How to Grow Your Business on Instagram (2025 Tips)
Instagram is no longer just a place to post selfies or admire celebrities — it’s now one of the most powerful platforms to grow a business in Nigeria. Whether you sell fashion items, food, cosmetics, digital services, or run a POS shop, Instagram can help you reach more customers, build trust, and increase sales.
But it’s not just about posting pictures. If you want to stand out in 2025, you need to understand how Instagram works and how to use it to your advantage. In this guide, we’ll show you how to grow your business on Instagram the right way.
Table of Contents
- Why Instagram Matters for Nigerian Businesses
- What You Need to Start Growing on Instagram
- 10 Proven Ways to Grow Your Business on Instagram
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Tools to Help You Work Smarter
Key Takeaways
- Instagram is growing fast in Nigeria: Over 15 million active users makes it a powerful tool for business.
- First impressions matter: A professional bio, clear profile picture, and WhatsApp/contact link are essential.
- Content is king: Posting helpful, engaging, and problem-solving content builds trust and drives sales.
- Reels, Stories, and Lives boost visibility: These features can help you reach new audiences faster than regular posts.
- Engagement drives growth: Responding to DMs and comments helps your account get seen by more people.
- Influencers and UGC work: Partnering with others and resharing customer content builds credibility.
- Use smart tools: Free apps like Canva, CapCut, and Meta Business Suite make content creation and posting easier.
How to Grow Your Business on Instagram (2025 Tips)
-
Why Instagram Matters for Nigerian Businesses
Instagram has over 15 million active users in Nigeria — and the number keeps growing. Many people now check Instagram before they buy anything. If you’re not using it, you’re leaving money on the table.
Here’s what makes Instagram powerful for business:
- You can show off your products or services visually
- It helps you build trust through stories, videos, and testimonials
- You can reach a younger audience with real buying power
- You don’t need a website to start selling
- It allows you to connect with customers through DMs, comments, and Lives
Whether you sell Ankara outfits, manage events, or run a side hustle from your hostel room, Instagram can help you get noticed and make more money.
-
What You Need to Start Growing on Instagram
Before you start posting or running ads, make sure you have the basics:
- A Business or Creator Account — not a personal account
- A clear profile photo — preferably your logo or a clean image of your product
- A bio that explains what you do, who you help, and how to contact you
- A link to your WhatsApp, online store, or contact form
- A content strategy — you don’t need to post every day, but you need a plan
Now, let’s get into what really grows your business on Instagram.
-
10 Proven Ways to Grow Your Business on Instagram
-
Post Quality Content That Solves a Problem
People come to Instagram to be entertained or informed. Don’t just post products with “available” as your caption. Instead:
- Share benefits of your product (e.g., “This oil clears dark spots in 7 days”)
- Teach something useful (e.g., “How to style your outfit for a job interview”)
- Show transformations (before and after)
- Use testimonials and reviews
The goal is to make your audience say, “This page is helpful.”
i. Use Instagram Stories Every Day
Stories keep your business in front of your audience. Even if you don’t post daily, try to update your story with:
- Behind-the-scenes content
- Product packaging or delivery proof
- Polls or “this or that” games
- Quick tips or customer shoutouts
Stories are great for building relationships and trust.
ii. Go Live — Even If It’s Once a Week
Instagram Live is one of the fastest ways to connect with your audience and answer questions in real-time. You can:
- Launch a new product
- Talk about your business journey
- Teach a short lesson
- Answer FAQs about your product or service
Don’t worry about being perfect — people love seeing the real you.
iii. Use Reels for Massive Reach
Instagram is pushing Reels more than regular posts. They’re short videos (up to 90 seconds) that get shown to new audiences.
Examples of reels that work in Nigeria:
- Styling tips for fashion brands
- Quick recipes or how-to’s
- Client transformation (before and after)
- Day-in-the-life of your business
Reels don’t have to be perfect — just be consistent and clear.
iv. Collaborate with Influencers or Micro-Creators
You don’t need to work with celebrities. A micro-influencer with 5,000–20,000 loyal followers in your niche can help you reach new people.
