How to Sell Your E-Commerce Brand’s Products on Instagram
At the end of 2021, the number of active users on Instagram hit 2 billion. If your e-commerce brand is thinking of setting up an Instagram shop or integrating the e-commerce properties of the channel, then there’s no time like the present.
Today social commerce and selling on Instagram come with their own set of rules and regulations. When it comes to making money from your IG followers both on and off of the platform you need to incorporate a lucrative marketing strategy while leveraging the unique features that come with running an Instagram store. These five tips will show you how to successfully sell on your e-commerce brand’s products on Instagram and set you on the right path towards digital commerce success.
1. Make Sure Your Content is Shoppable
From reels to stories, one of the first things to do when setting up e-commerce on Instagram is to make sure that all the content you post is shoppable. A common mistake is simply adding links to your bio or your Instagram Stories. It not only poses as a distraction from your creative message, but that isn’t a seamless experience for your followers.
The best way to counter this and get immediate action is to incorporate Instagram product tagging directly onto your e-commerce brand’s creative. A small shopping bag icon will appear, indicating that it is shoppable. The message is clear, the ease of access is enticing and direct. Add shopping stickers to your stories, create a story highlight of your catalog, and always include a CTA.
2. Leverage User-Generated Content (UGC)
It’s 2022 and it’s about time we stop underestimating the power of UGC. It’s a vital component of successful social media strategies. And, there are plenty of ways your e-commerce brand can leverage it to sell your products. UGC enforces a customer’s purchase decision by 10% and marketers have seen it perform better than a brand’s own content.
UGC gives you a bank of authentic content you can use to build and strengthen brand credibility. This helps your brand establish trust on a social media platform that has endured its fair share of skepticism. Customers are going to spend only when they see their peers and other ‘real’ people encouraging them to do so.
3. Partner with the Right Instagram Influencers
There’s no doubt that influencer marketing works. But, you need to make sure to partner with names that enrich and add value to your e-commerce business. The right influencer will lend your brand credibility by bringing in an expansive, new audience open to learning about your brand’s your core values and ideas. Micro influencers are especially great at producing quality engagement, averaging a 17.96% engagement rate across industries.
The multi-billion dollar industry of influencer marketing needs to be navigated expertly and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Find people in your community that your customers trust and build a relationship that brings you sales for the long-term.
4. Run Ads
50% of Instagram users get more interested in a brand after seeing an ad for it. Advertising your Instagram store gives you more visibility, allows you to reach a customized audience, and helps your business grow. And when implemented effectively, it will prove to be more cost-effective and bring a faster ROI than traditional organic campaigns.
Ads on Instagram can appear on the feed, on Stories, and even when the user is browsing Reels so the possibilities are almost endless.
5. Publish Engaging, Relevant, and Share-Worthy Content
Your Instagram store’s content shouldn’t only feature your product, but showcase what your customer can actually do with your product. Show them how it will make them feel, how it will upgrade their lives, address pain points and how it will make them stand out from the rest.
Try posting a variety of valuable content from images to how-to tutorial videos and memes to trending news about the industry, test what works and what doesn’t. You want customers to engage with your content, share it with their network, and bring in more sales.
Sell Your E-Commerce Brand’s Products on Instagram Today
Today Instagram has grown into a catalyst for digital conversation and engagement, as well as a vital component for e-commerce success. With endless potential for growth and ever-evolving features, the platform has transformed into a necessary channel of communication and transactions for brands and customers alike.
With digital advertisers spending more than ever on social media marketing, you need to pay attention to the tips mentioned here to stand out from the crowd. Instagram is constantly rolling out updates and new features, and it can be daunting to stay in the loop at all times. Reach out to us for help, and we’ll guide you through each step along with any new and relevant updates for your e-commerce business.
About the author: Joanne has lived in five countries and is always on the hunt for a new city to explore. After a Masters in English Literature from the University of Leeds, she landed an internship at Google that ignited her passion for all things digital. She has 10 years of experience in content writing, reads 2 books a week, and loves ‘90s pop culture.
