Stats from Instagram Shopping show that 130 million users engage with shopping posts on the app each month. Such a large number exemplifies how influential and widespread social purchasing has become.
Traditional methods for e-commerce brands to drive traffic to their online stores from Instagram consisted solely of including a clickable link in their bio or in their stories. The addition of Instagram Shopping has greatly streamlined the process. Put away your mall maps because Instagram is where it's at for retail therapy these days.
What is Instagram Shopping?
With Instagram's new Shopping feature: online retailers can create a virtual inventory of their products for users to browse and share. Instagram allows users to find products and make purchases within the app (through checkout) or via a link to the brand's online store.
Checkout-enabled Instagram shops can authorize shopping partners to tag products in Instagram photos and videos. Instagram users can view and directly shop from product tags on stories and posts made by shopping partners. Instagram Shopping even allows you to sell without a website if you sell from the comments.
How to set up a shop on Instagram
Creating an Instagram Shop is easy and free. You don't require a license to sell on Instagram. Before you can begin setting up Instagram Shopping, your Instagram business account must meet the following requirements.
- Your Instagram profile must have a solid verification history.
- Your business should be located in a market where Instagram Shopping is allowed.
- You should sell a physical product. not a service.
- Your business must comply with Instagram's commerce policies and merchant agreement.
- All products featured on your Instagram business account must be available for sale via your website or Instagram checkout.
Once you've verified that you meet the requirements, you can follow the steps below to convert to a business or creator account and gain access to Instagram Shopping.
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1. Convert to an Instagram business account or creator account
It's time to take the plunge and sign up for an Instagram business or creator account if you haven't already. Instagram's business accounts offer a wealth of insightful metrics and access to Shopping features.
To switch your profile to a business account:
- Go to your account's settings
- Switch to a business account
- Add your business information
With a business or creator account: you can share important details about your company. Like its opening hours, physical location, contact information, and website.
2. Set up your shop using Commerce Manager
Once you've verified that your shop meets all the eligibility requirements, you can begin the onboarding process for your store in Commerce Manager. Build your store with Commerce Manager or one of the other supported platforms.
Choose a checkout method where customers can complete their purchases. Businesses in the United States can benefit from Instagram's checkout feature because it allows customers to buy things without leaving the app.
In the "sales channels " section: choose the Instagram business account you want to link to your store. You can connect your Facebook and Instagram accounts by checking the box next to your account.
Choose the product catalog you want to utilize for your store. You can create a catalog if you don't already have one. Take a look around the store. If everything checks out: send it over to Instagram for review. Instagram will notify you when the Shop is approved.
3. Start using Instagram Shopping
You can begin using Instagram Shopping once you've established your store in Commerce Manager. Submit your account for review and turn on Instagram Shopping to begin using your shop.
To submit your account for review:
- Go to your Instagram profile settings.
- Select Sign Up for Instagram Shopping.
- Follow the steps given to submit your account for approval.
- Visit Shopping in your Settings if you want to check the status of your application.
Instagram may take anything from a few hours to two weeks to assess and approve your account for product tagging.
After Instagram has approved your account you can begin connecting your product catalog to your Instagram Shop. Go to Instagram settings and select the Business option. Select Shopping. Choose the catalog of goods you wish to link up with. Tap Done.
4. Highlight and tag your products
Product catalog pictures should be simple and uniform. Ensure that product photos you upload to the catalog accurately reflect the ones on your website. Keep backgrounds simple and tidy so that products stand out. Introduce one product with as little distraction as possible.
After you've set up your shop: you can use pictures and videos to highlight your products. you may draw more attention to specific goods in your feed and stories using product tags. Instagram users can see the names and prices of your products without leaving the app.
Tips on how to sell more products with Instagram Shopping
Once you have stocked your online shop. It's time to attract customers. Here are some tips for getting users to shop 'til they drop
- Since Instagram is a visual platform, make sure your products look great in the grid by using high-quality photos and videos.
- Partner with influencers to help spread the posts about your products further.
- Use trending hashtags.
- Offer a discount code
- Demonstrate how your product works in a video
- Set yourself apart by developing a distinct look that you can use to promote your brand on Instagram.
- Share user-generated content
Remember to use the potential of omnichannel marketing to increase brand recognition and conversions by promoting deals on social media platforms like TIkTok and Pinterest.
What if your Instagram shop is rejected?
If you apply for an Instagram Shop and are denied, Instagram will not give you any specific feedback as to why. The platform will refer you to their Commerce Eligibility Requirements. Make sure you double-check that you've followed every one of these guidelines.
You can reapply and file an appeal if your shop is denied the first time. It may be some time before you receive a third chance to apply after the second review.
Get Instagram-specific product photography through Soona
The popularity of Instagram as a shopping platform is only expected to increase. It's only a matter of time before services like Instagram checkout are available worldwide. Now is the perfect moment to incorporate Instagram Shopping into your social media plan and learn just how useful it can be for your company.
soona gives you a digital platform to create your own content. Our Instagram refresh pack will get you the perfect images for your Instagram Shop. Do your Instagram Shop images need an upgrade? Book a shoot with us today!
