Social media is constantly changing as user needs evolve and progress. During the pandemic, e-commerce grew to previously unseen levels, which has prompted social media sites to take progressive steps toward meeting the latest user demands and expectations. With the launch of checkout, Instagram is leading the way as far as social media e-commerce is concerned. Here, we explain everything you need to know about Instagram checkout and highlight why it has huge potential for your brand.
The popularity of Instagram
Over the course of the past 24 months, Instagram has updated and adapted the way that its users can complete transactions on the platform. Every month, around one billion people use Instagram, and half of these use the app on a daily basis. Overall, Instagram is the fourth most used social media platform, behind only Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp, highlighting just how popular it is.
A recent survey found that 60% of people admit to discovering new products through Instagram, while there are more than 25 million business accounts on the platform. This shows that individuals and businesses alike are able to capitalise on the enormous popularity of Instagram and the resulting e-commerce opportunities that it represents.
We also know that 90% of Instagram users follow at least one business, meaning that it’s the perfect platform on which to grow your community and enhance your brand recognition. What’s more, a report on Instagram trends discovered that 44% of people use Instagram specifically for shopping, which further illustrates the exciting possibilities that Instagram’s checkout feature brings. Following a successful pilot in America, Instagram checkout promises an effortless, safe, and secure online shopping experience for its users, and we can’t wait to see how it progresses over the coming months.
Introducing Instagram checkout
The Instagram shop feature was launched in 2019, and over the course of the last three years, the platform has tried and tested its newest trend. In fact, Instagram checkout is now available to all US businesses, with UK and Australian accounts soon to follow. Essentially, Instagram checkout enables users to complete a purchase without leaving the app, which creates a streamlined process for businesses to convert followers into customers.
Businesses have the option to share ‘shoppable’ posts, which users can click on, explore, and then proceed to the checkout page, all with the tap of their screen. As soon as you submit your payment details, you can complete the entire transaction without being redirected to a third-party app. The first brands to try checkout included Nike and Zara, and the initial feedback was extremely positive. The mass rollout of the checkout feature illustrates that Instagram is ready to take positive steps toward becoming an all-encompassing e-commerce platform to rival the likes of Amazon. For influencers, brands, and users, this is extremely exciting!
The bottom line
If you maintain an Instagram account for your personal life or business, you need to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Instagram checkout. Be sure to monitor your feed and keep up to date with the latest checkout announcements on the platform.
If you’re ready to take advantage of influencer marketing to grow your brand, learn how Bark Social can transform your digital marketing strategy. After all, Instagram checkout presents so many remarkable opportunities to brands and influencers, so make sure you don’t miss out!
