Are you currently using Instagram for eCommerce? Not only is this a great way to bring in new customers, but there are so many new features available to make it easy for online stores to showcase their best products.
As your favorite social commerce agency, we’re here to keep you up-to-date with everything that’s going on with Instagram. Here’s what you need to know about Instagram Reels and the new checkout features.
What are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels is the platform's response to TikTok. This awesome new type of Instagram posts allows you to create short-form videos and animations to share with your audience.
Some people are using this as a way to create fun fifteen-second videos to showcase their products. However, Instagram experts are taking it a step further by creating character personas and other “mini-shows” that entertain while helping customers see that they absolutely cannot live without certain products from their favorite brands.
The only downside to the platform right now is that it is pretty limited. There is a super short time limit compared to TikTok and interaction with your audience is minimal. But, if we know anything about social media, trends change and new features are added all the time.
Best Practices for Using Instagram Reels for eCommerce
So, how do you develop the best Instagram Reels strategy for your online store? Here are a few best practices for using Instagram Reels for your eCommerce brand.
Speak to What Matters to Your Audience
Obviously, you want to only do videos that resonate with your audience. For example, if you are a clothing brand, do something that relates to fashion and not cooking. Don’t stray too far from your usual brand message, either.
Use Filters and Effects to Enhance Posts
There are only a few filters and effects available at this time, but they are a great way to make your message really stand out. Best of all, they’re adding new ones all the time, which we’ve pretty much all come to expect from the Instagram platform anyway. Keep checking back for new ones to include in your Instagram videos.
Create Instagram Product Reveals and Demonstrations
Just because you’re creating something entertaining doesn’t mean that you can’t feature products you’re selling. Reveal new inventory items or show how these items can be used in everyday life by your customers.
Pay Attention to Instagram Trends
This is such a new feature that it is super important to pay attention to various trends that are happening along the way. See what others are doing and start to integrate them into your own reels.
Instagram Checkout is Finally Here
In other Instagram news, the new checkout feature is finally here. This allows shoppers to literally discover new products and checkout without ever leaving the Instagram platform.
Game changer, right? As social media marketing experts, we totally agree! Shoppable posts are a pretty big deal, as all a customer has to do is fill out their name, email address, shipping information, and credit card details the first time they purchase an item. After that, everything is safely saved to make it easy to purchase more products and other products in the future.
Your Trusted Social eCommerce Agency
With all these exciting changes to Instagram, our CAKE team wants to help you get the most out of this popular platform. Ready to work with the best retail marketing agency around? Please contact us today to discuss your brand goals or for an eCommerce site audit.
