The Top Instagram Features Every Business Should Be Using

In today’s fast-paced digital world, Instagram isn’t just a social media platform—it’s a powerful business tool. With over a billion active users every month, Instagram offers businesses endless opportunities to connect with their audience, showcase their products, and drive real results. But to truly make the most of Instagram, you need to master its best features.

From Stories to Shopping, Instagram has evolved into a multi-faceted platform packed with tools designed to help businesses grow. Let’s explore the top Instagram features every business should be using, practical tips for leveraging them, and real-life examples of brands doing it right.

1. Instagram Stories: Building Engagement in Real-Time

Instagram Stories are short, engaging pieces of content that disappear after 24 hours, making them perfect for quick updates and authentic connections. With over 500 million people using Stories daily, this feature is a must for keeping your brand top of mind.

How to Use Stories for Business

Share Behind-the-Scenes Content: Give your audience an insider look at your processes, team, or workspace.
Run Polls and Quizzes: Use interactive stickers like polls, quizzes, and question boxes to engage followers and gather insights.
Announce Limited-Time Offers: Highlight flash sales or time-sensitive deals to drive urgency.
Add Swipe-Up Links: If you have a business profile and over 10K followers, you can add links directly to your Stories to drive traffic.

Example: A coffee shop can use Stories to showcase how their baristas create stunning latte art, paired with a poll asking, “Which design is your favorite?”

2. Reels: Go Viral and Expand Your Reach

Reels are Instagram’s answer to short-form video content, offering an incredible opportunity to boost discoverability. With trending audio, creative editing tools, and a dedicated Reels feed, this feature is a game-changer for organic growth.

How to Use Reels for Business

Showcase Your Products in Action: Create quick demos or tutorials to highlight your offerings.
Hop on Trends: Use trending audio or challenges to align your brand with popular culture.
Share Tips and Tricks: Position yourself as an expert by providing value-packed, bite-sized advice.
Use Captions Strategically: Include keywords and hashtags to optimize discoverability.

Example: A fitness brand could create a Reel demonstrating a 5-minute workout using their products, set to an upbeat, trending track.

3. Instagram Guides: Become a Resource for Your Audience

Guides allow you to curate content into themed collections, making it easier for followers to explore your expertise. They’re perfect for businesses looking to provide value and establish authority in their niche.

How to Use Guides for Business

Create Product Recommendations: Showcase your best-selling items or seasonal collections.
Share Tips and Tutorials: Curate educational posts to guide your audience through a topic.
Highlight Customer Stories: Compile testimonials or case studies to build trust.

Example: A skincare brand can create a Guide titled “Winter Skincare Essentials,” featuring their hydrating creams, serums, and customer reviews.

4. Instagram Shopping: Turn Browsers into Buyers

With Instagram Shopping, you can transform your profile into a virtual storefront. Shoppable posts and Stories make it easy for followers to browse, learn about, and purchase products without leaving the app.

How to Use Shopping for Business

Tag Products in Posts: Add product tags to photos and videos to link directly to your shop.
Leverage the Shop Tab: Optimize your product catalog and ensure high-quality visuals to stand out.
Run Product-Focused Stories and Reels: Highlight specific items, offering a swipe-up link for seamless purchases.

Example: A jewelry brand could post a Reel showcasing their latest collection, tagging each piece for easy shopping.

5. Instagram Insights: Refine Your Strategy with Data

Instagram Insights is your analytics powerhouse, offering a wealth of data about your audience, content performance, and engagement metrics. With this information, you can make informed decisions to fine-tune your strategy.

How to Use Insights for Business

Identify Top-Performing Content: Discover which posts resonate most with your audience and double down on similar content.
Analyze Audience Demographics: Learn about your followers’ age, location, and activity times to optimize posting schedules.
Track Engagement: Measure likes, comments, shares, and saves to understand what drives interaction.

Example: A fashion retailer might notice that outfit styling tips perform well and use that data to create more Reels focused on styling their products.

Real-Life Success Stories: Inspiration from Brands

@Glossier: This beauty brand excels with Stories and Reels, creating relatable content that resonates with their audience. Their behind-the-scenes Stories build trust, while their Reels showcase product usage in fun, engaging ways.
@Nike: Nike leverages Instagram Shopping and Reels to drive both engagement and sales. Their inspiring Reels often feature athletes using their products, linking directly to their shop for a seamless purchase experience.
@NatGeo: National Geographic uses Guides to curate breathtaking photography collections, reinforcing their authority as a leader in storytelling and education.

Final Thoughts: Unlock Instagram’s Full Potential for Your Business

From the instant engagement of Stories to the sales-driving power of Shopping, Instagram offers a suite of features designed to help businesses succeed. The key is to experiment, analyze your results, and stay consistent.

Start small—choose one or two features that align with your goals and integrate them into your strategy. As you grow more comfortable, expand your efforts to include more tools and tactics.

Ready to elevate your Instagram strategy? Let us know in the comments which feature you’ll focus on first, or share your success stories—we’d love to hear from you!