A Simple Guide to Instagram Livestream Shopping

You might remember that we wrote a blog back in December 2021 about Facebook Shops. Now, we’re shifting gears to take a look into Instagram Shopping, a set of features that allows users to shop for products via photos, videos and livestreams. 

When it comes to Instagram e-commerce features, there are plenty of possibilities for small businesses to use marketing tactics for Instagram Shopping.

The Update

We’re betting that livestream shopping is kicking off this year, with Instagram, Facebook and now Tiktok jumping on the bandwagon. Since its initial testing in 2016, Instagram updated its features and algorithm to include livestream shopping, where creators can tag up to 30 products to feature during a live session. 

Live shopping sessions are an exciting and highly interactive marketing tactic to boost Instagram sales as they are highly engaging and provide an authentic experience to sell products. 

Social e-commerce

Social e-commerce on Instagram has grown in popularity, too. In China, live commerce reached an estimated $171 billion in value in 2020. Businesses and brands are shifting towards a direct-to-consumer approach to generate more revenue and boost sales. However, it’s important to remember that Instagram itself is not an e-commerce platform but rather has e-commerce features. Content creators can better use Instagram to develop brand identity and create engagement between themselves and their audience. 

How to Utilize Livestream Shopping 

If you haven’t already, it’s vital to set up your digital storefront or catalog. Below are a few tips to make the most of your livestream shopping capabilities. 

• High-Quality Media: No one is going to buy a product that they can’t see clearly. It’s essential to record high-quality video (and photos). High-quality media is more likely to capture your audience’s attention while at the same time strengthening your brand position among competitors. 
• Interact & Engage: As we said before, the focus of any livestream is to engage with your audience actively. During your livestream, don’t forcibly push your products. Instead, use your livestream to show your products in use or to educate your viewers. It’s important to make sure your content is user-based. If you just focus on the sale and forget to build a brand, consistent sales will never happen. 
• Product Stickers: Remember to tag your products when you go live on Instagram. Tagging your products will allow potential customers to view prices and product descriptions without leaving the live or leaving the app, further increasing engagement. 

Forbes projects that livestream e-commerce will make $23 billion in the U.S. by 2023. Our marketing team here at Rooted Web can help you be at the edge of digital marketing. Reach out to us today to take the next step in online shopping.