How to use Instagram to market your business

With over 2.5 million active users in New Zealand, Instagram has evolved far beyond a photo-sharing platform.¹ It’s now a dynamic engine for brand discovery, community engagement, and online sales, offering businesses in New Zealand a powerful way to reach customers both locally and overseas.

In 2025, Instagram marketing is an essential growth channel for businesses and brands. The shift to online commerce has accelerated in recent years, creating significant opportunities for growth. While larger retailers often dominate the market, smaller businesses can compete effectively by leveraging Instagram strategies to drive sales and build loyal customers.

This guide provides a roadmap for New Zealand businesses on how to use Instagram to promote products, connect authentically with audiences, and drive sales, while highlighting how DHL Express ensures every order reaches customers quickly and reliably.

E-commerce opportunities presented by Instagram

According to Backlinko, Instagram currently has 2 billion monthly active users.² On top of access to such a large potential audience group, Here are some business-related statistics on Instagram showing its usefulness as a platform to grow your small business on:

• Instagram remains a leading social media platform for people to connect with brands
• The average Instagram business account grows its followers by 0.7% each month³
• The average engagement rate on an Instagram business account is anywhere from 0.46% to 0.76%⁴
• 29% of Instagram users will make a purchase on the platform in 2025⁵
• Instagram accounts for 7.51% of web traffic referrals from social media⁶

Altogether, carefully designed and executed Instagram marketing strategies are a proven way for small businesses to grow brand awareness and sales volumes. And with social media marketing being the most cost-effective form of advertisement today, investing into growing an Instagram business account will undoubtedly improve bottom-lines for small businesses.

Why Instagram is a vital channel for Kiwi e-commerce in 2025

Understanding how Instagram can be used to market your business starts with appreciating its unique position in the New Zealand market. Its influence is built on three key pillars.

Engaged audiences in New Zealand

Instagram’s popularity continues to surge in New Zealand, with millions scrolling daily to discover new products, shop, and connect with local brands. The platform is particularly strong among younger consumers (those aged 18 to 34) who increasingly prefer buying from brands they follow and trust online.⁷ For e-commerce businesses, this makes Instagram a prime space to build visibility, credibility, and community around your products. 

The rise of social commerce

Instagram’s shoppable posts, Reels, and in-app checkout have transformed it into a seamless shopping experience. Customers can now move from product discovery to purchase without leaving the app. For businesses, this means it’s easier than ever to convert engagement into measurable sales.

Whether you’re learning how to use Instagram marketing or already running campaigns, tools like product tags, shoppable posts, and ads can help you promote your business on social media effectively while reducing friction in the buying journey.

Cultivating a local community

More than any other platform, Instagram excels at building an authentic and engaged brand community. New Zealand consumers value transparency, connection, and shared values. This is how you can leverage social media for your business, beyond just transactions. It's your space to tell your brand's story, share your "why," and create a loyal following that feels personally invested in your success. This community becomes your most powerful asset, driving word-of-mouth marketing and long-term customer loyalty.

Your strategy for instagram marketing success

A powerful Instagram marketing strategy in 2025 is a blend of authentic content, smart feature utilisation, and technical optimisation.

Crafting content that connects with audiences

Authenticity drives conversions in New Zealand’s digital market. Instead of overly polished ads, focus on lo-fi, genuine content that feels personal and local.

• Show your brand story: Through short instagram reels or carousel posts that highlight your process, sustainability efforts, or customer testimonials.
• Leverage trends thoughtfully: Tap into humor, culture, or seasonal events to stay relevant.
• Prioritize video content: Short-form videos perform best on Instagram and can quickly boost engagement and reach.

When you understand how to market products on Instagram, it becomes easier to communicate your unique value in a way that resonates with your audience.

Unlocking e-commerce features

Instagram’s built-in commerce tools make it simple to transform posts into sales opportunities:

• Shoppable product tags: Add these directly to posts and stories to help customers shop instantly.
• In-app checkout: Reduce drop-offs by letting users complete purchases within Instagram.
• Collaborate with influencers: Partner with micro-influencers who share your values and can authentically promote your products to niche audiences.
• Targeted ads: Use Instagram Ads Manager to reach specific demographics based on interests, age, and location, ideal for e-commerce marketing in New Zealand.

Learning how to use Instagram to market your business effectively involves combining these tools with storytelling that inspires trust and purchase intent.

Optimizing your profile for discovery

Your Instagram profile acts as your storefront. To maximize visibility:

• Profile SEO: Use clear keywords like your product type and location in your bio and captions. For instance, “Sustainable Jewellery NZ” or “Organic Skincare from New Zealand.”
• Cohesive visuals: Keep your brand colors, fonts, and filters consistent for instant recognition.
• Highlight key offers: Use Highlights for FAQs, shipping information, and testimonials to make shopping easier.

By refining these details, you’ll improve how your brand appears in search results and recommendations, crucial for any business learning how to use Instagram for promotion.

From viral post to the customer's door: The DHL advantage

Even the most successful Instagram campaigns rely on one thing—delivering what is promised. Once your posts start converting, you need a logistics partner that can keep up.

Scalability for success

A viral post can trigger a surge in demand overnight. Can your operations scale fast enough? DHL Express offers flexible shipping solutions and a global network designed to handle sudden order spikes, whether you’re sending five parcels a day or five thousand. Our systems are built for scalability, giving New Zealand e-commerce businesses the confidence to grow without worrying about fulfillment delays.

Speedy international shipping

A customer’s journey doesn’t end at checkout, it ends when they receive their parcel. For both Kiwi shoppers and overseas customers discovering your brand, fast, reliable delivery is the final and most crucial touchpoint. DHL Express ensures that the smooth experience your customers enjoy on Instagram continues all the way to their doorstep, with international shipping from New Zealand to over 220 destinations. Quick, predictable delivery strengthens satisfaction and builds repeat business.

Cross-border expertise

Using Instagram to market your business can rapidly expand your reach beyond New Zealand, but managing international shipping, customs, and documentation can be complex. DHL Express simplifies cross-border logistics with deep customs expertise and advanced digital tools that streamline every step of the process. We handle compliance and paperwork, so you can stay focused on how to promote your business on social media and deliver exceptional customer experiences worldwide.

Complete your customers’ shopping journeys with DHL New Zealand

A strong Instagram presence drives e-commerce growth in New Zealand, connecting you to local and global customers. Today’s shoppers expect fast, reliable deliveries, so pair your marketing with DHL Express New Zealand for seamless fulfillment and to improve customer satisfaction.

Even the best campaigns need a dependable logistics partner to turn clicks into loyal customers. Combine a smart digital strategy with DHL Express to deliver on your brand promise.

Ready to transform your social commerce success into fast, reliable deliveries? Use our last-mile delivery service to complete the perfect shopping experience for your customers today. Open a business account with DHL Express today.