Which is better for building your small business: Pinterest or Instagram?

Website design By BotEap.comFind out which platform your ideal users prefer and how to tell if it’s right for growing your business

Website design By BotEap.comVisual aggregation platforms for social media marketing really boil down to the two main ones: Instagram and Facebook-owned Pinterest.

Website design By BotEap.comBoth have their own way of presenting images and allowing users to compile the images they like, but they also have limitations that can push your ideal users towards the other option.

Website design By BotEap.comGrowing your business with Instagram is a great idea, but don’t discount Pinterest.

Website design By BotEap.comThe main appeal of Instagram is that the images are supposed to be unique and even candid. Posts that are too corporate rarely do well, and users don’t want to see traditional advertising methods used.

Website design By BotEap.comPinterest allows users to select images from anywhere online and on the platform.

Website design By BotEap.comThe images are usually very polished and professional. Traditional advertising methods are also seen much more on this platform, such as tutorials and DIY posts.

Website design By BotEap.comDemographics will play a big role in your decision. Is your product or service more appropriate for women?

Website design By BotEap.comIf so, Pinterest is for you. The most recent statistics show within the demographics of Pinterest users that women make up over 70% of Pinterest users.

Website design By BotEap.comPinterest also appeals to a slightly older home demographic.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat about services that are best promoted through a discussion? Are you a speaker who wants to show off a recent speaking engagement and create a dialogue around your experience?

Website design By BotEap.comThis makes you an ideal candidate for using Instagram to promote your small business.

Website design By BotEap.comRemember that this hearing is a fair division between men and women and Western vs. International users. They like to see photos and videos of what you make or sell in action and they like to involve the poster if possible through the comments section.

Website design By BotEap.comThe best business Instagram accounts showcase your core brand identity.

Website design By BotEap.comAre you hoping to sell items through a post that links to the page on your site with that product or service?

Website design By BotEap.comInstagram only allows one place that a user can click from. With IG you get a link in your profile bio. Whereas with Pinterest, you can link from the actual post just like a traditional ad.

Website design By BotEap.comThe big difference is how you plan to start your customer journey.

Website design By BotEap.comIf they start with you at the brand level and you intend to use the entire account to create the first step in your conversion, Instagram is great. For anything where the user starts at the actual post level, Pinterest will be better for you.

Website design By BotEap.comIt’s something you can plan for if you haven’t already.

Website design By BotEap.comLook at your ideal customer as you’ve defined it, and evaluate demographic information in your analytics. If you deal locally or even nationally with women and are selling a product, then Pinterest is obviously the best option.

Website design By BotEap.comIf your online marketing is about building a brand around your experience and location isn’t as important and gender isn’t as important, Instagram would serve you better.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you can’t pin down which would serve you best, you can always try both!

Website design By BotEap.comHaving the ability to create content suitable for both platforms and manage both profiles is great.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you choose to use both, a good rule of thumb is: Pinterest for images of what you’re offering, and Instagram for images of you creating those images.

Website design By BotEap.comIf you make a top 10 list with a polished image, you can also use it on Instagram, but get lots of videos and images of you creating the image to go with that list and post them on Instagram!

Website design By BotEap.comOnce you see better traction on one, you can focus your efforts on it.

Website design By BotEap.comPinterest is a fantastic tool for many businesses, but if your business is your brand and you’re building your reputation online, Instagram will be a better option.

Website design By BotEap.comVary your content, but remember that when users follow you, they’re doing it for a reason, so don’t deviate from your core brand identity.