IG Marketing Essentials: 5 Zero-Cost Tips to Drive Traffic on Instagram

Instagram has become an indispensable tool for Hong Kong retailers to promote their brands and products. For small and medium-sized businesses, the ability to increase traffic on the platform at zero cost often determines whether they can stand out from the competition.

Below are 5 practical strategies to help you increase visibility on Instagram, reach more potential customers, and drive real business growth.

Instagram Data Overview in Hong Kong

According to Digital 2025: Hong Kong, as of 2025, Instagram ads in Hong Kong can reach about 3.7 million users, equivalent to half the city’s population. Usage is especially high among young people, particularly students and Gen Z, who rely on Instagram to share their lives, follow brands, and seek inspiration.

This means that if a brand can crack the “traffic code” on this platform, it can directly engage with a highly interactive and high-spending audience.

5 Practical Strategies to Boost Instagram Exposure

Instagram’s algorithm rewards interaction and time spent. That’s why your strategy should focus on these two pillars in order to truly improve reach and conversion.

If you’re ready, let’s get started!

1. Optimize Your Bio

Your Instagram bio is like your brand’s storefront—it’s the first thing visitors see. More than just text, it’s a digital business card that influences whether people will follow or engage with you. To create a professional and attractive profile, consider:

• Profile name: Clearly show your brand name or main keywords to improve searchability.

• Username: Keep it short, memorable, and consistent with your brand.

• Pronouns (optional): Add inclusivity and humanize your brand.

• Bio description: Use concise and impactful words to explain who you are, what you offer, and the value you bring.

• Call-to-action link: Add a link to your online shop or WhatsApp so customers can reach or buy from you instantly.

• Contact info (for business accounts): Email, phone, or store address—adds professionalism and trust.

A well-crafted bio builds trust immediately and increases the likelihood of converting visitors into followers, inquiries, or even orders.

2. Use Hashtags to Increase Visibility

Instagram users can follow hashtags, meaning even non-followers can discover your content if you use them wisely. Adding relevant and targeted hashtags to your posts and stories can boost engagement and attract new followers.

• Branded hashtags: Create a unique tag like #YourBrandHK and encourage customers to use it—building a community effect.

• Trending hashtags: Join in on popular tags to increase discoverability.

• Location tags: Mark your shop or event venue to attract nearby customers, especially useful for physical retailers.

• Mixed strategy: Combine popular, mid-range, and branded hashtags for both reach and precision.

With the right hashtag strategy, your content can break beyond your follower circle and reach more targeted audiences.

3. Add ALT TEXT to Images for Better Visibility

![Example: Instagram screenshot]

ALT TEXT is user-defined alternative text that describes an image. While originally designed for accessibility (allowing visually impaired users to “read” images through screen readers), it also helps Instagram better understand your content.

The more accurate the description, the more likely Instagram is to recommend your content to relevant audiences—improving reach and conversions.

How to do it: New Post → Advanced Settings → Write Alt Text.

4. Leverage “Story Highlights” as Your Best IG Showcase

![Example: Adidas Originals – IG screenshot]

Instagram limits bios to 150 characters and allows just one website link, making it hard to drive traffic directly to your online shop. This is where Instagram Stories Highlights become a game-changer.

While regular IG Stories disappear after 24 hours, Highlights let you pin them permanently to the top of your profile—essentially serving as your IG storefront showcase. You can display up to 4 highlights at a time, with additional ones stored to the right.

For accounts with 10,000+ followers, you can even add purchase links directly in your Stories, driving immediate sales.

5. Engage Actively to Build a Community

Instagram is not just a broadcasting tool—it’s a community. To truly attract and retain customers, you must create a sense of participation and belonging.

• Reply to comments and DMs: Fast, genuine responses build trust and goodwill.

• Like and comment on others’ posts: Engage with your followers and related accounts to build two-way relationships.

• Collaborate and cross-promote: Partner with other SMEs, KOLs, or community accounts to expand your reach.

• Create belonging: Run giveaways, interactive activities, or user-generated content campaigns to make followers feel like part of your brand.

When followers feel you’re genuinely building a community—not just selling products—they’re more likely to stay long term and become loyal customers.

Conclusion

These are simple yet practical methods that let you “do business while having fun on IG.” Give them a try! Your online shop traffic and sales might just start growing quietly in the background.