Stats from Instagram Shopping show that 130 million users engage with shopping posts on the app each month. Such a large number exemplifies how influential and widespread social purchasing has become.
Traditional methods for e-commerce brands to drive traffic to their online stores from Instagram consisted solely of including a clickable link in their bio or in their stories. The addition of Instagram Shopping has greatly streamlined the process. Put away your mall maps because Instagram is where it's at for retail therapy these days.
What is Instagram Shopping?
With Instagram's new Shopping feature: online retailers can create a virtual inventory of their products for users to browse and share. Instagram allows users to find products and make purchases within the app (through checkout) or via a link to the brand's online store.
Checkout-enabled Instagram shops can authorize shopping partners to tag products in Instagram photos and videos. Instagram users can view and directly shop from product tags on stories and posts made by shopping partners. Instagram Shopping even allows you to sell without a website if you sell from the comments.
How to set up a shop on Instagram
Creating an Instagram Shop is easy and free. You don't require a license to sell on Instagram. Before you can begin setting up Instagram Shopping, your Instagram business account must meet the following requirements.
- Your Instagram profile must have a solid verification history.
- Your business should be located in a market where Instagram Shopping is allowed.
- You should sell a physical product. not a service.
- Your business must comply with Instagram's commerce policies and merchant agreement.
- All products featured on your Instagram business account must be available for sale via your website or Instagram checkout.
Once you've verified that you meet the requirements, you can follow the steps below to convert to a business or creator account and gain access to Instagram Shopping.
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1. Convert to an Instagram business account or creator account
It's time to take the plunge and sign up for an Instagram business or creator account if you haven't already. Instagram's business accounts offer a wealth of insightful metrics and access to Shopping features.
To switch your profile to a business account:
- Go to your account's settings
- Switch to a business account
- Add your business information
With a business or creator account: you can share important details about your company. Like its opening hours, physical location, contact information, and website.
2. Set up your shop using Commerce Manager
Once you've verified that your shop meets all the eligibility requirements, you can begin the onboarding process for your store in Commerce Manager. Build your store with Commerce Manager or one of the other supported platforms.
Choose a checkout method where customers can complete their purchases. Businesses in the United States can benefit from Instagram's checkout feature because it allows customers to buy things without leaving the app.
In the "sales channels " section: choose the Instagram business account you want to link to your store. You can connect your Facebook and Instagram accounts by checking the box next to your account.
Choose the product catalog you want to utilize for your store. You can create a catalog if you don't already have one. Take a look around the store. If everything checks out: send it over to Instagram for review. Instagram will notify you when the Shop is approved.
3. Start using Instagram Shopping
You can begin using Instagram Shopping once you've established your store in Commerce Manager. Submit your account for review and turn on Instagram Shopping to begin using your shop.
To submit your account for review:
- Go to your Instagram profile settings.
- Select Sign Up for Instagram Shopping.
- Follow the steps given to submit your account for approval.
- Visit Shopping in your Settings if you want to check the status of your application.
Instagram may take anything from a few hours to two weeks to assess and approve your account for product tagging.
After Instagram has approved your account you can begin connecting your product catalog to your Instagram Shop. Go to Instagram settings and select the Business option. Select Shopping. Choose the catalog of goods you wish to link up with. Tap Done.
4. Highlight and tag your products
Product catalog pictures should be simple and uniform. Ensure that product photos you upload to the catalog accurately reflect the ones on your website. Keep backgrounds simple and tidy so that products stand out. Introduce one product with as little distraction as possible.
After you've set up your shop: you can use pictures and videos to highlight your products. you may draw more attention to specific goods in your feed and stories using product tags. Instagram users can see the names and prices of your products without leaving the app.
Tips on how to sell more products with Instagram Shopping
Once you have stocked your online shop. It's time to attract customers. Here are some tips for getting users to shop 'til they drop
- Since Instagram is a visual platform, make sure your products look great in the grid by using high-quality photos and videos.
- Partner with influencers to help spread the posts about your products further.
- Use trending hashtags.
- Offer a discount code
- Demonstrate how your product works in a video
- Set yourself apart by developing a distinct look that you can use to promote your brand on Instagram.
- Share user-generated content
Remember to use the potential of omnichannel marketing to increase brand recognition and conversions by promoting deals on social media platforms like TIkTok and Pinterest.
What if your Instagram shop is rejected?
If you apply for an Instagram Shop and are denied, Instagram will not give you any specific feedback as to why. The platform will refer you to their Commerce Eligibility Requirements. Make sure you double-check that you've followed every one of these guidelines.
You can reapply and file an appeal if your shop is denied the first time. It may be some time before you receive a third chance to apply after the second review.
Get Instagram-specific product photography through Soona
The popularity of Instagram as a shopping platform is only expected to increase. It's only a matter of time before services like Instagram checkout are available worldwide. Now is the perfect moment to incorporate Instagram Shopping into your social media plan and learn just how useful it can be for your company.
soona gives you a digital platform to create your own content. Our Instagram refresh pack will get you the perfect images for your Instagram Shop. Do your Instagram Shop images need an upgrade? Book a shoot with us today!
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