You can:
- Send them a free product for review
- Partner for a giveaway
- Go Live together
Choose people who have a real audience, not just big numbers.
v. Use Hashtags That Your Customers Are Searching
Hashtags help your posts reach new people. Don’t just use random ones like #love or #blessed. Use niche-specific hashtags such as:
- #LagosFashion
- #SkincareNigeria
- #MadeInNaija
- #NaijaMumBoss
- #BuyFromNaija
Mix popular ones with more specific hashtags that match your audience.
vi. Respond to Comments and DMs Quickly
Customers are more likely to buy from businesses that are responsive. Even if you’re busy, make time to:
- Reply to DMs politely
- Drop a comment back when someone leaves feedback
- Thank people for tagging or sharing you
Instagram rewards engagement. The more you reply, the more people Instagram will show your posts to.
vii. Post User-Generated Content (UGC)
If a customer sends you a picture or tags you in a video, repost it (with their permission). This builds trust and encourages others to do the same.
You can also run a simple campaign like “Tag us for a shoutout” or “Post your order and win airtime.”
UGC works like free advertising.
viii. Run Giveaways or Challenges
People love free stuff. A small giveaway can attract massive attention if done well.
Example:
Win a ₦5,000 gift box!
To enter:
- Follow our page
- Like this post
- Tag 3 friends
You’ll grow your followers, improve your engagement, and possibly turn participants into buyers.
ix. Run Ads to Get More Customers
Instagram ads help you reach more people outside your current followers. Even with ₦2,000–₦5,000, you can promote your post and get real leads.
Start with “Send WhatsApp Message” or “DM Now” ads. Make sure your post is clear, has a price, and explains how to order.
If done right, you can turn ₦5,000 into ₦30,000 worth of sales.
-
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Posting only products with no captions
- Buying fake followers (they don’t buy anything)
- Not having a clear way for people to contact you
- Ignoring DMs or delaying responses
- Not tracking your growth or engagement
Growing on Instagram takes time, but it works when done right.
-
Tools to Help You Work Smarter
You don’t need expensive tools to grow. Here are free or cheap ones:
- Canva: To design flyers and carousels
- CapCut or InShot: For editing Reels and videos
- Meta Business Suite: To schedule posts and monitor performance
- Google Sheets: To track orders and customer contacts
- ChatGPT: To help you write captions and product descriptions
These tools will save you time and make you look professional.
Final Thoughts
Instagram is a goldmine for small business owners in Nigeria. But like any good thing, it takes consistency, creativity, and customer care to grow.
Focus on solving problems for your audience, be real, and post with purpose. With the right strategies, your business can attract attention, build trust, and increase sales — all from your phone.
It’s not about doing everything at once. Pick one or two strategies from this guide and apply them consistently. Watch your business grow.
Need Help Starting Your Business?
At Dayo Adetiloye Business Hub, we help Nigerians like you start and grow profitable businesses — no matter your budget. From writing business plans to getting registered and finding the right business idea, we’ve got your back.
Call or WhatsApp us on +234-806-077-9290
Let’s build your dream business — together!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use Instagram to sell without a website?
A: Yes! Many Nigerians sell directly via WhatsApp links or DMs from Instagram.
Q2: Should I use a business or personal account?
A: Use a Business or Creator account to access analytics, ads, and more features.
Q3: How often should I post?
A: You don’t need to post every day — 3 to 5 quality posts per week plus daily stories can work well.
Q4: What’s the best time to post on Instagram in Nigeria?
A: Generally between 9am–12pm and 6pm–9pm when people are online, but test what works best for your audience.
Q5: How do I grow followers fast?
A: Use reels, run giveaways, collaborate with influencers, use hashtags, and post engaging content consistently.
Q6: Do I need to spend money to grow?
A: Not always. Organic growth works, but small paid ads can give you a boost.
Q7: How do I add a WhatsApp link to my Instagram profile?
A: Use a tool like wa.link or get a direct link from your WhatsApp Business app and paste it in your bio.
Q8: What type of content works best on Instagram?
A: Short videos (Reels), customer reviews, how-tos, transformation posts, and relatable content.
Q9: Is it okay to repost other people’s content?
A: Only with permission — and always give credit. User-generated content from your customers is best.
Q10: What if I’m not good at design or editing?
A: Use simple tools like Canva or CapCut. You don’t need perfection — just clarity and consistency.
Related