Many people look at a shop's Instagram or Facebook page before they visit. If similar shops near you have a page and you do not, those people see only them. Start one business page, with the same name and details as your Google listing.
Kiran runs a small gift shop. Her nephew asked for her Instagram page so he could share it with friends.
She did not have one. The two gift shops on her road both did. They posted new stock every week.
"Where do I send people?" he asked. She had no answer.
This is an example, with a made up name and business.
Fix it yourself
Start with one app, the one your customers use more.
- Open the app, or sign up with your shop phone number. Type the OTP yourself.
- Choose a business or professional account. On Facebook, you make a Page from the Pages menu. On Instagram, look in settings for the option to switch to a professional account.
- Use the same shop name as on your Google listing. Spell it the same way.
- Add your details. Add your area, phone number, opening hours and a photo of your shop front.
- Add your Google listing link. Then people can find the way to you.
- Post three or four photos to start. Your shop, what you sell and your staff.
Then link both ways. Our guide on linking Instagram and your Google listing shows how.
What fixed looks like
Search for your shop name in the app. Your page shows up with your name, phone, hours and a link to your Google listing.
Common questions
I work from home. Must I show my address?
No. Never put your house address on a public page. Show your area and your phone number instead.
Which is better, Instagram or Facebook?
Ask a few customers which one they use. Start there. You can add the other later.
Will a page bring more customers?
Nobody can promise that. But people who look for you there can now find you.