Ways to Increase Online Sales Using Instagram

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Use Instagram as one of the best ways to increase online sales
When looking for ways to increase online sales, Instagram comes to our mind almost instantly. No wonder since Instagram is one of the best and most widely-used social media platforms. It is up there, with Facebook as the best platform to build engagement in social media marketing. However, when it comes to eCommerce, Instagram holds the advantage as an even better platform than Facebook.

In this article, we share how, as an eCommerce business, you can use Instagram to boost traffic to your eCommerce store and increase sales.

Step 1. Make buying easier for your followers.

As a visual platform, it should be a given that you only post high-quality, visually-stunning images. But if you want to boost sales on Instagram, you have to take that a step further by making your profile a place where buying is made more accessible. Aside from posting pictures of your products, there are many ways in which you can make buying easier.

Add a link in your bio.

Driving traffic through a link in your bio is one of the most effective ways to increase online sales on Instagram. It’s one of the first things people see when they visit your profile, making it incredibly easy to find it.

In some cases, some followers might miss it, especially when they dive right into your feed. So what do you do then?

Simple – you remind them about it. For every caption of every post, don’t forget to remind followers about it. A simple “link in bio” that leads them directly to a landing page or your store can do wonders for your business. But make sure your website is optimized for mobile traffic since most of your followers are from the Instagram mobile app.

Make your posts shoppable.

With the introduction of shoppable posts in 2018, Instagram has made it possible to tag individual products in your feed posts as well as your Instagram stories.

As an eCommerce store, you can link your entire inventory to your Instagram to begin tagging each product with specific items. Clicking on the item redirects the buyer to a separate page containing various information about the product, such as the price and sizing, and a link to buy the product.

Add stickers to Instagram stories.

Aside from adding links and tag items on Instagram stories, you can now add stickers to them, as well.

Approved businesses can now add a clickable product sticker to their story. The function of the sticker is similar to product tags on shoppable posts, which take you to a separate page containing details on the product. Furthermore , you’d be able to see additional information as well as other images, similar items, and a link to the business’s site to complete purchases.

Swipe up on Instagram stories.

Users have always been open to the idea of shopping for their favorite items through Instagram stories, even before the introduction of shoppable posts and stickers. You can add links to your IG story if you have a business account and over 10,000 followers, making it easier for your followers just to swipe up when they see something they like.

Use Instagram as one of the best ways to increase online sales.

Ways to increase online sales.

Step 2. Create engagement by involving your audience.

As an eCommerce business, your ultimate goal is to generate as many sales as possible from your platforms. However, most users do not like it when brands get overly sales-y. In fact, they stay away from brands that oversell and are too pushy. Today, audiences want to feel unique and engaged. Now that you’ve made it easier for them to buy things, it’s time to hold back a little and instead focus on creating an active community of followers. This community of followers will always be willing to buy from their favorite brand, and that might be one of the best ways to increase sales for your eCommerce store.

Add behind-the-scenes-photos.

Plenty of things is going on in the background before a product is made available to the public. Or even before a photo is posted for everyone to see. But most of the time, we only get to see the finished product – not what’s happening behind the scenes, which makes it even more enticing.

By sharing behind-the-scenes photos of what’s happening in your business, you’re essentially sharing an intimate part of your life with your followers. Your followers will feel emotionally connected, making them feel close to your brand.

Use user-generated content.

One of the best ways to increase sales through user engagement is to post content generated by your followers. When you publish content created by your followers, you cultivate a more approachable, down-to-earth image.

Post images of your followers using your products or share stories shared by them. Not only will your followers be more excited to check out your profile, but it can also lead to a positive sentiment with your brand.

Offer discounts or giveaways.

Perks and giveaways are perfect motivators for followers to stay engaged. After all, everyone loves discounts and free stuff – and Instagram is an ideal avenue for that. And since increased engagement can boost your eCommerce business, it is one of the most used ways to increase sales when it comes to Instagram.

Announce any discount, contest, or giveaway through visually-appealing graphics and transparent text overlays. It is a sure-fire way to attract user attention and gain engagement on Instagram. Holding regular contests and giveaways also ensures your followers check back periodically for updates.

Interact with your audience.

There is no better way to engage your audience than actually engaging your audience. The best way to do this is by going on Instagram Live and talking with your followers. You can answer their questions, give them access to your operations or daily life, or even ask questions of your own. No matter what the activity, all that matters is that you get to interact with your followers and show them a great time.

Step 3. Get influencers on your side.

Instagram is a perfect avenue for putting influencers to work. With over 800 million monthly active users on the visual platform, it is nowhere near the Facebook’s numbers . However, it is more engaged, making it the perfect medium for brands to boost engagement and increase sales.

If you didn’t already know, influencers are personalities on Instagram with large followings. They are pretty influential, thus the name, and can be pretty persuasive. Within Instagram, they have established large audiences that look to them for purchase recommendations and advice. Unsurprisingly, brands have been using influencers increasingly as ambassadors to promote their products – and so can you.

Have a working relationship with influencers, but be subtle about it.

Making influencers work with you isn’t like getting celebrity endorsements. Instead, they create their own content based on your product and more. They have a specialty: they are walking social proof.

But make sure the content they create doesn’t overdo it. Remember that consumers do not like it when they’re being smothered with sales. The content shared by the influencer shouldn’t focus too much on your product and brand as it could seem overly promotional and risk sounding insincere.

To leverage your influencer’s large audience for your business, provide influencers with a unique discount or promo code. A unique code assigned to each influencer allows you to track their conversions and see which influencer’s strategy works best for you.

Ask for honest reviews

Another way to leverage an influencer’s influence is to ask them for honest reviews about your product, even if they find something negative. It allows them to remain candid in their feedback. Meanwhile, the negative feedback they provide will only magnify their positive reviews. Hence, it would be best to invite your influencer to post reviews – negatives and all – to help you gain the trust of your audience.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, Instagram is one of the most popular social media networks for promoting your eCommerce business as it has over 1 billion users. That’s why you mustn’t forget it when thinking of ways to increase online sales. A lot of its users are often browsing for inspiration, new ideas, recipes, and products to try out. By implementing the right eCommerce strategy, you can drive tons of sales.

In case you’re still not entirely convinced, make sure you buckle up and refill your coffee cups. We have just the right thing for you to get you inspired. Here’s a list of the most popular eCommerce strategies that digital marketers and webshop owners use to grow their businesses.

We hope you enjoyed the reading!

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