First impressions matter. This is especially true on hyper-competitive platforms like Instagram, where good content is plentiful and immediately accessible. Your potential customers use social media to find products they can trust and identify with, so it’s incredibly important to put yourself out there and maintain branding that is professional and consistent. Setting up an Instagram profile is a straightforward process, but optimizing every detail is essential for making a lasting first impression.

Optimizing your account handle, profile photo, bio, links, and other details is the obvious first step, but that’s not the whole story! Staying consistent on Instagram is the best way to maintain reach and maximize your account’s potential on the platform. With Instagram’s endless ecommerce potential and free tools for small businesses, this should be high on your list as you’re planning your marketing strategy. For further tips for making the best first impression on Instagram, check out the infographic below.