In recent years, the experience of widespread internet shutdowns and disruptions in Iran, especially during critical situations, has become a major concern for millions, particularly online business owners. Many are asking themselves: Will we face another internet shutdown in Iran? And more importantly, what are the best strategies to save Instagram-based businesses in such circumstances? This article provides a comprehensive analysis of this issue and presents a practical roadmap for sustaining and growing businesses that rely on Instagram.
Analyzing the Situation: Why Should We Be Concerned About Future Shutdowns?
Past experiences, including severe disruptions amid political and security tensions, have shown that the internet in Iran is a vulnerable infrastructure. Reports from sources like NetBlocks confirm significant drops in international internet traffic and near-total shutdowns during specific periods. These events, sometimes implemented to counter cyber-attacks or control information flow, severely impact the country’s digital economy. With an estimated 9 million people earning income through Instagram, any disruption can jeopardize the livelihoods of a large segment of the population. Therefore, a realistic approach dictates that businesses must take the possibility of these scenarios recurring seriously and prepare accordingly. This preparation isn’t about fear and inaction; it’s about strategic and intelligent planning.
Saving Instagram Businesses: Moving Beyond a Single Platform
The biggest strategic mistake for an online business is to be 100% dependent on a single platform over which it has no control. Instagram, for all its benefits, is rented land. Its rules can change at any moment, its algorithms can ignore you, and in the worst-case scenario, access to it can be completely cut off. The path to survival is to build a multi-faceted business ecosystem where Instagram is just one of the marketing and sales channels, not the entire foundation.
Strategy 1: Build Your Permanent Home – The Independent Website
Having an e-commerce website is the most crucial and sustainable strategy for saving your business. A website is your private property in the digital world. No one can take it away from you or restrict your customers’ access to it (except in a total internet blackout, in which case websites with domestic servers may still be accessible via the national network).
- Full Control: You have complete control over the design, content, pricing, and all sales processes.
- Customer Data Collection: With a website, you can directly collect customer emails and phone numbers, building a valuable database.
- SEO and Organic Customer Acquisition: By optimizing your site for search engines, you can attract customers who are actively searching for your products, creating a sustainable and free marketing stream.
- Credibility and Professionalism: A sleek, functional website significantly boosts your brand’s credibility.
Strategy 2: The Hidden Treasure – Building a Customer Database
Whether you have a website or not, start building your customer list today. This list is your lifeline during a crisis. When Instagram is down, you can communicate directly with your customers.
- Email Marketing: Ask your customers to subscribe to your email newsletter. Email marketing is one of the cheapest and most effective direct marketing methods.
- Phone Number List (WhatsApp & Telegram): With customer permission, collect their phone numbers for notifications via WhatsApp or to create a backup Telegram channel.
- Offer Value: To encourage users to share their information, offer them a discount code, free educational content, or early access to new products.
Strategy 3: Diversify Your Online Sales Channels
In addition to Instagram and a personal website, don’t neglect other channels. Each new channel adds a layer of security to your business.
- Domestic Platforms: Iranian messengers and platforms like Bale and Eita can serve as alternative communication and sales channels during disruptions to international platforms. Creating a channel on these platforms and encouraging a portion of your audience to join is a smart move.
- Marketplaces: Being present on large online marketplaces can create an additional revenue stream, although here too, you are subject to the platform’s rules.
- Telegram: Despite being filtered, Telegram remains a powerful communication tool in Iran. Having an active Telegram channel for announcements and even sales is essential.
Rebuilding Trust After the Crisis: How to Get Back in the Game
After a period of internet shutdown, simply coming back online is not enough. Many businesses face a sharp decline in engagement and sales. This period, which some have likened to a “post-war era,” requires a comeback strategy.
- Transparency and Empathy: Be honest with your audience. Talk about the challenges you faced and show that you understand their situation.
- Comeback Campaigns: Motivate customers to buy from you again by offering special discounts, free shipping, or a small gift.
- Focus on Interactive Content: Try to re-establish the lost connection with your audience and reactivate the Instagram algorithm in your favor by conducting polls, Q&As, and live sessions.
- Remind Them You’re Back: Use the customer list you’ve built to inform them of your return via SMS or email.
Conclusion: Build Your Ship Before the Storm
The answer to the question “Will we face another internet shutdown in Iran?” is, with a high degree of probability, yes. But this shouldn’t mean the end of the digital entrepreneurship dream. The best strategy to save Instagram-based businesses is to accept this reality and take preventive action. Instead of putting all your eggs in the Instagram basket, start building a multi-faceted, resilient business today. Launch your website, build your customer list, and establish a presence on various channels. These actions will not only insure your business against internet shutdowns but will also contribute significantly to its growth and stability in normal times. Don’t wait for the storm; build your lifeboat today.
Sources
- Techna: Selling on Instagram After the War; How to Return?
- Vidao: Statistics on the Damage of National Internet Restrictions on Iran’s Economy
- Zoomit: War and Internet Blackout; Communication Disruption and Outage
- C-Persian: New Needs of Instagram Businesses After the War
- Asr Iran: Analysis of the impact of internet outages on global issues