Best Instagram automation tools for home services

The right tools for the job

Home services require a lot: skill, time, and a sprinkle of marketing. While most folks may get into the industry because they're good with their hands or have a passion for fixing things, it often isn’t to grow a recognizable brand.

While it may not be your first thought, those skills take you from a van with a sign to a standout brand in your community. That starts with great work, dealing with people the way only you can, and spreading word-of-mouth about your services.

Taking it to the next step is using free marketing tools, like social media, to expand your reach. Instagram suits home services, as you can showcase your work, respond to direct messages (DMs) or comments, and even accept bookings. But rather than constantly monitoring your chat, automation helps buy your time back, and keeps the tools in your hand, not your phone.

Around 29% of people on Instagram buy directly from there. Here’s how to ensure your business can take advantage.

What are Instagram automation tools? 

Instagram automation tools are software that takes the constant marketing and management of your account out of your hands. They help with things like posting, answering DMs, engaging with comments, and booking appointments.

While your Instagram is an extension of your brand, with its own unique voice and personality, automation can be adapted to sound and act just as you would, or take on repetitive tasks that don't require input once set up. The brand experience is still there — exactly what customers should expect.

For home services, your time is better spent on repairs, alterations, and speaking with clients than uploading during the day or responding to a comment to book an appointment. 

73% of people say they’ll go to a competitor if a brand doesn’t respond. Luckily, there are marketing and IG automation tools built for exactly this.

How can I automate my Instagram account?

There are a number of tools out there to automate specific areas of your account. These include:

• Booking appointments
• Posting content
• Replying to DMs
• Responding to comments

Let’s explore what tools can help with each solution.

Get booked through Instagram with Setmore

You're growing your following, more people are liking the jobs you post online, people even interact with customer stories. Nice work — growing on social media is a modern way to grow your brand. It makes it easier for people to find you; you may show up on someone's Discovery page, or one of your Reels may go viral.

However, for a home services business to capitalize on a growing following, easy booking is essential. Make it easy, no matter whether people find your profile or come across one of your stories.

Add a ‘Book now’ button

The easiest way to automate booking on Instagram for your home services business is with a button on your profile.

Adding a ‘Book now’ button just takes a few taps: Go to your Instagram profile, tap Edit Profile, go to Action buttons, select Book now, and choose Setmore. For a full illustrated walk-through, just check out our support article. 

Add your booking URL to Stories

Instagram Stories are a great way to connect with your audience. You can fill them in about current jobs, conduct Q&As, find out what they'd like to see from your business, or announce a promotion.

If you're enticing people to book with an offer, combining promo codes and adding your booking link to that Story is a great way to attract new customers, or bring back an old one.

Simply generate a new promo code and paste it into your Story. Then open your Setmore mobile app, tap the + button, tap Booking Page, select Copy, and paste the link into your Story. For a step-by-step guide, read our support article.

This way, customers will be directed to your Booking Page, where they can select the service, apply the promo code, and book a new job on your home services calendar.

Post timely content with Buffer

With Instagram, timing really matters. Around three-quarters of customers expect businesses to respond on social media within 24 hours. But when it comes to home services, a leaking pipe or ripped-up floor can't wait for you to pick the best photo to post.

Get ready ahead of time and have content ready to post with Buffer. This software allows you to schedule content in advance, be it images, videos, Stories, or Reels. Add your caption, links, whatever you need, select a time, and post — perfect to do at the beginning of your week so you don't have to worry about it later.

Your profile stays consistent; you can still create ad hoc content or Stories, and you have peace of mind while you're helping clients or traveling to a new job. To get started on Buffer, check oit their getting-started guide.

Automate replies with Meta Business Suite

Some questions constantly come up for home services. What are your rates? Do you come to my address? Are you free on weekends? How long does a job take? Answering each one manually takes time away from your day — especially when you’re already busy with your hands.

Meta Business Suite is Instagram’s free management tool. You can field those repeat questions, whether that’s in a DM or in your comments. Select a keyword, write the reply just as your brand would, and when someone comments or DMs you, the reply is sent. It’s still your voice, your message, just automated for you. 

That way, potential clients aren’t left wondering and can even take that next step by booking an appointment on your profile. 

To set it up, ensure you're on an Instagram Business or Creator account, then log into business.facebook.com on your desktop. Open Inbox, select Automations.

How to automate DM replies

Choose Create automation, then Custom Keywords. Name it, select Instagram, add up to five keywords, write your reply, and save. When someone messages you with any of those words, their answer is automatically sent back to them.

How to automatically reply to comments

Create another automation and select Comment to message. Select which post you want to apply it to, set your keyword, and write the public reply. You can also set a DM to be sent in response to their comment, if you wish. From then on, a "quote" under your latest job photo gets an answer while your hands are full.

For more information, check out their support article.

Quick answers for Instagram home services automation

Is automating my Instagram not allowed?

No. Automation is fine, once you’re not using AI to write, create content, or take over your account. People want to see the real you, it’s why they connect with your brand. And, as long as you use Instagram’s own tools or approved apps, you’re fine.

Avoid tools that ask for your password, promise to boost your following, or make your posts. Those can break Instagram's terms and get your account banned. 

Do I need a Business or Creator account for home services automation?

Yes. Automation features, like booking buttons or automated replies are only available when you have a Business or Creator account. It’s free to switch, and only takes a couple of minutes; here’s how. 

Instagram has been clear in recent years that businesses should be on a Business or Creator account. You have access to specific features, and it’s part of their terms of use.

Will automation make my home services business sound like a bot?

No. Using the Meta Business Suite automated replies allows you to write the messages that will be sent. That way, it’s in your brand voice and is exactly what you would say.

When you add a ‘Book now’ button to your Instagram profile, it takes them to your branded Booking Page. Ensure you customize yours so that it looks and sounds just like your brand.

Can clients automatically book home services on Instagram?

Of course. Adding a ‘Book now’ button automatically directs them to your Booking Page. There, they can see your services, team, and availability, and book and pay — then and there. It’s that easy and requires zero input from you. 

What’s the best free tool to automate my Instagram?

It depends on what you need, but here’s a simple breakdown of three:

• Automate booking = Setmore
• Automate posts = Buffer
• Automate replies = Meta Business Suite