Kozhikode: After Facebook, Instagram has become a popular business platform. The trend has caught up in the city with youngsters launching a variety of shopping pages to make quick bucks along with their studies.
Shurouck Saleem, 22, a graduate from Farook College, Kozhikode, has started her Instagram page along with her sister Shemayel Saleem for baking called 'sugarsisters4u,' which she started six years ago. She has spruced up the page with current trends and has 27,500 followers.
"Initially we started a Facebook page but not with a plan to start a business. But later when we received orders via friends and relatives, we took it up professionally," Shurouck said. "Instagram has helped us gain good publicity and a wide range of audience. It is only through this platform that we have developed our business and started earning at a young age. Instagram is the perfect platform for youngsters to come up with such initiatives" she added.
M.P. Cini, a young woman who has completed a diploma course in fashion designing, has started her Instagram page for clothing called 'Tailors Tale.' She also owns a shop in East Moozhikal, Kozhikode, but said that her business received good response only after starting a page on Instagram.
"After the inauguration of 'Tailors tale,' my partners and I decided to start a page on Instagram. Now there is a wide reach for the shop.
Earlier, I received orders only from Kozhikode and nearby places. But now orders are coming from outside the district as well," she said
"Earlier, only neighbours and kith and kin approached us but now more people are trying to contact us through the page. Instagram is helping my business to develop gradually," she added.
It also helps these young entrepreneurs to promote their page through 'Pay and Promote,' where a certain amount would be charged for this.
While Instagram is climbing the charts, it is felt that it affects the regular vendors in the city. Muhammed Firoz, who runs a fancy shop in SM Street, said that his regular customers prefer to buy from stores after ensuring the products' quality.
"We are not much affected by Instagram sale. Our customers always come to us. Though people prefer getting things at their doorsteps through Instagram, most often they do not get what they see in the pictures. Such bad experiences would disappoint them. So, eventually they get back to us." Firoz said.
"But I appreciate the Instagram sale as well. Many youngsters benefit from such initiatives," he added.
