Is Instagram useful for your local network? 6 reasons to use it!

• Instagram for local businesses
• 6 reasons to use Instagram for your franchise network

It's no secret: most industries depend on social networks to expand their customer base and maximize their productivity. Due to the various possibilities offered by social networks to interact personally with potential customers, local businesses and franchises should particularly invest in a tailored approach to take advantage of these digital platforms.

Instagram, in particular, has proven to be one of the best platforms for local businesses, as it offers a low operating cost while fulfilling multiple functions. However, obstacles can be encountered when using this platform for local online marketing purposes. Franchised businesses that are part of a retail network, for example, may face time and budget constraints, a lack of knowledge on how to attract the right audience, or on the content to publish, and on the responsibilities to be assumed between the headquarters and the local level.

However, social media promotes a combination of national and local content. And when responsibilities are shared, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

But why integrate Instagram into your network's digital marketing strategy? We tell you more about it in this article through 6 key points to boost the online visibility of your points of sale.

Instagram for local businesses  

With over a billion active accounts and 500 million daily users, Instagram is an essential platform. According to Hootsuite, 90% of Instagram users follow brands and businesses. In addition, 81% of its users

Instagram is particularly suited to your local digital marketing, as it offers multiple possibilities to boost your online and offline sales. You can reach and target new customers, stay connected and interact with your existing customers, and sell directly from the application.

These are just a few of the many reasons why it's an ideal platform for developing the visibility of your local franchises. Discover below 6 other reasons why it's interesting to create and animate local Instagram pages for the sales points of your franchise network. 

6 reasons to use Instagram for your franchise network

1. Nourish your brand image 

First, due to its visually-oriented design, Instagram is an excellent platform for building your brand image. In addition, it is a cost-effective tool to enhance brand image among existing and potential customers. Moreover, by interacting with a local audience and sharing useful and relevant content, you can increase awareness, consideration, and trust that the public has in your local points of sale.

2. Manage your online reputation

Instagram can also be used for managing the online reputation of your local franchises. When (potential) customers search for your business online, what appears has a direct impact on the perception that the user has of the establishment and the brand in the broad sense. With Instagram, you can create a consistent and attractive visual image, and more.

Beyond an image, you generate a positive feeling among internet users, which encourages them to take the step and eventually visit the establishment.

Färm Leuven, Instagram, 2022

Want to know more about how to organize effective online review management? 

Check out our article for tips and tricks!

3. Create a local

Social media is an excellent tool for connection, and Instagram allows local businesses to connect with people who share similar interests. Creating connections with a niche audience can help local businesses reach more consumers, especially in their target market. In addition, it provides an excellent environment for interacting and collaborating with other brands and influencers.

You can engage and partner with influencers in your local region to improve the visibility of your franchise. They can drive prospects to your website and may have an impact on your in-store traffic.

4. Share authentic stories 

Instagram allows you to share local and authentic content. This is particularly interesting for franchise businesses as it allows them to share interesting facts that can contribute to customer engagement. For example, you can give your customers a glimpse into the daily life of your business. In addition, you can also use Instagram Stories to communicate discounts and special offers. In short, sharing content on Instagram has become a common approach that helps local businesses attract more customers.

Delhaize Flagey, Instagram, 2022

5. Boost your sales 

In line with the previous point, Instagram is a powerful tool that allows you to boost your sales. You can sell your products directly from the platform, but also share with customers promotions and local events in-store.

PizzaHut, Instagram, 2022

For more information on how to use local ads to boost your store network's visibility:  

Learn more in our article! 👀

6. Generate local traffic to your points of sale

To allow customers to easily find your points of sale online, local franchisee pages can use hashtags and location tags. One of the main benefits of Instagram is the ease with which users can find new accounts to follow. Instagram suggests to your (potential) customer posts they also like in the "Explore" feed.

Additionally, you can create brand hashtags and monitor their usage. When users follow your hashtag, they see your content every time you post.

By adding geolocation tags to your posts, you make your content visible to users searching for that location. Tag your store's address so that your content is visible to everyone searching for your location.

Manhattn's Burgers Brussels, Instagram, 2022

Conclusion

Social media is a fantastic tool for interacting personally with your customers. Moreover, with over one billion active accounts, 90% of users who follow brands and businesses and 81% of users who say they research a brand, product, or establishment during their buying journey, Instagram provides the ideal environment to promote your local outlets within a franchise network.

A brief summary of the main reasons to use Instagram to give visibility to your local points of sale.

• Highlighting videos and photos offers an excellent tool for building a local brand image.
• It's a useful tool for managing online reputation
• It allows you to create and animate a community and connect with people who share similar interests
• It is possible to share local and authentic content, which is interesting for franchise networks in terms of customer engagement
• It can boost your online and offline sales through the sharing of local promotions or events in-store.
• It facilitates the customer journey so that customers can easily find your store by adding hashtags and geolocation tags to your content.

In summary, it is clear that Instagram is an interesting tool to consider for franchise networks.

However, it is essential to organize a smooth cooperation between the headquarters and the local level. On the one hand, the headquarters has the marketing knowledge. On the other hand, local sales points know their establishment.

In summary, both perspectives are necessary to build an optimal and effective local digital marketing strategy. 

Do you want to delegate to your franchisees the management of their local Facebook, Instagram, Google pages, etc... while ensuring that your brand image is respected?

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