Hey everyone, Is anyone still getting decent traffic from Instagram? I run a small fashion website (https://aaastudio.nu), and while my posts get some likes, the website clicks are pretty disappointing. Are Reels still the best option, or have you had better results with another platform like Pinterest or Reddit?
Pinterest is better IMO , because you can use links on your pins without a follower requirement and if your content goes viral, you will also have a lot more visits to your fashion website.
Reels get more reach than static posts, but they're better for discovery than direct clicks. If you're in fashion, I'd say look at Pinterest. People actually go there to shop, not just scroll. Reddit can work too if you're actually active in the community, not just dropping links. Good luck.
I’ve noticed the same thing. Instagram is great for getting people familiar with a brand, but actually getting them to leave the app is much harder than it used to be. For fashion especially, I think Pinterest has a big advantage because users are already looking for ideas, outfits, and products. I still use Instagram, but more as a branding channel rather than my main traffic source. The best results usually come when the content gives people a reason to visit the site (new drops, styling guides, specific products), not just posting nice photos.
I think Reels are still useful for driving traffic, especially when the content solves a specific problem. For example, short tutorials around Instagram audio, Reels editing, or downloading content for offline use can attract people who are actively looking for a solution. The important part is to make the Reel useful on its own and then give viewers a clear reason to visit the website for the full solution.
Everyone above is describing the same split, and for a fashion site it's worth leaning into it rather than picking a winner: use Reels/TikTok for discovery and Pinterest for the actual clicks. The workflow that works well for small shops is one shoot, two formats. Film your styling clips once as vertical video, post the Reel with the payoff in the first 2-3 seconds (the slow build doesn't survive the swipe), then turn the same footage into Pinterest Idea Pins, which keep clickable links without the follower requirements Instagram has. One batch of raw footage feeds both channels. Two small things that move the needle on Reels: pin a comment with your CTA/link since captions aren't tappable, and judge Reels by profile visits and follows, not views -- views are a discovery metric. Disclosure: I built ReelWorkshop for exactly this repurposing step. You import raw clips, arrange and trim the best moments, add captions, and export a vertical MP4 for Reels/TikTok/Shorts. It's free to start: https://reelworkshop.com
I’d probably give Pinterest a shot, especially for a fashion site. Instagram seems pretty good for likes and views, but that doesn’t always turn into clicks. Reels are worth testing, but I wouldn’t put all the effort into them
Yeah, I agree with using both rather than betting on one platform. I’d still test Pinterest more seriously for actual clicks, though, especially for fashion, where people are already looking for outfit ideas. Reusing the same content for both platforms also makes a lot more sense than creating everything twice.
I am and have always been into fashion. I will check out your website, but you really ought to be visible to both Tiktoc and Youtube. This is where the action is these days.
I'd make the Pinterest test more specific than reposting general fashion photos. Pick one useful page on your site, such as an outfit guide, and create a few different images around the exact question that page answers. Send visitors to that page rather than the homepage, so the promise in the image matches what they find. Use separate tracking tags for Pinterest and Instagram, then compare engaged visits and enquiries or purchases alongside the time spent creating content. Saves and likes can be encouraging, but your question is about website traffic. A small test with a clear destination would tell you more than switching platforms and starting another broad content schedule.
i think reels can still work well for fashion, especially when you show how pieces look when styled into different outfits. but pinterest is also worth trying because people often use it to find outfit inspiration and save ideas for later, which can bring traffic to a website over time. i would test both platforms for a few weeks and compare actual website clicks, not just likes.
For a fashion site, I'd give Instagram Stories a proper test before giving up on the platform. You can try showing a complete outfit with a link sticker that takes people straight to the featured product or collection. That's a lot easier than expecting someone watching a Reel to visit your profile and look for the right link. Also I agree Pinterest would be the better choice for testing website traffic, especially for outfit inspiration and seasonal fashion collections.