Online business growth requires entrepreneurs to utilise hashtags effectively. The appropriate use of hashtags allows businesses to reach a wider audience, increase engagement, and attract potential customers. However, using the wrong hashtags can result in low online visibility and wasted time and effort.
This article will guide you on how to find the right hashtags to boost your business.
Understand the Purpose of Hashtags
Hashtags categorise your content. Making it easy for people to find your posts related to a specific topic. When you are using hashtags the correct way, your posts appear in search results and reach people who are interested in your industry.
The use of #FreshBread and #BakingTips or #SweetTreats hashtags enables food enthusiasts to locate your bakery content.
Research Your Industry Hashtags
Every industry has specific hashtags that attract potential customers. Start by looking at businesses similar to yours and see what hashtags they use. You can check what influencers in your industry are using.
For example, if you are in the fitness industry, common hashtags include #FitnessGoals, #HealthyLiving, and #WorkoutMotivation. If you are in the fashion business, try #StylePro or #TrendyLooks.
Use Hashtag Research Tools
There are many free and paid tools that exist to help users discover the most suitable hashtags. Some popular tools include:
Hashtagify: Helps you discover trending hashtags.
RiteTag: Provides hashtag recommendations according to your written content.
Instagram and Twitter Search: Type a keyword related to your business and see which hashtags are popular.
These tools enable you to discover hashtags that maintain a healthy combination of high popularity and lower competition.
Choose a Mix of Hashtag Types
Different types of hashtags should be combined to successfully reach your target audience. The following three hashtag types should be considered:
Popular Hashtags: These have a high number of posts and can increase exposure. Examples: #SmallBusiness, #Entrepreneur, #Marketing.
Specific Hashtags: Target your industry sector and have less competition. Examples: #HandmadeJewelry, #VeganRecipes, #DigitalMarketingTips.
Branded Hashtags: Create a unique hashtag for your business. This helps customers find all your content easily. Example: if your business is called “GreenEarth Cosmetics,” you can use # GreenEarthBeauty.
Check Hashtag Performance
Some hashtags fail to produce results for business marketing purposes. The performance of your hashtags needs evaluation to understand which ones generate the most engagement. Multiple social media sites, including Instagram and LinkedIn, allow users to view metrics that show the number of viewers who accessed your content because of specific hashtags.
If certain hashtags are not working, try different ones until you find the best combination.
Avoid Banned or Overused Hashtags
Instagram and other platforms prohibit specific hashtags because they contain spam or inappropriate content. Your posts may become hidden when you use these particular hashtags. Before using hashtags, make sure they are not banned from use.
Avoid using overly popular hashtags like #Love or #InstaGood, as your post will get lost among millions of others.
Keep Updating Your Hashtags
Hashtag trends change over time. What works today may not be effective in a few months. Keep researching and updating your hashtag strategy to stay relevant.
Follow industry news, monitor competition, and use hashtag research tools to keep up with the latest trends.
Best Practices for Using Hashtags
The following best practices will help you achieve maximum benefit from using hashtags:
Use the right number: Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but using 10 to 15 relevant hashtags is usually effective. On Twitter, 1 to 2 hashtags work best.
Place Hashtags Wisely: You can include hashtags in the caption or the comments section to keep your post looking clean.
Be specific: Instead of using broad hashtags like #Food, try something more specific like #HealthyEatingTips.
Engage with hashtags: Don’t just use hashtags; engage with posts under the same hashtags by liking, commenting, and sharing.
According to best-hashtags.com, the best business hashtags popular on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok are:
#Business
#Entrepreneur
#Marketing
#Smallbusiness
#Motivation
#Money
#Businessowner
#Entrepreneurship
#Success
Investing time and effort into finding appropriate hashtags will lead to valuable outcomes. Your business growth and customer acquisition can be achieved through industry hashtag research, tool selection performance tracking, and trend monitoring. Experience different hashtags for your brand today to identify which ones provide optimal results for your brand.
