The number of Instagram users is constantly increasing, and any online store would benefit from being present on the platform. But what's the point of opening your own Instagram account if no one follows you? Here are three tips to help you gain new followers – without having to pay!

Instagram - 3 tips to create a community without paying

You might think that to get more followers on Instagram, you need to buy some. However, it is strongly discouraged to use this type of method.

Even if spambots and dubious agencies sell you dreams, never buy fake subscribers. You will regret it!

Of course, your online store will look impressive with 10,000 subscribers. However, if you only get a handful of likes per published image, your engagement rate (likes and comments) will be inconsistent, and this will sow doubt in the minds of Internet users.

This is because purchased fake followers don't interact with your content - they don't like it, they don't comment, and more importantly, they will never buy from you.

But that's not all. As an experienced e-retailer, the trust you inspire in users is one of the most critical drivers of e-commerce 

With fake subscribers, you call into question the trust that Internet users place in you. Instead, focus on the long term by letting the number of your subscribers grow naturally.

Although posting photos and crossing your fingers in the hope of getting new followers can pay off, we still advise you to put the following three tips into practice to accelerate the growth of your Instagram business account.

As noted earlier, you can use Instagram relatively passively to post a few photos and videos. A handful of potential customers may find your account. However, this approach will not significantly increase your number of subscribers or your turnover.

Your goal is to get active subscribers, and why not even convert them into customers? Nothing impossible! Here's how to find them:

Research your competitors already present on Instagram.

You now have a list of people who are interested in what you (and your competitors) offer.

You can now interact with the people on this list. This means that you can visit their account, "like" their posts, and leave comments. This way, you'll quickly draw attention to your online store and reach potential customers who might have yet to hear of your store.

However, be careful that your comments do not look like spam. Take a few seconds to leave a word other than a heart emoji or a simple "Great photo!!!". It's definitely worth it!

Honest compliments and insightful feedback will set you apart from the crowd. It would help if you also kept in mind that Instagram is a loose and informal social platform.

This allows you to communicate differently (and more freely) with your customers, which is clearly recommended for riding the wave of this platform.

An Instagram post is usually structured like this:

Just like Google search terms, hashtags allow Instagram posts to be found by users outside of your following.

If a user searches for #motorcycle, they will find photos and videos of motorcycles.

Hashtags should, therefore, be used not only on Twitter but also on Instagram to gain subscribers. Each word can be a hashtag, but you still need to make sure the hashtags you choose match your image, your online store, and your brand.

In other words, if a user searches for #motorcycle and finds a post on your account that depicts not a bike but golf clubs, it will have a negative effect.

Just as the motto says: "to each his own," you must choose hashtags consistent with your brand and products. This is the only way to gain loyal subscribers in the long term.

As with natural referencing, some terms are very competitive, and others are less so.

Broad terms like #love, #fun, and #fashion are among those that are highly competitive.

If your posts don't regularly generate several thousand likes, chances are you won't be able to attract much attention with these hashtags.

3. Interact with your Instagram community

It's essential to post regularly – and ideally, even every day! But if you want to gain loyal subscribers and customers, you're going to have to do more.

Someone has seen your Instagram account, your posts are engaging, and the user decides to follow, like, and comment on your posts. Exactly what you are looking for.

You can now congratulate yourself on getting this new follower and quickly post photos. But keep in mind that this is an exchange.

It will be much easier to make a good impression on this new follower if you take care of your followers. Make sure to leave comments under your posts answered. Otherwise, your fans risk quickly feeling ignored.

Also, be careful to react to posts in which you have been tagged. For example, it could be a photo of a happy customer posing with the product they purchased from your store.

Some customers also use social networks to ask questions relating more to after-sales service. It's vital that you pay attention to these requests and direct them to customer service or respond to them directly on Instagram.

If you need more time to take care of it yourself, hire a community manager to help you!

Now that you know how to create a community on your Instagram business account, here is a summary of the most common mistakes to avoid if you want to increase your number of followers.

What emotions do you want to convey when you post? What impression of your company and your products do you want to give?

#2 You're not including your followers enough

Make sure you're actively reaching out to your followers and asking them questions.

 Don't hesitate to show the ordinary life of your company and your employees when they work. It makes you more authentic and more approachable.

More than posting every once in a while is required! Create a content plan and post regularly to stay present with your Instagram community.

Make an effort and find out what your customers' needs and wants are. Show your appreciation for comments, likes, and mentions in your followers' stories.

#6 You always use the same format. The carousel, video and

Instagram Reels format is an excellent opportunity to increase your reach and bring some variety to your feed. Don't hesitate to take advantage of all the formats that the social network offers you!

So that your community understands that you are not just selling them dreams, you must also support your promises with evidence. Show what satisfied customers say about your products and services to earn the trust of Instagram users.

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