How to use Instagram to drive traffic to your website
Today I have a guest post from Carla at Exciting Adventure..
I hope you enjoy it and feel free to leave comments.
If you want to find out about other ways to drive traffic as well as Instagram the check out my new post
Ok lets get into it take it away Carla!
How to use Instagram to drive traffic to your website
With 800 million active users, Instagram has become one of the most popular platforms during the last years. This platform which started just as a platform for sharing pictures is now part of everybody’s life.
That is why if you want to reach people or a new audience it is probably a great place for you to hang out. Maybe you already are, maybe not. Either way should consider Instagram.
Due to its big potential reach, we want to share with you today the best ways to use Instagram to drive traffic to your website.
Getting started with Instagram
If you know a little bit about Instagram you might now that they changed their algorithm. What used to be a chronological timeline now has turned into a timeline where Instagram shows you what he thinks is relevant to you (like Facebook does).
As a normal user, you might think this a great thing. But as someone who wants to use Instagram for traffic purposes, this might not sound as good.
The problem with this is that your content doesn’t reach as many people. In fact, your content will probably only reach about 20% of followers.
With these low numbers, it might seem hard to get traffic to your blog. But we are going to share some tips that will help you increase your numbers.
Linking on Instagram
First of all, you need to know about the way you can link on Instagram. The think about Instagram is that it will allow you one link, and that one is in your bio.
This is why this link has to be used wisely. So make sure you use this link to link to something relevant, such as your website, your latest post or your selling site.
If you have a verified account as well as an account with more than 10.000 followers you will get the swipe up feature on your stories. We at @excitingadventure haven’t reached it yet, but we are working on it. And you should do the same!
This feature will allow you to link also to your story. So that when you post a story in the bottom part a “See more arrow” will appear bringing your user directly to the linked page.
The latest feature from Instagram is the linking products within the pictures. But this only applies to some users and verified companies.
How do I get people to click on the links?
Instagram is a platform that does not really invite you to leave the platform. This is why it can be hard to drive traffic from it. But isn’t it great to challenge yourself sometimes?
Call to action in the caption
Did you just publish a new post on your blog? Do you have an awesome freebie to give away? Whatever it is, talk about it in your post.
Post great pictures that will catch peoples attention. This will make them stop and read your caption. Here you have them.
Tell them about your latest post and tell them to check out the link your bio.
The good thing about the link in bio is that it can be changed as many times as you want. So change it to your latest post until you post a new picture. Then you can always change it back to your homepage or your next published post.
The best way to get people to do something is to ask them to do it. So don’t be afraid to promote your website in your post sometimes.
Make your caption catchy, tell them what your post is about but without telling them everything. Make them want to know more so that they go to your profile to check the link out.
Call to action in stories
You can do the same thing in stories. With the new algorithm your post might get lost, but if you post stories constantly people might check them out.
Stories are probably the most important feature on Instagram right now. This is your chance to build a relationship with your followers.
So grab your phone and talk to your followers, share your day with the share tips and let then get to know you. This is the best way to get to them.
And then do the same, let them know about your new post. Let them know the link in your bio will take them straight to it.
Your followers will feel connected to you thanks to all the stories you share with them and will be likely to click through to see your post, website or whatever you are promoting in your bio.
Swipe up in stories
This feature, as said before, is sadly not available to everyone right away. Is much easier for people to just swipe up than having to go to your bio.
So if you are the lucky one with this feature take advantage of it. Promote everything you need to promote in your Instagram story.
But again, for it to work you need to build a relationship with your followers first. It is important to post stories every day. You should post at least 7-10 stories a day.
Get exposure and engage
The most important thing when it comes to Instagram is getting exposure, especially at the beginning when your account is still small.
Your goal is to reach as many people as possible, and in order to do that, you need to get to as many new people as possible.
The best way to do it is through the explore page. Here you will be exposed to a whole new audience. But getting to the explore page is not an easy task.
Pictures that get to the explore page are pictures with a lot of engagement. So you don’t only need followers, but you need active followers that engage with your content.
That is why should add call to actions to your posts and ask questions to your audience on your captions.
So a good thing to do is to like and comment on other accounts. Find accounts in your niche and comment their pictures.
This comments should be meaningful comments, not just something like “great shot”. Instagram won’t count that as real engagement.
Comments should be at least four words long and related to the content. And even better if you make the other user answer you.
This is a great way for new accounts to discover you because you are commenting on them. But not only that, other users might see your meaningful comments and wonder who you are.
This is when they will go to your profile and check it out. So make sure to always post just your best content, having an appealing feed and being active.
It’s your time to rock Instagram
Now that you have learned about linking and the best ways to drive traffic to your blog through Instagram is time for you to start applying it. Start posting and most importantly interacting with your audience.
Remember that building up a good relationship with your followers is the most important thing. So reply to their comments, make them be part of your journey and make them trust you.
If you want to learn more about Instagram we created a Full Guide on Instagram. Check it out, we talk about the perfect feed, profile and how to grow your following.
BIO: We are Carla and Oliver and together we run our blog Exciting Adventure. We left our lives in Berlin to travel and explore the world. We became nomads by doing it and now we are on our way to becoming digital. You can follow our journey on our blog, where we give useful tips so that you can do the same. We believe that everyone should do what they love, and for us, it is easier as digital nomads.
