Picture a bustling marketplace with 1.48 billion shoppers, all eager to discover the latest trends and immediately tell their friends about their amazing finds. That’s the power of selling on Instagram.
What’s even more appealing is that Instagram offers a range of features designed to help you broaden your reach, showcase your products in visually engaging ways, and simplify the purchasing process for your customers.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of selling on Instagram, from setting up your shop to expanding your customer base and boosting your sales. So, let’s dive in!
Table of contents
- Why sell on Instagram
- How to sell on Instagram
- 6 tips to sell more on Instagram
- How to sell on Instagram FAQs
Why sell on Instagram
As hinted at earlier, Instagram boasts an immense user base, offering a level of exposure that traditional brick-and-mortar stores can only dream of. Moreover, these users spend an average of 30 minutes on the platform every single day. This presents a golden opportunity to capture their attention and showcase your offerings.
What’s more, setting up shop on Instagram is completely free, and you can even advertise your products with a minimal budget. Say goodbye to exorbitant rental fees!
However, the most compelling reason to establish your business on Instagram lies in its foundation of engagement. This dynamic platform empowers you to share captivating posts that reach a wide audience, engage in personalized conversations through comments and direct messages, and cultivate a thriving network by sharing content and tagging others. It’s a harmonious blend of in-person interaction and the far-reaching impact of mass media marketing.
How to sell on Instagram
Instagram excels at providing a user-friendly experience for businesses looking to set up shop. With just a few taps, you can establish a fully operational ecommerce channel within a short span of time.
Verify your eligibility
Before you begin, it’s crucial to ensure that your business aligns with Instagram’s selling criteria. Here’s what you need to meet:
- You adhere to Instagram’s commerce rules
- You offer tangible goods that are also listed on your website
- Instagram can verify confirming that you represent the domain you intend to promote
- You’re located in located in a market or country where Instagram Shopping is available
- You have a business account on Instagram (don’t worry, it’s easy to set up - we’ll guide you) New business owner without a website? Not a problem! This guide will walk you through how to get your business online in a snap.
Create a business account
Setting up a business account on Instagram is not only free but also unlocks a world of possibilities. It enables you to create shoppable posts, seamlessly incorporate links into your Stories, launch targeted ad campaigns, and gain valuable insights through a dedicated dashboard. Transforming your personal account into a business account is a breeze:
- Tap on the hamburger menu within your account
- Navigate to Privacy and Settings
- Scroll down and select Account Type and Tools
- Choose Switch to Professional Account
- Select a category that best represents your business
- Tap OK and Done
Congratulations, you’re officially in business!
If you haven’t created an Instagram account yet, start here.
Build your Instagram shop
Just as a physical store requires merchandise on its shelves, your virtual Instagram shop necessitates a well-stocked catalog of products. There are three primary methods for populating your Instagram shop’s catalog: importing from an existing Facebook catalog, linking to your ecommerce website, or creating a brand new catalog. Once completed, you’ll be empowered to showcase your products to customers in visually compelling and interactive ways.
Source
If you already manage a shop and catalog on Facebook, this step is a piece of cake. Simply access the Catalog Manager, navigate to Settings > Business Assets > Instagram > Add Instagram Account.
Alternatively, you can seamlessly connect your existing ecommerce website to Instagram, instantly making your online shop’s catalog available on the platform. Here’s how to link a Shopify store or a BigCommerce store to Instagram.
If you’re starting from scratch and don’t have an ecommerce site, you’ll need to build a catalog using Facebook’s Commerce Manager. This platform will walk you through that process. Additionally, it serves as your central hub for managing your shop’s settings and operations.
Create shoppable posts
You might already be acquainted with tagging your friends in Instagram posts. Now, with your newly established business account, you can elevate your posts by tagging your products.
Each tag provides viewers with instant access to the product’s name and price, and a simple tap directs potential buyers to your Instagram shop or your website (the choice is yours).
Shoppable posts blend seamlessly into the Instagram feed, resembling regular posts with the addition of a small shopping bag icon.
To create your own, upload a captivating photo featuring your product(s) just as you would with any other post. Craft a compelling caption and incorporate relevant hashtags. Next, tap on Tag Products in the editor, choose the tag’s placement on the image, and select the corresponding product from your catalog. Finally, tap Share, and your post will be live, enticing users to explore and make a purchase.
Add Instagram Checkout
While Shoppable posts streamline the browsing experience, Instagram Checkout takes it a step further, allowing customers to purchase products directly within the app, minimizing friction and potentially boosting conversion rates. Here’s how seamless the purchase journey becomes with Instagram Checkout, from tapping on a shoppable ad to completing the transaction.
By eliminating the need to navigate away from the app, Instagram Checkout can contribute to a significant increase in your sales conversions.
