You are reading this article probably because you are trying to bring online sales using Instagram. It makes sense. Almost all companies use social media to increase their customer base / or their sales with organic posts or paid social media ads.
Although Instagram is one of the most widely used social media platforms – and therefore an excellent digital marketing channel- it is still a source of information. What matters is to harness its power in your favor. Make it work for you, not you for it.
But how can you differentiate yourself from your competition and gain the trust of your users – and potential customers – by increasing your online sales using Instagram?
Follow step-by-step the 10 tips below!
1. Instagram Profile Optimization
Let’s start with the basics. A complete and well-designed Instagram profile inspires trust and shows professionalism. Make sure you have the following set:
- Username (your business name if it is available e.g. @businessname.gr).
- Profile Photo (usually it is about logo).
- Name (2-3 words describing your business e.g. Organic Products).
- Business Category
- Instagram Bio (a short description of your business using a hashtag that best represents it – up to 150 characters).
- Business address (especially if your business is local).
- Link to website (if you don’t have one, register your domain name, choose a hosting plan, and get started today).
- Phone & Email (appear when someone clicks on the button “Contact”).
- Highlights: these are stories that you post permanently on your Instagram profile by category.
2. Use of high-quality images
Instagram is a visual platform. Therefore, it is essential to post high-quality images if you want to increase your sales.
Preferably, use original images, not stock images. These should be creative and eye-catching, properly showcasing the products or services you want to promote.
Make sure that every image you post on Instagram matches the overall aesthetics of your brand. For example, if your website’s design is elegant and minimal, it is a good idea to do the same on your Instagram profile as well.
Therefore, you need to choose a specific style and stick to it. Remember that the first experience your potential customers may have with your business is through Instagram, so you understand that it needs to be exceptional.
3. Invest in real Instagram followers
For sure, it crossed your mind at least once to buy followers. Don’t do it. Since your goal is to increase your followers through Instagram, your followers need to be real.
A purchased follower doesn’t know who you are, what you do, or why to buy something from you. How to get real followers on your Instagram profile? The short answer is patience and consistency. In detail:
- Consider in advance your monthly posts.
- Spend time creating each one (images, design, copywriting).
- Schedule their automatic upload on the right day and time using Meta Business Suite (ex-Facebook Business Suite).
- Like, comment, and interact with posts shared by people in your target audience.
- Do not follow someone in the hope that will follow you back and then you unfollow. Follow accounts that you really like their content.
- In addition to posts that promote your products/services, create content that adds value to users.
- Post content in every format: image, video, story, and reels.
4. Use the right Hashtags
Use hashtags relevant to your services or products to attract customers and boost your sales even more. When using the right combination of hashtags, it is much easier for your target audience to discover you. It is a seemingly simple method that can significantly increase your brand awareness.
Finding the right combination of effective hashtags requires investing time in extensive research. Experiment with different combinations to find out which works best for you, while defining your hashtag strategy.
5. Invest in advertising on Instagram
Advertising on Instagram can help you reach a new and specifically targeted audience that you could hardly reach otherwise. It is a necessary investment, especially if you recently created your profile.
Design your Instagram ads by targeting customers who are most likely to be interested in your products/services. A successful Instagram advertising strategy can be crucial for your business, especially if you wish to increase your eshop sales.
Remember that in a paid post, you can put a direct link to a specific page of your website to increase the likelihood of a user purchasing a product or service.
6. Present your products in a smart way
Your product images – which certainly need to be of high quality- may attract the attention of Instagram users, but they may not be enough to increase sales on their own. What do we mean?
For your content to have an actual impact on Instagram showcase the experience someone will have using one of your products. Leverage photos or -even better- videos (learn more about the power of video marketing) that show the products in action.
For example, if you sell clothes, you can show people wearing them in different places and circumstances, emphasizing their experience wearing them. Promote e.g. a winter jacket by showing a happy person wearing it and feeling comfortable in a snowy environment.
7. Work with Instagram Influencers
We all enjoy shopping, but none of us likes to overtly be sold something. How does this relate to influencers?
Instagram influencers already have an established, loyal, and usually specific audience. Their followers are directly influenced by their shopping recommendations and tips on their profiles.
The point is that they artfully introduce a product in the content they create without implying a direct sale. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that more and more brands are turning to influencer marketing to promote their products.
Tip: Micro-influencers (with an audience of up to 10.000 followers) is a quite an affordable option. You could ask for an honest video review of one of your products in exchange for the product itself.
8. Use Instagram Word of Mouth
It is about the content created by your customers for your products. Word of Mouth marketing is a valuable alternative form of advertising. Your customers act like micro-influencers in their personal circle, building trust in your products and spreading your brand name.
However, some customers may not share photos or videos of your products easily. Give them an incentive. For example, you can offer them a chance to win something if they post photos /videos with the product and the hashtag or your username.
9. Giveaways & Instagram contests
Offering giveaways or discounts is one of the most effective and efficient ways to increase your sales on Instagram.
Giveaways and contests – that usually require someone to like, comment or tag a friend – can boost your products or services awareness, thus customers share the offer with their friends. As a result, the engagement of your followers increases.
Tip: Don’t forget to reward your loyal customers! You can offer them attractive discounts or enroll them in a loyalty program (you will probably have a points card in every supermarket you shop at 😉).
10. Humor always wins
Humor is always appealing to the audience. To increase your sales through Instagram, try to find witty puns and humor – relevant to your products – and make humorous Instagram posts.
The aim is to stimulate pleasant feelings in your audience regarding your brand. The perception created by your audience affects your sales directly!
Concluding for increasing sales via Instagram
Instagram is expecting to exceed 1.1 billion users worldwide within 2023. It is an excellent channel to showcase your products or services to boost your sales and brand awareness.
Don’t forget that Instagram is where people turn their passion into purchases!
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