Instagram has always stayed up-to-date when it comes to upgrading the features on the app. Its recent addition, the Instagram Shopping feature is another step taken by the platform to be relevant to the current times.
With constantly changing consumer behavior patterns and keeping the current situation in mind, all businesses are largely focusing on curating and providing a safe space for people to buy anything and everything digitally. All of Instagram’s features are specially designed to engage the audience on the platform. The aim is to keep the audience on the platform for a longer duration.
The new Instagram Shopping feature is a perfect addition to the app and shows how Instagram is dedicatedly investing in creating a better user experience on the platform.
What is Instagram Shopping?
Image source: Google Images
The shopping feature is an in-app buying space or to put in a more millennial term it’s a ‘digital mall.’ The feature will let the audience purchase their favorite products within Instagram’s mobile app. A year back, Instagram introduced an option for the audience through which we now can easily tag the brand product and price on our posts. This year, it has expanded the feature and made it more convenient for the users.
According to official Instagram statistics, 70% of shopping enthusiasts turn to Instagram for product discovery, and 87% of people say that influencers inspired them to make a purchase. Instagram generates curiosity among people, and hence, they go ahead and buy the products. Based on this insight, the Instagram team has launched its brand-new feature.
Instagram Shopping also has a subset of other features in its umbrella. It lets people shop from photos and videos in the app.
What all does it offer?
The Instagram audience can access the shopping feature by heading over to the Explore section of the app. It has given a dedicated space to the shopping feature. The audience can enter the Explore section and find the new feature beside the options – food and travel. Instagram personalizes the shopping content based on the user’s preferences and browsing behavior.
Image source: Google Images
All users can find the product details by just tapping on the post, along with the pricing and the shopping link. Here’s a list of options that Instagram Shopping offers:
- Collections: Businesses can curate their content by putting their products into different themes.
- Product detail page: It shows all the relevant information about the products, including pricing, detailed descriptions, and media.
- Ads with Product tags: It allows brands and businesses to maximize their product reach by boosting shoppable posts or creating the ad from scratch in Ads Manager for more creative flexibility. Ads with product tags can drive to an owned website or native checkout on Instagram.
- Shopping from creators: Users can now shop their favourite creator looks without leaving Instagram.
- Product launches: Businesses can announce product launches on Instagram so that people are aware of the new range and can set reminders to buy the product as soon as it is available in the market.
- Live shopping: Unlocks a new channel for checkout-enabled businesses to sell products through their Instagram Live and form deeper connections with people in real-time.
How does it work?
The shopping link mentioned on the posts directs the user to the mobile site, which opens up inside of the Instagram platform. It further leads to payment transactions for the products. Through the new feature, users don’t have to go to random sites and make payments. Instead, they can do the easy flow of payments directly on Instagram.
Image source: Google Images
Just like any other E-commerce platform, users will be able to choose their size, see the expected date, and other details about the product. The in-app checkout feature will roll out with a set of 20 initial retail partners, including Nike, Burberry, Uniqlo, and a handful of internet-native brands, like Kylie Cosmetics, Outdoor Voices, and Warby Parker.
The introduction of the new Instagram Shopping is a step closer to the Instagram team’s vision. Ashley Yuki, product management lead on the Instagram Shopping feature, in an interview, said, ” Instagrammers are increasingly turning to the platform to discover products they love, in addition to connecting with friends and family. We’re excited to take it one step further and say, what would happen for our community who comes to Instagram and just wants to be shopping?”
“It’s personalized for you, based on brands you follow and that you might never have discovered in another way, and you can shop them all in one place. That’s pretty interesting for us at Instagram, ” she added.
Instagram Shopping feature can turn out to be revolutionary for brands and businesses. It’ll help in increasing their sales and reach all over the platform. So if you’re a brand looking to expand your consumer reach, Instagram is the place you should be aiming at!