6 tips to sell more on Instagram
Now that you’ve mastered the art of selling on Instagram, let’s explore some proven strategies to attract a larger audience to your posts and convert them into loyal customers.
Publish a variety of posts
Constantly bombarding your audience with promotional content can be counterproductive. To effectively grow your Instagram following, it’s essential to cultivate a diverse content strategy that includes regular, non-promotional posts. There are countless creative post ideas to captivate your audience and foster deeper engagement. Here are a few examples to spark your imagination:
- Raise awareness for a cause you’re passionate about
- Conduct interactive polls to engage your followers
- Share captivating video Reels enhanced with captions and music
- Craft visually appealing Stories using graphics, images, and video
- Write engaging and entertaining captions that resonate with your target audience
- Incorporate fun, engaging captions There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for the ideal ratio of shoppable to regular posts. Start by aiming for approximately one to three shoppable posts for every ten posts you publish and fine-tune your strategy based on your account’s performance.
Work with influencers
Influencer marketing has emerged as a highly effective strategy for businesses aiming to drive sales through social media. Combining the power of influencers with shoppable posts creates a formidable force that can significantly amplify your brand’s reach and sales on Instagram.
Contrary to popular belief, most influencers aren’t highly compensated celebrities, which works in your favor. Micro-influencers with a dedicated following of a few thousand followers are often more budget-friendly and may be perceived as more relatable and trustworthy by their audience.
Use hashtags
Instagram hashtags are like virtual signposts that make your content discoverable to a wider audience. By adding relevant hashtags to your posts, you increase their visibility and make it easier for potential customers to find you.
The key is to choose hashtags that align with your brand and target audience. Opt for a mix of:
- Location-based hashtags: #detroitshoestore
- Popular hashtags: #dogsofinstagram
- Trending hashtags: #marchmadness2024
- Branded hashtags: #siggisyougurt To identify the most effective hashtags for your niche, use Instagram’s search bar to explore related terms and discover relevant variations.
Share UGC
User-generated content (UGC) offers a trifecta of benefits: a consistent stream of authentic content, access to the creator’s audience, and compelling social proof.
You can effortlessly discover ready-to-share UGC on Instagram by searching relevant hashtags (GramFeed is an invaluable tool for this purpose). Alternatively, ignite creativity within your community by hosting contests and introducing branded hashtags.
Use shoppable Reels and Stories
Shoppable content extends beyond your main feed. Instagram allows you to incorporate shopping tags into your engaging Reels and ephemeral Stories, maximizing your reach and sales potential. Reels, akin to TikTok’s short-form videos, provide a dynamic platform to showcase your products in action, captivating viewers with immersive visuals.
Stories, on the other hand, offer a sense of urgency with their 24-hour lifespan. Whether static images or captivating videos, Stories can be easily enhanced with shoppable stickers that link directly to your products.
Use Instagram ads
Organic shoppable posts are an effective way to boost your sales without spending a dime. However, even a modest advertising budget can significantly amplify your reach and connect you with a highly targeted audience. Instagram ads offer unparalleled versatility. You can promote shoppable posts, engaging Reels, and even your ephemeral Stories using this powerful advertising platform.
Once you’re comfortable with promoting your posts, unlock the full potential of Instagram ads by exploring custom audiences. This advanced targeting option enhances your ad’s efficiency and maximizes your return on investment.
How to sell on Instagram FAQs
Have more questions about navigating the world of Instagram selling? We’ve got the answers you seek.
Can you sell directly on Instagram?
Absolutely! By connecting a product catalog and enabling Instagram Checkout, customers can purchase your products directly within their Instagram app, streamlining the buying process.
Can I sell on Instagram without a website?
While Instagram offers a robust platform for selling, having a website is a prerequisite for establishing your shop. It’s one of Instagram’s key requirements for businesses looking to sell on the platform.
Does it cost to sell on Instagram?
For the most part, no. Setting up shop and creating shoppable posts won’t cost you a dime. However, Instagram charges a nominal fee for transactions processed through their Checkout platform, and running Instagram ads requires a separate budget.
How do I set up selling on Instagram?
Transform your personal Instagram account into a business account, connect it to a catalog of your products, and start creating eye-catching shoppable posts – it’s that simple!
Grow your business by learning how to sell on Instagram
Instagram’s vast and engaged user base makes it a prime location for businesses of all sizes to connect with their target audience and drive sales. By embracing the platform’s diverse features and implementing effective strategies, you can unlock the full potential of Instagram selling. To maximize your success:
- Utilize all available post formats: In-feed posts, Reels, and Stories
- Craft a balanced content strategy: Mix promotional, informational, and entertaining content
- Collaborate with relevant influencers: Leverage their reach and credibility
- Explore the power of Instagram ads: Target specific audiences and boost visibility
- Share user-generated content: Build trust and authenticity
- Optimize your posts with relevant hashtags: Enhance discoverability