Go on, Guess... How old is the internet this year? No cheating!
One of my fondest memories of a computer as a kid was playing 'Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego' in the library of Sunnynook Primary School. Another one was SkiFree - My first stressful memory of the PC - trying to avoid trees and abominable snowmen! What are the games that you remember from the 90s?
Even until a couple of years ago I couldn't imagine myself working mostly from behind a computer and being so reliant on the internet!
Snapchat vs Instagram Story
Well, I have to say - I'm not surprised here.
According to Tech Crunch, sources spanning analytics providers, talents agents, and even social media celebrities are reporting a decline in Snapchat Stories since the launch of Instagram Stories. Most responders put the decline in Snapchat Story views anywhere between 15% - 40%. Conversely, influencers are seeing an average 28% higher open rate for Instagram Stories.
I personally only use Snapchat for more family/kid-based images and funny filters to be sent to family and friends and use Instagram Story for general musings and images or videos. To give you an idea, with a following of 1291, I get an average of 150 views per image or video in my story. I haven't made a conscious effort to grow this.
SO HOW CAN INSTAGRAM STORIES BENEFIT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS?
Stories now has 150 million daily users. That's as many as Snapchat's entire user base!! I'm starting to see some great use with advertising, especially with retailers and can see potential in using this from an agricultural perspective whether it be in sheep yards, doing controlled burn offs, in the dairy shed or contractors with a link to their services and adding text to encourage feedback, questions and requests. Don't for get to tag in a company, brand or person to get their attention and direct viewers.
Need a website?
Are you thinking you need a website? Do you have no idea where to start and a small budget?
Here is a quick snapshot of my findings based on what I have used in the past including pros and cons for each.
Wix - Basic, easy to use, free to build then costs $4.50 US/month to use with a connected domain. I find it a little dated looking though would love to see an example of a great one if you know of one? I used it for the first time this week and after using Squarespace for the past couple of years I found it lacking a bit of 'WOW' factor. The bonus here is that it is cheap and easy. Great for a start-up where you will be managing your own build and content. Also, it allows sales which is a bonus!
Wordpress - Looks good but in my opinion you need to be an I.T. whizz to make any sense of it! Free if you use a Wordpress URL or from $2.99 US/month to bring your own URL, up to $24.93 US/month for a small business I have used this is the past for FMNZ back in 2014 and I found it quite difficult to use and understand the terminology associated. From what I have heard from others who have used it, they agree with my sentiments so I imagine not much has changed since then. You can purchase an additional ecommerce plug-in for sales.
Squarespace - I've saved the best for last. Squarespace starts at $16/month for the website (not including domain). Want to see an example of it in use? You're looking at it! It's easy to use, stylish, clean and very editable. The templates are beautiful and does well to stay on trend. I guess you could say I'm biased but I would recommend taking a look. There are a couple of down sides for example the website expires in 14 days if you don't connect it to a payment scheme or domain and I find it can be a little bit slow on my terribly slow internet connection. Now also allows e-commerce for sales!
Now, to add to that - Do you want just a sales based site where you can:
- Fully customize your online store
- Add new sales channels in seconds
- Manage unlimited products and inventory
- Fulfill orders in a single step
- Track sales and growth trends
Then you need to check out Shopify. Shopify links with the websites above to provide a beautiful online sales platform and starts from $29 NZ/Month
There is so much more I could say or tell you here but I encourage you to check out all the links above and make an informed decision. Otherwise - Get in touch with us and we can build it for you!
P.S. Don't forget to link any website up with your social media accounts via the icons!
Chanelle O’Sullivan is Grass Roots Media's Social Media Specialist. She originally studied agriculture, before moving south onto a Station, followed by a stint dairy farming. After three years vet nursing, she is now a Mum to two kids and creator of Farming Mums NZ and ‘Just a Farmers Wife’ while also working part-time for the NZ Landcare Trust and Grass Roots Media.
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