8 Ways to Grow your E-commerce Business through Instagram

The fast-growing world of e-commerce offers benefits like convenience, sustained communication between buyers and sellers, and global reach. In tandem with optimizing your website design for conversions, one of the best ways to create brand awareness and bring in worldwide leads for your e-commerce business is social media.
But all social media are not equal. Among the most popular, Instagram is a top choice for business owners. With 500 million daily users and 90% of accounts following at least one business, it presents a massive opportunity for companies. 
There are several ways you can use Instagram to grow your e-commerce business:
 
#1 Have a Good Instagram Profile
Instagram is a visual platform. So, the first step is to fill out a profile that attracts visitors.
 
Username
Choose a username that reflects your business name or at least gives visitors an idea of what your page is all about.
You can chose user name from here yfaz

Profile Picture
A preferable profile picture would be your logo or an image of your brand name. Make sure the image is beautiful and attractive. If, for example, a best dissertation writing service account wants to stand out, it might need to have a visually appealing profile picture.
 
Bio
Your bio is an opportunity to sell your business. In a few words, talk about your brand, what you're offering or what visitors should expect to see, and a call to action (CTA). You would want your CTA to lead to your landing page or store where prospective customers can see your products. If you have a brand hashtag, add it to your bio. 
 
#2 Create Good Content Consistently
Good content attracts visitors and prospective buyers to your page. If you utilize storytelling and aim to be interesting, it's essential to create memorable content. 
You might want to experiment with various content types, including videos and good product photography. A profile that concentrates on the custom essay service niche can use an excellent tool like Canva for its image creation.
“As a business, you can generate a variety of content to engage your prospects and customers. To ensure you never run out of content, create your posts in batches.” - says Michael Gordon, a manager at Dissertation Today and a contributor to a variety of essay writing services. You can make three videos and thirty images to last you a few weeks. Consider using a calendar to guide you, and schedule your content so that you'll know what timeframe to post. 
 
Trends and Challenges
Don't be afraid to use trends to attract people to your page and, ultimately, your e-commerce store. 
Using a challenge like #fliptheswitch, a fashion brand might try out multiple outfits available in their store each time they flip the switch. Even better, they can encourage followers to buy their clothes and wear them during the challenge.
Of course, you get to post this user-generated content (UGC) on your page. It helps you engage with customers, markets your products, and create brand awareness.
 
User-Generated Content
Don’t limit UGCs to trends and challenges. Show images or videos of customers using your products for a range of activities. 
Testimonials and positive reviews of your product by satisfied customers and influencers are also UGCs. This content is one of the best because it can transform your audience from prospects into paying customers. The reviews and testimonials on your page assure visitors of the authenticity and reliability of your product.
As you create content, don't forget to add a CTA. You've shown visitors the fabulous things your products can do. Now, direct them to your store. 
Creating content, when you have other marketing commitments for your business, isn’t easy. But you can outsource Instagram content creation for a low price at freelancing platforms. Above all, whether you create posts yourself or pay freelancers to do it, remember to be consistent. Post at least once every day and send out multiple posts at a specific time.
#3 Engagement is Key
Engaging posts create a community of loyal followers. You would want to make your visitors feel like a part of the brand. When you communicate with them on social media, they’ll know that their voice matters and that you listen to their suggestions about your product. 
Respond to visitors’ questions and comments. Learn to address followers’ complaints and concerns promptly. When they tag you or your product, you could comment on their post. Don’t stop at engaging on your page. Consider commenting on other pages too. This way, you expose yourself to a broader audience. 
To boost engagement, use content that drives interaction. Ask followers how they use your products. Also, tell them to tag friends they might want to give your products. 
Engaging on Instagram is a great way to grow your e-commerce business.
 
#4 Utilize Instagram Stories
The difference between stories and posts are the duration and placement. Stories stay for just 24 hours while the latter is permanent. Stories also appear at the top part of the page, but posts don't. Stories are perfect for promoting your e-commerce products because they attract attention faster since they have an advantageous placement. 
As with posts, you can use images, videos, and testimonials. You can even run polls, ask questions, and use fancy stickers to boost engagement. While stories disappear within 24 hours, you can keep them by making them highlights. After your bio, highlights are the next posts.  
As an added tip, when you use stories, don't post all your content at once. Batch them by posting one or two every few hours. This way, your brand’s stories will continue being recent. It won’t get lost among similar content. 
 
#5 Use Hashtags
Hashtags categorize your post and could increase your content outreach. They also help you explore other e-commerce businesses. You see what your competitors are doing, what your followers are engaging in, and you adapt.
There are different hashtag strategies, depending on the purpose of your post and the popularity of your e-commerce store.
 
You can use up to 30 hashtags per post.
If you have a small business, you should utilize as many hashtags as possible to expose your store to newer audiences. As you grow in the e-commerce industry, you may reduce the number.
 
Use hashtags that are related to your product. 
If you run a fashion store, you have no business using a #cake tag. It's misleading and will attract users who are not your target audience. Instead, incorporate hashtags that are related to your product niche in your post.
Also, take note of banned hashtags and try to avoid them.
 
You can create a brand hashtag.
If your clothing store is called Sass, you can create a #Sasshouse brand tag. Also, when you create a challenge and try to get user-generated content, you may need to create a customized hashtag. Customers will use it to tell the story of your product and get featured. In this case, it may be #wearingsasshouse.
 
Combine high-volume and low-volume hashtags.
High-volume hashtags have more users, but it's challenging to get noticed with them. Using low-volume hashtags ensures that people who are specifically seeking your product can quickly identify your brand.
However, high-volume hashtags will increase your e-commerce outreach. So, combine both in every post.
 
#6 Run Contests
Contests create visibility for your business. You can create a challenge where followers would win a product from your store if they participate in certain activities. This free giveaway might not appeal to you, but there are lots of gains.
 
You can use it to get social proof.
Social proof is vital if your e-commerce business is just starting out. Giving out your product to three persons with the condition of feedback can generate the review that other potential customers want to see before they purchase your product. 
 
You get feedback.
You might think your product is satisfactory, but you can’t be so sure until it gets to the consumer. Giving out your products and getting feedback will inform you of the areas that need improvement.
When running contests, set the criteria for winning a prize. Encourage followers to tag people, repost, or like and comment several times to win. However, you choose to run your Instagram contest, ensure it directs more visitors to your e-commerce store. 
 
#7 Use Explore Ads
Ads expose your business to a broader audience. Instagram explore ads promote your e-commerce business to people in different parts of the world. The explore page is visited by up to 50% of users daily. It may take a while for your business to get to the page, but explore ads can get you there faster. 
What's more? It brings your e-commerce business to those who are actively seeking it. The explore page is a reflection of the users’ interest. Visitors discover and connect with companies and other people on it. 
Using explore ads is a sure way to grow your e-commerce business.
 
#8 Utilize Instagram Shopping
With Instagram shopping, you can share your products through posts, stories, search, and explore. When people see your products, they can tap on it and find the name, image, description, price, and link to view the product on your website or store.
The shopping feature is excellent because there's no false hope for consumers who like a product but don't know if they can afford it. Besides, you wouldn’t be disappointed each time a customer asks for a price and walks away. 
 
Conclusion
Instagram is a powerful tool for growing your e-commerce business. As with every other strategy, you’d have to be intentional about your business growth. You’d also need to be patient and consistent to see gains in brand awareness, followers, and product purchases. The results, however, are massive and worth it.