How to Use Snapchat for Business
Snapchat’s unique features have captivated its users since its launch in 2012. It allows them to share stories and experiment with fun filters while creating spontaneous content. Snapchat’s unique style of storytelling has not changed as other platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok adopt similar styles. Many wonder how Snapchat will be perceived in 2025 as a social platform and marketing tool.
Snapchat: The Current Landscape
Snapchat will have over 400,000,000 active users monthly by 2025. Snapchat’s user engagement has increased steadily, despite perceptions that its business utility is declining. This is especially true for younger audiences. Snapchat continues to be popular among Gen Z and younger millennials. It outperforms platforms such as Twitter and Facebook when it comes to user traffic in this demographic. The average user spends 30 minutes a day on the app. This makes it a great platform for brands that target this age group.
What Can Snapchat for Business Benefit?
Snapchat is a valuable asset for brands that target Gen Z and younger millennials. These generations have significant buying power and influence household spending. Snapchat is also a great tool for brands who sell directly to consumers (DTC). They can use the platform to increase traffic to their apps or eCommerce websites. The format of the app encourages you to create short, engaging content. This will captivate users and keep them invested in your story.
Snapchat for Business 2025
How can you, as a digital marketing professional, use Snapchat effectively to reach its active demographics? Here are some strategies to incorporate Snapchat into your social media marketing arsenal.
1. Cross-promote content from other platforms
Building a strong following is essential to succeeding on Snapchat. Inform your audience about your Snapchat account if you have a large following on other social media platforms. Encourage your followers by offering an angle or theme unique to your posts.
You can encourage your followers to interact with your brand on multiple platforms by teasing exclusive content that is only available via Snapchat. Consider running promotions or contests that encourage cross-platform engagement.
2. Create interactive filters for your brand
Snapchat’s interactive lenses (also known as Lenses) and geotags are two of its most notable features. Businesses can engage with users using these elements in a creative and fun way. You can attract Snapchatters to your brand by creating branded Lenses. They will be eager to share the experiences they have had using your filter.
Snapchat users spend an average of 20 seconds interacting with Lenses, and they often share images or videos that feature the filter. These user-generated contents are a free, organic way to promote your brand.
Geofilters are also highly effective. These location-specific filter activate when users approach your business. They are especially useful for brick-and-mortar businesses such as retail stores, restaurants and other brick-andmortar operations. You can gain exposure by encouraging users to use your geofilter.
The cost of creating a geofilter with your brand can vary from $5 to $5,000 depending on how far you want it to reach. A national campaign that has a bigger budget could potentially engage 60% of Snapchat users within a day.
Dunkin’ Donuts, for example, capitalized on National Donut Day with a playful Snapchat filter that turns users’ heads into giant pink, glazed donuts. The geofilters were complemented by custom filters that customers could only access when they visited their store, resulting in a tenfold rise in Snapchat followers.
3. Takeovers of Brands in Coordination
Collaboration with influencers to take over Snapchat can be a powerful strategy. You can increase your audience by allowing an influencer to control your Snapchat account for one day. Influencers will not only be more inclined to follow you, but they may also promote your takeover through their channels. This can drive additional traffic to your site.
Make the content for a Snapchat Takeover exclusive. It may be tempting for you to repost Instagram Stories, but it is important to create original content on Snapchat to encourage users to interact with both accounts. You should focus on curating unique content for Snapchat to ensure that the takeover maximizes the strengths of the platform.
4. Snapchat Strategy: Set specific goals
Setting clear goals can help you understand how Snapchat fits in with your overall marketing strategy. Snapchat, for example, can be used to drive users to your website if you want to increase traffic. Snapchat has introduced the option to add links to Snaps. This makes it easier to promote special offers or products.
Snapchat Insights is a powerful analytics feature that allows you to gather valuable demographic data about your audience. You can track the location, age, gender and interests of your viewers, as well as who has watched your entire story.
5. Investing in Paid Ads
Snapchat ads are a great way to boost your brand’s marketing efforts if you have a dedicated budget. Here are a few key ad formats you should consider:
- Collection ads: These are tappable tiles that link directly to the products. Users can shop within the app. This format has been proven to be effective for e-commerce brands. For example, eBay reported a five-fold increase in engagement when compared with standard Snap ads.
- Lenses and Filters: You can also invest in sponsored lenses or filters that Snapchat will promote to your audience. Your reach will increase the more you spend on your distribution budget.
- Story ads: This type of advertisement appears in Snapchat’s Discover area and as branded advertising. Create a series from 3 to 20 photos or videos with a clear call-to-action. Hopper, for example, partnered with Snapchat and created static story ads that targeted users with flight offers specific to their geographical locations. This resulted in 37% more app downloads than other channels.
- Ads: These ads are not skippable for six seconds or more and appear in Snapchat’s curated content. These ads are great for building brand recognition and reaching new audiences.
6. Engaging and Interactive Content
Snapchat is built around creativity and engagement. Focus on creating engaging and interactive content to maximize the impact of your brand. Here are some suggestions:
- Behind the Scenes Content : Share a glimpse of your company’s culture, product development or daily operations. This transparency will help you humanize your brand, and create stronger connections with your audiences.
- User Generated Content Campaigns : Encourage your fans to create content that features your products and services. You can use contests and challenges to encourage users to share their stories, increasing engagement and your reach.
- Real Time Engagement: Use Snapchat Stories to share real-time updates such as product launches or sales events. This immediate nature can generate excitement among your followers and create a sense community.
7. Watch and adjust your strategy
It is important to regularly review your Snapchat performance. Snapchat Insights can be used to track metrics like story views, engagement rate, and demographic information. This data will allow you to understand which content resonates with your audience the most and where changes are necessary.
Establish a regular schedule to review your analytics, whether weekly, monthly or quarterly, in order to stay abreast of trends and changes in user behavior. This proactive approach will allow you to adjust your strategy as necessary and keep your content engaging.
8. Explore AR Experiences
Snapchat is at the forefront when it comes to integrating AR into social media. Brands can use AR to create immersive, user-friendly experiences. These features, whether they are AR filters or interactive experiences, can enhance user engagement.
Design AR experiences that are aligned with your brand identity and message. Fashion brands, for example, can let users virtually try on clothes or accessories. It not only improves the user’s experience, but also influences purchase decisions because customers can visualize products prior to buying.
9. Use Snapchat’s Ecommerce Features
Snapchat will expand its eCommerce capabilities in 2025 to make it easier for brands and retailers to sell directly via the app. Users can browse and buy products using features like shoppable advertisements and product catalogs.
You can simplify the buying process for your audience by integrating eCommerce with your Snapchat strategy. Promoting exclusive offers or time-sensitive deals will create urgency, and encourage conversions through the app.
Final Thoughts
Snapchat is a great platform to build your brand. It’s not just for a certain audience. You can increase traffic and sales on Snapchat by approaching it with strategy and intentionality.
Snapchat’s unique features, combined with its engaged user base, provide businesses the chance to reach younger audiences. Snapchat is a powerful marketing tool, whether it’s through targeted advertising, innovative collaborations or creative content.
Snapchat is a great way to reach the younger generation of consumers. Take advantage of Snapchat’s unique features, try out different strategies and watch your business thrive in the world of social media.
