If you’ve shifted from the brick-and-mortar store to an online business, be it retail or e-commerce, then you also need to shift your marketing strategy. It’s no secret that online stores attract a wider, yet different audience than your classical physical store. However, if you’re still a bit confused about the platforms you should advertise on, today we’ll settle that matter once and forever.
Spoiler alert: Instagram should be your top pick. We’re not saying that you should not be present on other platforms, but if you want to be where the game is up for grabs, Instagram is the place to be! And we’re not talking out of pure intuition. We’re basing our conclusions on solid statistics, great results and some pretty amazing tools you can use to promote your products.
So, let’s see why and how can Instagram help you boost your online retail store or e-commerce business.
1. A boosting number of monthly and daily active users
The first reason you should choose Instagram as your favorite platform if you’re a retailer or e-commerce business is its boosting number of monthly and daily active users.
And, note it down, the key word here is boosting. Sure, Instagram might now have more than 800 million monthly active users and 500 million daily active users (which is absolutely stunning), but what’s more important is that these numbers are growing by the day! Just in 2017, Instagram attracted 100 million new users in just 6 months. Can we hear you say exponential growth?
That means that, in addition to having the luxury of reaching such a large audience today, you can be sure that in the near future you’ll expand your reach. What more could you ask from a platform?
2. Instagrammers engage with brands at high rates
Actually at very high rates. An amazing total of 68% of Instagrammers engage with brands on a constant basis. If you’re looking for a comparison, only 34% of Facebook users engage with retailers or e-commerce businesses.
And that’s not all! Another statistic shows that Instagram has 58 times more engagement per follower than Facebook. The numbers simply don’t lie and hint you in a direction you cannot ignore. Destination? Instagram.
If you’re asking yourself why, the reason is quite plain and simple: while Facebook has reached a certain level of saturation, Instagram is still fresh. What’s more, it offers a different kind of experience and media content that are easier digested by users.
3. More than 80% of Instagrammers follow one or more brands
Brand interaction on Instagram is different than that on other platforms. It’s different in terms of numbers, but also quality and implications. On Instagram, the border between brands and users is not so well drawn, as businesses can be more genuine in their marketing efforts.
The very nature of Instagram allows for beauty-shots that are not that “in your face” salesly. That makes users more inclined to follow brands and stay up to date with what they’re up to. Especially if these brands promise to create high-quality and engaging content. And, since 7 in 10 hashtags are branded, businesses can easily attract new users.
4. More than 70% of Instagrammers purchased a product after seeing it
We’ve already established that engagement on Instagram is simply awesome. And so much higher than on other platforms. However, if that didn’t convince you, then this purchasing statistics definitely will. The staggering number of Instagram users who bought a product after seeing it is living proof that as a retailer or as an e-commerce business you should definitely be present on Instagram.
Fact is, the way Instagram enables you to present your products is more probable to trigger desire. Depending on your creativity and strategy potential, you can have your posts build trust and be authentic enough as to come across as inspiration and recommendations rather than advertising. And that’s the sweet spot you must aim to touch in order to boost your sales.
5. Using influencers can boost sales for your items
Right now, the influencer marketing business on Instagram is a billion dollar industry. Yes, you’ve heard that right. Billion. Why should this matter to you? Well, it should matter because this means that having some influencer related tactic included in your marketing strategy truly works. Otherwise, so many other brands wouldn’t use it.
Since Instagram users are known authenticity-lovers, they also love getting recommendations from people they trust. And, nowadays, influencers are these people. Thus, since influencers represent a staple for aspirations, having your products promoted by a few selected ones is an awesome strategy.
6. Instagram has just rolled out shoppable posts to more countries
Instagram is trying its hardest to make itself comfortable for retailers and e-commerce businesses all around. Just recently, the platform has announced that it’s expanding shoppable posts to more countries and more businesses around the world.
With the shoppable post capability, you have one more chance to bring customers from Instagram to your online store. And the way these work is so simple that you’ll only be limited by your own courage and creativity. You can tag any post you like with any product you deem fit. Just make sure to make every post as high-quality as possible and don’t forget to be memorable!
To learn more about how to create and use shoppable posts to promote your online retail store or e-commerce business, read our simple guide to the new capability.
7. Instagram now has native payment capabilities
This is the latest (and apparently most secretive) news that was released by Instagram regarding retailers and e-commerce businesses. At the moment, this capability is being tested by a selected few, but it will soon be released for general use. That means that any user with a registered card (debit or credit) can start buying products (or even booking tickets) through Instagram, without leaving the platform. We’ve written all about what the new native payment capability is and what it means for your business.
What you should know in a nutshell is that this offers you more chances of conversion than any other capability on any other platform. Once a user sees and likes a product, they’ll be able to buy it right then and there, without passing through other filters and losing interest. It’s straightforward and, if you think about it, just the added advantage your business needed.
Ready to boost your online retail strategy or e-commerce tactics?
If you’re ready to take your sales to the next level, then hop on the Instagram hype. Don’t worry, there’s nothing too complicated about marketing on Instagram. At least not with us by your side. To make sure you’re ready to take on Instagram and that you’ll always be up to date with the latest news, follow our blog. And, if you need a helping hand at scheduling your posts, download Preppr today! You have a 10 days free trial to learn and discover all the tips and tricks that will get you ahead of the competition. Don’t wait! Instagram is always on the move.
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