Spring-clean your socials: an audit checklist for small businesses.
Spring is FINALLY upon us. The days are getting lighter and longer, and naturally, you have the urge to reset everything and start fresh. But that doesn’t need to stop at your wardrobe, because your socials would love a refresh too.
For small businesses, spring is the perfect chance to check your Story Highlights, rethink your grid’s aesthetic and ask yourself: “How am I actually performing on Instagram?”
Profile & First Impressions
Let’s start with first impressions. You want to make a good one, right? Right??
Your profile is one of the first things a potential customer sees when they land on your account, so let’s give it a little refresh.
☐ Your BIO - Could a stranger tell what you do, who it’s for and why it matters in one glance? Keep it clear, concise and up to date. And don’t get us started on links that lead straight to an error 404…
☐ Highlights - Now stalk your Highlights! Remove expired content, old promos or discontinued products. While you’re there, keep them simple, consistent and looking fresh, even updating the cover images if necessary.
☐ Grid & Pinned Posts - Your first nine posts are your shop window. Does your grid still represent your business and give the BEST possible impression? Are your three pinned posts actually your strongest content for a new visitor?
Content & Performance
Now for the numbers. What’s actually working?
☐ Performance Audit - Look back at your recent content and take a good, hard look at the numbers that matter (emphasis on the matter). Which posts are getting reach and engagement? Are Reels outperforming carousel content? Are there certain topics your audience consistently responds to?
You don’t need to obsess over every number, but you should be able to spot patterns and use them to shape what you create next.
Customer Experience
Think of your social media profile as the front door to your shop. It’s not only your first impression, but if it’s confusing, outdated or doesn’t match what you actually do, people leave.
☐ DM Autoresponses - First of all, if you don’t have them, get them! They’re a customer service lifesaver and as a small business we bet you want anything to make your life easier. And if you do, are they still accurate? Check your automated replies, opening hours, links and any other information customers might see.
☐ Links - Give your links a little click-through. Are they all working and do they take people where they need to go? Nothing kills your potential sale quite like an error page.
As they say, spring is a rebirth. So spring forward your socials with these small tweaks to make your social presence feel so much fresher.
If you’re reading this and not quite sure where to start, enquire about our social media management retainers and we can do the spring cleaning for you.