A report in a widely-read business magazine says that according to estimates around 7.5 million. Small businesses are at risk of closing down forever in just five months due to the rampaging novel coronavirus. That has devastated both public health and the national economy. While the federal and state governments are scrambling to help businesses get back to their feet.
Instagram too determines not to get left behind in making it easier for small businesses to survive the pandemic. Given the fact, the Instagram is a commercial organization, this move. According to experts may be motivated by a mix of the desire to boost its goodwill and a smart marketing strategy for the long term.
Instagram Is the Backbone of Small Business
Conventionally small businesses have tended to suffer because of their limited market presence. Not only they typically suffer from a geographically smaller marketplace as they sell to the local customers but also their pockets are not too deep. For the first time ever, thanks to social media platforms like Instagram. They are able to reach out to their target audiences in a cost-effective manner and compete well with their larger counterparts for business. The highly visual nature of Instagram posts has made it possible for small business owners. To adopt creative and innovative ways of showcasing their products and services using photos and videos.
Instagram too has refined its service offerings and made available many products like IGTV. Instagram Stories that allows small businesses to market themselves in interesting ways. To lend support to small businesses reeling under the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Instagram is throwing its weight behind them so that they can feature gift cards as well as include fundraisers and online food orders in their profiles.
Instagram now allows businesses to use stickers in their Stories which when clicked by users lead them to a website from where they can order food or purchase gift cards. The move by Instagram to facilitate small businesses to communicate with customers and followers about different ways. They support during the novel coronavirus pandemic is yet another step taken by Facebook to support small businesses. Around the world that has been negatively impacting by the pandemic.
Small Business Owners Remain Bullish on Social Media Benefits during the Pandemic
With the help of the newly launched Instagram features, users can just tap on a sticker on the account of the business to purchase a food order or gift cards on a designated site. Set up by the company or even help to raise funds by the company to fight the recession. Instagram users can also spread awareness about helping out their favorite small businesses by encouraging their followers to share the stickers in their Stories. 90% of all Instagram users follow at least one business account.
A study conducted by Facebook revealed that users find brands on Instagram to be creative and have entertainment value. With the coronavirus making a severe impact, brands have tended to pause on social media and a Rival IQ study estimates that the dip may be as much as 25%. However, the fewer post has also result in the engagement rate climb up as the same set of content is serve to followers by the Instagram algorithm. What this means is that at a time when there is less pressure on the feed of followers. Small businesses that do continue to post regularly will benefit from increased engagement.
Now Is the Right Time to Buy Followers on Instagram
The problem that small businesses typically face when they make their initial forays on Instagram is that they do not have an adequate number of followers. Building up a large follower base can take a lot of time and sustained effort. when you are in a hurry to increase revenues and grab market share, the wait can be painful.
In these times, small businesses can turn to specialist Instagram marketing agencies that offer real Instagram followers at extremely nominal costs that will not strain the limited budget. Once your followers on Instagram and get them commenting and sharing your posts.
The process of acquiring more followers is automatically accelerated, and very soon you have the critical mass ready to make your marketing campaigns cost-effective and, in a position, to make a tangible difference to your conversion rates.
Conclusion
Both Instagram and small business owners are hoping that this initiative will help to boost sales and profits for a large number of small businesses that are active on Instagram. Even as millions of Americans continue to file for unemployment benefits and large businesses enforce salary. Cuts and employee layoffs to survive difficult times.
It is not as if this move is completely altruistic because there are 140 million businesses that have a presence of different Facebook channels. out of which eight million are advertisers contributing directly to the health of the bottom line. Experts suggest that Instagram has no other alternative but to support small businesses to preserve its revenues and profitability.
