to note: This Live shopping feature is only available for Instagram accounts that have access to Instagram Checkout. In other words, it’s currently exclusive to the US market. 

Gift Cards and Food Orders feature 

Instagram has rolled out 2 new features in response to the Covid-19: Gift Cards and Food Orders. 

Gift Cards are a new way to sell redeemable vouchers right on the Instagram app. Users can buy them via a profile button or a new Instagram Stories sticker. 

On the other hand, Food Orders bring in a new way for businesses to drive awareness to their food delivery services. 

With this new feature, users can now place orders through Caviar, delivery.com, GrubHub, ChowNow, Seamless, UbseEats, Doordash, and more.

You can learn more about how these features work and support your business on Instagram during Covid-19. 

Pinned comments, one of Instagram features for small businesses

Pinned comments are one of the newest features on Instagram and they can bring interesting things to your brands. This feature allows you to pin positive comments that praise your products or the ones that support your brand values.

Furthermore, you can divert attention away from spamming or trolling comments which may harm your business. At the moment, Instagram allows you to pin up to 3 comments on any post, so you should use them wisely. 

Instagram Stories Highlights for business

As mentioned earlier, Instagram Stories are one great tool besides Shoppable posts for businesses. That’s why Instagram Stories Highlights are the best way to extend the 24-hour shelf life of those stories and utilize them effectively.

With this idea in mind, you can prioritize this feature and use more of your best stories to drive more conversions for your business. Moreover, your highlighted stories are also a great chance to strengthen your visual branding and create more awareness on Instagram. 

Instagram Shoppable Stickers

Another great way to encourage engagement for small businesses is using Instagram Shoppable stickers. Besides, you can also collect customers’ feedback for your business.

There are some types of stickers available as well. From quick polls to fun quizzes, stickers provide a great opportunity to get your followers’ interaction with your brand. Additionally, you can get to know what your followers want too.

That’s why small businesses should take advantage of this feature and know how to activate shopping stickers for Instagram stories.

Final thought

There are lots of Instagram features for small businesses to get started and grow. Furthermore, as this platform continues to develop, we can expect to see more great features helping brands and businesses to expand. 

Not only that, small businesses have all of the opportunities to compete against bigger brands on Instagram. You can always take your first step of eCommerce on this platform.