It’s no secret that online businesses have a major advantage over traditional businesses. A recent study showed that online businesses are growing at a rate of 20% per year, while traditional businesses are only growing at a rate of 2%. So, what is it that makes online businesses so successful? There are many factors, but one of the most important is online following.

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms with over 1 billion monthly active users. And it’s not just teenagers and millennials who are using Instagram, but businesses as well. 80% of businesses are using Instagram to promote their products or services. This is partly through their efforts, and also with the help of companies such as Buzzoid, which offer an alternative way to increase Instagram following and the number of likes attached to a post.

There are many ways to increase an online following, but some of the most effective that you can try include:

Creating engaging content

This is one of the most important things you can do. If your content is not interesting or engaging, people will not want to follow you. There is no getting around this fact. You can buy in likes or followers but if you want to keep them then you will need to look after them. That is, keep them engaged and wanting your next post or product because of the way you have promoted it to them.

Posting regularly

Never stop posting once you have started your social media account for your business. This goes for whether it is with Instagram or on another social media platform. Chances are you will have accounts running on several of them and interlink between these for greater online presence and customer engagement.

You need to be posting regularly if you want to grow your online following sufficiently to sustain online sales. This doesn’t mean you need to be posting 10 times a day, but you should be posting at least once or twice a day.

Using hashtags

Hashtags are a great way to reach new people and get more followers. When using hashtags, be sure to use relevant and popular ones. Do not make your hashtags words that are too over-used, though, as they can be lost and prove ineffective. That is, just as ineffective as obscure ones that have low visibility in an online environment.

Here are some tips for using hashtags effectively on social media platforms:

  • Use a mix of branded and generic hashtags
  • Research which hashtags are being used by your target audience
  • Keep your hashtags short and sweet
  • Try using hashtag campaigns
  • Experiment with different types of hashtags

Engaging with other users

If you want to grow your online following, you need to be engaging with other users. This means liking and commenting on their posts, as well as following them.

Showing an interest in others may encourage them to return the favor and even share your post for you. This is a form of free advertising that happens on social media. You hear of posts going viral, and it is down to followers taking an interest and passing that interest on. You hope this will happen with the products that you are trying to promote and sell.

Running giveaways

Giveaways are a great way to get more followers. People love free stuff, so if you’re running a giveaway, be sure to promote it heavily.

Anything that attracts attention, as long as it is professional, can generate likes and follows. See how many you can gain naturally. Then, if still disappointed, consider boosting the number with outside help, as mentioned above.

By following these tips, you can increase your online following and create and grow a successful online business.