The other week Instagram began rolling out their new user pages. Instagram is an app that allows users with smartphones to take photos and apply various “filters” to the photo, giving it a retro, hip or vintage look.
I was pretty excited to see my personal user page show up and here’s why: Until now, Instagram presence on the web has been strictly through third party applications like web-stagram or photos shared to Twitter or Facebook profiles.
Instagram’s new pages are mostly static. As a user, for example, I cannot change what photos display in the header of my new user page. Instead, the header features a rotation of recent photos I have taken with the application.
What users can control is their profile photo and profile description by clicking the “edit profile” button below their user image when logged in. When logged in, the “Edit Profile” button becomes a “Follow” button for other user profiles you visit.
Using Instagram for Business
Instagram has been growing as a tactic for businesses to reach customers in interesting and visual ways. These new profile pages make Instagram for business all the more intriguing. It’s one more touch point for businesses to reach their audience visually in a highly aesthetic manner; done so strategically and creatively, photos taken with Instagram can be absolutely beautiful.
One company regularly championed as a great user of Instagram is Starbucks. As of today, the company boasts 230 photos and recently topped 1 million followers. Starbucks regularly photographs their products and customers enjoying coffee, be it at a Starbucks, or while out and about. Here’s a favorite.
Many other business pages exist like Mission Bicycle. Mission bicycle has over 43,000 followers and posts regular snapshots of the custom bicycles they create. Some photos are close-up shots from interesting angles, while others are side shots with interesting backgrounds.
Take a peek at the Instagram-for-Business blog. Give us a call if you need strategic guidance in developing a social presence for your business.