How to Set Up an Instagram Shop in 5 Easy Steps

How to Set Up an Instagram Shop in 5 Easy Steps.

Social commerce has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Retail social commerce sales in the United States are predicted to reach about $80 billion by 2025, according to eMarketer’s social commerce statistics.
To put this in perspective, it will cost just over $46 billion in 2020.

If you haven’t yet started selling on social media, Instagram is a great place to start.
When you combine social commerce’s growing popularity with Instagram’s strong visual focus, you have a fantastic opportunity to sell your things online. As a matter of fact, a survey completed by Instagram revealed that as much as 60% of people say that they discover new products via its platform.

Emerging brands can easily expand their exposure and reach a larger target audience thanks to the platform. We’ve put together a simple step-by-step guide on getting started to assist you.We’ve also included some pointers on how to get the most out of this feature.
As a result, make sure to read all the way to the end (or if your Instagram Shop is already open for customers just jump to the last section).

How Does Instagram Shop Work?

A business can use Instagram Shop to promote their curated product inventory and sell to customers. Instagram users will be able to accept purchases via the app by clicking the View Shop icon that will show on the profile page of your Instagram business account.

Furthermore, you may be featured on the Instagram Shop tab, which is accessible from the platform’s main navigation menu. Users may still be able to find your products even if they don’t click on your View Shop button. Furthermore, because the platform takes into account users’ previous interaction (such as the companies they follow and the content they interact with), you have a better chance of reaching your ideal audience.

Who’s Eligible?

The first step in creating an Instagram Shop is to determine whether you are eligible.
To be eligible, you must check a number of items. These are the following:

Your business (or creator account) must be located in one of the platform’s supported markets. To see if you fall within one of these markets, you can refer to Instagram’s Help Center. If your account doesn’t fall within a suitable market, you may not be able to tag products.
You must have an eligible product to sell.
Your eCommerce business has a website domain from where you plan to sell.
You adhere to the commerce policies and merchant agreement of Instagram.

Steps for Setting Up Instagram Shop

If you’re eligible, you can proceed to create an Instagram Shop. It’s really straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Switch to a creator/business account

If you don’t have a business account yet, you’ll first need to convert your current Instagram account to one. Here’s how:

Open your Instagram profile and click on the icon with the three lines in the top right-hand corner
Select “Settings”
If you don’t see an option to “Switch to a professional account”, select “Account” under which you’ll be able to see this option
Select “Continue”
Pick a business category and click on “Done”
To confirm your choice, select “OK”
Tap on “Business” and then “Next”
You can now add your contact info

Step 2: Link your Facebook page

You’ll need to link your Facebook page to your Instagram business account in order to create an Instagram Shop (if you don’t have a Facebook page yet, you can follow the identical steps below to create one).

Here’s how:

Open your Instagram profile
Click on “Edit profile”
Select “Page” (you’ll find this under “Public business information”)
From your “Pages”, select the page that you wish to link. Alternatively, if you don’t have a Facebook page yet, you simply select “Create a new Facebook Page”

When linking these accounts, take in mind that you must be identified as the administrator of the Facebook page you want to connect to. The page will not appear in the drop-down menu if you are not the administrator.

This step is not only required, but it will also allow you to access more business tools in addition to creating an Instagram Shop.
You’ll be able to do things like:

Promote stories and posts
Via your Facebook page, you’ll be able to create ads that will show up on Instagram and Facebook (this will help you to reach more people)
Pay for promotions more conveniently
Manage your messages via Instagram and Facebook Messenger via a single, unified inbox
Sync business contact details
Access cross-app tools like camera effects, appointment booking buttons, and donation stickers

Step 3: Add your product catalog

To open an Instagram Shop, you’ll need a product catalog containing all of the products you want to offer (along with descriptions) as well as inventory listings.

You can integrate it with your third-party eCommerce platform, such as BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Magento, or Shopify. You may continue to manage your products through your eCommerce platform, and any updates will be synced to Facebook/Instagram on a regular basis. If you’ll be selling through your own eCommerce site, this is the greatest option because it will make inventory management much easier.

If you don’t use an eCommerce platform, you’ll have to use the Catalogue Manager via Facebook Business Manager.

Step 4: Overview your account

Before you can start selling on Instagram Shop, you must first have your account approved by the platform. Here’s what you need to do when you’ve entered your product catalog:

Click on “Settings” (found below the menu icon)
Sign up for shopping
Complete the steps

You may check the progress of your review by going to “Settings” and selecting “Shopping.”
The evaluation procedure normally takes a few of days, although it can take longer in some cases. Keep an eye out for any notifications as well. A company may be asked to provide further information about the ownership of their website domain.

