Selling Your Products On Instagram

This is a guest post by Mark Tuxford from Making Websites Better.

Throughout your life, you would have most likely have heard the old saying “a picture paints a thousand words” (or words to that effect), right? With this in mind, Instagram has taken that phrase to a whole new level, since its creation in 2010, by Mr Kevin Systrom.

As I’m sure we are all aware by now, Instagram is an image-based social media platform, – sharing all sorts of weird and wonderful content amongst its users.

However, whilst the platform is firmly down with the kids sharing their favourite videos and pictures, the business professionals of this world have also tapped into the social media age and experienced the art of selling their products on Instagram – and to great effect too.

I can only assume that the reason you clicked on this article, and are subsequently reading this, is because you are interested in selling your products on Instagram too, or you’re at least interested in finding out more information before #hashtagging your life away…

Thus, if you want to sell on Instagram, you need to make sure that you play to the strengths of what the popular social media platform has to offer.

Mine is not to reason why, mine is but to sell and buy

If your business sells tangible, physical products, Instagram can be one of your most effective marketing AND selling channels. Selling products online is where businesses need to be focusing their attention in these modern times. If your product can be bought, sent, and used by a customer, then Instagram has the tools to help you make that happen.

Forget your bag for life. It’s time to do your shopping online (on Instagram)

Instagram’s shopping feature enables people to search and purchase a product at the tap of a finger. Not only does the customer enjoy the online experience and engagement of Instagram, but the marketing side perfectly intertwines with the sales process.

Together, the combination helps to minimise the actions a user has to take prior to purchase, allowing them to tap and click on a tag which immediately brings them your Instagram storefront, where they can complete their purchase.

Related Products

It’s quick, easy, and it eliminates interference in your customers’ purchasing experience whilst also keeping your customer interested, whilst scrolling through the platform for the next item that takes their interest.

Tell me a story: an Instagram Story, to be precise

The fast-moving world of E-commerce is now available via Instagram Stories. This shopping feature allows you to link images on Instagram with a time frame of 24 hours before they disappear. This works well for special offers or sale reductions in the retail sector.

More than anything, Stories help to keep the user engaged and entices them to explore further.

Have you finished painting those thousand words yet?

Beautiful and eye-catching photography is key to the performance of your company’s Instagram page. The imagery or video content helps to sell the experience of using your product and make it stand out, whilst it also paints the picture for your customer to envisage what the product will look like and help to simplify the purchase process.

You now have the unique opportunity to promote your product in the best possible light. Always make sure that you present your products in their best light when it comes to shopping on Instagram. With over one billion users every month, Instagram offers vendors one of the greatest e-commerce vehicles available that you could be next to tap into.

If you require assistance with your Instagram profile, social media management, advertising or strategy for your retail brand, feel free to contact me over at mark.t@makingwebsitesbetter.com or visit our website at MWB Agency for more information.

This is a guest post by Mark Tuxford from Making Websites Better.