For most businesses, selling products online across a variety of channels is no longer an option but a stark necessity.
Among all the popular social media platforms, Instagram has proved to be one of the hottest channels for both businesses and users. According to SproutSocial, as many as eight out of every ten Instagram users follow at least one business on Instagram and around 200 million users visit a business profile daily.
Consider implementing these tips as part of your overall Instagram strategy to transform your Instagram business account into a marketing powerhouse.
Leverage the Power of Instagram Stories
Businesses are using Instagram Stories to great effect since they not only serve to attract user eyeballs but also the “swipe up’ feature can very easily send potential customers directly to your online store. (Keep in mind that currently, this facility is only available for business accounts that have more than 10,000 followers or are verified accounts). If your business account is connected with a Facebook, you can add stickers to your Stories to provide customers an option to find out more about the product from inside Instagram. To achieve e-commerce success using Stories, you need to make them appealing using Face Filters, GIF stickers or Boomerang as well as behind-the-scenes photos and videos of your business and interactive engagement tactics like opinion polls or quizzes.
Use Live Video Streaming
Live streaming is a great tool for engaging Instagram followers in real time and gives brands the opportunity to build a more tangible relationship with them. Not only can you stream exclusive brand promotion events but also conduct interviews with people that audiences find valuable, demonstrate product unboxing, announce product launches and upcoming events and encourage users to act with immediacy for superior conversions. The success of live streaming depends on the number of viewers so you need to announce it well in advance and also, include what is on the agenda so that the automatic notification sent out by Instagram can inform the users accordingly. Ensure that the streaming is high on the engagement factor with lots of fun built in – remember viewers want to be entertained more than educated.
Engage Micro Influencers
Not only are micro influencers far less expensive to engage but since they have a closer bond with their followers, the impact of the recommendation is more. However, find the right micro influencer that has the best impact on your followers can take time and in you are working with more than one, content management can become difficult. Be sure not to engage influencers who simply generate impressive statistics with bought-out followers but no real engagement. Finding a micro influencer with the right fit with your target audience is the secret to getting consistent e-commerce sales.
Conclusion
Giving your e-commerce platform traction using the power of Instagram, while being a tough act, is an achievable task for even small businesses. You need to make sure that your Instagram bio is complete and succinct, has the website address, and the account reflects your brand personality. Formulating a cohesive hashtag and user-generated content strategy along with high-quality own content are the fundamentals of e-commerce success.
