Originally written by Laura McLoughlin on Small Business
Yes, small businesses on the high street are struggling for traction. But recent reports suggest that small independent outlets are more likely to survive the decline than most. Because the consumer is looking to live the lifestyle – and using the indie high street option appeals to the desire to be cool and niche.
However, you still need to match your bricks and mortar outlet to your online presence. The business that can work across channels is the one that will experience the most growth.
Consequently, to be sure of your space in the consciousness of the high street shopper, you need to make the most of social media. Instagram might be much smaller than the giants of Facebook and Twitter, but the number of active users is substantial on the portal. A thousand followers on your small business Instagram account could make a significant impact on your success. But how do you attract these followers?
>See also: 4 steps to help your small business grow on Instagram
#1 – Open a specific business Instagram account
More important than anything is the quality of the profile and the brand you create. It might be tempting to use your

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