Step 5: Switch on the shopping features

All that’s left to do now is turn on the shopping features if your account has been approved.
Here’s how to do it:

Click on “Settings” (found under the menu icon)
Click on “Business”
Select “Shopping”
Pick the product catalog that you wish to link to your account and click on “Done”

Tips For Advertising and marketing Your Instagram Shop

Getting your Instagram Shop up and running is only half the battle. You must still put it up for sale, just like any other eCommerce merchant or brick-and-mortar business. There are several ways to capture the attention of your target market, ranging from Instagram Stories to tags. Here are some practical options for you to try:

1.Use stickers

You can use a variety of “Product” stickers in the Instagram app to designate products in an Instagram Story. You can use transparent text or a shopping bag icon, for example. While you can’t add these stickers to an Instagram Story you’ve previously shared, you can tag a product in an existing post with a sticker.

2. Include hashtags and calls to action

Hashtag Generator

Including relevant hashtags in your shopping posts, such as #shoplocal, can help your target market find your Instagram shop. When used properly, hashtags can also help you appear in the Search and Explore tab, where consumers can select the Shop tab. In fact, according to an Instagram for Business report, more than 40% of users shop on the site once a week.
As a result, there’s a big market for you to tap into.

A hashtag, on the other hand, is no substitute for a compelling call to action that motivates users to take action. You can use the following examples of effective calls to action:

Share with a friend
Get it now
Buy before it’s gone
Tap the shopping bag icon to buy

3. Run an ad campaign

A business can tag a product that is featured in an Instagram Shopping ad. Users will be redirected to a website with more information about the individual products if they click on any of these tags. It’ll be easier to take advantage of in-the-moment transactions because consumers won’t have to leave Instagram and can buy immediately from your mobile shop. Remember to add high-quality product photographs, as well as relevant keywords and hashtags, to make the most of this important retail space.

4. Partner with an influencer

Collaboration with an influencer is a smart idea in addition to your own Instagram Shopping advertisements.
For example, you may ask the influencer to curate a unique assortment of products from your catalog, which they can then share with their followers.

However, there are a few things you should consider before collaborating with an Instagram influencer. Basically, you want to be certain that they’re genuine. Then you’ll want to make sure they’re relevant to your company and its target audience, as well as producing and sharing high-quality material on a regular basis. You may acquire a thorough overview of an influencer’s account, including their likes and comments history, using platforms like Iconosquare. Authenticity is required for influencer marketing to succeed.

5. Leverage user-generated content(UGC)

As previously said, the purpose of product promotion on Instagram should be to create honest content. If you don’t want to collaborate with an influencer, reposting another user’s Instagram Story or post that promotes one of your items is another option to share authentic content (referred to as user-generated content, or UGC, in marketing speak).
It’s an excellent example of social proof that can help your target audience understand that your brand is legitimate and trustworthy.

Another advantage of employing user-generated content is that it allows you to ensure that your brand is inclusive. Make it a priority to publish photographs that are actually indicative of your target clients to make it even more effective. In other words, feature customers of all genders, races, sizes, and abilities.

6. Apply your branding consistently

The visuals that your brand offers on its website and other social media platforms should be consistent with the style that you utilize for your Instagram postings. You may even try to include it into your packaging. In other words, it will assist you in developing an easily recognizable brand identity that will allow your target audience to readily recognize your material among the many other posts and advertisements fighting for their attention.

However, don’t let this discourage you from experimenting with color. Using a bright color as a background might help your products stand out.

7. Incorporate storytelling

Your brand’s voice and personality are an important part of its identity. Maintain an authentic, personal, and informal tone while writing captions and content. Sharing the past of a product, for example, can help you connect with your customers. Another method to allow your voice and personality shine through, depending on the type of product you’re selling, is to create how-to films that demonstrate your product in action.

8. Share a discount code

Last, but not least, if you have an upcoming sale, don’t forget to share it on Instagram too. It’s as easy as promoting it in the caption of a post or, even better, directly in a shoppable post.

Conclusion

Although selling on Instagram is still a relatively new phenomenon, customers are already taking advantage of this additional opportunity to shop online. According to BigCommerce, one of the largest eCommerce platforms, nearly a third of online buyers said they would be likely to buy a product using social media sites such as Instagram or Facebook. As a result, the notion is gaining a lot of traction.

The Instagram Shop function will not only help you reach a larger audience, but it will also be simple to use. In reality, marketing your products is most likely the most time-consuming aspect.