Wondering how to attract more customers to your real-location business? Try adding design details that will increase its Instagrammability.
When people post photos of your venue on Instagram, you benefit from free ads and positive word-of-mouth. Also, having an Instagrammable space is a value when it comes to attracting customers, especially those who want to take a walk for the perfect photo background.
We know that not every business can imitate the Giraffe Mansion in Nairobi. Truly giraffe hanging out with visitors – perhaps the most Instagrammable concept I’ve ever seen.
But there are many accessible (and affordable!) ways to make your business Instagram-friendly. Here are a few tried-and-true ideas from some of the platform’s most tagged areas.
10 ways to make your business Instagrammable
1. Go green with plants and flowers
The Churchill Arms is a classic English pub in London – in that sense, there are a million other pubs just like it. But it has become a photographic icon thanks to its flowery exterior:
If it’s a little pretentious for your tastes, Vancouver restaurant Botanist pulls in the greenery in a more approachable way:
Plants and flowers will brighten your space and add cheerful, colorful accents for photographers looking for the perfect shot.
Worried that your Instagram investment might dry up and die? Fake plants almost look pretty online!
2. Provide an accent wall
Instagram users often look for an ideal backdrop for their selfies. Or the popular “I’m catching my food on camera” photo:
Give them what they want with an accent wall. Choose a well-lit spot in your space and add some visual excitement with a mural or bright wallpaper. Planta Toronto’s leafy wallpaper is a popular choice:
When Instagram users are looking for something to stand out in the feed, you’ll want to go with bright colors or patterns.
If you’re not inspired by paint or wallpaper, neon signs are also popular on Instagram. Little Bean’s in Portland, which makes vegan dairy-free desserts, has a cheeky sign celebrating its surprise ingredients. She has many appearances on Instagram:
3. Add a patterned backdrop
Instagram is really getting on the floor. For proof, browse over 800,000 posts tagged #IHaveThisThingWithFloors.
They’re ideal for a selfie (that’s a selfie of your feet) and are also good for people who feel a little shy when taking pictures in public. After all, no one can tell if you’re taking a picture of the ground or just looking at your phone.
Patterned tiles are particularly popular choices if you want to elevate your entire floor.
Writing down is also Instagram friendly if you want more updates. A few coffee shops like Reunion Island Coffee have figured this out. Appropriate floor messages have been shared hundreds of times on Instagram:
So is the friendly welcome at Safehouse Coffee.
For the budget-conscious business owner, you can even try a graphic area rug or bright rug. Make sure your floor has breathing room (don’t put your best rug under a table) so photographers can find the best angle.
And if you’re wearing an accent piece like a tiled message, make sure it gets good light.
4. Don’t forget the products and packaging
Packaging is another opportunity to shine. Portable containers, glasses and bottles should have an attractive and distinctive look to build brand awareness.
Glossier is a brand that does the packaging extremely well. The pink bags they use for shipping (a Millennial twist on bubble wrap) have become status symbols thanks to Instagram:
You can also consider special touches for the products you serve or the products you sell. La Glace serves their ice cream in thin chocolate cones that look dreamy on Instagram:
These details set your business apart from your online and offline competitors.
5. Light up the room
If your business has good windows or great natural light, take advantage of it! Make sure your best-lit areas are also carefully selected. Don’t crowd them with too many items or boxes that will cast a shadow around and make details difficult to see (and photograph).
Natural light is ideal, but if you don’t have it, mimic it with warm, soft lighting. No matter how beautiful your products are, if the lighting looks like a store locker (too harsh, too dim, or too fluorescent), no one wants to shoot an Instagram Story there.
Beyond bulbs, add reflective surfaces such as metal and glass to diffuse light and illuminate your business from every angle. Designer Craig Stanghetta points out that downlighting is more beautiful than shaded overhead lights. This is one reason why Kissa Tanto, a restaurant she designed herself, is so photo-friendly on Instagram:
6. Do everything on a theme
This takes a little more commitment, but it can really pay off. Forcing a theme that has a distinctive color, mood, or concept pays off with a big “wow” factor when applied well.
NYC restaurant Pietro Nolita is a perfect example. Everything in their space, from napkins to exterior walls, is bright pink. Restaurant slogans are not “Pink as F***” for nothing!
Similarly, The Standard hotel in LA has a buttercup restaurant. The irresistible Instagram bait:
7. Selfie-friendly mirrors
Are you selling clothes, jewelry or something that people wear on their bodies? Be sure to add mirrors for selfies. Your customers will need to try your products, and flattering reflections can help increase sales.
Position them to maximize natural lighting or add warm lighting around the frame. Make sure they are big enough for group or full body photos and there is nothing unsightly in the background.
Take a cue from clothing retailer Outdoor Voices, which has added its own signature #DoingThings hashtag to every store mirror. This detail provides new customers with hashtag tips and makes it easy to identify an OV selfie.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv41DjxjOCo/
Likewise, cosmetics company Glossier adds a recognizable company slogan (“You Look Good”) to their store mirrors. This means that even selfies that aren’t tagged with location or account help build brand awareness.
8. Create a relaxation area
Give your products or tables a breathing space by creating a photogenic lounge area for your customers. It provides a place to escape shopping or an inviting place for customers to sit (and photograph!) their food and drink.
It is also an alternative to traditional table-chair seating, offering greater versatility in photography.
Aritzia is a pro in providing thoughtful seating, complete with stylish furnishings and reading materials. It’s also like being in a very stylish living room where you can spend a lot of money.
Lovenote Bride in Calgary combines themed wall art with a chilled seating area that looks great in photos with or without shoppers.
9. Add some charm to your bathroom
Why is there always a queue in the ladies’ room? Because if it’s cute there, people take selfies.
The bathroom is a very accessible space to beautify, partly because it is small. All you need is a small wallpaper, a nice mirror and good lighting!
Toronto’s Gray Gardens doesn’t even have an Instagram but is well represented on the platform thanks to many selfies of her gorgeous bathroom:
Bao Bei is another shining example! There’s something about a floral wall and a round, antique mirror.
10. Dress the outside too
Everything I’ve mentioned so far has referred to something about your job… but your appearance matters too! Attract customers and visitors with your building’s walls or window display.
Customers will not only want to come in, they will also want to share a photo of their visit!
She has hundreds of photos on her Instagram of the famous mural at Jo’s Coffee in Austin. It’s even a stop on the Austin Selfie Tour (yes, it’s a real tour!).
And the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs offers visitors a mural that changes every year and renews the interest of returning visitors.
If a mural seems a little pretentious (or you don’t have a lot of space to work), lighting your front door is another option. June Motel’s pink doors provide a lovely backdrop to many of the photos on Instagram.
Try one or more of the ideas above to see how your business could benefit from a few photogenic touches! Never underestimate the appeal of a perfect photo to attract new and returning customers to your door.
Save time managing your Instagram presence by using Moyens I/O to schedule and publish posts, grow your audience, and track success with easy-to-use analytics. Try it for free today.
To start
