This guide explains how to use your Instagram profile to sell products over the internet. Instagram Shopping is a feature of this social network reserved for business profiles: it allows you to link your catalog to Instagram posts so that users who follow you can see your products. You can switch to a business profile and set up Instagram Shopping at no additional cost.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Meeting the Instagram Requirements
Step 1. Review the Vendor Agreement and Sales Regulations
Before trying to set up your shop on Instagram, make sure that your business and your products comply with the social network policies, which you can find at these addresses:
- Contract for sellers relating to commercial products;
- Sales regulations.
Step 2. Switch to a business account if you don't already have one
Only those with such a profile can create a shop on Instagram. Below you will find the instructions to complete the transition to business user:
- Launch the Instagram app and press on the menu in the upper right corner;
- Press on Settings;
- Press on Account;
- Press on Switch to professional account;
- Press on Business;
- Follow the onscreen instructions to link your Facebook page to your Instagram profile, because you will need it later;
- Enter your business information and click on Done.
Step 3. Connect your Facebook page to your Instagram account
You only need to do this if you have already converted your Instagram profile into a business account, but you haven't connected your Facebook page yet. Here's how to do it:
- Launch the Instagram app and press your profile icon;
- Press on Edit profile;
- Press on Page under "Public Information Activities";
- Select your Facebook page; if you want to create a new one, click on Create a new Facebook page and follow the instructions on the screen.
Part 2 of 5: Connecting the Profile to a Catalog
Step 1. Visit this page
If you haven't signed in to the account with which you manage your Facebook page yet, make sure you do so now.
Step 2. Select "E-commerce" and click Next
This is the first entry (and the only one that meets Instagram's criteria).
Step 3. Connect a catalog from an e-commerce platform
Skip this step if you don't want to link an existing catalog from another service. If you are using an e-commerce platform affiliated with Facebook (Shopify, Big Commerce, 3dcart, Magento, OpenCart, Storeden or WooCommerce), follow these steps:
- Click on Connect e-commerce platform;
- Select the platform you want;
- Click on the blue button Finish configuration;
- Follow the on-screen prompts to link your catalog.
Step 4. Create a catalog using Catalog Manager
If you want to enter products using a form or by uploading a spreadsheet, follow these steps:
- Click on Upload product information;
- Select your Facebook page;
- Type a name for the catalog in the "Catalog name" field;
- Click on the blue button Create.
- Click on View catalog or go to this web page.
Step 5. Add the products to your catalog
If you're using an ecommerce platform like Shopify, take advantage of it to enter and manage product information. If you are using the Facebook or Instagram Catalog Manager instead, follow these steps:
- Click on Products in the left pane;
- Click on Add products to start;
- If you want to enter a product by typing its information into a form, select Add manually, if you have a spreadsheet with the description instead, choose Use data sources;
- Click on Come on;
- If you want to upload a file with your products, select it, then follow the on-screen instructions to upload it;
- If you want to enter a product manually, enter its information, then click on Add product to save them; you can continue to enter other products in this way.
Part 3 of 5: Enable Instagram Shopping
Step 1. Open the Instagram app with your business profile
Now that you've linked a catalog to the social network, it's time to request activation of sales on your account.
Step 2. Press on the ☰ menu
You will see this button with three horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the profile.
Step 3. Click on Settings
If you don't see this entry, scroll down.
Step 4. Click on Business
The options for your business profile will appear.
Step 5. Tap on Instagram Shopping
Some instructions will appear.
Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to request a review of your profile
Once done, Instagram will evaluate your request. If your account meets all the requirements, Instagram Shopping will be activated in a few days. When you can continue with the configuration, you will receive a notification from Instagram.
Step 7. Click on the Instagram notification confirming the approval of your profile
After a few days, Instagram will send you a notification informing you that you can complete the configuration operation. By pressing on the message, the screen you are looking for will open directly.
Another way to open the configuration screen is to press on the menu with the three lines on your profile page, select Settings, press on Businessfinally open Shopping.
Step 8. Click Continue
A list of products available for sale will appear.
Step 9. Select your catalog and press Done
Your virtual shop is now active.
Part 4 of 5: Tagging Products in Posts
Step 1. Create a new post
To sell a product on Instagram, you need to upload photos or videos, then tag it from your catalog. Start by pressing the icon at the bottom of the screen that allows you to create a new post (the symbol +), then select a photo or video featuring at least one of your products.
Step 2. Add a caption and filters
If you want to make your photo more beautiful, you can use the classic Instagram tools. You should also write an attention-grabbing description that encourages other users to purchase your products.
Step 3. Click on the product to sell
If the post contains more than one photo, scroll through each one to tag the various products. If you have uploaded a video, you can skip this step.
You can tag up to 5 products in a photo or video; if your post contains several photos and videos, you can tag up to 20 products
Step 4. Select the product to tag
A search bar will appear which you can use to locate items in the catalog that you have linked to your profile. Start by typing the name of the product, then select it from the search results. Repeat this process until you have associated a product with each tag on the photo.
The tags will become links to the description and purchase pages on your business website. Customers will be able to purchase products using the payment methods you normally offer
Step 5. Once you have finished selecting the products, click on Done
If you want to see a preview of the articles you have tagged, click on Preview tagged products. If not, skip to the next step.
Step 6. Click on Share to publish the post
This way, users who follow you will be able to see it.
Part 5 of 5: Increase the Business Volume
Step 1. Use relevant and trending hashtags in posts promoting your products
When you publish your articles, add popular and related hashtags to your offer, so as to reach even users who do not follow you. For example, if you sell self-made tarot cards, use hashtags like #tarot, #cards, #tarotlove, and #tarottuesday. This way, users who browse photos with those hashtags will find your products.
Step 2. Ask another Instagram user to promote your products
You can send articles to local celebrities, influencers, bloggers, and ordinary Instagram users by asking in exchange for them to post your products on their accounts. This can help you reach new customers.
- The best way to attempt this marketing strategy is to write your contact information in a comment on an Instagram post of the person in question, asking if you can submit an article to them. You can also try direct messages, but don't be too pushy.
- You will be more successful with this technique if you reach out to influencers who frequently post items sold in Instagram stores.
Step 3. Talk to your followers
Every user who follows you is a potential customer, so be sure to promptly respond to their comments and questions politely. If you don't get many comments, ask your followers questions when posting.
- You can interact with your followers on their profiles as well. Like their photos and write comments to draw attention to your business.
- Politely ask for a photo review when a buyer receives one of your products. Upload all reviews to improve the reputation of your business.
- Committed to providing courteous and professional service. The fact that you run your business on Instagram doesn't allow you to ignore the standards of professionalism. Serve your customers with kindness, politeness, and don't be annoyed, even when they criticize you.
Step 4. Publish only high quality content
Your posts represent your business, so make sure they're curated and accurate in every respect. Use just a few filters and color schemes, so that your profile acquires a recognizable style, and bring your brand to life using captions with a unique tone.
Step 5. Try to be always active
Don't neglect your shop. Upload new photos every day and don't hesitate to promote items you've already posted in the past.
