How Ecommerce Can Get More Customers With Visual Marketing

As an online retailer, you’re always thinking about how you can reach new potential buyers. One way to do this is by visual marketing. Social media loves visual posts, as it’s the best way to interact with your followers through visual content: photos, videos, Instagram Stories, GIFs, infographics etc.

As a content marketer for PromoRepublic, I am constantly analyzing Small Business Pages and can, without a doubt, confirm that none of their owners are professional designers. Nevertheless, these Pages leave a lasting impression not only with their visuals but with the number of likes and loves below their posts.

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Content Plan First

A well-balanced content plan is the first step in your Social Media Strategy.

The Content Balance

Your goal is to promote your products. We suggest 1/3 of your social posts be shares from your Shopify store, or from your other Ecommerce website. You also sell on Facebook via Shopify, so that’s easy. The optimal content plan is made up of engaging, educational, promotional, and curated content.

Engaging Content

They are your followers first; buyers second. Turn your page into a source of entertainment and easy-going content for them. Generate ideas you think will make them want to click on the heart and the share button below your post.

GIFs – Add Visual Variety To Your Feed

Short and sweet, a GIF contains dynamic content that’s rich in meaning and is rarely considered spammy. People like GIFs, plain and simple. They have a mystique about them – they’re like social media’s shiny toy. Giphy’s library is huge and search-friendly. Need to turn videos and YouTube links into GIFs?  Use their GIF Maker for free.

Promotional Posts

Shopify links, special offers, discounts, or newsworthy pieces about your product are examples of promotional posts. If they like your visual, they will read your compelling copy and vise versa. Try to keep all the important information in the image.

Instagram Carousel Post

Instagram has extended its carousel format to organic posts and expanded it to include up to 10 photos or videos. Now you can upload as many photos of your products in one post as you need, categorize them and reach a higher engagement.

Share Facebook Shop Collection

Create beautiful posts with your Facebook Shop. You can share your collections during blowout days or any other promotion. To do that, go to Shop and click on Share Collection. Add your copy and post. The post will be published as a Carousel.

*Learn how to set up a Facebook Shop with a Step by Step Guide for Beginners

Facebook Carousel Post

You can create a Carousel post showcasing several products. These promotional posts lead users directly to your online store. When uploading, attach links to each photo.

Facebook Carousel Ads

Carousel Ads allow you to display multiple images and copy within one ad. Not only is it a great way to keep your post and ads fresh and varied, it’s also a great way to test what’s working and what isn’t. Some ideas for your future Carousel Ads:

• New Arrivals
• Sales
• Gift Ideas
• Collection

Facebook Canvas Ads

Canvas ads are full-screen ad units which allow users to stay inside the Facebook app when they’re viewing product details. When a user clicks it, a full page opens up to fullscreen on mobile. Brands use videos, GIFs, photos and CTA buttons to create a sort of mini landing page for mobile, and users can navigate through the content within the Facebook app.

*Learn how to set up Canvas Ads with Bring Your Brand to Life with Facebook’s Canvas Ads  

Educational Posts

Have you ever noticed the number of followers on Printed Media Pages? People want to be on top of the hottest news and most current updates. For ex., following Harpers Bazaar on Facebook is way cheaper than buying monthly issues 😉 And as an entrepreneur, you are, in essence, an influencer too. You are a guru in your industry, so why not inspire your followers with  fun facts and stories about your business. Tell them things they would never have known about your niche, goods etc.

*PromoRepublic Post Ideas offers educational visual posts for more than 50 industries. Enjoy our 14-day free trial.

Infographics

Infographics combine images with data and statistics. High-quality infographics tend to be widely shared on social media, so this could be a vehicle for increasing brand awareness with a quick turnaround. Come up with data and statistics that would peak the interest of your followers and present it in an impactful and visual way.

You can either use your own data or get data from a survey: SurveyMonkey, Wufoo are good for gathering audience insights. For ready-to-go infographics, use PromoRepublic’s Library.

Facebook Video Posts

On average, video posts get 40 to 50% higher engagement. It’s up to you do decide whether you prefer it to be entertaining or educational. Posting fun videos is great, but you need your followers to first emotionally relate to your brand.

LIVE Q&A Sessions

If you’re not shy behind the camera – go LIVE! Facebook bumps up LIVE videos in your user’s News Feeds. What this means is, when you’re broadcasting, you’ll get an organic traffic boost. Dig into your FAQ’s or emails and list all the questions your customers ask you on a daily basis. Answer them LIVE! You’re solving their nagging issues and making a customer happy! It’s a great idea to ask them to post a comment with questions and topics for your upcoming LIVE session.

Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are engaging and fun. There are so many ideas for your Stories:

• Behind-The-Scenes

One of the best ways you can provide value to your followers is by giving them a behind-the-scenes look into your life and business.

• Build Anticipation

New arrival? Product updates? By giving your followers a look at what you’re currently working on, it helps build anticipation.

• Promote Your Shop/Website/Listings/Blog

“Swipe Up” option in Instagram Stories works exceptionally well!

*Use 5 free ways that I described in How to Drive Traffic with Instagram Stories  

Curated Posts

You have no time for blogging, but you want to publish relevant articles on your page. To do this you need to follow authoritative blogs, known influencers in your industry, and what’s most important – have time to do all of this. Save time and browse through PromoRepublic’s Articles. Schedule 1 post a week with our up-to-date content which we carefully select from reliable blogs and platforms.

UGC Posts – Make Them Heroes Of Your Story

As a business, you look for ways to humanize your brand and build trust with customers. Research shows millennials trust UGC, user-generated content 50% more than other media – that’s why feedbacks and reviews are so important for your brand.

*Learn how Wild & Roaming,  increased their sales from Social Media to 30%.

Who has time to create a ton of social posts – especially if you are constantly adding products to Amazon or Shopify, creating new Amazon Merch designs or shipping items to customers? You do! Using PromoRepublic’s social marketing platform you can design posts, create your content plan, schedule them and forget about it. PromoRepublic’s native design tool is easy to use. Its library chock full of diversified, professionally designed posts available at your fingertips,  makes visual marketing a snap.