Baby Loves nursery boutique in Wilmslow, Cheshire is founded and owned by nursery retail veteran, Steve Abse.

In a recent turn of events that sent shockwaves through the independent retail community, the store fell victim to a malicious hack that wiped out their hard-earned Instagram followers overnight. Steve shares his experience here and offers insights into the challenges they faced and the steps the store is taking to rebuild its online presence.

Can you describe what happened with your Instagram account?

‘It was such an unfortunate incident where our Instagram account was hacked. The perpetrator used our account to start posting bitcoin advertisements, causing immense shock and frustration, we felt so helpless. What’s more distressing is that not only did we lose access to our account, but this same ordeal extended to our business’s Facebook account, my personal Instagram account, and even my personal Facebook account.’

What advice would you give to fellow businesses to prevent such hacks?

‘Protecting your online presence is crucial. I’d strongly recommend implementing the two-factor authentication for your Facebook and Instagram accounts and using complex, hard-to-guess passwords. Unfortunately, even with these precautions, the response from Instagram was disappointing. Their support has been lacking, and despite my repeated attempts to resolve the issue, I still can’t access my hacked account.’

How has this incident impacted your business?

‘The impact has been significant. Our Instagram account had amassed around 6000 followers, and it served as a vital marketing tool for us. With the account compromised, we were forced to launch a new Instagram page. However, rebuilding our follower base from scratch will take time and effort.’

You’ve received a great deal of support. Can you tell us about that?

‘The outpouring of support from our customers and contacts has been truly heartening. Many have shared our new account, signed up as followers, and left incredibly encouraging comments. This solidarity has been a silver lining during a challenging time.’

What’s your plan for regrowing your Instagram account?

‘We’ve taken the initiative to relaunch a new Instagram account under the handle @babyloves_wilmslow. Our strategy involves consistently posting and sharing engaging, fun content that resonates with our audience. Through this approach, we aim to regain the follower numbers we previously had and rebuild the community we value so much.’

In the face of adversity, this small independent baby retailer stands as a testament to the resilience of businesses in the digital age. Their story underscores the importance of cybersecurity measures and the incredible power of the supportive community we all know and love, especially in times of need. As they embark on their journey to reclaim their online presence, we’ll be watching closely, cheering them on every step of the way.