Looks like Instagram is following its parent’s footsteps. While Facebook For Work is a secret to none, Instagram too is reportedly testing similar Facebook-like business profiles on its platform. In a leak spotted by Later.com, we are seeing a Facebook Page like Contact, Business Category and a location tag added to your profile.
An Instagram spokesperson confirmed the tests to Mashable saying that the new business profile aren’t available for everybody to use, it is currently being tested with only a handful of corporations. The ‘Contact’ button on the new and improved Business profile, when tapped prompts you to select either of the two options: ‘Get Directions’ or ‘Email’ the company. This will make it easier for users to directly contact the company they desire. And for businesses, it will help reduce the clutter in their profile description.
On clicking the ‘Get Directions’ button, the user will be redirected to the geo-location of the company’s brick and mortar store. This was another pain point where businesses had to mention their location in the description box. With the introduction of the location tag, it will be easier for users to easily spot the businesses location, and in turn increase in-person sales for the business.
Another important addition to the business profile page is the Category option, which will help users identify and better understand your business. Businesses can now select the category and group their product(with similar businesses), just like they do while setting up a Facebook Page. This can be a very useful feature, if clubbed with the Search and Explore option. If the users can explore and see recommendations similar to businesses they follow, then it will be a win-win for both, the user and the business.
The introduction of these three new features will help boost the business profiles. And after being clubbed with the new Instagram Ad model, this could well be yet another medium (and a potent one at that) for business to gain traction and get users to buy their product.