How to Use Snapchat for Business: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

The market is filled with platform options for businesses to use for marketing purposes. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, companies can utilise any of these social media platforms to reach their target audience. Snapchat is one such platform that has gained multifold interest among entrepreneurs to market their business products or services. Presently, the photo-sharing app Snapchat has around 460 million daily active users.

Launched in 2011, Snapchat soon became the most popular social messaging and photo-sharing app. It is presently among the top 15 social media platforms in the world. Whether you are running a small boutique or a retail business, using Snapchat is the best marketing platform at present.

This beginner's guide will help you learn how to use Snapchat for business purposes and market it wisely.

Benefits of using Snapchat for Business purposes-

Helps to connect with the young audience

If your business aims to engage people under 35, Snapchat is the platform to prioritize. According to Snapchat, the app reaches 75% of millennials and Gen Z, as well as 23% of all U.S. adults, surpassing Twitter and TikTok in reach.

On average, users spend over 30 minutes a day on Snapchat, opening it more than 30 times daily. That’s a wealth of opportunities for your brand to get noticed and spark interactions.

Interactive Platform

While users primarily connect with friends through Snapchat’s ‘Chat’ feature on the left side of the home screen, they’re also discovering new brands and content through the ‘Discover’ icon on the right.

This makes it easier for businesses to get in front of potential customers. Moreover, the visual storytelling impact can help your business form a separate base in the market.

Stand out in the Business Market

Snapchat is built around being lighthearted and authentic. It encourages users—and brands—to drop perfection and have fun.

From playful Bitmoji collaborations like Converse outfits to Snap Map Layers highlighting Ticketmaster events, Snapchat continues to roll out new ways for users and brands to creatively express themselves.

Using effective branding tactics can help your business to create a good impact in the market.

Tips to use Snapchat for Business Marketing

Snapchat provides numerous opportunities for businesses, thanks to its diverse features that are especially valuable for marketing and building brand awareness.

Beyond simply sharing photos and videos, the platform’s creative tools open the door to entirely new experiences. Filters and lenses—especially those powered by augmented reality—are a hit with users, offering a unique and exclusive way to engage with content.

Create an Interesting Company Profile

If you’re looking to leverage Snapchat for your business, the first essential step is setting up a company profile. Start by creating a Snapchat account through the app. Snapchat also allows businesses to sign up directly on its business page.

Once your account is ready, you can dive right in. Add a profile picture—like your company logo, and your contact details to give your brand a professional and recognizable presence.

Add Right Content

Like every other social media platform, Snapchat can bring out the best if the right content is added. To start, gather insights about your target audience and clearly define who you want to reach, so you can shape your content around their interests and habits.

It’s also important to highlight your authenticity by sharing genuine and generic & viral content. Unlike Instagram, Snapchat isn’t the place for overly staged or highly polished photos and videos—these can turn users off.

Instead, embrace the platform’s spontaneous nature with content that feels real and in the moment. You can add stories, spotlight, and snap ads in a vertical format.

Creating Custom Snapcode

A Snapcode is like a digital badge that people can scan with their phone or tablet. By scanning it, Snapchat users can instantly find and connect with your brand, boosting your visibility. It functions similarly to a QR code.

Snapcode also makes it easy for users to discover your brand’s exclusive filters and other content.

To create a Snapcode:

• Tap the settings icon at the top right corner of your business’s Snapchat account.
• From the dropdown menu, select ‘Snapcodes.’
• Click on ‘Create Snapcode,’ then enter your URL.

Using Sponsored Lenses and Geofilters

Sponsored Lenses are interactive 3D effects or animations that Snapchat users can apply to their photos and videos using the front-facing camera. Brands can use these lenses to boost visibility or spark viral marketing campaigns by incorporating their logos or unique brand elements.

Geofilters work similarly but differ in that they’re static overlays—like graphics or illustrations—that users can add to their snaps when they’re in a designated geographic area. Businesses can design Geofilters for specific venues, events, or retail locations. Their time- and location-based availability makes them perfect for event promotions or on-site marketing initiatives.

Make use of Snapchat Ads

One of the top reasons to advertise on Snapchat is that it’s evolving into a complete funnel solution for brands and organizations of all sizes. Still, as a budget-conscious marketer, you’re probably wondering, “How much will this set me back?” With smart planning, likely less than you’d expect.

Snapchat Ads may seem daunting at first, but they’re incredibly effective, and you can get started for as little as $5 a day. Available formats include

• Single Image or Video Ads that show up between user Stories.
• Collection of Ads to market multiple products.
• Story Ads featured in the Discover feed.
• Plus, Snapchat provides advanced targeting options, allowing you to reach audiences by their interests, location, or even through custom lookalike segments.

Placing a Strong Marketing Strategy

Snapchat isn’t the right fit for every brand, but for those targeting users under 35 with a fun, lighthearted brand voice, it can be a powerful platform.

Before diving in, develop a clear social media strategy. Start by researching competitors: Are they active on Snapchat? What types of content are they posting, and how are they engaging their audience?

Next, define specific goals. Do you want to build brand awareness, drive website traffic, or engage with followers? Set measurable KPIs to track progress.

Finally, build a content calendar to plan posts, ensure consistency, and allocate time for engagement.

If Snapchat aligns with your brand’s goals and audience, it can help lay a strong foundation for growth.

Tying Your Strategy to Business Growth

As you grow your brand’s online presence, it’s equally important to ensure your business is structured properly. One smart step for entrepreneurs is to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC), which can offer legal protection and tax flexibility.

For example, if you’re launching your business in California, forming a California LLC can help establish your company as a legitimate entity while you build your presence on platforms like Snapchat. It also gives your brand added credibility when engaging with customers, partners, or influencers.

Using Influencer Marketing for Business

Unlike messaging apps like Telegram or WhatsApp, Snapchat blends messaging with social media features, making it a hub for a wide range of influencers and content creators. This offers a powerful opportunity to boost your brand awareness. However, to make the most of it, you’ll need careful planning and a clear process.

Start by identifying influencers, having good followers, and a stronghold in the market. Consider who aligns with your target audience and whether their Snapchat presence feels authentic and engaging. It’s also crucial to build a strong relationship with these influencers and set clear objectives for your campaign to ensure successful collaboration.

Key Takeaways

What sets Snapchat apart is its wide range of features and creative ways to showcase your brand and grow your audience. Ultimately, Snapchat stands out as a highly attractive platform for marketing and boosting brand visibility. It can also serve as a valuable addition to your overall marketing strategy, especially when used alongside other messaging apps.