Instagram vs Facebook – Where Should You Promote Your Small Business?

If you’re running a small business, you’ve probably asked yourself:"Should I focus on Instagram or Facebook?" 🤔Both platforms are great tools for building visibility and attracting customers, but each works a little differently – and your choice should depend on your audience, your goals, and the kind of content you’re sharing.

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide 👇

Who Are You Trying to Reach?

Facebook tends to have an older audience (ages 30+), which is great if your services target homeowners, families, or people looking for trusted professionals (like trades or beauty).Instagram skews a bit younger (ages 18–35) and works better for visual industries – think beauty, fashion, creative services, or lifestyle brands.

🔍 Example: If you're a nail artist or hair stylist, Instagram is your best friend. If you're a renovation company targeting homeowners, Facebook might be more effective.

What Kind of Content Do You Have on Instagram & Facebook?

Instagram is all about aesthetics – strong visuals, reels, behind-the-scenes, transformations.Facebook supports more detailed posts – you can share longer captions, client reviews, links to your blog or website, and even create events.

📸 Tip: Use Instagram to show your portfolio, and Facebook to build trust and engagement through posts, reviews, and community updates.

How Do You Want to Grow?

• Instagram helps build brand awareness – it’s perfect for growing your following and creating a strong visual identity.

• Facebook is better for community building – it allows you to connect through groups, local ads, and more personal engagement.

💡 Best strategy? Combine both – but adapt your content. What works on one platform won’t always work on the other.

So, Where Should You Start?

• If you're just starting out and only have time for one platform, choose the one that matches your ideal client.

• Think about what kind of content you’re excited to create – if you love photos, reels and visuals, go with Instagram. If you’re more about client relationships, word-of-mouth, and storytelling – try Facebook.