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Instagram is a powerful social media platform with over 1 billion active users. For small to mid-sized eCommerce businesses, it can be a great way to connect with customers and drive traffic to your website. About 1 in 2 people surveyed have used Instagram to discover new brands, products, or services. But, it’s not just about posting pretty pictures. There are a lot of different ways to use Instagram for eCommerce, and not all of them will work for every business. In this blog post, we’ll show you some of the best ways to use Instagram for your eCommerce business!
Instagram Business Profile
The first step is to create an Instagram business profile. This will give you access to features like analytics and the ability to run ads. Since Instagram and Facebook merged, you can now run accounts on both platforms from the same dashboard. It’s important to note though that Instagram’s advertising has outpaced Facebook as of Hootsuite’s 2021 Digital Report.
Make sure to fill out your bio and include a link to your website in the website field. This is the only clickable link on Instagram, so make sure it goes to where you want people to go! If you need to link to more than one site, consider link trees. Link trees are a great way to showcase multiple websites on one page and they’re free to use.
Instagram Shopping
One of the best ways to use Instagram for eCommerce is through Instagram Shopping. This feature allows businesses to tag products in their posts and stories, making it easy for customers to learn more about the product and purchase it without ever leaving Instagram. 44% of Instagram users use this feature to purchase products weekly! In order to use this feature, you’ll need to have a Business Profile and an approved product catalog. Once you have those setup, you can start tagging products in your posts and stories!
Instagram Stories
Another great way to use Instagram for eCommerce is through Instagram Stories. Stories are short, ephemeral videos or photos that disappear after 24 hours. They’re a great way to show behind-the-scenes content, product sneak peeks, or special deals and promotions. You can also use stories to drive traffic to your website with swipe-up links. Swipe-up links are only available to accounts with over 10,000 followers, but you can use a tool like Linktr.ee to create a swipe-up link for free!
Vertical Specific Tips
You have to think about your industry, or vertical, when constructing your social media plan. What works in one industry might not work as well in another. Here are some general tips to get you started:
- If you’re selling physical goods, make sure to showcase them in a way that is visually appealing. People love seeing beautiful product photography!
- If you’re selling services, make sure to highlight the benefits of your service. What will your customer get out of using your service?
- If you’re a solopreneur, part of the process is selling yourself. Make sure to showcase your personality and what makes you unique.
- Think about the tone of your brand and make sure it’s reflected in your social media content. Are you fun and quirky, or more professional?
More Ways To Engage An Instagram Audience
There are a few more things to keep in mind when using Instagram for eCommerce:
- Make sure that your product photos are high-quality and show the product in use. Customers want to see what they’re buying!
- Use relevant hashtags and captions to reach potential customers who might be interested in your products. You can research hashtags for your posts using a variety of free or paid tools like Kicksta or Sprout Social.
- Post user-generated content (UGC). UGC is any kind of content that is created by users, such as photos, videos, or reviews. This kind of content is incredibly valuable because it’s a great way to show off your products in use and build social proof.
- Use polls and quizzes in your posts or stores. 57% of people like to engage with polls and quizzes from brands on Instagram.
- Create a good profile picture. Your profile picture is one of the first things people will see, so make sure it’s good! It should be your logo or something that represents your business. You can also use a headshot if you’re a solopreneur.
- Follow up with customers after they purchase a product. This is a great opportunity to build relationships with your customers and turn them into brand advocates.
- Make sure to post regularly and be consistent with your content. Consistency is key when it comes to social media!
There are lots of other ways to use Instagram for eCommerce but these are some of the best! What has worked well for you? Struggling to find the right answer? Let us know how we at EYStudios can help you achieve your social media goals today. Contact us today for more information or reach out for a free consultation.